Meet Leann | Elect LeAnn Pierce

Meet LeAnn Pierce

New Leadership Delivering Results for Our Community

LeAnn is an incredibly devoted Mayor who has a track record of stellar accomplishments. What sets LeAnn apart is that she truly understands and exemplifies the importance of leaving a valued handprint on the future, in her community, and as a mentor for all. LeAnn particularly enjoys being a role model to other young ladies finding their way in today’s world. LeAnn was recently chosen as a finalist in WILMA’s “Woman to Watch” awards in the Public Services category.

LeAnn embodies leadership through her tenacity, resilience, and courage. LeAnn continually balances the needs of the community as a public servant while successfully operating her business Drifters Reef Hotel and being a loving mother to her two sons. LeAnn’s strong business ethic and spirited collaboration are the hallmark of her impactful leadership.

Biography

Personal

LeAnn grew up in Penderlea, a small farming town in rural Pender County, where she learned the value of community. Pierce spent summers working in the tobacco fields of Pender County while dreaming of something more.

She left Pender County at age 17 to become the first in her family to attend college. LeAnn spent her first year at Craven Community College and later transferred to East Carolina University. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and became certified in Business and Technical Communications. Pierce returned home and purchased Drifter’s Reef Hotel in Carolina Beach which she still owns today.

LeAnn is the mother of two sons Andrew and Kyle. Andrew, 29, resides in NYC with his wonderful wife, Ashley. They are both successful software developers. Kyle, 25, is a resident of New Hanover County. He works in the family hotel business while learning the trade.

LeAnn believes small business is the backbone of our country. Twenty six years of running a small business, managing budgets and leading employees prepared her to run a town. She began her path to Mayor as a volunteer with the Boardwalk Makeover project, which revitalized the failing central business district of Carolina Beach. LeAnn then found that she had a calling to be a public servant. She went on to serve on the Board of Adjustments, Planning and Zoning Commission, Town Council as Mayor Pro Tem and then as Mayor. LeAnn believes in our citizens and she can help more local residents on the county level as a County Commissioner.

In her spare time LeAnn enjoys competitive tennis, skeet shooting and she is a certified SCUBA diver.

Political Path

2007 Boardwalk Makeover Volunteer

2007 CAMA Land Use Plan Committee

2008 Board of Adjustments

2008 Business & Economic Development Committee

2011 Planning and Zoning Committee

2013 Arts and Activities Committee

2013 New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority

2013 Elected to Council-Mayor Pro Tem

2013 Carolina/Kure Beach Sewer Authority

2015 Police Advisory Committee

2017 Re-elected to Council

2018 Bicycle Pedestrian Committee

2019 CAMA Land Use Plan Committee

2019 Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization

2019 Elected Mayor of Carolina Beach