Celeste lives in Emerald Isle, NC with her husband, Rob. She graduated from the University of Georgia with honors, earning a degree in business administration. Celeste began her career as a CPA with Deloitte, a multinational consulting and accounting firm, and then worked in the audit and consulting departments of Willis Corroon Corporation and HCA Healthcare Corporation.
After many successful years in the private sector, Celeste and her family moved where the U.S. Army sent them. Celeste's husband, coming from a family with a long history of military service, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and spent the majority of his 20+ years of service as a U.S Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret). After her husband retired overseas, they remained for several years working for the U.S. Navy in Europe before returning to North Carolina where Rob works for the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune.
Both of their children, Nathaniel and Kathryn, are recent graduates of East Carolina University. Nathaniel earned a degree in GIS and is beginning a career in law enforcement. Kathryn earned a degree in Exercise Physiology and is working toward becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Hardin-Simmons University. Upon completion of her training, she will commission into the U.S. Army to serve our nation's wounded warriors.
Celeste has been an unwavering advocate for the unborn. She has served for the last five years on the Board of Directors of a local Pregnancy Resource Center, and in the past has volunteered as a client advocate and counselor.
Despite having never run for public office, Celeste was encouraged to enter the Special Election to replace Congressman Walter Jones in early 2019. During the course of the incredibly short campaign, she and her team successfully raised significant contributions and garnered the endorsement of the Club for Growth and the support of her former employer, Deloitte, and several current and former U.S. Congressmen.
She has been elected to the Executive Committees of the Carteret County GOP, the 3rd District GOP and the State GOP. She currently serves as the 3rd Vice Chairman of the 3rd District GOP, the Treasurer for the Crystal Coast Republican Women and the Chairman of the Emerald Isle Precinct. Until she entered this race, she was the Treasurer for the Crystal Coast Republican Women. She was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the National GOP Convention and as the Alternate Elector from NC's 3rd Congressional District during the 2020 Election.
Celeste is a follower of Christ. She is a member of All Saints Anglican Church in Newport, where she serves on the Finance Committee.
Celeste is originally from Valdosta, Georgia, where her parents impressed on her the value and importance of faith, hard work, community and family.