For over a decade now, State Farm Agent Mike Watson has been serving the people of North Central Arkansas with the coverage they need to protect what matters most. Setting him apart from your average agent is not only his hard-working cowboy background — the Melbourne, Arkansas native grew up helping out on his father’s cattle farm and competing in rodeos as a calf roper — but his deep commitment to helping others.
Before his entry into the world of insurance, Watson spent 12 years as the athletic director at his alma mater, Melbourne High School, where he coached basketball and softball. “Coach Watson” opened his first State Farm office in Highland in 2011 and added a second in Melbourne soon after. Since leaving the ball court for good, Watson has dedicated himself to helping his clients achieve another kind of win: making their retirement dreams into reality. His skills as an educator allow him to meaningfully connect with people and put even the most complicated insurance situations into easy-to-understand terms.
Watson and his team have been widely recognized for their successes both nationally and locally. Out of the 19,000 State Farm agencies across the United States, Watson’s is one of the top performers that make up the Lifetime Presidents Club. Additionally, Watson is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, representing the top 1 percent of the industry.
Outside of the office, Watson is deeply involved in his community in several ways, such as being a member of the Northeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority. The economic development agency works with industry and economic partners across the United States to bring industry to Arkansas. Watson is also a trustee for Ozarka College.
“My wife, Lesha, and I provide financial support to the Ozarka College Foundation each year,” Watson said. “Ozarka College was a stepping stone for Lesha and I along the way, and we want to pass the gift forward.”
In addition to his continued support, Watson founded the Wayburn Watson Memorial Scholarship, which provides financial support to students attending the community college.
“The scholarship was set up in honor of my father, who was well known in the area and helped a lot of people,” he said. “I want to continue his legacy of helping and supporting others through the good work and deeds of this scholarship.”
Watson also teamed up with two friends to create the Bad Boy Mowers Ronnie Brogdon Invitational, a holiday basketball tournament that raises funds for the Ronnie Brogdon Achievement Scholarship, which awards five scholarships to students each year. Since the trio first organized the event, it has grown into one of the largest high school basketball events in the mid-South.
The Mike Watson Insurance Agency is the preferred State Farm agency in North Central Arkansas, serving residents in Sharp, Izard, Fulton, Stone, Lawrence and Independence counties. The agency offers free quotes for a variety of insurance needs, including auto, homeowners, renters, life, business and pet insurance. Watson and his team even offer financial services for home financing, college and retirement planning. To find out more and get in touch, visit Mike Watson online, call (870) 856-3111, or stop by either of his offices in Melbourne and Highland.
