805 Local

Meet Greg Ricci

For fifteen years, Greg Ricci has been a trusted source for Ventura County residents buying and selling real estate.  He is a long time resident of the 805.

805Local: Your motto is “Doing Real Estate Right.” What does it mean to you?

GR: Above all, it means acting with integrity and doing what is right for my clients. It means telling the truth and doing my very best for the client.

805Local: Your family moved to Thousand Oaks when you were a very young child, tell us about your early memories of Thousand Oaks.

GR: My father still lives in the same house today that he bought when he moved the family from New Jersey. I remember going to Sunday church in a barn (Pedersen’s), then a funeral chapel (Griffin Brothers), before St. Paschal’s was built. I remember driving my go-kart on what is today Westlake Boulevard before North Ranch was developed. I remember peacocks from Jungleland wandering up our street. I have great memories of my father teaching me to drive a stick shift  VW on the backroads of Lake Sherwood and  Hidden Valley and  over the Santa Monica mountains to the Pacific Coast. I remember the old horse ranches and western movie sets in areas now called Westlake and  Wildwood. My mom drove my brother, sisters and me to school each day from Thousand Oaks to Camarillo (the back way) to St. Mary Magdalen’s. The closest bank was either in the San Fernando Valley or Oxnard. I remember lots of sheep crossing the Conejo Valley. The Conejo Valley was quite remote! A fantastic place to grow up.

805 Local: What is your favorite part about being a Realtor?

GR: Helping people reach their dreams of home ownership. Plus, having worked in the corporate world and being very independent by nature, I like being my own ‘boss.’ My success is ultimately measured by how many people and families I have helped to achieve their goals in buying or selling real estate in Ventura County.

805Local: Prior to becoming a Realtor, what other career path did you pursue?

GR: After I graduated from UCLA, I worked in the corporate world for some twenty years, specializing in environmental consulting. I was employed by  Rockwell International, Combustion Engineering, ABB, and Viar & Company. My corporate experience includes technical consulting, project management, program management and business development. I even headed up a group in the Washington, D.C. area for several years.

805Local: How did UCLA and/or Rockwell prepare you to become a Realtor?

GR: Being a successful Realtor is much more than showing homes. A successful Realtor needs to know a lot! And it is essential to have the necessary skills to apply that knowledge. My years at UCLA and in the corporate world helped me to develop the multitude of skills I bring to the table for each of my clients: organizational, communication, contractual, negotiation, marketing, problem solving, you name it.

805Local: Any other interests besides real estate?

GR: I have lots of other interests but real estate does consume a great deal of my time. I am a big believer in real estate. In addition, I am committed to family and my wonderful friends.  Having grown up in the area, I love the  outdoors, whether it’s to garden (I’m rooting Tomcord grape canes this year), walk, bike ride, hike, backpack, snow ski, or stroll along the beach. I really enjoy all sorts of music and try to find time to play the guitar. I like to read, and, believe it or not, for stress management, I truly enjoy attending yoga classes.

805Local: Any words to live by?

GR: “Carpe Diem,” “Treat people the way you want to be treated,” and “Measure twice and cut once.”

Greg Ricci can be reached at (805) 340-5811 or by email at Greg@805Local.com.

Comments

2. Comment from Wayne
Time February 17, 2009 at 1:05 am

I am sorry not being able to connect with you last June when my family and I were staying in Ventura. Yoga? That must be good for your troublesome back.