Meet The
Commissioners
The Commissioners
The Commission is made up of eight members selected by the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The members include a Superior Court Judge, a Prosecuting Attorney, a Defense Attorney, a Victim Advocate, a Member of the Public, a Sheriff, and two Discretionary members.
Commission Chair & Superior Court Judge
The Honorable Jason Disbrow
Superior Court Judge / Commission Chair
Judge Jason C. Disbrow is the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Brunswick County (District 13B).
Appointed by Chief Justice Paul Newby
Term Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2026
Alternate: Judge Beth Freshwater-Smith
Superior Court Judge / Commission Chair
Judge Freshwater-Smith is the Special Superior Court Judge in Wilson, Nash, and Edgecombe counties.
Appointed by Chief Justice Paul Newby
Term Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2026
Prosecuting Attorney
Commissioner: Ashley Welch
Prosecuting Attorney
Alternate: Andrew Gregson, Esq.
Prosecuting Attorney
Appointed by Chief Justice Paul Newby
Term Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2026
Victim Advocate
Commissioner: Catherine Johnson
Victim Advocate
President and CEO of Alliance for HOPE International Term Jan 1, 2025 - Dec 31, 2027
Alternate: Jane Allen Wilson
Victim Advocate
Director of Training & Special Projects for the N.C. Victim Assistance Network (NCVAN)
Term Jan 1, 2025 - Dec 31, 2027
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Commissioner: Aleta R. Ballard
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Appointed by Chief Justice Chris Dillon
Term Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2026
Alternate: Darrin D. Jordan
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Term Jan 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2026
Public Member
Commissioner: Patricia Evans
Public Member
District Court Judge, Retired
Term Dec 31, 2024 - Dec 31, 2027
Alternate: Yvonne Mims Evans
Discretionary Member II
Appointed by Chief Justice Paul Newby
Term Dec 31, 2024 – Dec 31, 2027
Sheriff
Commissioner: Sheriff Van Shaw
Sheriff
Alternate: Sheriff Joey Lemons
Sheriff
discretionary member I
Commissioner: Kieran Shanahan
Discretionary Member I
Alternate: Judge Marion Boone
Discretionary Member I
discretionary member II
Commissioner: Robert J. Higdon, Jr.
Discretionary Member II
Alternate: M. Quentin Williams
Discretionary Member II
Founder & CEO of Dedication to Community (D2C)
Term Dec 31, 2025 - Dec 31, 2028
