Drew Garcia Joins National Association of Landscape Professionals Board of Directors

Author, Vanessa Hanna, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is excited to share that Drew Garcia has been selected to serve on the board of directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals, with his term set to begin this month.

Rancho Mesa has been a decade long member of the organization, making the recognition especially meaningful. Drew’s selection highlights his leadership within the landscape industry and his commitment to the future success of the profession. At Rancho Mesa, we are proud to see our leaders actively involved in the industries we serve, contributing their expertise and making a positive impact that extends beyond our organization.

When asked about the selection Drew shared that he is “extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve on NALP's Board of Directors. The Landscape Industry has great momentum, and I'm excited to work alongside fellow leaders to help strengthen and grow the profession for years to come."

New Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes New Account Executive Rubin Stack

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome its new account executive, Rubin Stack, with the Construction Group.

Rubin earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Baylor University. Since then he has gained a decade of experience in corporate finance and banking. Rubin’s financial expertise and advisory skills provides him valuable tools to assist clients in commercial insurance.

“We are really excited that someone with Rubin's background and expertise has joined our Construction group,” Executive Vice President, Daniel Frazee, said. “We welcome his energy and focus on the growing underground utility and excavation contractor space in southern California.”

Rubin is a San Diego native, and currently lives in Pacific Beach with his wife and golden retriever. Outside of work he enjoys exploring the great outdoors and cheering on the Padres and the Chargers.

We are excited for Rubin’s future at Rancho Mesa.

Rancho Mesa Voted Top Workplace for Financial Services Industry

Author, Vanessa Hanna, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is proud to be recognized this year as a Top Workplace in the financial services industry by Top Workplaces, receiving top rankings for compensation and benefits when compared to others in the industry. The award celebrates organizations that provide benefit packages employees believe are fair, competitive, and supportive of their overall well-being.

Rancho Mesa received recognition in eight different categories within the industry: Employee Appreciation, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Well-being, Innovation, Leadership, Professional Development, Purpose and Values, and Work-Life Flexibility. These distinctions highlight the company's ongoing commitment to fostering a workplace culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

The recognition further reinforces the core values that Rancho Mesa has embraced for more than 25 years: Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration, Community, and Passion. These values serve as the foundation for the company's culture and guide the way team members serve clients, support one another, and contribute to the communities where they live and work.

Because Top Workplaces awards are based on employee feedback, the honor carries special significance. The results reflect the experiences and opinions of team members who have helped shape Rancho Mesa's culture into one that prioritizes growth, professional development, employee well-being, and work-life balance.

The award also emphasizes Rancho Mesa's commitment to continuous improvement and investing in its people. As the company continues to grow, it remains focused on creating opportunities for professional advancement, recognizing employee contributions, and maintaining a workplace culture built on trust, innovation, and shared success.

Two Decades of Rancho Mesa Excellence: 20 Years as a IIAB National Best Practices Agency

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc

Rancho Mesa Insurance is incredibly proud to announce that for 20 consecutive years, it has been named an Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's (Big “I”) Best Practices Agency.

Each year, over a thousand insurance companies throughout the nation are nominated to compete for the Best Practices award. The few hundred who achieve the designation are considered by the IIAB as elite industry leaders.

“The annual study, conducted jointly in a longstanding partnership between the Big ’I’ and Reagan Consulting for the past 33 years, provides critical performance benchmarks across agency revenue categories ranging from under $1.25 million to over $100 million,” The Big “I” said in their article.

This year, over 1,100 agencies throughout the U.S. were nominated. They are judged based on their management and financial achievements in categories such as expense distribution, profitability growth, employee compensation, technology expenses, and P&C carrier representation. Rancho Mesa was one of only 349 agencies that scored high enough to qualify as a Best Practices Agency.

“Earning our 20th consecutive Best Practices Award is an incredible honor and a reflection of the dedication, expertise, and client-first commitment of our entire team. Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and service continues to set us apart and drive our success,” Rancho Mesa President David Garcia said.

Each year, the data submitted by these top-performing agencies serves as the foundation for the Big “I” Best Practices Study, which is used as a benchmark for agencies across the nation to measure their performance and adjust their businesses based on best practices guidelines.

For two decades, Rancho Mesa has consistently strived for excellence in every part of its business. Receiving the National Best Practices Agency Award year after year reaffirms its commitment as a proud leader within the insurance industry.

To learn more about what it takes to be a "Best Practices Agency," visit www.independentagent.com/best-practices.

Employee Spotlight: Kevin Dwyer Earns CRIS Designation

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Client Manager, Kevin Dwyer, took a big step in his career recently, earning his CRIS designation.

The Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS®) certification is an educational program designed for insurance professionals that provides in-depth knowledge of the insurance and risk management challenges faced by contractors and construction projects. Earning the designation demonstrates a strong commitment to the industry and a high level of expertise in construction insurance and its risks.

“I appreciate Rancho Mesa investing in their employees continued learning and success by allowing me to pursue my CRIS designation,” Dwyer said.

Kevin supports the Construction Group in his role as a Client Manager, particularly electrical and solar clients. He has nearly 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, and over 5 years as a Client Manager.

Rancho Mesa is proud of Kevin’s career achievements and his commitment to our team and clients!

New Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Dillen Watson

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is proud to welcome its newest Client Coordinator, Dillen Watson, to the team.

Dillen joins Rancho Mesa with an array of experience in customer service roles, equipping him with the skills and professionalism to serve in the coordinator position. In preparation to entering the insurance industry, Dillen also earned his California P&C license.

Dillen is from Alpine, CA, and enjoys walking along the beach, playing his guitar and learning new instruments. Outside of work he is also interested in traveling to different countries.

We are excited to have Dillen join the Rancho Mesa team and look forward to his future at the company.

New Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Sean Linn

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is proud to welcome its newest Client Manager, Sean Linn, to the Construction Group.

Sean is an valuable addition to the team, bringing a well-rounded background in the insurance industry. His diverse experience in business development, production, and client management makes him well-equipped to serve the needs of construction clients.

Sean earned his bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from Westmont College. Outside of work, Sean enjoys spending time with his wife and their two beagles.

We are excited to have Sean join the Rancho Mesa team and look forward to his future at the company.

Rancho Mesa Gives Back: Supporting San Diego Animal Welfare

Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Rancho Mesa hosted a successful community service event for its team members in support of animal welfare within San Diego, which brought employees together for an afternoon of service and connection.

Team members and their families spent time creating handmade pet toys that were donated to the San Diego Humane Society, helping provide enrichment and comfort to animals awaiting adoption.

We are grateful for the employees who offered their time to support this cause. Their enthusiasm and willingness to give back reflects the values Rancho Mesa upholds. We are proud to create opportunities for our team to support our San Diego community.

“My daughter and I truly enjoyed participating in making toys for homeless cats and dogs. It gave me an opportunity to teach my daughter about giving back, and showing her that small acts of kindness can have a big impact.” Client Technology Specialist Brenda Colby said. “Events like this, really make working for Rancho Mesa even more special.” 

Drew Garcia Featured in NALP’s The Edge: Shares Insight for Landscape Businesses

Recently, Drew Garcia, Vice President and Landscape Group Leader, was featured in The Edge, the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ online magazine. Drew discusses how Rancho Mesa helps landscape businesses strengthen their safety programs, improve claims management, and navigate insurance challenges with industry-specific expertise.

Drew represented Rancho Mesa, sharing valuable insight with the landscape industry in his interview, “How Rancho Mesa Helps Landscape Businesses Strengthen Safety and Claims Management.”

Employee Spotlight: Chad Winder Becomes Safety Star™ Certified in Construction

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa congratulates Client Technology Coordinator Chad Winder, for earning his certification in construction safety as a part of our RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ program.

Chad joined the team in May 2026. The courses in the Safety Star program allows him to learn about important safety issues that impact clients, teaching topics relating to construction safety in the workplace. Fall protection, ladder safety, heat illness prevention, and fleet safety are a few of the courses that must be passed in order to earn construction safety certification. Knowledge of these topics help employers mitigate job-related injuries.

The Safety Star program is one of the ways Rancho Mesa ensures clients are equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate workplace risks effectively.