Terri Cobb, a member of Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata's leadership team, was hired Tuesday to become superintendent of Pender County Schools.

Cobb has been the Wake school system's chief of staff since 2006. From 1999 to 2003, Cobb led Lockhart Elementary School in Knightdale, where she was a principal of the year finalist.

"Terri has made great contributions to Wake County," said Tata in a written statement. "We are very proud of her. She has been a tremendous principal and chief of staff and will make a superb superintendent."

Cobb will start on Jan. 2.