Town Administration
The Town Administration staff consists of two full time charter officers, the Town Manager and the Town Clerk, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Council. The duties of the charter officers are fully described in the Town Charter, available online as part of the Town of Orchid Ordinances. Also part of the Town Hall staff are a part-time Police Chief and one full-time Building Permit Clerk.
In addition, the Town employs, under contract, a Town Attorney, a Town Planner, and a Town Building Official.
To contact any member of the Town Administration, see the Contact Us page.
Town Staff
Deb C. Branwell, Town Manager
Deb began working for the Town in February 2006. Deb is a native of Vero Beach. Prior to coming to work for the Town of Orchid, she worked for Habitat for Humanity for three years. She attended college at SouthEastern University in Lakeland, FL. Deb spent several years in Tennessee in management positions with The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and with John Deere. Terri Wallace, Town Clerk
Terri began working for the Town in May 2008. Prior to coming to work for the Town of Orchid, Terri worked for Milton Construction as an Asst. Project Mgr. Terri attended WCU studying Business Law before moving to Vero Beach. She married Scott Wallace and live in Vero Beach with their two dogs, Chewy and Gizmo. Loretta Thibault, Town Building Clerk/Administrative Assistant Loretta began working for the Town of Orchid as the Building Clerk in June of 2010. Before moving to Sebastian, Loretta resided in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. Loretta attended Rockland Community College studying Business Administration. In New York she was employed by the Bergin Group, as a Project Administrator and Executive Coordinator for the Hudson Valley Giants, a Minor League Football Team. Prior to coming onboard with the Town, Loretta was an Administrative Assistant for Star Consulting and Marketing and also Dynasty Contracting. CONTRACT TOWN OFFICIALS Brown, Garganese, Weiss, & D’Agresta, P.A. is a full service law firm that is dedicated to providing high quality representation to its business and local government clients throughout Florida. The Firm enjoys an excellent reputation in the legal community and is rated AV, the highest rating available by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Mr. Garganese has served as Orchid’s Town Attorney since 2003. His practice areas include city, county, and local government law; land use and zoning; commercial and corporate law; and first amendment. The firm website is located at: www.orlandolaw.net Independent Inspections was founded in 1979. The company is based in Waukesha, WI, and has inspection services in WI, IL and FL. Their client base includes towns, villages and cities ranging in size from 200 to 40,000. Indepencent Inspections also serves the City of Fellsmere. With a commitment to rapid response and inspection efficiency, Independent Inspections has earned a reputation based on service and is an asset to any project or municipality. Its employees are all state certified and licensed. Currently, Thomas Forbes, of Independent Inspections, conducts inspections and reviews permits and plans for Orchid on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Depending on the inspectors availability, builders may request an inspection on another day. However, he is available any time by phone to answer questions and advise on any unusual problems that may arise.
Philip Redstone, Chief of Police
Phil is a life long resident of Vero Beach. His family is one of the pioneer families of the area, moving here around 1903. His great uncle, B.T. Redstone, was the first Mayor of Vero Bach in 1925. Phil graduated from Vero Beach High School and holds three college degrees. He graduated from Indian River Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, from Barry University with a Bachelor of Professional Studies/Human Resource Management, and from the Florida Institute of Technology with a Masters Degree in Business Management. Phil started his 29 year law enforcement career with the Indian River Sheriff's Office and then accepted the Chief of Police position at Royal Palm Beach, retiring in 1999. Phil accepted the position of Chief of Police with the Town of Orchid on February 6, 2005.
Anthony Garganese, Town Attorney
Independent Inspections, Ltd., Town Building Official
