Spotlight on Melissa Rizzi, Manager Operations, Empire Texas

In honour of Women's History Month, we are pleased to highlight the inspiring career journeys of Empire women. Today, we are thrilled to share Melissa Rizzi's story, offering her unique perspective and the wealth of knowledge she has gained through her extensive experience in various roles within the homebuilding industry:

Reflecting on her career journey and her decision to pursue a role in Operations Management, Melissa shares:

?“I started working in real estate when I was 13 for my Grandfather, who was a Real Estate Broker. I worked for him until I moved to Texas in 2006 for a position at a Mortgage Company. I then went on to work for a National Homebuilder for 12 years, working in various capacities, such as MLS Coordinator, Project Coordinator and then moving to the Vendor side as an Inside Sales and Service representative. I began as a Sales and Closing Coordinator for Empire Communities in October 2020, and was promoted to Operations Manager in December 2021. I currently oversee our Sales and Closings, Warranty Dept and our Customer Experience Program in Houston. Having worked on various facets of the industry has given me a better perspective on the whole home buying process. I value all the knowledge I have gained over the years; it has helped me grow tremendously throughout my career.”

Melissa’s message for women pursuing careers in the homebuilding industry:

?“The Homebuilding Industry is a great place for women to pursue their careers. There are so many opportunities for us in this field of work.? Women can do whatever they are passionate about in this industry. I see it here every day in the office and out in the field. It’s very exciting to see so many successful women doing what they love.”?

Reflecting on qualities she believes define a good leader:

?“A good leader is someone who communicates well. Someone who understands the industry and how everything we do affects others. A good leader sees the big picture and doesn’t hesitate to adapt based on what is best for our customers and the company.”?

Melissa’s most rewarding aspects of working at Empire Communities:

?“There are so many things I love about working at Empire. One of the biggest is allowing me to build processes that help us work more efficiently. I feel that I am always heard and given the freedom to make decisions when necessary. Secondly, the Empire team members I work with make working at Empire a wonderful experience. The team works really hard, are always helpful and I feel as if we are working towards the same goal. Lastly, I cannot forget our Buyers/Homeowners. They are the reason we get to do this every day. I am so appreciative that they entrusted us to build their dream home. It is a privilege and honor to be a part of their journey.”

?

Look forward to more employee spotlights this month and beyond. We are fortunate to have many incredible employees throughout Empire and any opportunity to highlight them is something we eagerly embrace!