Beyond The Bio: 16 Questions With Thor Equities COO Melissa Gliatta

This series profiles men and women in commercial real estate who have profoundly transformed our neighborhoods and reshaped our cities, businesses and lifestyles.

Melissa Gliatta is the chief operating officer at Thor Equities, although in a different life she would be teaching verbal communication skills to teenagers. 

Gliatta has been working for Thor CEO Joe Sitt — whom she describes as her greatest mentor — for more than two decades. She joined Ashley Stewart, a plus-size women's clothing company and lifestyle brand Sitt previously owned, in 1995. She became a vice president at Thor in 2003, and was promoted to executive vice president in 2010. Two years ago, she was named COO of the firm and now oversees assets within Thor’s North American, Latin American and European portfolio.

Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?

Gliatta: My role at Thor is to be a team leader, working closely with our CEO, Joe Sitt, and corporate leadership to expand the company’s business activities.

Bisnow: If you weren’t in commercial real estate, what would you do?

Gliatta: I would teach verbal communication skills to teenagers, as I think it’s becoming a lost art in the age of the internet.

Bisnow: What is the worst job you ever had?

Gliatta: Piercing ears at Spencer Gifts in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Bisnow: What was your first big deal?

Gliatta: Working with Joe on the sale of Albee Square Mall in Downtown Brooklyn. After purchasing the property for $25M, we made a number of improvements to attract new tenants, and in 2005 we sold the site and development plans for $125M.

Bisnow: What deal do you consider to be your biggest failure?

Gliatta: Not purchasing The Carlton House when we had the chance. We did end up buying the building’s retail portion at 680 Madison Ave., which is now home to luxury retailers Tom Ford, Brioni, Ralph & Russo, and Morgenthal Frederics.

Bisnow: If you could change one thing about the commercial real estate industry, what would it be?

Gliatta: More incentives for sustainable development.

Bisnow: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Gliatta: Big egos, they get in the way of everything. At Thor, we pride ourselves on being humble enough to learn from others and grow.

Bisnow: Who is your greatest mentor?

Gliatta: Joe Sitt, who continues to teach me something new every day.

Bisnow: What is the best and worst professional advice you've ever gotten?

Gliatta: If you’re just talking and not listening, then you aren’t learning.

Bisnow: What is your greatest extravagance?

Gliatta: Time. There never seems to be enough to go around.

Bisnow: What is your favorite restaurant in the world?

Gliatta: Chez L’Ami Jean, a small Basque restaurant in Paris. The chef, Stéphane Jégo, is a genius.

Bisnow: If you could sit down with President Donald Trump, what would you say?

Gliatta: Your message is getting lost in your tweets.

Bisnow: What's the biggest risk you have ever taken?

Gliatta: Leaving The Limited and joining Joe Sitt when he had 18 Ashley Stewart stores. That decision certainly paid off, as I’m still working for him 23 years later and couldn’t be happier.

Bisnow: What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown?

Gliatta: Rafferty’s Restaurant (in Bowling Green). It opened when I was in junior high school and is a family favorite.

Bisnow: What keeps you up at night?

Gliatta: Work. I’m constantly thinking about our business, and how we can stay ahead and keep growing.

Bisnow: Outside of your work, what are you most passionate about?

Gliatta: Cooking, antiquing and spending time with my family.