Stephen M. Ross, a Burlington native, was sworn into his first term of office on December 16, 1997. On December 2, 2003 he was sworn in as Burlington's mayor, serving until 2007. Ross was re-sworn as a Councilman on December 1, 2009. Eager to serve the citizens of Burlington, Ross brings financial expertise and a strong sense of volunteerism to the job.

Ross graduated from Elon University in 1973 where he served a three-year term on the Elon University Alumni Executive Board and is currently serving on the Elon University Board of Visitors. He attended graduate school at North Carolina State University. He has been in financial services since 1980 and is currently a Vice President - Investment Officer with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC.

In December of 2006, Councilman Ross was recognized by The Business Journal as one of the Triad's Most Influential People.

Ross earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1967 and is currently a member of both the Boy Scouts Old North State Council Executive Committee and the National Eagle Scout Association. A former member of the Eagle Scout Review Board, Ross is an active volunteer and formerly served as the Alamance District Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America.

Ross is a former President of the Alamance Division of the American Heart Association, a member of the Alamance County Mayors' Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and serves on the business advisory committee of OE Enterprises, Inc.

Councilman Ross would like to see more people get involved in government and non-profit organizations. His concern for his community stems partly from a desire to keep Burlington clean and safe for his own family. He and his wife have four daughters. Ross hopes that the City will be an attractive location for his children to raise their own families. Ross suggests that Burlington is challenged with problems associated with rapid growth, including traffic congestion and inability to provide services fast enough to meet demand. He is a strong proponent of regionalism seeking to find regional solutions to the many complex issues facing municipalities in today’s environment.

Councilman Ross enjoys many outdoor activities including camping, hiking, & scuba. He is an active member of St. Mark’s Reformed Church.