Ramon "Ray" Villanueva, Jr.
2023 VETERANS DAY SPECIAL EDITION | U.S. NAVY
PHOTOS BY NESTED TOURS
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MILITARY?
I knew if I could find discipline and structure, I could change the course of my life for the better. I was also not ready for college and wanted to do something not common among my cousins and friends.
WHY/HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER IN REAL ESTATE?
I was working an off-duty police job and felt I was wasting time sitting around just watching people. I was trying to figure out what I could do with my free time that was productive. I knew I would eventually retire as a police officer and then it hit me. Get my real estate license and help my wife with her real estate business. Not only would I have a second career, but it would also allow me to have a retirement plan after law enforcement.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE REAL ESTATE AS YOUR CAREER AFTER SERVICE?
Before real estate, I was hired and began my law enforcement career with the City of Oklahoma City Police Department. During the first three years of my law enforcement career, I decided to join my wife, Deborah, who is a real estate agent.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR SERVICE INFLUENCES YOUR CAREER AS A REALTOR®?
It has made it easy to connect with people. Being in the military, you meet people from just about every background and culture.
2022 SALES VOLUME AND UNITS?
31 units for $9.2 million
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT OKC?
The feel of a big city, how it continues to grow, and the endless opportunities for growing our real estate business.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? DOES THE TIME YOU SPENT IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCE HOW YOU VIEW SUCCESS?
Feeling accomplished and doing something to be a better you tomorrow.
WHAT DOES VETERAN'S DAY MEAN TO YOU?
Sacrifices made by Americans you don’t know or have ever met who selflessly volunteered their time to help protect the freedom and rights we have as Americans.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO NOTE ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY, SUCH AS WARS YOU FOUGHT IN, PLACES YOU WERE DEPLOYED TO, AWARDS OR RECOGNITIONS, ETC.?
I had an opportunity to really do something different and jump on it. I went through Basic Enlisted Submarine School and became a Submariner. During this time, I served on board the USS ASPRO, USS NEW YORK CITY, and the USS POGY. Made several deployments including one to the North Pole in November of 1996 onboard the USS POGY.
