Some people talk about community. Others quietly roll up their sleeves and build one.
In this episode of Rock Solid: The Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, host Bryan Eisenberg sat down with longtime resident and former mayor pro tem Will Peckham, whose fingerprints are all over the foundation of today’s Round Rock. From Rotary meetings to city council votes, from grassroots campaigns to grandkid bike rides to Round Rock Donuts, Will’s story is a lesson in what happens when service, vision, and a little stubborn optimism come together.
From Horses to Hometown Hero
Will’s journey to Round Rock wasn’t a straight line. Born in Houston, raised partly in Kentucky, and the son of a horse industry professional, his family landed in Round Rock in 1983. They were drawn by the charm, slower pace, and the promise of something new. His father opened Round Rock Travel, and Will graduated from Westwood High before heading to Texas A&M.
But it wasn’t the business alone that rooted his family here. It was the sense of responsibility to give back.
“My dad didn’t graduate from high school,” Will shared. “I was the first in the family to finish college. Education meant a lot to us. And my parents always said, ‘Round Rock has been good to us. Let’s be good to Round Rock.’”
Mentors, Momentum, and Missed Votes
Like many great leaders, Will didn’t start with a title. He started with mentorship and momentum. First through Rotary, thanks to an invite from former Commissioner Ron Morrison, then through Leadership Round Rock and the Ascend program, which was created by Mandicer and Ryan Therrell to help younger professionals go deep on civic leadership.
Their first big project? Pushing a ballot initiative to reallocate funds for economic development.
“We had no idea how elections worked,” Will said. “What’s a PAC? How do you raise money? What’s a push card?”
They learned fast. They also lost the vote by 29.
Still, that campaign was a turning point. The peer group stayed engaged. Another vote passed later, leading to the creation of the Round Rock Sports Center and a stronger economic foundation. “We didn’t know any better,” Will joked. “So we just did it.”
The Heart of Service and the Heart of the City
When asked why he ran for council, Will’s answer was refreshingly human: “It was selfish. I didn’t want my kids or grandkids to move away.” But the real impact goes far beyond family.
As a council member, Will saw how visionary leadership—from the likes of former mayors Charlie Culpepper and Alan McGraw to community champions like Nancy Rab and Jim Bies—had set a high bar. That standard inspired Will’s generation, and it’s now inspiring the next wave of leaders.
“Leaders like Christian Stephens, Leah Clark, and Tanner O’Brien are the future. Programs like Ascend are making sure there’s no leadership gap.”
This handoff of civic responsibility isn’t accidental. It’s built into the bones of Round Rock. As Will put it, “This community works because it’s not about ‘I.’ It’s about ‘we.’”
What Does a Council Member Actually Do?
Spoiler: it’s not a full-time gig, but it comes with full-time heart.
“It’s service,” Will said. “Many of us take a step back from our businesses to do it. It can hurt financially. But that’s not why we do it.”
A typical month includes two official council meetings, budget sessions, and countless committee meetings—plus the unscheduled grocery store conversations that come with being the face of your hometown.
And while the national political climate can feel divisive, Will emphasized that local leadership is different in Round Rock. “Everyone knows their role. Everyone works together.”
Giving Back, Professionally and Personally
Outside of city hall, Will is also a local business leader with Watkins Insurance Group, a family-owned agency with offices across Central Texas. After being a client for years, a conversation with his friend Andy Webb led to his next chapter in insurance—fittingly, another way to protect and serve people.
“I love it because I get to be part of other businesses,” Will said. “We help people protect everything they’ve worked so hard to build. That’s meaningful.”
Where to Find Will (and Round Rock’s Best Donut)
When he’s not at council meetings or serving clients, you can find Will enjoying lunch at Salt Traders or Jack Allen’s, two local staples where relationships are on the menu right alongside the specials.
And yes—when asked about the legendary Round Rock Donuts, Will’s verdict was definitive: “Not hype. Real. One hundred percent real.”
He should know. He grew up riding his bike downtown, grabbing a donut, and reading comic books by the rock.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Round Rock?
When asked if there’s anything he would’ve changed about Round Rock’s development, Will didn’t hesitate: “No. The decisions made got us here. And I believe when one door closes, another opens. We may not always see it, but there’s a plan.”
That plan now lives in the hands of Round Rock’s next generation of leaders—leaders who, like Will, may just need a mentor, a cause, or a donut to get started.
Want to connect with Will Peckham?
Find him on LinkedIn or reach out via Watkins Insurance Group.
