JO Companies was founded in 2009 by Johnny Opara. The Saint Paul-based urban in-fill real estate development company owns, operates, and specializes in developing affordable homes to deliver high-quality, sustainable housing built to last for generations. JO Companies currently has over $300MM in its development pipeline year to date.
After spending over 15 years in corporate America in sales, Johnny left to become an entrepreneur and pursue his passion for developing high-quality affordable housing — a passion fueled by a promise he made to his late father, who lived in affordable housing.
On December 23rd, 2021, JO Companies closed on new construction financing and broke ground on their inaugural project, The Hollows, an $18.4 million multi-family development that delivered sixty-two homes for individuals and families.
Wangstad Commons is JO Companies' second affordable housing project: a $23.7MM new construction development that delivered 54 homes to the City of Brooklyn Center in October 2024.
Penn Station Apartments is JO Companies' third affordable housing project: a $23.3MM new construction 42-unit affordable housing development in Richfield, MN. Currently under construction, Penn Station Apartments is anticipated to deliver in January 2026.

• In 2023, Johnny was recognized amongst 200 Black Leaders in the Business Community in the Twin Cities by the Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal.

• In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Johnny was recognized in Finance & Commerce "The Power 30" as one of the top real estate developers in Minnesota.

• In 2024, Twin Cities Business recognized Johnny as one of the 100 Businesspeople to Know.

• Wangstad Commons won the Minnesota Real Estate Journal Project Award in the Affordable Housing – Suburban category and received top honors from Finance & Commerce as one of the Top Minnesota Construction Projects for 2024.

Johnny serves on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Housing Partnership, Saint Paul Area Chamber, and the Advisory Board for the Rice and Larpenteur Alliance. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Augsburg University