In Episode 79 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, titled "Kim Pollok | From Layoff to CEO," host Bryan Eisenberg explores the unlikely rise of Kim Pollok from a call-center shutdown to the helm of SWBC Payroll & HR. Published June 23, 2026, the conversation addresses pressing challenges for employers, including hybrid work, multigenerational teams, and the rapid integration of AI into HR and payroll systems. Pollok, who advanced her career without a college degree, offers practical advice for leaders on developing talent, retaining clients, and ensuring compliance in a changing landscape.
Pollok recounts her start in the industry after a December 31 layoff from a call-center employer with over 2,000 workers, which gave staff the choice 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 $10,000 less than her previous HR-manager salary. Over 16 years, she rose to CEO by saying "yes" to opportunities, including the SWBC PEO acquisition when no one on the team knew what a PEO was. She emphasizes the importance of finding and asking for mentors, citing SWBC Mortgage CEO Susan Stewart and FI division CEO Mark Hine as key influences.
One of the most impactful lessons Pollok shares is from Stewart: "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, along with the mandate: "You have a seat at the table, you've earned a seat at the table, use your voice." These principles guide her approach to managing a multigenerational workforce that includes baby boomers, Gen X, and Gen Z under one roof without abandoning fairness.
On the technological front, Pollok discusses implementing a secure, private AI system for research and workflows, ensuring client and financial data remain protected. This move comes as AI rapidly enters HR and payroll systems, requiring leaders to balance innovation with data security. SWBC Payroll & HR, privately held by Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley, serves clients from five employees to 7,000 across roughly 42 states, with industries ranging from hospitals and urgent cares to construction, property management, nonprofits, train-car refurbishers, and pig farms. Pollok describes the firm as an essential back-office partner for small and mid-sized businesses, providing over 70 specialists at a cost-effective rate.
The episode also touches on SWBC's sponsorship of the Round Rock Chamber's Women Who Mean Business event featuring Olympian Cat Osterman, reflecting the company's commitment to community and professional development. Pollok's story underscores the value of resilience, mentorship, and embracing change in an industry where compliance and client relationships are paramount. For leaders navigating modern HR challenges, her insights offer a roadmap for building cohesive teams and leveraging technology without losing the human touch.
