Jovan “J.R.” Ruzic calls the Washington, D.C., area home, though his professional, academic, and athletic pursuits have taken him from his native, former Yugoslav Republic of Serbia to Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Georgia. His talent and commitment to basketball earned him an athletic scholarship to Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he studied Business Management. Jovan later returned to Serbia to pursue his dream of playing professional basketball. After enjoying success on the court, he returned to the United States—now truly home—to build the next chapter of his life.

Following in his father’s and older sisters’ footsteps, Jovan studied mechanics, driven by a shared love of engineering and mathematics. He excelled as a master automotive technician and safety and emissions inspector—never meeting a machine he couldn’t fix.

Purchasing his first home sparked a new passion: real estate. Drawing upon the teamwork and persistence honed on the basketball court and the customer-focused problem-solving skills from the auto industry, Jovan quickly established himself as a trustworthy and knowledgeable Realtor®. He has since earned multiple professional designations, including Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative® (ABR), and Military Relocation Professional® (MRP).

For nearly a decade, Jovan has been a valued member of the Reynolds EmpowerHome Team, serving over 600 families and mentoring the next generation of agents. Known for his negotiation skills, strategic thinking, and ability to resolve complex challenges, he consistently delivers top results for his clients.

Jovan met his wife, Marlaina, in the nation’s capital, and the couple now resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with their daughter, Farrah, son, Luka, and their chocolate lab, Hondo. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and soccer, weightlifting, volunteering as a middle school basketball coach, traveling with his wife—a career diplomat—and exploring his passion for U.S. and world history.