Dana Korte, Renee Wittenauer, Cecil Management Group

By RITA DUCKWORTH
    If you’ve rented property in the Metro East, you’ve likely heard of Cecil Management Group. For more than 40 years, CMG has managed residential properties and homeowners’ associations.
    Founder Dorcas Cecil sold the O’Fallon, Ill.-based company in 2015 to Dave Kunkel and Terry Lammers, but women are still at the helm. Dana Korte, senior property manager/COO, and Renee Wittenauer, property manager/managing broker, oversee day-to-day operations with a staff of 19.
    Korte started at CMG in 2002. As of Jan. 1, she also became part owner.
    “I discussed the possibility with Dorcas throughout the years,” she says. “It was always a goal.”
    Wittenauer brought 12 ½ years of property management experience to the company and is also part owner.
    “Terry and Dave do a lot to empower us and have made improvements since the buyout,” she says. “We have a new logo and website, an updated computer system, and we’ve implemented customer service initiatives like online portals and payments.” They’ve also taken on large commercial properties.
    The two recognize that the groundwork laid by Dorcas Cecil contributes to their success as women in business.
    “She earned a lot of respect from our clients and the community,” says Korte.