Melissa Riley is the Office Leader of Prudential Connecticut’s Westport office. She manages a team of over 60 highly accomplished sales professionals, acting as mentor, and business coach to help her agents develop sales excellence.

Over the span of a 28-year career, Melissa has worked as a real estate agent, manager, regional manager and senior vice president of corporate services, which included operations, corporate relocation, Internet and home services divisions. Growing up in a real estate family, Melissa obtained her license and dove into real estate at age 21 after being immersed in the business at an early age. Her diverse background and experience in every facet of the business has given her a broad understanding of the industry and enhances her impressive body of knowledge.

Melissa believes that talent is a strategic differentiator among sales professionals. A certified Brian Buffini mentor, she cultivates talent among both industry newcomers and seasoned pros by working with them one-on-one to develop their sales style and skill set; she also expects agents to develop their technological skills through ongoing learning. She’s personally invested in the career success of every agent and commits substantial time, energy and resources in helping all of them reach their fullest potential.

Melissa’s commitment to excellence has earned her praise from her agents, who have alternately described her as “a natural leader,” “proactive” and “an astute businesswoman” who leads by example and demonstrates personal integrity. She is best known for her endless energy, creativity and personal discipline to excel.   

Melissa’s dedication to lifelong learning among agents also extends to her own career. She works with a business coach who helps her recognize and embrace new opportunities for learning and personal growth by applying a positive, proactive approach to both personal and professional goals. Melissa is an avid blogger and social media enthusiast. Her local, popular blog http://www.hyperlocalrealestate.com serves as a resource for the Westport public and real estate community. She also pens a real estate column at http://www.westportpatch.com on the nuances of Westport area real estate.

Melissa has assumed a leadership role in the industry at the local and state levels. She is an executive committee member of the Connecticut Association of Realtors (Vice President at Large for Large Firms), a member of the Connecticut Association’s finance committee and president of the Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors.

She was named “Realtor of the Year” by the Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors in 2010; that same year, her office was named “Office of the Year” by Prudential Connecticut Realty out of a field of 50 sales offices throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island.

She was appointed to the Connecticut Association of Realtors’ Communication Committee as Vice Chairman (2007). She was also a member of the Connecticut Association’s Political Action Committee for Political Fundraising (2006-2007). She has held her real estate license since 1983.

The Westport office embraces the culture of Prudential Connecticut Realty, which emphasizes the highest level of service, responsiveness and knowledge-sharing with clients. In 2009, Prudential Connecticut earned a 100% service satisfaction ranking by customers, according to client surveys.

Prudential Connecticut Realty is the state’s largest and most successful real estate company. The company has more than 1,600 sales executives serving the state of Connecticut as well as western Rhode Island. Dedicated divisions and services include Fine Homes International, New Homes & Land, Active Adult, Commercial, Relocation and its unique Family of Services which includes HOMEefficient move-in services, Mortgage and Insurance.