Deb 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.

Linda Ray, Full Time Administrative Assistant

Linda began working for the Town in February 2004. Before moving to Florida in September 2003, Linda resided in Oneida, New York, where she worked for 24 years at Oneida Silversmiths, Ltd. When her position was eliminated due to company downsizing, Linda enrolled in and graduated from the Utica School of Commerce with an Associates Degree in Administrative Studies. Linda and her family reside in Sebastian.

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

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

Les Solin, Town Planner

Solin and Associates, Inc. (SAI) has provided planning consulting services to cities and counties for over two decades.  SAI specializes in the preparation of comprehensive plans, land development codes, zoning regulations, special planning studies, and growth management strategies. The professional planning career of Les Solin, FAICP, founder and President of SAI, covers over 35 years and includes 15 years in the public sector and 22 as a planning consultant.   He has served numerous planning administration positions including Director of Planning and Zoning for Vero Beach, Florida.   Mr. Solin holds a master’s degree in city planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  The firm website is located at www.solinplanning.com

Independent Inspections, Ltd., Town Building Official

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.