About
Cecilia Whitley
Broker
About Sterling & Associates Property Management
At Sterling & Associates Property Management, we believe that trust, communication, and personalized service are the cornerstones of successful property ownership. Founded and led by top-producing real estate broker Cecilia Whitley, our company brings decades of leadership, negotiation, and real estate experience to every property we manage in Elgin, Texas, and surrounding communities.
Cecilia’s career in real estate began in 1984 with part-time administrative work for a local agent. Though she would go on to spend over 34 years in public service—culminating as Associate Commissioner of the largest procurement division in the State of Texas—her passion for real estate never faded. After retiring from state government, she returned to her roots and launched Sterling & Associates, combining her expertise in high-stakes negotiations, billion-dollar contracts, and client-centered service into a real estate firm known for results and relationships.
Building on the success of her sales company, Cecilia created Sterling & Associates Property Management to meet a growing need: giving property owners peace of mind through expert management and hands-on care.
Our Tenant Philosophy
We don’t just manage properties—we manage relationships. Happy tenants are more likely to stay longer, take better care of the property, and pay on time. That’s why we prioritize respectful, timely communication with tenants and address their needs efficiently.
At the same time, we enforce lease terms and hold tenants accountable. We strike the balance between being firm and fair—because your investment deserves nothing less.
Meet our Team
Tracy Ortiz
Executive Property Manager
Tracy Snowden Ortiz is a sixth generation Elginnite who has joined the Sterling and Associates team as our new Executive Property Manager. Tracy has been involved with her family’s rental property for much of her life. Her career was spent at the Texas Senate where she worked for 34+ years after coming to the legislature with the newly elected Lt. Governor, Bob Bullock. For the last ten years she served as the Calendar Clerk for the Senate-a position that required great attention to detail at a very fast pace. These are some of the skills that she will bring to managing your property.
Since her retirement in July of 2024, she has been busy with helping manage her family’s cattle herd, raising her daughters and with many community activities. She currently serves as secretary of the Elgin Livestock Show Association, president of the Elgin FFA Alumni Booster Club and as vice president of the Elgin Oral History Project. She is very involved with the Elgin Purple and White Jubilee and volunteers with the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association. She is a member of the New Sweden Lutheran Church and serves on the church council.
She and her husband, Pascual Ortiz live in the Pleasant Grove community along with her mother and two college age daughters.
Norman Morán
Realtor®
As a Texas Realtor and former educator, I bring patience, strong communication, and attention to detail to every real estate transaction. I proudly assist buyers, sellers, and renters throughout Central Texas, whether they are searching for a home, investment property, or land.
With a background in Business Administration and Marketing from St. Edward’s University, along with firsthand experience as a homeowner and landowner, I understand how important real estate decisions can be. My goal is to make the process as smooth, informed, and stress-free as possible while providing honest, personalized service every step of the way.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, I am committed to helping clients feel comfortable, confident, and supported throughout their real estate journey.
Como agente de bienes raíces en Texas y ex educadora, aportó paciencia, comunicación clara y atención a los detalles en cada transacción. Con orgullo ayudó a compradores, vendedores y personas que buscan rentar en el área de Central Texas, ya sea que estén buscando una casa, propiedad de inversión o terreno.
Con estudios en Administración de Empresas y Mercadotecnia de la Universidad de St. Edward, además de experiencia personal como propietaria de vivienda y terreno, entiendo la importancia de las decisiones inmobiliarias. Mi objetivo es hacer que el proceso sea claro, informado y lo menos estresante posible, siempre brindando un servicio honesto y personalizado.
Hablo inglés y español con fluidez y estoy comprometida a que cada cliente se sienta cómodo, informado y apoyado durante todo su proceso inmobiliario.
Brian Hawthorne
Realtor®
License: 524092
Brian Hawthorne joins Sterling and Associates with over 15 years of experience in the real estate and property management industries. His extensive background encompasses management experience on a variety of asset types including single-family rentals, conventional and student housing as well as specializing in new construction lease-up communities, asset repositioning, and dispositions.
Brian spent the majority of his career at Alliance Residential where he served as Vice President of Operations and led high-performing teams overseeing new construction-owned assets in a joint venture environment in multiple Texas markets. During his tenure at Alliance, Brian was instrumental in the successful disposition of many assets including several record-breaking sales.
After Alliance Residential was sold Brian joined RPM, a boutique management firm where he served in a similar capacity and focused primarily on business development and renovation communities. Currently, Brian serves as the Vice President of Operations at Cardinal Group Management. A graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Brian also holds a Texas Real Estate License and is a member of IREM with a Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation.
Steve Balch
Realtor®
License: 633014
I am passionate about helping Texans buy, sell, and invest in real estate in the central Texas area. Whether you are a first time home buyer looking for that perfect starter home, or a seasoned investor looking for the next big thing -- I have the industry know-how and local knowledge of the area to ensure you are taken care of from first sight to closing day. Being a multi-generational farmer and rancher in the central Texas area, I bring a wealth of experience to bear on all your real estate needs -- including knowing how to get you what you deserve for your property and being able to scout out the hot-buys in a rapidly changing real estate market in the Austin area.
As a real estate agent at Sterling and Associates, I am able to serve you with a full range of options including residential, commercial, and farm & ranch needs. Being a part of an established company such as Sterling and Associates gives me an increased opportunity to serve you with the kind of dependability that is especially vital in today's real estate markets.