In Austin, Kent Concrete has built a reputation for delivering under pressure. Data centers, large-scale concrete packages, and fast-paced builds define the market here.
That’s why the recent promotion of Stephen Wallace from Senior Project Manager to Operations Manager feels less like a change and more like a natural next step.
Stephen is the kind of leader who makes people around him better. He’s calm when the stakes are high, patient when problems get messy, and straightforward when decisions need to be made. He’s earned the trust of crews, customers, and colleagues alike because he gives it to you straight—and then backs it up with action.
From the Ground Up
Stephen’s path in construction has been anything but rushed. He started as a laborer determined to learn every corner of the trade, worked his way into project management, and eventually took on some of the most demanding data center projects in the region.
Division Manager Lee Bruderer explains it this way: “Stephen has seen this industry from every angle, subcontractor, general contractor, superintendent, and project manager. That experience makes him invaluable to our customers because he bridges the gap between field and office in a way few people can. He’s firm but fair and always focused on building trust.”
Coming Back Stronger
A few years ago, Stephen tested the waters of retirement. He had time to slow down, reflect, and even began woodworking. It didn’t take long before he realized he wasn’t done building. When Kent called, he said yes to the opportunity because it included a team and a culture he believed in.
That decision came with perspective. Years earlier, Stephen lost his daughter—an experience that forever reshaped how he viewed work and life. For him, family comes first, and work only matters if it makes more time with the people you love possible.
It’s that balance that defines his leadership today. He demands results, but with the respect for people’s lives beyond the job site. “For me to come back, I had to know I was putting my time in the right place,” he says. “This team in Austin is worth it.”
Looking Ahead
As Operations Manager, his calm presence, mentor mentality, and decades of experience will help Kent Concrete build on its reputation as an Austin market powerhouse.
Ask anyone who’s worked with Stephen and you’ll hear the same thing: he’s the kind of leader who cares about his people. Whether he’s walking a job with his crew or hosting the team for a backyard BBQ, he listens and guides with genuine care.
As Bruderer adds: “Stephen has grown from being a transactional leader to a transformative one. He elevates the people around him, and that’s the kind of leadership our clients deserve on every project.”
For customers, that means your projects are guided by someone who thrives when the stakes are high and believes success is built on trust and relationships. For those considering a career, it’s a reminder that there’s always a place here for people ready to grow, whether just starting out, looking for a mentor, or even finding your way back after trying a different path.
Work with us. Build with us. Grow with us. The Austin team is ready.
