Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® Names New CEO

Following a nationwide search, the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® (CTAR) and Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has named their new Chief Executive Officer. Wil Riley, a Summerville native and an experienced REALTOR®, Broker and Association management executive will succeed Terry Hyde Ketchem as CEO on April 1, 2013.

2013 CTAR President Owen Tyler has been leading the Association through this transition period and worked closely with the CEO search committee, comprised of REALTOR® members and past leadership. Former Association President Chris Fraser led the CEO search committee through the selection and interview process, which included consideration of well-known industry leaders as well as successful executives from other areas of business. At decision time, the committee concluded that Riley’s expertise coupled with his vision of how to move the Association forward cemented him as the best candidate for the position.

“I am thrilled that someone with such strong ties to our area and more importantly, the REALTOR® Association will be picking up where I leave off” said Terry Hyde Ketchem, the 26-year veteran CEO of CTAR. “Wil’s 15 year history as an agent and broker, as well as his 4 years of Association management experience, first at the Coastal Carolina Association and the last two years here at CTAR will be invaluable as he leads the Association into the future” said Ketchem.

Riley’s vision is one that melds past, present and future: “Our Association thrives under a CEO that understands the importance of our historical roots while aggressively seeking innovative opportunities for growth and development, one that will seek out products and services that will provide our members with the maximum return on investment for their membership. I am excited about being that CEO and look forward to working with our current staff, leadership and Association leaders across the state to keep Charleston, and South Carolina at the forefront of our industry” said Riley.

Riley will succeed Terry Hyde Ketchem as CEO following her retirement on March 31, 2013.

About Wil
Wil Riley has spent much of his life right here in the Lowcountry—born and raised in Summerville, Riley has positioned himself as a fixture of the north-area business and philanthropic communities. Following his graduation from Summerville High School, Riley left the Lowcountry only briefly, to earn his BS in Accounting from Clemson University. Upon his return, he co-founded Riley Lumber, where he and his father enjoyed a successful business and Wil took his first steps into management—overseeing the accounting and personnel needs for the company which would eventually expand to 16 employees.

In 1997, Riley took the opportunity to transition the business and management principles he had honed during his time with the family business to forge his own path into the real estate industry. Riley spent several years as a broker-associate with Prudential Carolina Real Estate, helping Lowcountry families with their real estate needs. In 2001, he took a position that allowed him to focus on his leadership, management and business development skills and became the Broker-In-Charge of Century 21 Properties Plus in Summerville.

During his time as a practicing REALTOR®, Riley began building his relationship with the local, state and national REALTOR® Associations and local MLS. He has served as a national (2007-08) and state director (2004-09) as well as the local board (2003-09), of which he was named President in 2008. His service on the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Education Foundation (2006-07) and Economic Outlook Board (2003-04) allowed him to gain experience and expand his network in the local business community.

After more than a decade on the sales side of the business, Riley turned his sights to the REALTOR® Assocaition he was already so familiar with, and took a position with the Coastal Carolina Association of REALTORS® in Myrtle Beach. As their Vice President of Finance and Administration, Riley developed a sound understanding of the inner workings of the REALTOR® Association and MLS and futhered his knowledge when he moved back to his native Lowcountry in 2011 to take the position of Vice President of Operations at CTAR.

“The absence of a significant learning curve will be a great benefit to our membership as I transition out of my role and Wil steps into his. He is so familiar with the inner workings of our Association, the MLS and works so well with our staff and leadership, it should be a seamless transition” said Ketchem.

Riley is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. “As an Association, we cannot ever rest on our laurels. We must push forward—growing and changing—to remain a leaders in providing our members with premier business resources, support and access to cutting-edge industry technologies” he said.

In addition to his expanding duties at the Association, Wil is active as a parishoner and leader at St. Paul’s Church in Summerville and enjoys spending time with his family. He lives in Summerville with his wife Ann, an elementary school teacher and their children, daughter Logan (currently attending Clemson University) and son Walker, an accomplished soccer player.