Robert Pico has an incredible business background. He started in Dallas Texas importing slabs of marble and granite from around the world, and then started a mobile distribution company that distributed diamond tools, then after selling that company he worked for the buying organization as a manager for three years and then on to doing freelance business operations consulting for a company out of China. When his consulting work was finished, he worked for small grains combine company, leasing combines to small grain farmers in Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma (owned by one of the founders of Sprint who was running the company) — and now to STATE FARM.  

He is not an employee of State Farm. He owns his building, hires his employees who work for him, and runs his own business. Each State Farm Agency has an INDEPENDENT agent who runs that office and Pico is the Independent agent for Pinetop-Lakeside. So, even though he is part of a corporation and they support him, his agency is a local agency so his marketing funds can go into the community. State Farm does not mandate how he spends any of his funds or who he supports. He chooses the charities, causes and events he will sponsor. For example, he recently bought Blue Ridge High School a sports tunnel for the football team. (Football is dear to his heart as his dad was a long- time coach and athletic director in Mesa Schools System and his brother has been involved with the NFL in player development for many years.)

Pico continued, “I am really focusing on how I can help kids in our community. I have co-sponsored a lot of youth events – drug addiction prevention, suicide prevention, et cetera – anything in that direction. We raised money and gathered food for the Love Kitchen. This December, we will do our annual “Breakfast with Santa Pancake Breakfast. We are up to 300 attendees! It is a great event! We have a great guy who helps us with Santa and a lot of good helpers. This year, the event will not be held at Camp Tatiyee but it will be at Blue Ridge High School ON DECEMBER 14th from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It is a fun family event… Kirk Webb brings up the antique fire truck with Santa on board and 95.7 hosts a live remote — it’ not about business – it’s about giving back to the community!”

Pico told us about a new initiative they have now. He explained: “We are doing “Quotes For Good” which means that we will find an organization that needs help -- such as Love Kitchen or a veteran’s non-profit organization -- and we will donate money to these organizations when people get a quote. As long as they are not an existing State Farm customer and they get a quote from us, we will donate to a charity whether they buy anything or not. We are testing the waters with the upcoming play, The Nutcracker at Blue Ridge High School. For every quote requested from people attending The Nutcracker, we will give $10 to a charity so if six people call in for a quote, we will give $60. “

“I love this industry,” Pico told me. You get to be a part of people’s lives. It is very rewarding to hand over a check on someone’s worst day and make it a bit better. It is a very emotional time for people but, at the same time, they are not left behind with X, Y or Z payments. Life is one of the most important policies we write because we often never realize what happens when we go. Everything changes and it is important to me that everyone knows to be prepared. “ You can visit Pico without your credit card or check book and he will just help you understand what risks you have, what coverages you may be missing. Sometimes, eight out of ten people may leave his office without buying because we all live on budgets but at least they walk out the door understanding what risks they have.

Of course, fire danger is a major focus for the Agency. Pico works closely with local fire chiefs. “It is important that our area is as fire wise as possible,” Robert explained. “Many people come to our area to buy a home because of all the trees and we are rated higher here as consumers because of this. I think a homeowner’s policy here versus a homeowner’s policy in the Valley could be a difference of maybe $300 a year, maybe more. State Farm is very strict on underwriting rules but where other companies are backing out of this area/market, we are holding strong – for which I am very thankful!! I scope out the areas carefully to see if they qualify for insurance. Sometimes, I drive out and look for myself or call the fire department and ask their opinion -- if they can get in and out of an area in case of fire to see if it is an approvable area.  

So, why insurance? You can’t eat it or watch it or talk on it but it is there for a purpose – for when/if, heaven forbid, something terrible happens. They have the backing they need and that is why we are here.” …like a good neighbor.