City Councilor David Pickel and his family became rooted in the Broken Arrow community more than 20 years ago. Pickel is a graduate of Northeastern State University, where he earned both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Business Administration.
Pickel has been an insurance industry professional and small business owner while dedicating himself to serving the community in various capacities.
In addition to being a Broken Arrow City Councilor for Ward 3, Pickel serves on the board of the Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation. He is also the President of the Rotary Club of Broken Arrow and a former Legacy Christian Academy board member. Pickel also serves as a Broken Arrow Chamber Ambassador and member of the Board for the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse.
Pickel's proudest professional accolades also include:
2020 Volunteer of the Year,
2022 Community Advocate of the Year, Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce,
2023 Leadership Broken Arrow Participant,
2024 Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year,
2024 Broken Arrow City Councilor, Ward 3
2025 Broken Arrow City Councilor, Ward 3 (unopposed),
2025 President’s Award for the Pride of Broken Arrow,
2025 Community Advocate of the Year for a second time, and
2025-2026 Rotary Club of Broken Arrow President.
Originally from Poteau, Oklahoma, Pickel says that community service is a family tradition handed down to him by his parents. His father was a coal miner and a federal mine inspector who also led the Boy Scouts and volunteered for many roles within the church they attended. His mother was a seamstress who volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the local election board for over 40 years.
"I share this to help you understand the sense of community we were raised with in our family," Pickel said.
As a resident of Broken Arrow, Pickel has observed numerous changes in the city through its economic development, growth, education, public safety, infrastructure revitalization, sustainability, economics, and environment.
Serving on the City Council is an opportunity to influence local policy decisions, and Pickel aims to continue the legacy of public service for future generations.
Councilor/President Pickel and his wife JoAnn have been married for 32 years and have two children. JoAnn Pickel is the Vice President of Operations for Signature Adjusting Group. Their oldest is a University of Arkansas graduate who teaches fifth grade Mathematics in STEM at Founder’s Classical Academy in Bentonville, Arkansas. Their youngest attends the University of Oklahoma pursuing a degree in Forensic Accounting.
