PEOPLE

PEOPLE

Charlotte Kovalchuk

charlotte@wilcobr.com photo courtesy Williamson County

MELISSA GOINS RETIRES

38 Years of Service to Williamson County

While serving under seven elected officials for nearly 40 years, Melissa Goins has seen many changes transform Williamson County. One thing didn’t change, though—her heart for Williamson County. “She’s just the epitome of a servant leader,” County Judge Bill Gravell says about his chief of staff who retired in June. “I wouldn’t be here today without her. She’s been such a wonderful blessing. I’m grateful for her patience, time, dedication, friendship, and service to our Williamson County.”

Born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, where her father was serving in the Army, Melissa returned with her family to their Granger roots then moved to Round Rock in the early 2000s. Following a stint assembling motor parts at TECO-Westinghouse— complete with safety glasses, jeans, and steel-toed shoes—Melissa found her calling in 1983 with Williamson County.

She moved in and out of the courthouse over the next four decades, first as a clerk for County Clerk James N. Boydston at the courthouse, then as a court clerk for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Bill Hill and his successor, Judge G.E. “Bud” Simmons, across the street from the Palace Theater. She moved back to the courthouse to work as an executive assistant to Judge Jimmy Bitz and later for Judge Steve Benton at the Inner Loop Annex as well.

She said she was blessed to work for two county judges, Dan Gattis and Judge Bill Gravell, not only because she enjoyed helping them as they led Williamson County, but because of the many people she met inside and outside the office. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with staff, building relationships, and offering assistance to people, whether it be an internal or external entity,” Melissa says.

While working for five justices of the peace and two county judges, she had a front row seat to watch the many changes that shaped Williamson County over the last 40 years. The population climb has been the main driver of change, leading to additional county and district courts as well as new county buildings to meet the growing needs of the county. Economic development soared and technology advanced, allowing the county to go paperless and communicate through email instead of phone, among other changes. COVID-19 also inspired a new work model; virtual meetings and remote work.

NEW CHAPTER

Following COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri, Melissa took time to reevaluate her career. Encouraged by her family and a comment from Judge Gravell: “We don’t live to work, we work to live,” she ultimately decided to say goodbye to service to Williamson County. “Although I was sad to depart, I was eager and excited to spend time with my family, especially enjoying precious time with my grandchildren, and taking care of my mother,” she says.

She plans to spend her retirement traveling, volunteering, and “enjoying each day with my family. As Pete Correa would say, ‘I am living the dream.’ ”