James Pressly - Builder, Developer, Civic Leader

As James Pressly took his seat, his tall frame easing effortlessly into the seat opposite Rob, we watched as he opened his iPad to access his notes and listened to him express gratitude for the platform we were providing. Honestly, we couldn’t wait to hit the record button. Poised, prepared, and passionate, James covered topics from politics to his family’s legacy, from stories of angry farmers defending their land rights, to explaining the real origin of the term NIMBY. As we settled into the episode, James mused, “Closed mouths don’t get fed…we have to speak out.” And went on to admonish our entire industry to get more involved. “We need to be asking how we can help you, [Rob]…” Going on to explain that our industry should be communicating more effectively with elected officials and neighborhood shareholders. He then closed his thoughts with: “As builders and developers, we sometimes get a bad reputation, and we have to do a better job of communicating the benefits of our services.” 

 

James Pressly is the managing member of Pressly Residential Group, LLC, which he runs with his father, David Pressly, founder of the organization. They develop and build market-rate and affordable multifamily housing communities located in Statesville, NC. Having served in leadership roles for local, state, and national trade groups, including holding the title of past president of the Iredell County Home Builders Association, James was appointed in 2019, by the North Carolina General Assembly. It is there he serves on the state’s Housing Partnership Board of Directors, working to connect private sector home building initiatives with public affordable housing programs. In 2024, Governor Roy Cooper appointed him to serve on the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors to protect public welfare through the regulation of NC General Contractors. He is a licensed NC General Contractor (License no. 73506) and NC Real Estate Broker (License no. 272033). Professional designations include NAHB’s Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), and Certified Property Manager (CPM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management of the National Association of Realtors. 

 

 James graduated with a degree in History from the University of South Carolina and holds graduate degrees in Master of Business Administration (WCU, 2013) and Master of Science in Real Estate Finance and Development (UNCC, 2016). He is an Eagle Scout from New Salem United Methodist Church Troop 363 and an ordained and installed officer at Davidson College Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Jessie, live in Statesville, NC.