Rancho Mesa Excited to Welcome Jessee Keirstead as Risk Control Consultant

Rancho Mesa is excited to announce Jessee Keirstead has joined our team as Risk Control Consultant. Jessee brings extensive experience in helping businesses identify, assess, and reduce risk, enhancing the value we deliver to clients through our insurance solutions.

In addition to his 18 years of industry experience, Jessee has an impressive educational background with a Bachelors degree from Champlain College and a Master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

 “Risk control is an area we identified as a key way to impact our clients’ safety, productivity, and profitability. Combining Jessee’s expertise with our proprietary SafetyOne™ app, monthly workshops, and safety KPIs reinforces our commitment to providing unmatched OneofOne® services,” Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia said.

With the valuable addition of Jessee to the team, we now offer proactive risk management strategies designed to improve workplace safety, minimize losses, and protect clients’ bottom line.

Outside of work, Jessee enjoys hobbies such as traveling, surfing, snowboarding, diving, spearfishing, hiking, playing hockey, and photography. He also likes spending time with his dog at the beach.

Contact Rancho Mesa to learn more about our expanded services. We’d love to help your business thrive.

Gaining Landscape Industry Insight: Drew Garcia and Greg Garcia Attend NALP’s ELEVATE Conference

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

From left: Landscape Group Partner Greg Garcia and Landscape Group VP Drew Garcia at RMI’s ELEVATE booth.

On November 2-5, 2025, Vice President of the Landscape and Tree Care Group, Drew Garcia, and Partner, Greg Garcia represented Rancho Mesa at the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) ELEVATE Conference and Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.

Now in its fourth year as a standalone event, ELEVATE brought together professionals from across the country to share insights, explore new technologies, and discuss trends shaping the landscape industry.

This event served as a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and innovations that impact Rancho Mesa clients.

“We get a lot of our industry knowledge from the event and we bring that back to our team

and try to make it make sense for how we deliver our product to our customers,” Drew said. “So [attending ELEVATE] is huge for us in terms of just overall knowledge of the industry.”

In addition to attending educational sessions and networking with peers, Rancho Mesa hosted its third annual client cocktail hour, a relaxed evening that allowed industry professionals to connect beyond the conference floor.

“It's something I look forward to every year,” Drew said. “It's such a great time for us to relax, catch up with people … and then allow our clients to meet each other, too. So, another opportunity for networking.”

Through participation in events like ELEVATE, Rancho Mesa continues to further its commitment to supporting the landscape industry with tailored insurance and risk management solutions.

Rancho Mesa’s Rory Anderson Attends TCI EXPO 2025

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

From left: Tree Care Group Partner Rory Anderson and Newbury Park Tree Services, Inc. owner Dean Lappinga.

Tree Care Group Partner, Rory Anderson, recently represented Rancho Mesa at the 2025 TCI EXPO, which took place November 6-8 at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, MO.

Hosted by the Tree Care Industry Association, the event brought together thousands of professionals and over 200 exhibitors for three days of networking, education, and innovation in the tree care industry.

At our sponsored booth, Rory connected with tree care professionals and gained deeper knowledge about their unique business needs.

“TCI Expo once again proved why it’s the premier event for our industry [with] education, innovation, and connection all in one place,” Anderson said.

Attending TCI EXPO 2025 emphasizes Rancho Mesa’s commitment to the tree-care industry. We’re proud to support our team staying involved and up-to-date on the industries we insure.

Rancho Mesa Earns Insurance Journal’s Best Agencies to Work For List

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

This month, Rancho Mesa Insurance is proud to be featured on Insurance Journal’s 2025 Best Insurance Agencies to Work For. The October issue of the magazine ranked agencies across the country based on nominations from their employees. Rancho Mesa was among the top three agencies in the West who made the list.

The article highlighted agencies for competitive pay and benefits, as well as strong culture, supportive leadership, high job satisfaction, and a genuine sense of community.

Rancho Mesa is honored to be nominated by its employees. This recognition reflects the dedication and spirit of its entire team, and also reaffirms the survey conducted last year through MarshBerry, in which 93.5% of our employees said they have a high level of overall job satisfaction, and 97.4% of employees say their careers are being advanced by working at Rancho Mesa.

“I’m truly honored by this recognition, but what makes it meaningful is it’s a reflection of the amazing people who make up our company,” Rancho Mesa President and CEO, David Garcia, said. “Their passion, teamwork, and commitment to excellence create the culture that makes this recognition possible.”

About the Insurance Journal

The Insurance Journal is considered the most read national property and casualty publication for independent insurance agents and brokers, which kicked off its legacy in the 1920s. It is one of the most respected insurance trade publications in the country with a bi-weekly circulation of more than 40,000 readers in every state. Over 250,000 insurance professionals read more than 1.5 million pages of Insurance Journal Online every month.

Rancho Mesa Shows Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Throughout the week of October 13-17, our team donned the color pink to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year in particular, our Rancho Mesa family stood together to honor our friend and fellow co-worker, Kim McCoy, who lost her battle with breast cancer after a courageous five-year fight.

We hold Kim and the entire McCoy family in our hearts, celebrating her amazing life and the lasting impact she made on all of us.

The month of October is important to our team as we show our continued support for those affected by breast cancer, and participate in furthering awareness.

Representing RMI at the 2025 Philadelphia Insurance Big Hitters Event

Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

From left: Human Services Group VP, Sam Brown with Philadelphia Insurance Senior VP, Mike Freeman

On October 12th, I attended the 2025 Philadelphia Insurance Big Hitters event in New Orleans, Louisiana. The two-day conference allowed attendees, which included insurance agency leaders and Philadelphia Insurance executives from around the country, a chance to learn from one another, share insights on what the near and long term future holds for insurance stakeholders, and look back fondly on the previous year of positive client outcomes.

Philadelphia remains committed to insuring non-profit and human service organizations, despite the challenging underwriting climate. Part of that is educating and listening to its partner agencies. Over the course of two days, leadership invited the gathered agents to explore what makes Philadelphia successful, but also asked agents as many questions as they answered. Everyone can improve and learn from the attendees’ combined client interactions, successes, and lessons learned.

Business discussions included a sobering presentation on the state of legal system abuse as well as easing property market conditions. To create shared experiences and grow relationships, we had the opportunity to join a local food tour or visit the city’s World War II museum.

Meeting the Philadelphia leaders who make decisions impacting Rancho Mesa clients is the true highlight. I went to advocate for our clients and learn how we can uncover opportunities to produce more successful client outcomes. You don’t always hear a “yes,” but I see possibilities in the “maybes,” too.

 Rancho Mesa has been a Philadelphia appointed agency since 2010.

Rancho Mesa Attends UCP's Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon

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

On Friday, September 26, 2025, United Cerebral Palsy Association of San Diego County (UCP) hosted its 42nd Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon on Coronado Island, CA.

The event featured San Diego firefighters, prominent local figures, Hollywood personalities, as well as dedicated supporters, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the San Diego Bay at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa.

The proceeds from the event supported UCP’s mission to empower individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Our team was honored to attend as guests of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. Rancho Mesa looks forward to this event each year and is a proud sponsor of UCP and its mission.

About United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County
Since 1958, UCP is an agency committed to advancing the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Working throughout the years to improve services with every step, UCP has program centers in San Diego and Escondido that provide assistive technology, children's services, equipment recycling, family support, grants & funding, respitality, and more. For more information, please visit www.ucpsd.org.

Employee Spotlight: Emily Feemster Becomes Safety Star™ Certified in Construction

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

Rancho Mesa congratulates Client Data Analyst & Technology Coordinator, Emily Feemster, for earning her certification in construction safety as a part of our RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ program.

Emily joined the team in July 2025. The courses in the Safety Star program allowed her to learn about the safety issues that impact our clients, teaching important 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.

Rancho Mesa Hosts BHHC and Clients at Aztec Football Game

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Saturday, September 20, 2025 Rancho Mesa employees were joined in the Snapdragon Stadium suite box by members of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, E.L. Hobbs and Fuller Electric to witness a historic night of San Diego State football.

“We are always so grateful for time spent with our friends at Berkshire,” said Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President with Rancho Mesa. “They are truly a part of our Rancho Mesa family and we feel so fortunate to be partnered with them. Go Aztecs!”

The Aztecs put on quite the show, beating the California Golden Bears 34-0 and improving their record to 2-1. The shutout marks the first time SDSU has held a current team from a power conference scoreless since 1975.

Rancho Mesa Strengthens Industry Bonds at IICF San Diego Bowling Tournament

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Thursday, August 28th Rancho Mesa attended the IICF San Diego Bowling Tournament at Mira Mesa Lanes.

Members of the Rancho Mesa team spent the afternoon throwing strikes and spares alongside our carrier partners and other insurance professionals. The event was a positive way to strengthen relationships within the industry while also giving back to the community.

“Relationships are crucial for our business, and they make it possible to more effectively serve our clients,” said Matt Gorham, Account Executive with Rancho Mesa. “Events like this create opportunities to foster and further connections with our carrier partners, helping to promote open, honest communication with underwriters and underwriting managers.”

Rancho Mesa was proud to support the event, as over $40,000 was raised to benefit local San Diego nonprofits through the IICF Community Grants Program.

Visit IICF San Diego’s website to learn more about the organization and how you can get involved.