Kim Pollok's career trajectory, from being laid off on December 31 at a call-center shutdown to becoming CEO of SWBC Payroll & HR, is a testament to resilience and strategic growth. In Episode 79 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, hosted by Bryan Eisenberg, Pollok shares the lessons that shaped her leadership style and the company's approach to serving small and mid-sized businesses across 42 states.
Pollok's journey began when her former employer, with over 2,000 workers, gave staff an ultimatum to relocate to El Paso or be laid off. SWBC ran the closing job fair, and Pollok accepted an entry-level benefits coordinator role at a $10,000 pay cut. She credits saying "yes" to opportunities and seeking mentors, including SWBC Mortgage CEO Susan Stewart and FI division CEO Mark Hine, for her rise through the ranks. One of Stewart's most impactful lessons: "Stop letting people give you dead birds. Don't allow people to just give you their problem and then you are taking on everybody's problem without some solutions, because you're collecting everyone's dead birds and you can't do anything with it." Pollok now uses this framing with her own team, alongside the mandate: "You have a seat at the table, you've earned a seat at the table, use your voice."
The episode, published June 23, 2026, arrives as employers grapple with hybrid work, multigenerational teams, and the rapid integration of AI into HR and payroll systems. Pollok discusses how SWBC implemented a secure, private AI system for research and workflows to protect client and financial data. She also addresses managing baby boomers, Gen X, and Gen Z under one roof without abandoning fairness. SWBC Payroll & HR, privately held by Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley, serves clients ranging from five to 7,000 employees, with industries spanning hospitals, construction, property management, nonprofits, train-car refurbishers, and pig farms. The company provides over 70 specialists at cost-effective rates, positioning itself as an essential back-office partner for businesses with 40 to 300 employees typically.
Pollok's plainspoken, practitioner-first voice resonates throughout the conversation. She emphasizes the importance of relationships, noting that SWBC sponsored the Round Rock Chamber's Women Who Mean Business event featuring Olympian Cat Osterman. For leaders looking to develop talent, retain clients, and ensure compliance in a rapidly changing environment, Pollok's story offers a candid guide. The full episode is available wherever podcasts are heard, offering deeper insights into her leadership philosophy and the company's evolution from an entry-level benefits coordinator to the corner office.
