own pickup truck, which is a lifted 2021 Chevy Silverado with 26x16 wheels and 37” tires, painted maroon like the big trucks, with Amp Research automatic steps and extensive bright white underglow lighting, which he called “rock” lights. He also has a bagged 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle with a 383 stroker engine, and a 1971 Chevrolet C10 pickup, that used to be his dad’s, that is also lifted and fitted with King shocks, converted to 4-wheel drive, and features a 5.3L V8 Chevy LS engine under the hood. When “Rico” isn’t driving, dispatching, or servicing trucks, he still does all the polishing on the company trucks. He also enjoys spending time with his girlfriend of three years, Janeira, and is glad she got to meet his dad before he passed. Janeira is currently a student at Chico State University, studying to become a teacher. Once she is finished with school and established in her career, they will discuss marriage, kids, and buying a house of their own. They still own and run (during harvest) the original truck Ethan’s dad bought – the 2000 Ford Sterling (#7) – but that old truck has most definitely seen better days. I asked Rico why his dad called it truck #7, since it was one of his first trucks, but he did not know why. One thing is for sure, she’s a little rough these days! But Ethan says that truck, fitted with a small CAT engine, runs better than any of the other trucks in their fleet. They also have an old Freightliner cabover at the house, and Rico plans to rebuild it at some 10-4 Magazine / May 2025 13 point for shows, parades, and other fun events. We can’t wait to see that one finished! Driving around with Rico and looking for some good photo shoot locations, out in an almond orchard seemed to be the most fitting setting, and we found a few good spots nearby. But then he mentioned a street in the next town over (Hamilton) that is lined with palm trees and is pretty famous – he said that many people go there to take pictures of all sorts of vehicles and such (graduation and family pictures, too). I’ve seen a few palm tree lined streets in my time, but this was the best one ever. The street was narrow, mostly unused (so no traffic), probably two miles long, and along with the tall trees were shorter palm “bushes” closer to the ground. This combination of tall and short trees made for a perfect backdrop. At just 21 years old, young Ethan Rico has a lot of working and living left to do, but he won’t be taking any of it for granted. Losing his father at such an early age (he was only 46 when he died), Ethan realizes that life is precious, and it can be short, too. But this mature young man really has his head screwed on straight, and I have no doubt that he will continue filling his father’s big shoes, until the day he decides that those are his shoes, too. And when that day arrives, life will come full circle, and he will start thinking about this company as his own and start making decisions based on what he wants and his future – and that will be a good day! n
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