Board Members

MaryLynn Magar – Chairman - Ms. Magar was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but relocated to Vienna, Virginia at an early age and earned her BS in Business Marketing from Radford University.

Magar’s background brings extensive business experience along with considerable sales and marketing success. Magar was innovative in the technology and communications industry negotiating government contracts to implement early Distance Learning and Telemedicine networks and solutions.

She is currently Vice President of HeartCare Imaging Inc., a healthcare industry business that she founded with her husband, Bob Stilley.

Shortly after moving to Martin County in 1992, Magar joined the MCREC and has been an active member and organizer in the Republican Party.  She was elected and served as RPOF State Committeewoman 2000 - 2012.  

Magar was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012 and was appointed Deputy Majority Whip. She served in various leadership roles, including Chairman of HealthCare Appropriations.  She was the highest-ranking woman in the legislature when elected as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Florida House in 2018 until term limited in 2020.

Magar continues in community service and leadership by serving as Chairman of the Martin Republican Executive Committee, a Board Member of Palm Beach North Chamber, and Eucharistic Minister in the Catholic Church. She lives in Tequesta with her husband and family.


Patty Marchesi - Vice Chair and Events Committee Chair - Patty grew up in the shore town of Belmar, NJ as one of 6 kids. She attended 12 years of parochial school and graduated from St. Rose High School. Patty was a computer programmer for the INSCO Systems Corporation a subsidiary of Continental Insurance Company, working on IBM mainframes and disk management. She studied at the Stuart School of Business in NJ and also received her New York Real Estate License.

After studying at the International Center of Photography in NYC, Patty established Patty D Photography in New Jersey in 2005. She moved the business to Stuart, Florida after spending several winters in the area.   Patty recently earned her FAA 107 commercial drone ‘pilot’s license.’

Patty enjoys meeting other business professionals at various networking groups on the Treasure Coast.  She is a member of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce and is also a Member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, Post 62 in Stuart.

Patty lives in Stuart, Florida, otherwise known as ‘Paradise’ with her husband Jack who she often refers to as ‘Her Roadie’. They are both passionate about their conservative values and work hard to help keep the great state of Florida a place of Freedom.


John Houlihan - Treasurer - John Houlihan, serves as Martin County REC Treasurer, chair of its Election Integrity Committee and Communications Committee member. Most recently involved in the 2020 Trump campaign, John’s been active as an advisor and volunteer to candidates and campaigns for many years.

John’s experience offers a unique perspective on factors that dictate the difference between fairly winning an election and manipulation of political process to produce that result. John has over three decades of legal experience as an attorney working primarily in business and commercial matters with a strong interest in the preservation of fundamental rights.


Lidia Lejma - Secretary - Certified HR Management, Certified Florida Collector Assistant, employed by the Martin County Tax Collector’s office since 2004.

Born and raised in Poland, she immigrated to the United States, where pursuing professional goals earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.

Lidia’s stand on compassionate conservatism, free market economy and respect for the rights of the individual, has led her to the Head Quarters of the Martin County Republican Party. Two years after joining the Martin County Republican Executive Committee, she successfully ran for the Secretary position and has been serving in this capacity ever since.

It is not her position that the Republican Party is perfect, or without fault in its history, but that it continues to evolve and implement positive modifications offering people opportunity for freedom, self-reliance, and individual responsibility.


Richard Geisinger - Communications Committee Chair - Richard Geisinger, Jr. is a Real Estate Broker and Certified General Contractor.  He has been involved in construction, retail sales and development of residential and commercial real estate throughout his career. Richard has been actively involved in the community. 

He is a charter member and past president of The YMCA of the Treasure Coast, The Center for the Arts and The Lyric Theater.  Additionally, he is a past president of Martin County Realtors/Treasure Coast and served as president of the Martin County Taxpayers Association.


Stacey Whitaker-Hetherington - State CommitteeWoman - Ms. Heatherington is a third-generation Martin County native who has dedicated countless hours and resources to strengthening Martin County’s economic viability and protecting our local environment.

Hetherington is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and is a practicing realtor and governmental affairs professional. Commissioner Hetherington lends her expertise to local nonprofit agencies and associations to bring resources to those in need and build a stronger community.

Ms. Hetherington is an active board member of the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and has been active in the Martin County GOP for many years, serving as the State Committeewoman for the past five years. As member of the Realtor Association of Martin County and recipient of the association’s 2016 Community Service Award, she sits on the strategic planning and governmental affairs committees.

Hetherington is also active in the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, Associated General Contractors, Florida Marine Contractors Association, Florida Transportation Builders Association and local Chambers of Commerce. A lifelong resident of Martin County, Commissioner Hetherington is passionate about her hometown and pleased to be part of the Martin County GOP.


James Campo - State CommitteeMan - father of five children, is a life-long resident of Martin County, Florida. James graduated from Florida Atlantic University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.

James completed his Certified Financial Planner coursework at Florida Institute of Technology. He holds FINRA securities registrations series 7, 6 and 63 and is licensed for Property and Casualty Insurance (2-20) and Life and Health Insurance (2-18). James is on the Sewall’s Point Town Commission and has served as Mayor and Vice Mayor.

He was appointed by Governor Scott, and Governor DeSantis to the Children’s Service Council. James is on the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida as the Congressional District 18 Chairman. He serves as the State Budget Committee Co-Chairman and on their Audit Committee.