Brian Turner grew up in Asheville and moved back 20 years ago to start a family and be back in the community that helped form who he is. Upon returning, he jumped in with both feet to volunteer and be active in the community.

About Brian Turner

Biography

Brian Turner grew up in Asheville, North Carolina. He received a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and a master's degree in business administration from Wake Forest University. Turner's career experience includes working as a sewing machine operator and television producer.

Brian Turner (North Carolina)

Upon returning, he jumped in with both feet to volunteer and be active in the community. Over the years Brian has served on the Civic Center Commission, volunteering and serving on the boards of United Way, the Verner Center for Early Learning, AB Tech Foundation, and UNCA Foundation. Brian currently is a board member for the non-partisan Institute for Political Leadership and a member of the NC Dept. of Commerce’s Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC TOWERS).

Brian Turner grew up in Asheville. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and a master's degree in business administration from Wake Forest University. He has volunteered with and served on the boards of United Way, the Verner Center for Early Learning, AB Tech Foundation, and UNCA Foundation, and has served on the Civic Center Commission.

Brian Turner (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

Terms in House:

5 ( 0 in Senate )

Occupation:

Real Estate

Main Phone:

919-715-3012

Representative Brian Turner - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly

Following the retirement of his father and with Mills in the capable hands of his brother-in-law, Brian joined UNC Asheville as Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations in 2012. After taking responsibility for the Family Business Forum and Leadership Asheville, Brian was promoted to Assistant Vice Chancellor where he worked to connect businesses statewide with the university, its professors, and most importantly its students.

In 2004 Brian moved back to North Carolina where he served on the leadership team of his family’s business and helped the company adopt new ways of thinking about manufacturing and employee relations.

After college Brian worked as a television producer for MTV producing live shows such as the Super Bowl Halftime, Video Music Awards, and Staying Alive a World Aids Day concert in Cape Town, South Africa.

Brian works in real estate. He previously served as an assistant vice chancellor at the University of North Carolina Asheville, served on the leadership team of his family’s business, and worked as a television producer for MTV.

Representative Brian Turner - Biography - North Carolina General ...

2024

See also: North Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election
General election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 116

Brian Turner won election in the general election for North Carolina House of Representatives District 116 on November 5, 2024.

Buncombe

Legislative Office:

16 West Jones Street, Rm. 1303

Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

919-715-3012

Terms in House:

5 ( 0 in Senate )

Occupation:

Real Estate

Asheville, NC – Former Representative Brian Turner is announcing a run for the newly redrawn NC House District 116. Turner previously represented HD 116 for four terms after first being elected in 2014.

Turner to Run for Newest Version of NC House District 116

Brian currently serves as the North Carolina state representative for District 116. He won election to the seat in 2024 and is serving his fifth term in the House. He previously represented District 116 for four terms after first being elected in 2014.

Brian currently serves as the North Carolina state representative for District 116. He won election to the seat in 2024 and is serving his fifth term in the House. 

2026 North Carolina General Election

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE

In 2014, Brian Turner stepped up and ran to represent North Carolina’s District 116 in the State House of Representatives. In the legislature, Brian focused his efforts on supporting public education, protecting our state’s mountains and rivers, and growing local economies.

Widely considered one of the most effective legislators in WNC, Brian made a name for himself working in a bipartisan way to help pass legislation that will impact the region for generations to come. He worked to secure the new Pisgah View State Park, brought manufacturing jobs to the area, raised the minimum age of marriage in NC from 14 to 16, and fought to give survivors of child sexual assault their day in court against their abusers.

Prioritized growing local economies during prior legislative service.

Worked to bring manufacturing jobs to the area.

- Prioritized growing local economies during prior legislative service.
- Worked to bring manufacturing jobs to the area.

Economy

Prioritized protecting North Carolina's mountains and rivers during prior legislative service.

- Prioritized protecting North Carolina's mountains and rivers during prior legislative service.
- Worked to secure Pisgah View State Park.

Energy & the Environment

As of January 5, 2026, Brian Turner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Worked to raise North Carolina's minimum marriage age from 14 to 16.

Fought to give survivors of child sexual assault their day in court against abusers.

- Worked to raise North Carolina's minimum marriage age from 14 to 16.
- Fought to give survivors of child sexual assault their day in court against abusers.

Public Safety

Prioritized supporting public education during prior legislative service.

- Prioritized supporting public education during prior legislative service.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

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Brian Turner

Brian Turner is from Asheville, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University, a master's degree in business administration from Wake Forest University, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in energy and environmental management from the University of Connecticut. He and his wife, Hope, have a teenage daughter.

Brian is the director of corporate and foundation relations at UNC Asheville. He previously worked as a sewing machine operator and television producer. He also served on the leadership team of his family business, Mills Manufacturing. 

Brian previously represented North Carolina's District 116 in the State House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023. He was first elected in 2014 and served four terms. He is currently a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 116. He assumed office in 2025.

Supports investing in small, locally-owned businesses.

Supports protecting North Carolina’s mountains and rivers.

As a state representative, raised the minimum marriage age in North Carolina from 14 to 16 and supported legal action for child sexual assault survivors against their abusers.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
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Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives.