Councilmember Mary Jane Benedetto
Mary Jane Benedetto and her husband of 49 years, Dr. Dominick Benedetto, became full-time residents of the Town of Orchid in 2016. She was born in Rhode Island and moved to New Jersey at the age of 16.
She graduated Douglass College in New Jersey in 1970 with a major in French. Her retail career started immediately at Bloomingdale's as an executive trainee in NYC. She later moved to Maas Brothers, The Hecht Company, back to Bloomingdales, and John Wanamaker. In 1979 she and her husband moved back to New Jersey after his medical training. She then eventually became a Vice President at Federated Merchandising Services (a division of Federated Department Stores- now Macy's) in NYC.
Her focus in retail was in merchandising. She profitably managed and grew many businesses within department stores over the years. She also managed several private label businesses, traveling the world for inspiration and to place and oversee production with her staffs.
In 1994 she retired to raise her 3 year-old daughter. But she eventually went back to work at Ralph Lauren as a General Manager at the store level in Short Hills, New Jersey. Subsequently, she changed careers and became a Real Estate Agent at Turpin Real Estate, Inc. based in Far Hills, NJ until 2016.
Retirement brought a move to Florida where Dr. Benedetto could enjoy his many outdoor sports and passions. He continues to practice ophthalmology part-time and Mary Jane is savoring all that the Town of Orchid has to offer!
Role of a Councilmember
Councilmembers represent the constituents of the Town of Orchid. Meetings of the Town Council take place "in the Sunshine", which means they are subject to Sunshine Law and open to the public. This is where Councilmembers vote on matters concerning Town business, such as the annual budget, new vendor agreements, zoning and land development, local laws and policies, etc.
Councilmember Term
Councilmember Benedetto was elected to the Town Council in November, 2020 to serve a four-year term that will extend through November, 2024.
County & Regional Committee Appointments
Councilmember Benedetto currently represents the Town of Orchid on the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization and serves as the Town's alternate on the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities.
