“Santa Fe is a magnet to me and will always be my home”
Growing up in the City Different was idyllic for Riesha, a third-generation Santa Fean. Proudly raised by a family deeply involved in our community, Riesha is filled with memories of a lifetime here. “Yesterday I was showing homes to a buyer and the listing broker said, ‘Oh, are you Gary Fiorina’s daughter? I went to school with your dad, and your mom was the most beautiful cheerleader!’ One of the most amazing things about growing up in this close community is randomly running into people who know my family. Their fond stories about those I love simply warms my heart. ‘I was a troubled teenager in high school and your dad was the baseball coach. He put me on the team and mentored me all through high school.’ My grandmother was Secretary of State for over a decade and someone recently told me, ‘Your grandmother gave me my first job when I was really struggling. I am so grateful for her.’ The Betty Fiorina State Printing Facility on Siringo Road was named in memory of my grandmother. I live just around the corner and every day I am reminded of all she did for our community. Piazza Fiorina, where Olive Garden and other businesses are now, is where I lived as a child when it was on the outskirts of town! At the end of the day, what I love most about Santa Fe is feeling completely embraced by our community.”
Following in the footsteps of her family’s legacy, Riesha continues to give back to our community. She is deeply involved in the National Alliance for Mental Illness, a mental health awareness organization. “Once a year I teach a class educating families who have a loved one suffering from mental illness. Providing the families with coping skills is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done!” Riesha is also involved with the Stagecoach Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide skills in the film industry to underprivileged youth in New Mexico.
It seems Riesha’s professional life as a Realtor was destined from an early age. She has always loved architecture and homes and remembers fondly, “As a teenager, I would drag my friends into open houses with me! I never really feel like I’m working because I absolutely love what I do. Real estate sales and purchases can be complicated, confusing and even a bit scary. For me, there is nothing quite like helping first time home buyers navigate these waters and witnessing the excitement on their face when I hand them the keys to their very first home. Sharing this experience and the connection I have with most of my clients has resulted in many becoming close personal friends. I am truly enriched through these life-long bonds.”
The importance of community extends to Riesha’s choice of real estate brokerage. “I am very proud to brag about Barker Realty and how much they do for our local community. David and Lisa’s history and involvement in this town extends back several generations, similar to my own history. We are such a close group at Barker Realty, it’s more like family. From my office I hear infectious laughter throughout the day as well as camaraderie and sharing. Everyone is very supportive and that high level of service extends to my clients. Also, with David Barker at the helm there is no transaction too complicated to tackle.”
