JENA and JOHN SELVA

Jena and John Selva’s story began by chance nearly three decades ago when John’s friends convinced him that a girl at his high school liked him. That wasn’t entirely true, but as fate would have it, those two ended up falling in love. After graduating from the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences, the two took separate paths for education and a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy for John, but they eventually landed back in central Arkansas and were married.

John entered the real estate business after earning two business degrees and later deciding desk life was not for him. He opened his first real estate brokerage in 2007 and never looked back. Real estate was also a second career for Jena, who previously worked in health care as a registered dietitian. The couple currently owns Engel & Völkers Real Estate brokerage in Little Rock, where John serves as the principal broker and Jena serves as the CEO and director of operations while also wearing all the many different hats required to run a company.

In 2022, they expanded beyond the original Hillcrest location to include a second location in west Little Rock. Their business continues to grow with real estate advisors serving all of central Arkansas while representing clients buying and selling residential and commercial real estate. Engel & Völkers’ extensive network across the United States and internationally also allows them to connect and serve clients beyond Arkansas.

Jena is actively involved in serving with leadership of Junior League of Little Rock, the Quapaw Quarter Association Board and with their children’s schools and PTA. John serves as a founding board member of the West Little Rock Kiwanis, Little Rock Realtors Association Board, Arkansas Realtors Association Graduate Realtors Leadership Academy and Holy Souls Mens’ Club. The couple are also avid supporters of Special Olympics and Our House, organizing and sponsoring fundraising events every year.