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 and spent the next 30 years running this small business. In 2024, LeAnn sold the business and retired. She now commits all her time to being a county commissioner.
LeAnn married Hansen Matthews in December of 2025 and they now have a blended family. LeAnn is the mother of two sons Andrew and Kyle. Andrew, 33, resides in Lisbon, Portugal with his wonderful wife, Ashley. LeAnn is Grandma LeLe to their children Ameilia and Elliot. Kyle, 29, resides in Wilmington.
LeAnn believes small business is the backbone of our country. Thirty years of running a small business, managing budgets and leading employees prepared her to run a town as Mayor. She now employes those same skills as Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
In her spare time LeAnn enjoys tennis, gardening, birdwatching, and playing backgammon. She is also a certified SCUBA diver.
