After graduation from college, Mr. Pulliam entered the banking field and was a branch manager for First Federal Savings and Loan of Hendersonville, NC. In 1986 he left banking to join his father in commercial real estate development. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pulliam Properties of Asheville. Pulliam Properties has developed many outstanding commercial, retail, office and industrial properties in Western North Carolina and has been instrumental in helping many major commercial companies to locate their facilities in the Asheville/Buncombe County area.
 
Rusty Pulliam was a standout baseball prep player. In 1975 he was inducted in to the National Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame with a pitching record of 53-6, including five no-hitters and one perfect game. In 1976 he led T.C. Roberson to a 23-3 season, the Conference Championship and the Regional Playoffs. He was named Most Valuable Player, All county, All Conference and the Asheville Jaycees Western North Carolina High School Baseball Player of the Year.
 
He signed a Letter of Intent with Western Carolina University and turned in a 5-0 record his freshman year. He transferred to Montreat-Anderson College his sophomore year and pitched with a torn rotator cuff that was to end his baseball career.
 
Mr. Pulliam serves on the Boards of the Ralph Sexton Ministries and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and the Western North Carolina Board of First Citizens National Bank.