Long & Foster Real Estate, the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States, welcomes Richard Ridley to its Annandale office, in Annandale, Va. Ridley will specialize in working with homebuyers and sellers.

“We are very excited and fortunate to have Richard join our team of highly trained professionals,” said Karen Kidwell, manager of the Annandale office. “The combination of Long & Foster and Richard’s unique skills and knowledge will no doubt provide the highest level of service to local buyers and sellers.”

Ridley successfully completed Long & Foster’s Star Builders program, an extensive training course for newly licensed sales associates, as well as associates returning to the field of real estate. The program’s curriculum covers contracts, agency, prospecting, business planning, finance and working with buyers and sellers. Ridley holds membership in the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.

“Real Estate has always been a great interest of mine,” Ridley said. “With current relationships I have in the business, the Long & Foster family is a natural place for me.”

“The dynamics of today’s residential real estate market are constantly changing. Completing our Star Builders program has provided Richard with the right tools to meet those changing dynamics,” said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “We welcome Richard to Long & Foster, a company that has helped local buyers and sellers reach their homeownership goals for more than 45 years.”

Ridley holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a masters in business administration in finance, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. He resides in Fairfax along with his spouse, Basia, and two daughters.

For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.