Home  /  Leadership

Leadership

The team behind the team.

The people who coach, support and lead more than 100 Ascend advisors across Central Texas.

Founders

Built in Texas, by Texans.

Justin Sheppard

Co-Founder & CEO

Justin Sheppard

A seventh-generation Texan and third-generation Realtor, Justin descends from Captain Henry Sheppard, the Morgan Lines sea captain and Indianola wharf master who helped bring the railroad to Cuero in 1872. Raised in South Texas on the iconic Friar-Sheppard Ranch and an Austinite for 25 years, he sets the vision for Ascend and the systems behind every advisor’s business. A former Zillow Advisory Board member and an advisor to companies in financial services and AI, he also builds the AI-powered tools behind the Ascend Hub.

Read the family history

Thomas Brown

Co-Founder

Thomas Brown

Nearly two decades in real estate and mortgage banking, and named one of the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Agents in Texas. Thomas helps every Ascend advisor build a bigger, steadier business.

Leadership Team

Experts in leadership.

Bethany Vrooman

Director of Operations

Bethany Vrooman

Born and raised in Austin, Bethany runs the operations that keep the team, the tools and every advisor moving.

George Gavito

Branch Manager, San Antonio

George Gavito

Raised in Brownsville and a St. Mary’s graduate, George leads our San Antonio advisors with two decades in real estate.

Mary Lawrence

Director of Inside Sales & Database

Mary Lawrence

Mary leads the inside sales team and our client database, making sure every lead is followed up and connected with the right advisor.

Laurie Harris

Performance Coach

Laurie Harris

Laurie leads our Power Sessions, Skills Labs and one-on-one business planning.

Zak Barton

Performance Coach

Zak Barton

Zak guides new advisors through onboarding and systems training and helps them grow from their sphere.

Tracy Woliver

Transaction Success Team Lead

Tracy Woliver

Tracy leads our coordinators and keeps every file moving from executed contract to closing day.

Laura Smierciak

Closing Manager

Laura Smierciak

Laura manages closings and disbursements, making sure every detail is right at the finish line.

Courtney Sanders

Onboarding Specialist

Courtney Sanders

Courtney welcomes every new advisor and gets them set up and ready from day one.

RB

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Racine Byers

Racine keeps Justin’s calendar, marketing requests and open houses on track, so leadership can stay focused on our advisors.

Transaction Success Team

Our Care Coordinators.

The coordinators behind every file, from the first call to closing day. They keep clients informed and advisors free to focus on the work that matters.

Transaction Coordination

RA

Rosstum Allauigan

Care Coordinator

PS

Phoebe Sagayno

Care Coordinator

JT

Junelyn Turtor

Care Coordinator

RB

Reahlie Bacang

Care Coordinator

MD

Mylene Decio

Care Coordinator

JC

Janine Codinera

Care Coordinator

AM

Angelika Marquez

Care Coordinator

Inside Sales

CT

Charlie Tugbo

Care Coordinator

RA

RJay Agustin

Care Coordinator

AW

Adam Williams

Care Coordinator

BL

Benjamin Laurena Jr.

Care Coordinator

JG

Jean Guinang

Care Coordinator

RH

Rao Hamza

Care Coordinator

“

Our mission is to provide world-class real estate representation on every deal we touch, and to unlock every advisor’s full potential.

Work Ethic · Client First · Honesty & Integrity · Passion · Community

Careers

Work with this team.

Coaching, exclusive buyer and seller leads and a full support team behind every file. Start a confidential conversation with our leadership.

Start a Confidential Conversation