Jongjoon “JJ” Kim is the President and CEO of Smart Insurance.
A Korean immigrant and former student activist, JJ came to the United States in 1998 with a dream of earning his MBA and building a life rooted in opportunity. After completing his graduate degree from George Mason University, he worked in corporate finance before launching a seafood wholesale business. During the 2008 financial crisis, JJ pivoted and entered the insurance industry as a life agent. He quickly recognized the power of insurance, not just as a career opportunity, but as a way to help protect underserved communities and empower immigrant families.
In 2011, JJ founded Smart Insurance with a mission to elevate and support Korean American agents through mentorship, training and grassroots marketing. Today, his agency supports agents in multiple metropolitan areas, including Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Ninety percent of Smart Insurance agents are Korean American, and JJ continues to lead with the belief that when agents thrive, so do the communities they serve.
Beyond his vital work in insurance, JJ is dedicated to cultural preservation through the Korean School Association, where he serves as a board director. He also sponsors local and regional events for senior organizations and multicultural associations. JJ lives in Annandale, Virginia, with his wife, and together they have two daughters. When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling with family, playing golf and sharing meals with his team — especially Korean barbecue.