Team Members

J. Kou Vang | President & CEO
J. Kou Vang has served as President of JB Vang since September 2002, bringing with him extensive expertise in finance, accounting, and investment strategy. With a career spanning diverse sectors, he has built a strong reputation for leadership in commercial real estate development and finance. Prior to joining JB Vang, Mr. Vang was Vice President of Commercial Lending and an Investment Advisor at Western Bank in St. Paul, Minnesota. In that role, he managed both commercial loan and investment portfolios, with a strong focus on real estate lending and development projects. His work played a key role in supporting local economic growth and urban redevelopment initiatives.
Before his tenure in banking, Mr. Vang served as President of an Asian food importing and distribution company, where he oversaw operations and strategic expansion. Earlier in his career, he held various finance and accounting roles such as; CFO for Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), Director of Finance & Admin for Hmong American Partnership (HAP) and other organizations, further strengthening his analytical and operational expertise.
With a deep understanding of both finance and real estate, Mr. Vang continues to lead JB Vang with a forward-thinking vision, focusing on sustainable and community-driven project meeting at the intersection of Housing, Education and Community.
Mr. Vang is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in Economics with a focus on financial models.

Deu Xiong – Vang | Chief Operating Officer
Deu Xiong-Vang joined JB Vang (formerly JB Realty Co.) in July 2005, initially serving as Property Manager before advancing to the role of Controller. With a strong foundation in accounting, finance, and business operations, Deu plays a key role in overseeing the company’s financial management and operational infrastructure.
Prior to joining JB Vang, Deu was the Business Services Manager at HOPE Community Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota. In that role, she managed all non-instructional aspects of the school’s operations, including finance, facilities, human resources, and compliance—ensuring a stable and efficient environment for educational success.
Deu brings a unique combination of financial expertise and administrative leadership, shaped by her early career in the banking industry and refined through her work in both education and real estate.
She holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Saint Mary’s University in Minneapolis (2006) and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Marquette University in Milwaukee (1993). In addition, Deu is a licensed real estate professional in the state of Minnesota.

Ashley Bisner | Vice President – Development
Ashley Bisner joined JB Vang Partners in 2023 as Senior Development Manager, and in late 2024, accepted the position of Vice President of Development.
Ashley leads the planning and execution of the firm’s development projects. Her responsibilities span the full development cycle—from predevelopment, design coordination, and entitlement approvals to construction oversight and financial management—ensuring that each project meets its highest potential.
Ashley sources and manages a diverse portfolio of developments, ranging from strategic renovations of underutilized assets to larger-scale, ground-up construction projects, including housing, education, and community-served assets. Her comprehensive approach integrates design excellence, fiscal discipline, and community value.
Before joining JB Vang, Ashley worked at a real estate firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in multifamily and student housing projects across markets such as Tampa, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Boise, Idaho. In this role, she led the development of complex mixed-use projects, blending residential and retail components through sophisticated deal structuring and project execution.
Ashley began her career in the built environment at a California-based tax credit syndication and community preservation firm, where she gained experience in affordable housing and community-focused real estate investment.
She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Augsburg College, earned in 2013.

Cerena Vang | Vice President – Investments
Cerena Vang joined JB Vang Partners in 2018 as an Asset Manager and Development Associate. She previously serving as a Development Manager at JB Vang, has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Investments. In this capacity, she will oversee the management of JB Vang’s property portfolio and other investment assets.
Cerena brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to development, drawing on her early experience in asset management to inform decisions that balance financial performance with long-term project goals. She is actively involved in predevelopment planning, design coordination, entitlements, and project execution.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, equipping her with a unique perspective on team dynamics. In 2020, Cerena graduated from The Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) program, further deepening her expertise in real estate development and reinforcing her commitment to inclusive, community-driven projects.

Blai Vang | Vice President – Facilities Management
Blai Vang is the Vice President – Facilities Management. He has been with JB Vang for almost 10 years. In his role, he manages and oversees all JB Vang’s in-house properties and 3rd party properties portfolio. We maintained and managed all the building operation services as well. He graduated from Metropolitan State University with a BA in Social Science and a Minor in Ethnic Studies. He is married with three kids. He has two boys and a girl. In his free time, he likes to go fishing, hunting, and camping with my family and friends.

Karisma Vang | Manager – Marketing & Special Events
Karisma Vang joined JB Vang in 2025 as the Manager – Marketing and Special Events. In her role, she is responsible for managing the company’s website and overseeing all digital channels. With her valuable insights, she continually seeks new ways to strengthen the success of these platforms. Karisma holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, complemented by various marketing certificates, giving her a unique perspective on her work.

Angelina Vang | Financial Analyst
Angelina Vang has been employed as a Financial Analyst at JB Vang since 2025, following her graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. In her role, she leverages her extensive knowledge to contribute to business decision-making processes and conduct risk assessments. Before joining JB Vang, Angelina gained valuable experience through various positions in bookkeeping and as a bank teller. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family.

Dee Her | Client Services Coordinator & Real Estate Advisor
Dee Her has been a part of JB Vang since 2023 and provides vital administrative support to the Facilities, Development, and Accounting teams. She brings a diverse and well-rounded background in construction and real estate, with over a decade of experience in project coordination for both general contractors and subcontractors, as well as nine years as a licensed real estate agent.
Dee’s deep understanding of project workflows and her strong organizational skills make her an invaluable team player—particularly in managing our efficient, streamlined system for work order processing.

Chue Nhia Her | Facilities Maintenance
Bio Coming Soon

Stephanie Harr | Assistant Development Manager
Stephanie Harr has been with JB Vang as a member of the development team since 2024. Her most recent experience before joining JB Vang was eight years working for an elected official at the City of Saint Paul. Prior to city government, her past roles include community engagement, marketing and communications for large healthcare systems. She has a master’s degree in healthcare administration and an undergraduate degree in healthcare administration, English and business. She is active in her East Saint Paul community and has served as a volunteer and board member for many neighborhood and community-focused organizations.

Npheng Kong | Administrative Assistant
Npheng Kong joined JB Vang in 2017 as an Administrative Assistant and plays a vital role in supporting the successful execution of development and construction projects. She is responsible for coordinating and monitoring internal processes to ensure project milestones are met efficiently, while also serving as a key point of communication between project teams and clients.
Known for her reliability and collaborative spirit, Npheng fosters strong working relationships with Development Managers, Owner’s Representatives, and General Contractors—contributing to streamlined operations and successful project outcomes. Her attention to detail, proactive communication style, and commitment to teamwork make her an integral part of JB Vang’s project delivery process.

Bobby Vang | Finance Associate
Bobby Vang joined JB Vang in 2024 as Finance Associate with a strong background in financial operations and loan servicing, specializes in maintaining precise accounts and streamlining data processes. He currently manages accounts payable/receivable and financial reporting via integrated accounting software while leveraging his analytical expertise to support diverse business accounts. With a professional history at leading a national financial institution and a Bachelor’s degree in progress, Bobby is recognized for his meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to operational integrity.

Kyle Voigtlander | Facilities Manager
Kyle Voigtlander is a Facility Manager specializing in building repair, maintenance, and overall facility operations, including inspections, vendor coordination, and contract administration. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Art from the University of Northwestern–St. Paul. His background includes hands-on experience in commercial painting, running my own business, and subcontracting for remodeling companies. Through this work, he has developed practical skills in drywall, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, creating mixed-media art, and traveling.

Jasmine Frias | Development & Construction Manager
Bio Coming Soon

Kou Xiong | Facilities Manager
Kou Xiong joined JB Vang in 2024 as a Facilities Manager, bringing over 10 years of experience overseeing commercial properties, parking facilities, and multi-site operations across both public and private sectors. Proven expertise in facility inspections, preventive maintenance planning, construction project coordination, vendor management, budgeting, and revenue control. Hands-on leader with extensive experience hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising teams while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships and effectively resolve complex customer service and operational challenges. Detail-oriented professional with a consistent track record of improving facility performance and service quality.

Yengkong Yang | Facilities Manager
Yengkong Yang joined JB Vang Facilities Management in 2019 as a Facilities Manager, where he plays a key role in managing and coordinating a wide range of facility services, including system upgrades, preventive maintenance, and ensuring safety and code compliance.
He specializes in the operation and upkeep of complex building systems and oversees some of the oldest and most historically significant commercial properties in our portfolio.
Yengkong’s technical expertise and attention to detail make him an essential asset in preserving and enhancing the spaces we manage.
