Manhattan Hires Joliet's PR Director As Next Village Administrator

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan's mayor and trustees on Tuesday approved the hiring of City of Joliet public relations director as the town's next Village Administrator.

Rosemaria DiBenedetto, who was hired as Joliet's media engagement and communications director in 2024, replaces Jeff Wold, who resigned earlier this month to return to a police leadership role elsewhere. Wold had been in the role since 2024, moving into it after also serving as the town's police chief twice.

In Joliet, DiBenedetto was hired at an initial salary of $159,900, boosted in August 2025 to just over $165,000. The raise was retroactive to January 2025, records show. In Manhattan, she was approved at an annual salary of $164,000, with a contract set for three years, coinciding with Mayor Mike Adrieansen's mayoral term, according to village documents. Prior to being hired by Joliet, DiBenedetto served as campaign manager for Mayor Terry D'Arcy during his 2023 run.

Wold's resignation was effective Nov. 13; the open position was not posted publicly, Mayor Mike Adrieansen said.

"The Village Administrator is a mayoral appointment with the consent of the board, so we were not required to advertise the position," he told Patch. "Having worked closely with Rosemaria in the past, I knew firsthand the professionalism, integrity, and dedication she brings to this community. With her master’s degree in public administration and her proven track record, I approached her about taking on the role because I believe she is the right person to serve our village effectively from day one."

DiBenedetto brings more than 30 years of experience working with municipal governments, public agencies and community organizations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, the Village said in a news release. She has extensive leadership experience in municipal management, public administration, intergovernmental relations, and strategic communications, the release added. Over the course of her career, she has served as an advisor to mayors, municipal boards, and state agencies on governance, policy development, and community engagement.

According to the Village, she holds a master's degree in public and social administration from Brunel University of West London in the United Kingdom and a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University in Chicago.

DiBenedetto was previously contracted by the Village as a public relations consultant through her company Newsmakers, Inc., which she founded in 1997, according to her LinkedIn. Village records show she started as contractor in August 2021, and left in June 2024. Her employment in Joliet started in May 2024.

While it's unclear if she will continue in those roles, her contract states she will "devote full time to her duties and responsibilities to the Village and will hold no other employment."

In her role as Village Administrator, DiBenedetto will oversee day-to-day village operations, manage departmental coordination, implement policy directives of the Village Board, and support long-term community and economic development initiatives, according to the Village.

“Rosemaria brings an exceptional combination of municipal experience, strategic leadership, and proven communications expertise that make her uniquely qualified to partner with me, the village clerk, and the board to lead our village forward,” said Mayor Mike Adrieansen. “She has worked with me and with the prior administration for several years as a communications consultant and already understands our community, our staff, and our goals. Her depth of experience in municipal government and her strong ties to our community make her an ideal candidate to help guide Manhattan’s continued growth and success.”

The vote to approve DiBenedetto's hiring was unanimous. Her start date is not yet official, but her contract lists it as Jan. 2 or earlier.