James Milner, CCIM

James is an alumnus of Appalachian State University, where he majored in Finance and Banking with a Certification in Certified Financial Planning. He has lived in the Town of Boone since May 2000, where he pursued commercial real estate after being a real estate paralegal for Richard E. Mattar, Attorney at Law. In 2005, he started Milner Research Services, LLC, which provided independent real estate consulting and analysis to developers and attorneys in northwest North Carolina. In 2013, he earned the prestigious CCIM designation from the CCIM Institute. He is the only designee in his area involved full-time in commercial real estate. In 2014, he founded Appalachian Commercial Real Estate, LLC to provide brokerage, leasing, consulting, and appraisal commercial real estate services. He currently holds a broker and appraisal license in North Carolina.

Mr. Milner works in all areas of commercial real estate, representing both Buyers and Sellers. He is also involved in leasing transactions, representing both Landlords and Tenants. Mr. Milner is a member of the CCIM Institute, High County Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, NC-CCIM Chapter, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Yosef Club. Mr. Milner and his family are members of Boone United Methodist Church.

For nine years, Mr. Milner served on the NC-CCIM Board of Directors, supporting Candidate Guidance and Scholarships. He served as President of the NC-CCIM Chapter in 2022. At the CCIM Institute, he served as Chair of the Professional Standards Committee in 2022, Chair of the Designation Committee in 2024, and Region 9 Regional Vice President in 2025, supporting CCIM chapters in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. In 2025, he was elected to the CCIM Institute Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning in 2026.

Mr. Milner and his wife, Catharine Milner, together have two sons – Peter and Ian – and reside in Boone, NC.