Long & Foster Real Estate, the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States, welcomes Ed Melton as a sales associate in its Short Pump office at 3428 Pump Rd., in Richmond, Va.

“We are excited to announce Ed Melton has joined our team of highly-trained professionals,” said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “As the No. 1 brokerage in the Mid-Atlantic region, we operate with an agent-first mentality. We look forward to the energetic partnership Ed has created by deciding to join the industry-leading Short Pump office and our company.”

Melton, a professional in the real estate industry for the past 40 years in Central Virginia, was a top producer with another local firm where he was recognized by the Central Virginia MLS in 2013 with the Gold Production Award for more than $3 million in sales. He is certified as a Residential Brokerage Manager by the National Association of Realtors, is a Senior Instructor with the Virginia Realtors Institute and was recognized by the Richmond Homebuilders as New Home Sales Manager of the Year and the Virginia Association of Realtors as the Real Estate Educator of the Year for Virginia.

Melton attended the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He is a proud Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. He has resided in Goochland County for more than 30 years with his wife Cathy. He enjoys a round of golf, fishing and spending time with his five grandchildren.

“Long & Foster continues to lead the way with cutting-edge tools and technology, which attracts top real estate professionals such as Ed,” explained Mahood Fonville, manager of Long & Foster’s Short Pump office. “With the best-trained, best-equipped agents, Long & Foster continues to help Richmond area buyers and sellers reach their homeownership goals.”

For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.