Community Justice Center Names Valerie Pearce CEO
Valerie Pearce will succeed Ben David as CEO of the New Hanover County Community Justice Center in January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in People
The Community Justice Center announced that Valerie Pearce will replace Ben David as CEO, with David stepping down in January 2027. The leadership change was made public at a New Hanover County Board of Commissioners agenda review meeting on Thursday, where David introduced Pearce as his successor.
Why it matters
The transition gives the Wilmington-area center a successor with a background in victim advocacy and prosecution across three North Carolina prosecutor's offices. The center brings law enforcement, legal experts, and non-profits under one roof, so its leadership shapes how those partners coordinate services for residents of New Hanover County.
The leadership transition is set for January 2027, about two months after its November 12, 2026 announcement. Pearce brings experience from three North Carolina prosecutor's offices, though the announcement does not address center budget or staffing figures.
The players
Valerie Pearce
Pearce is an attorney who has spent her career advocating for victims across three North Carolina prosecutor's offices and previously worked in the Public Defender's office.
Ben David
David is a former New Hanover County District Attorney who left that role in 2024 to lead the Community Justice Center.
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
The county's elected governing body, which received the leadership announcement at its agenda review meeting.
New Hanover County Community Justice Center
A center modeled on the Family Justice Center concept that houses law enforcement, legal experts, and non-profits under one roof.
The details
Ben David introduced Valerie Pearce as his successor during the Thursday agenda review meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. David left his District Attorney role in 2024 to become Chief Legal Officer and CEO of the Community Justice Center, which is modeled on the Family Justice Center concept.
Timeline
2024: Ben David leaves the District Attorney role to become CEO of the Community Justice Center.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: The leadership change is announced at a New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting.
January 2027: Valerie Pearce takes over as CEO of the center.
Market Landscape
The New Hanover County center is modeled on the Family Justice Center concept, which co-locates police, prosecutors, and victim-service non-profits in a single site. Pearce's succession continues that model's operation under a leader whose career has been in victim-focused prosecution.
Residents who use the center's services will see the same partners under one roof, with leadership changing hands in January 2027. The source does not describe any change to the services available to the public.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at co-located justice centers can shape how partner agencies coordinate, so it is worth watching how Pearce sets priorities once she starts in January 2027. Readers interested in the center's work can follow its public announcements through the county.
What happens next
Valerie Pearce is scheduled to take over as CEO of the Community Justice Center in January 2027.
Further reading
For more profiles of local leaders, browse the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWAYTV3.
