The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced that the April Business of the Month is Bill Nickum State Farm Insurance at their monthly networking coffee on Tuesday held at Scales Portable Buildings, located at 240 Hebert Street in Bridge City, Texas.

Bill Nickum State Farm Insurance Agency was chosen for their many years of involvement in the community and with the Chamber. Bill Nickum is very committed to helping the Bridge City area fully recover and remain protected from any future hurricanes. Besides offering Home, Life and Auto Insurance, Bill also offers Annuities, Health and Disability Insurance as well as other types of financial planning tools. Their Mission Statement is “To help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.”

Bill Nickum began working as a claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance in 1969 and started his own agency in March 1973 in the bedroom of his house. His wife, Ellen, and two daughters served as his staff. Today Bill Nickum Insurance has four licensed staff member that serve the Bridge City area. Between Bill Nickum and his staff members they have a combined experience of 88 years in the insurance business. Each member of the team has their own niche making them the ideal office.

Bill Nickum states “My staff consists of Donna Gray, office manager, who has been with me for 30 years.

She is invaluable to me, she is my “resident counselor” when clients or staff need a helpful or caring ear she is the one they go to.

Charlene Wappler has been with me for 10 years and she is my ‘go to girl.’ If I need something she normally can find what I need.

Charlene also specializes in my commercial business.

Cheryl Squires has been with me five years and has been with State Farm over seven years.

Cheryl is my Life Specialist.

Until recently my staff was made up of all females but two years ago we added Nathan Dean; a young family man and music/youth director at Second Baptist Church.

He is a good fit.

He has held his own with these ladies.

They all know about families and their needs.

It goes a long way when working with our customers.

As long as God comes first, family second and work third, things are going right.

We try to make the office a place that is ‘family friendly.’ They really run the office.

In fact, when someone calls in and I answer the phone, they usually ask for one of the staff by name.

They are the ones who know this office inside and out and keep it running smoothly; I just come along for the ride.

It has been a good ride for the last 39 years.

We have had some tough patches but I know I can count on my staff to do what needs to be done no matter the situation.

This is a changing industry and we are making changes along with it.”

Courtesy Photo

Bill Nickum and his wife have three grown children and nine grandchildren. Bill is a deacon at Second Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, and serves on the board for the Texas Work Force. Bill Nickum State Farm Insurance can be reached at 409-735-3595. Their office is located at 1930 Texas Avenue in Bridge City. Bill also has a website, http://www.billnickum.com for user friendly information and insurance quotes.

Bill Nickum received a plaque honoring him as the Business of the Month sponsored by David Self Ford, as well as gift certificates to Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, David Self Ford and gifts from Complete Staffing and Scales Portable Buildings.