Kristin Stevens on Building Round Rock's Future Through Service

In the latest episode of Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Round Rock Mayor Pro Tem Kristin Stevens to discuss her journey in public service and her vision for the city's future. Released on September 30, 2026, the episode is particularly unique as it features the daughter of a former guest, highlighting a familial continuity in civic leadership. Stevens, the daughter of longtime civic leader Charlie Culpepper, reflects on inheriting a stewardship mindset and now helping steer one of the fastest growing cities in the country. The conversation traces Round Rock's arc from a farming community of fewer than 5,000 residents in the 1970s to a city approaching 150,000. Together, Stevens and Eisenberg explore key themes such as balancing ambitious goals with responsible growth in Williamson County, the fastest-growing county in the nation. After a 22-year career in speech pathology, Stevens left to serve on City Council, driven by a desire to give back. She addresses the challenges of public service in the social media age, emphasizing the need for 'thick skin' and direct engagement with constituents. "We have a very accepting and welcoming and warm culture here," Stevens tells Eisenberg. "We expect the best, right? But we accept and we bring in and we welcome everybody and all ideas and all businesses and the stories of the people that come here." The episode also highlights the role of local organizations like Blue Santa, Meals on Wheels, Sertoma, Rotary, Frontier Days, and the Sandbass Shootout in shaping her family's service ethic. Stevens shares a full-circle Round Rock moment: she was the first person ever to get engaged at Dell Diamond, during the inaugural Friday night fireworks game after voters passed the hotel-motel tax that funded the stadium. Her husband, who studied architecture and now works in construction, coordinated a heart-shaped fireworks display on Good Friday nearly 26 years ago. Today, her father takes her older two sons to dollar hot dog nights with Papa, and her youngest son works as a parking lot attendant for the Round Rock Express. Stevens credits Charlie Culpepper's lesson to remain accessible, mentors through Leadership Round Rock, Ascend, and YMCA leadership classes, and urges newcomers to volunteer strategically rather than dilute their impact. She also discusses combating misinformation on issues from data centers to public comment ordinances. Tune in to hear more about Stevens' journey and her dedication to building Round Rock's future through service. Listen to this Episode