James Owens

James "Jim" Owens is serving his first term as an Alderman and is also the Mayor Pro Tem. He has lived in Maggie Valley for over seven years and in Western North Carolina for 20 years. Before retiring, he had a 45-year career in the travel and tourism industry, including fourteen years as a vice president at The Biltmore Company where he directed five business units with 750 employees. His experience also includes roles at Sea World of Florida and Sea World of California, and as President and CEO of SRI Enterprises, an import company. He has also managed his own tourism consulting firm. Owens is a U.S. Navy veteran. His community involvement includes serving on the advisory boards for the Salvation Army and Richie's Alliance for Autism, and as Maggie Valley's Liaison on the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority Board.