Meet the Meridian Team: Hello, Heather
Caring for people is at the heart of everything Meridian’s Director of Operations, Heather Riggs does. She joined the firm in 2021 after pivoting from a decades-long operations career in the home restoration industry. Known for cultivating strong team camaraderie, Heather thrives in her role overseeing client service staff and daily operations for Meridian.
Heather lives in Gainesville with her husband, Brandon, and her son, Aidan. Originally from Manassas, Heather remains deeply connected to her Prince William County roots – cherishing time spent time with her friends, family, sister and 42 cousins!
Life Beyond the Office
The Riggs are a soccer family – growing up as a soccer player herself, Heather passed this passion on to her son. During the school year, Heather can often be found on the soccer pitch rooting for, and photographing, her son or supporting other players as a member of the Gainesville High School Boosters.
The Riggs family also volunteer with DC SCORES, a nonprofit that empowers Title I school students in Washington, D.C., through free year-round programs combining soccer, poetry, and community service to build physical health, literacy, leadership, and civic engagement. Additionally, Heather is a 2024 graduate of Leadership Fauquier and looks forward to being more engaged with them in the coming year.
At the heart of it all, both personally and professionally, Heather is driven by connection. Inspired by her late mother’s generosity of spirt, she is proud to be known by the kids in her circle as “Mama Riggs”. She feels deeply that all kids need a safe place to go for a chat, a hug or a smile.
If you ask her, she’ll tell you that joining Meridian four years ago was one of the greatest decisions she ever made – she loves working in the heart of Warrenton and visiting the shops – but most of all, she feels like she has found her “people” in the Meridian team.
Adventures & Inspirations
Without further ado, here’s the “tea” on Heather – 5 fun things to know.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Escape Rooms, trivia, gardening, traveling, photography, and whittling
What is your favorite movie?
What was your first job?
Salad maker at Olive Garden
What are your bucket list vacation spots?
Having already visited 18 countries, bucket list spots include: seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, and trips to Finland and the Czech Republic. The top five countries so far include: Denmark, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Ireland.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be the reason someone smiles today – a quote often attributed to Roy T Bennett
