Mike Riley
Cape and Plymouth Business Media Logo Circle

40 Under 40 Class of 2021!

Honoree Name: Mike Riley
Company: ML Riley Construction & Cape Cod Panel, Hyannis
Career background / highlights: I graduated from Bishop Stang High School in 2001. I was accepted to Wentworth Institute of Technology for Architecture, but I decided I wanted to work in the construction field instead. I started my framing company, ML Riley Construction when I was 23 years old. In 2016 a partner and I formed Cape Cod Panel.
Community commitment: I give back to the community in an immense way. Both my companies are active volunteers and throughout the years have provided donations and material to Habitat for Humanity. In the past three years ML Riley Construction and Cape Cod Panel have donated all panel labor, framing labor and the use of machines for three Habitat homes that needed to be built in a one-week blitz. My wife, Alexandra, and I also started a charity event after mom died of cancer in 2016 called “Hey Jude,” which raises money for cancer research for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. So far we have been able to raise more than $20,000. Other charities I enthusiastically support include the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod, Housing Assistance Corp. of Cape Cod, Barnstable Youth Hockey and many heartfelt golf sponsorships.
Favorite professional moment: Realizing my peers' admira- tion and recognition of my companies.
Who is your role model / mentor? My father, Bill Riley. My work ethic and dedication comes from him.
What mistake has taught you the most? Putting too much trust in people.
What one book has impacted your life? “Roofcutters Secrets” by Will Holladay.
What is your superpower? Awkwardness.
Where can you be found on the weekends? At work or playing golf. Running two companies takes up a lot of my time but I'm working on the work/life balance. If I'm lucky my wife, Alexandra and dog, Bosco sometimes join me.