I'm an Asheville native, went into the USAF after high school, and became a Weather Observer. Stationed at Patrick AFB and Cape Kennedy, I was a very minor part of two Apollo Missions, 14 and 15. I then spent a year in Thailand during Viet Nam era.
Post-military, I came back to the mountains and spent four great years at WCU in lovely Cullowhee, where I made many life-long friends and earned a BS degree in Psychology.
Post-college, I spent several years working in the social work field with school dropouts, the handicapped, and other disadvantaged clients. I was the founding director of MANNA Food Bank, the first food bank in Western North Carolina.
After my stint with MANNA, I was part of a cross-country bicycle trip with four other adults and thirty-one high school kids. We started in Long Beach, CA, and finished 3600 miles and 56 days later at the Cape Hatteras Light House on the Outer Banks of NC. A wonderful experience for all, and we raised a ton of money for the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Again, made many life-long friends on the bicycle trip.
I began my real estate career in 1985 with Coldwell-Banker, then RE/MAX for fifteen years. In 2002, my wife Joy and I, and partner Lew Bellows started Town and Mountain Realty. Beginning with just a handful of agents, we now have over 45 agents and a full support staff. We're local and independent, and our business philosophy is simple: to take very good care of our clients and always follow the Golden Rule. We became the sole owners of Town and Mountain Realty in 2006 and have consistently provided our agents and clients with solid support and professional service.
Over the years, I've continued to enhance my real estate knowledge. I completed my GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute) in 1990, my CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) in 1994, ABR (Accredited Buyer Agent) in 1997, and SRES (Seniors RE Specialist) in 2000. I earned my CRB designation (Certified Real Estate Managing Broker) in 2007. The CRB Designation is recognized throughout the industry as one of the highest levels of professional achievement and a symbol of excellence in brokerage management. I also have my NAR GREEN designation. In 1999, I completed the year-long Leadership Asheville program.
I have been married to my lovely wife Joy since 1983, and we have two terrific daughters. Sophie graduated from Appalachian State University and then traveled the world with her future husband, Sean Mack. They spent 6 months in Latin America and 6 months in Southeast Asia. Leah graduated from the College of Charleston and worked in the interior design field for 7 years. Leah, Sophie, and Sean, along with our assistant Patti Carter, are now the Mike Miller Team at Town and Mountain Realty.
