Our Team

Since 1986, Answer Excellence and its exceptional team of professionals have worked with our clients to learn how their operations need to function. Through the use of increasingly sophisticated technology and custom software solutions, we’ve met their goals with unique solutions.

As a recipient of a continuous succession of industry awards and accolades, Answer Excellence has consistently delivered outstanding accuracy combined with a pleasant service-focused attitude.

Fiorella Mejia
President & CEO

Over the course of two decades, Fiorella has held numerous leadership positions within the organization, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Her appointment as President and CEO reflects her dedication, vision, and the core values that have helped establish Answer Excellence as one of the top ten of answering service companies in the United States and Canada.

As President and CEO, Fiorella provides strategic leadership for all aspects of the organization, guiding its long-term growth while ensuring exceptional service for clients across multiple industries. She works closely with her executive team to identify new opportunities for growth, expand into emerging markets, and implement advanced technologies that enhance customer experiences and strengthen internal operations.

Under her leadership, Answer Excellence remains committed to delivering industry-leading communication solutions while adapting to the evolving needs of its clients.

Melissa Thedford
Assistant Director of Operations

With her start in the industry in 2003, Melissa has succeeded in multiple capacities in this sector. Launching her career as an answering service operator with a firm in Fort Myers, she quickly transitioned to a key role in their finance department. Upon relocating to the Tampa Bay area in 2007, Melissa joined our team. Her outstanding commitment to customer service was immediately evident.

Melissa has been an integral part of Answer Excellence’s leadership team for many years, consistently demonstrating a commitment to operational excellence, employee development, and exceptional client service. During her tenure with the company, she’s advanced through a series of leadership roles reflecting her dedication, leadership and strong work ethic in each one.

In her current role as Assistant Director of Operations, Melissa works closely with executive leadership to oversee daily operations, support strategic initiatives, and ensure the company continues to deliver the high level of service clients have come to expect. Melissa also oversees the coordination of customized software solutions that support the unique needs of individual clients, while assisting with financial and administrative functions, including accounts payable.

Her focus on process improvement, quality assurance, and operational consistency helps ensure that internal systems remain efficient and scalable as the company grows. These are the types of distinctions that earn Answer Excellence the esteemed ATSI Award year after year.

Valerie Riddle
Trainer
Since she started her career with us as an operator in 2012, Valerie’s commitment has always been clear: we are not “just an answering service” – we represent our clients’ businesses to the outside world.

Back in high school, Valerie started her career in the fast food industry and quickly worked her way up to management. There she honed customer service skills and the attention to details needed to maintain inventories and adhere to standards.

Now a key member of our team, she takes great pride in running all the new hire orientations; from paperwork, to training, to introduction to our systems and software. Valerie is also HIPAA-Certified and serves as our HIPAA Compliance Officer.

As a former Answer Excellence operator, Valerie’s hands-on experience enables her to effectively step trainees through the nuances of complex accounts; so they gain confidence, but still feel genuinely supported. Valerie says the best thing about her job is teaching people how to make the finest first impression as she continues to advance them to the next tier of excellence.

Crystina Trudell
Supervisor of Operations
In 2016, Crystina began her career with Answer Excellence when she joined us as an operator. Recently promoted from Lead Operator to Supervisor of Operations, it is Crystina’s expertise in quality control that is the foundation of our 24×7 coverage center.

Crystina honed her knowledge of standards maintenance with many years of experience as a quality control manager in government contracted work for advanced defense technologies and commercial solutions. She therefore brings a keen proficiency to managing the stringent criteria our customers demand. Now an invaluable member of our client-centric team, Crystina maintains the professional relationships vital to our understanding of client operations while managing accounts and scheduling.

A true liaison between our clients and their unique support workforces, our operation flourishes under Crystina’s supervision. She is one of the reasons for the caliber of service synonymous with our reputation.

Our Team

For More Information