Riley is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied theater and film.
[2] Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Riley began writing for animation in 1998, starting with Disney’s Timon & Pumbaa, followed by Recess, Teacher’s Pet and Teamo Supremo.
Between working on Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles and The Land Before Time, Riley developed his own series, Special Agent Oso, for Disney Junior.
[4] Riley is executive producer of both the television movie The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and its subsequent TV series.
Riley’s episode of Angela Anaconda entitled "Ice Breakers" won Le Grand Prix Anneny 2000 at the 2000 Annecy Awards for best TV Animation programme.
[5] "Ice Breakers" was also nominated for a 2000 Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Special Class Animation Program.
[10] In his 2009 interview with Emmy Magazine[11] Riley cited his son’s subsequent autism therapy as the inspiration for the curriculum for Special Agent Oso.