James Milner, CCIM, is the President & Owner of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate, LLC and a commercial real estate broker and appraiser serving Boone, the High Country, and Northwest North Carolina. With more than two decades of experience in the local real estate market, James provides commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, appraisal, consulting, and advisory services to property owners, investors, developers, businesses, landlords, and tenants.

A longtime resident of Boone, James graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Finance and Banking and a concentration in Certified Financial Planning. He began his real estate career as a paralegal for Richard E. Mattar, Attorney at Law, before establishing Milner Research Services, LLC in 2005. Through that firm, he provided independent commercial real estate research, consulting, valuation support, and market analysis to developers and attorneys throughout Northwest North Carolina.

In 2013, James earned the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation from The CCIM Institute, one of the commercial real estate industry’s most respected professional designations. In 2014, he founded Appalachian Commercial Real Estate, LLC to provide specialized commercial real estate services throughout Boone and the surrounding High Country.

James works across a broad range of commercial property types and represents both buyers and sellers in commercial real estate transactions. His practice also includes landlord and tenant representation, commercial leasing, real estate consulting, and commercial property appraisal. His combination of brokerage and appraisal experience provides clients with a particularly strong perspective on property valuation, market conditions, investment considerations, and transaction strategy.

James has also held numerous leadership positions within the commercial real estate industry. He served for nine years on the NC-CCIM Chapter Board of Directors, including service in Candidate Guidance and Scholarships, and 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.

James is a member of The CCIM Institute, the NC-CCIM Chapter, the High Country Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Yosef Club.

James is also deeply engaged in business, economic development, and community leadership throughout the High Country. He currently serves as Chair of the Watauga County Economic Development Commission and as a member of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board of Directors.

His community involvement has also included service on the board of Western Youth Network and as a founding member and Executive Board member of Young Professionals of Boone. He previously served as Grand Chapter Advisor for the Epsilon Rho Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity at Appalachian State University. From 2007 through 2017, he served the Town of Boone as an alternate member of the Board of Adjustment.

James and his wife, Catharine, have two sons, Peter and Ian, and reside in Boone, North Carolina.