In addition to his legislative duties, Riley is an attorney with McAfee & Taft, P.C. He is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Network - The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Organization.

Riley holds a B.A. in political science from Thomas Edison State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University.

Born and raised in Springfield, Riley resides there with his wife, Ellen, and their two young children. He and his family attend James River Church.