Dane Scalise

County Commissioner

Dane Scalise has served as a New Hanover County Commissioner since April 17, 2023. He was appointed and unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners following the vacancy created by the sudden passing of Commissioner Deb Hays in March 2023.

Personal Data

Commissioner Scalise is a husband, father to two young sons, small business owner, lawyer, and insurance broker. He grew up in Morganton, NC. He is a graduate of Freedom High School, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the University of North Carolina School of Law. He and his wife moved to Wilmington in 2012. From 2016-2020, he served the people of North Carolina as Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is a past fellow of the North Carolina Leadership Forum, North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership, and EA Morris Fellowship.

Commissioner Scalise believes in the importance of pro bono service and has volunteered with Community Legal Project, Compass Center for Women and Families (formerly The Women’s Center), Durham City Attorney’s Office, Durham County District Attorney’s Office, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME), among others. He has also served on numerous boards and committees, including New Hanover County Bar Association (past president), Old Wilmington Riverfront Celebration, Inc., d/b/a Wilmington’s Riverfest, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, and Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (past chair).

New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Representative

  • Cape Fear Council of Governments Executive Committee
  • Cape Fear Museum Advisory Board
  • Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority/WAVE Transit
  • Parks Conservancy Board of Directors
  • Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
  • Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization – Transportation Advisory Committee (WAVE Transit representative)