Round Rock, Texas, has transformed from a farming community of fewer than 5,000 residents in the 1970s to a city approaching 150,000, and Mayor Pro Tem Kristin Stevens is helping steer that growth. In Episode 93 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, titled "Kristin Stevens | Building Round Rock's Future Through Service," Stevens speaks with host Bryan Eisenberg about her journey from a 22-year career in speech pathology to elected office and the lessons she learned from her father, longtime civic leader Charlie Culpepper.
The episode, released September 30, 2026, is notable for its familial continuity: Stevens is the daughter of a former guest on the podcast, underscoring how service often runs in families. Stevens reflects on inheriting a stewardship mindset and now working to balance ambitious goals with responsible growth in Williamson County, the fastest-growing county in the nation. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining Round Rock's welcoming culture. "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."
Stevens also addresses the challenges of public service in the social media age, stressing the need for "thick skin" and direct engagement with constituents. She discusses combating misinformation on issues ranging from data centers to public comment ordinances, highlighting how local officials must navigate a complex information landscape.
Beyond policy, the conversation explores the role of community organizations in shaping her family's service ethic. Groups like Blue Santa, Meals on Wheels, Sertoma, Rotary, Frontier Days, and the Sandbass Shootout have all played a part. Stevens credits her father's lesson to remain accessible and mentors through Leadership Round Rock, Ascend, and YMCA leadership classes. She urges newcomers to volunteer strategically rather than dilute their impact.
A full-circle Round Rock moment emerges when Stevens recalls being 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.
For listeners, the episode offers insight into how one of America's fastest-growing communities manages its expansion while preserving its identity. Stevens's perspective on service, accessibility, and civic engagement provides a roadmap for residents and leaders alike. The podcast, hosted by New York Times bestselling author and keynote speaker Bryan Eisenberg, spotlights the people and ideas fueling Round Rock's evolution. Episode 93 is available now wherever podcasts are heard.
