Born in Kentucky, Laura Padgett is a graduate of Duke University and holds a degree in History with an emphasis on non-western civilizations.  Her business career positions have included: branch office manager of Met-Life, classified advertising manager of Knight-Ridder Newspapers, advertising department manager for one of the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group.  Since 1996, Ms. Padgett has been an indepepndent financial advisor, insurance agent and stock broker, specializing in Qualified Retirement Plans.    

Her interests as a public official have been in transportation and congestion solutions, economic development and environmental historic preservation.   She is a Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board Member, a member of  Wilmington Downtown, Inc.,  and the Wilmington Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.