James T. Ahler

Jim Ahler is an accomplished executive with over four decades of leadership experience in professional associations and public service. He served as CEO of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA) for 28 years, fostering growth and innovation in the accounting profession. Prior to that, he led the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy, implementing impactful policies for the state’s CPA community.

Jim has been an active member of the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) since 1988, serving on its Board of Directors from 1993 to 1996 and as Board President in 1997-1998. His contributions to AENC were recognized in 2015 when he received the Outstanding Member in Government Relations Award. In addition to his professional roles, Jim is a passionate community volunteer. He has served as President of Western Wake Crisis Ministry, Chair of the Memorial Garden Committee at Apex United Methodist Church, and Chair of the Policy & Legislative Team of the NC Demand Reduction Task Force to combat human trafficking. A graduate of Transylvania University (BA, Biology) and Kentucky State University (MPA, Government Relations), Jim is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and an honoree of the prestigious North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine.