Rancho Mesa News
Sun, Fun, Team Bonding: Rancho Mesa Celebrates Summer at Mission Bay Resort
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa made the most of the warm weather at this year’s company summer party. On Saturday, August 9th, employees and their loved ones gathered at Mission Bay Resort for an afternoon of food, drinks, and friendly competition.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa made the most of the warm weather at this year’s company summer party. On Saturday, August 9th, employees and their loved ones gathered at Mission Bay Resort for an afternoon of food, drinks, and friendly competition.
The team got to enjoy some delicious barbecue and cold drinks before taking each other on in ping-pong, Jenga, and cornhole all followed by s’mores around the fire.
It was a great chance for our team to relax alongside their families, and celebrate all the hard work that happens year-round. Thank you to everyone who joined us—we’re already looking forward to next year’s event!
Rancho Mesa Launches New Weekly Driver Safety Toolbox Talk Subscription
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a hardening auto market, it is more important than ever to ensure your employees are safe while behind the wheel. If your employees are required to drive while on the job, taking proper steps to train drivers on necessary safety precautions can lead to fewer accidents and lower insurance costs.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a hardening auto market, it is more important than ever to ensure your employees are safe while behind the wheel. If your employees are required to drive while on the job, taking proper steps to train drivers on necessary safety precautions can lead to fewer accidents and lower insurance costs.
That is why Rancho Mesa is excited to announce the launch of our new weekly Driver Safety Toolbox Talk subscription, delivering driver safety meeting content directly to your inbox.
Each week, subscribers will receive an email containing one of Rancho Mesa’s 52 driver-specific toolbox talks, available in both English and Spanish. These toolbox talks can be used as weekly safety meeting topics to strengthen fleet safety and driver awareness. Our content covers a variety of subjects and problems that might arise behind the wheel, including daily vehicle checks, handling aggressive drivers, and proper load securement to name a few.
Subscribe to Rancho Mesa’s free weekly Driver Safety Toolbox Talks to start receiving safety content and empower your employee to make safer decisions behind the wheel.
Rancho Mesa also provides additional driver safety resources, including vehicle inspection reports and fleet safety training accessible through the SafetyOne™ platform and the Building A Fleet Safety Program with Rancho Mesa's Tools & Resources webinar.
More driver training tips can be found on our website.
SafetyOne™ Adds New Functionality for Training Reminders
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa aims to provide practical resources to help our clients implement an effective safety program and mitigate risks. We do this by listening to feedback from our clients and implementing features to better serve their needs. In the latest platform update, SafetyOne™ Administrators (often safety managers and human resources personnel) can ensure their team stays on top of online trainings with our new email reminder feature.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa aims to provide practical resources to help our clients implement an effective safety program and mitigate risks. We do this by listening to feedback from our clients and implementing features to better serve their needs.
In the latest platform update, SafetyOne™ Administrators (often safety managers and human resources personnel) can ensure their team stays on top of online trainings with our new email reminder feature. Administrators can set email reminders to be sent at three different intervals and/or daily until the training is completed.
“Our clients expressed a need, and we listened,” Rancho Mesa Client Technology Specialist Brenda Khalil said. “This new feature is a great addition to the platform, and we feel it will become a key feature for ensuring employees stay on top of training within their organization.”
The training reminders can be accessed through the SafetyOne website. For step-by-step instructions on how to schedule training reminders, visit Rancho Mesa’s SafetyOne FAQ page.
New Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes New Accounting Specialist Silvia Patron
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome the newest member of its Accounting team, Silvia Patron as Accounting Specialist. Silvia’s background in in accounting includes experience as an Accounting Manager. She graduated from the University Autonomous of Baja California in 2014, with a degree in accounting.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome the newest member of its growing Accounting team, Silvia Patron as Accounting Specialist.
Silvia’s accounting background includes accounting management roles. She graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California in 2014, with a degree in accounting.
Born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Silvia moved to San Diego in 2022. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, travelling, working out, and going to the beach.
Silvia’s accounting knowledge, attention to detail, and professionalism makes her a vital addition to the team, and we are excited for her future at Rancho Mesa.
Rancho Mesa’s Christina Haake Accepts Emerging Leader Award at I-Day
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa had a reason to celebrate at this year’s Greater San Diego Insurance Day (I-Day), hosted by The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers (IIAB) of San Diego.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa had a reason to celebrate at this year’s Greater San Diego Insurance Day (I-Day), hosted by The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers (IIAB) of San Diego.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 our team joined other insurance companies, agents, and carriers at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA for the annual I-Day luncheon and awards ceremony.
Rancho Mesa’s Christina Haake was presented with the Emerging Leader Award for her contributions to the industry.
“Over the last few years, Christina has shown her willingness and aptitude for leadership,” Alyssa Burley, Partner with Rancho Mesa, said. “Throughout her time with PWI, she has chaired, co-chaired, or volunteered for countless events. We are so proud of her and her willingness to give back to the industry and her community.”
Christina began her insurance career with Rancho Mesa as a Client Coordinator in 2011. She was promoted to Client Manager in 2015 before accepting her current role of Senior Client Manager in 2022.
Rancho Mesa Hosts Hands-On SafetyOne™ Workshop
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, May 2nd, 2025 Rancho Mesa hosted The SafetyOne™ Advantage: Mastering Rancho Mesa’s Safety Platform, presented by Media Communications and Client Services Partner Alyssa Burley and Client Technology Specialist Brenda Khalil.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, May 2nd, 2025 Rancho Mesa hosted The SafetyOne™ Advantage: Mastering Rancho Mesa’s Safety Platform, presented by Media Communications and Client Services Partner Alyssa Burley and Client Technology Specialist Brenda Khalil.
Attendees were given hands-on instruction on how to effectively use the SafetyOne website and mobile application to streamline safety practices within their company.
Participants were guided through key features on the administrative website including Mobile Forms, Observations and Toolbox Talks. The session also included an interactive overview of the mobile app.
Attendees were able to ask questions and receive answers from Rancho Mesa’s in-house experts, ensuring user confidence and maximizing safety benefits.
“This hands-on workshop went better than expected and the feedback we got from our clients that attended was fantastic. Introducing our client's to the platform prior to the workshop really helped them understand the steps we walked them through as well,” Khalil said. “Putting together this hands-on approach to teaching our clients how to get started with implementing SafetyOne™ was truly a success.”
For more information about the SafetyOne platform, contact your Client Technology Specialist.
Supporting San Diego: Rancho Mesa Attends FHCSD’s Spirit of the Barrio
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, March 21, 2025 Rancho Mesa employees attended Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Spirit of the Barrio luncheon.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, March 21, 2025 Rancho Mesa employees attended Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Spirit of the Barrio luncheon.
Rancho Mesa President & CEO Dave Garcia served as the event’s master of ceremonies. A panel of notable voices in the world of Padres baseball—including Padres Executive Vice President of Business Affairs, Sergio Del Prado, and Spanish language broadcaster, Eduardo Ortega—discussed changes to the team’s roster and updates to Petco Park for the 2025 season.
“Family Health Centers of San Diego plays such a critical role to our region as a provider and community leader in affordable healthcare,” Sam Brown, Human Services Group Vice President, said.
Attendees enjoyed a tamale lunch, and participated in a Padres memorabilia auction, helping to raise more than $3,500 for Family Health Centers of San Diego.
“Spirit of the Barrio puts leadership on display as the community shows its support and celebrates success together,” Brown said. “Rancho Mesa's employees are proud to play a small role in these events and Family Health Centers' success stories.”
About Family Health Center’s of San Diego
For over 50 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved persons. To learn more information, please visit www.fhcsd.org.
Rancho Mesa’s Top Podcast Episodes and Articles of 2024
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa has always been committed to empowering employers with essential knowledge about insurance, surety, and workplace safety. We kept up this commitment in 2024, producing nearly 100 podcasts and articles covering topics central to the industry. As we look back on the past year, here is some of our most impactful content from 2024.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa has always been committed to empowering employers with essential knowledge about insurance, surety, and workplace safety. We kept up this commitment in 2024, producing nearly 100 podcasts and articles covering topics central to the industry. As we look back on the past year, here is some of our most impactful content from 2024.
Top Podcast Episodes of 2024:
1. Ep. 393 Navigating 2024's Contractor Challenges with the Surety Association of San Diego
Andy Roberts, Rancho Mesa's Account Executive for the Surety Department and President of the Surety Association of San Diego (SASD), is joined by fellow SASD board members to delve into the major challenges confronting contractors in 2024 and strategies for optimizing your surety relationships.
2. Ep. 443 Exploring the Current Commercial Surety Climate
Andy Roberts, Rancho Mesa's Surety Account Executive, is joined by Miggs Borromeo, Commercial Surety Underwriter for Merchants Bonding, to discuss the current climate of the commercial surety world in Southern California.
3. Ep. 411 The Prime Contract and Its Impact on Your Rights and Responsibilities
Rancho Mesa’s Surety Relationship Executive Anne Wright talks with Pam Scholefield of Scholefield Law in San Diego, and discusses the factors subcontractors should consider before signing a prime contract.
4. Ep. 447 Exploring Innovation and Problem Solving in the Commercial Construction Industry
Kevin Howard, Partner with Rancho Mesa, interviews Jeremy Dentt of Dentt Properties Inc. and explores a range of topics relating to innovation and problem solving in the commercial construction world.
5. Ep. 403 Return to Work Programs: Best Practices for Handling Workers' Comp Claims
Rancho Mesa's Media Communications & Client Services Manager Alyssa Burley and Account Executive Casey Craig discuss return to work programs as a best practice for handling workers’ compensation claims.
Top Articles of 2024:
1. WCIRB 2024 Construction Dual Wage Threshold Increases Approved
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara approves an increase in hourly wage thresholds for all 16 construction dual-wage classifications. This article outlines the increases for each classification.
2. Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa’s Christina Haake Elected President of PWI
Senior Client Manager Christina Haake was elected President of the Professionals within Insurance (PWI) San Diego. Haake shares her thoughts on the organization and what she is looking forward to in her term as President.
3. Most Commonly Reclassified Lawn Care and Landscape Workers Compensation Governing Codes
In states that are under the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) rating bureau (in which there are currently 35), there are two major class codes used by landscape professionals. Each code applies to specific job duties and have different rates. This article explains when each class code should be utilized.
4. New California Employment Laws for 2025
New legislation was implemented across California at the start of 2025. This article highlights some of the most relevant legal changes for California business owners in the new year.
5. How Healthcare Staffing Agencies Can Prevent Claims
Healthcare staffing agencies play a vital role in maintaining patient care standards. This article provides steps healthcare staffing agencies can take to prevent claims and protect their operations.
Rancho Mesa’s entire library of insurance and safety podcast episodes and articles can be found on our website under “Insights.” To get the latest podcast episodes and articles, subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Rancho Mesa Hosts PWI San Diego’s Membership Kick-Off Social & Game Night
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, February 15, 2024 PWI San Diego hosted their Membership Kick-Off Social and Game Night at the Rancho Mesa office. Rancho Mesa Client Manager and PWI San Diego Secretary Christina Haake planned the event which yielded an exciting turnout with over 60 attendees.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, January 23, 2025 over 50 insurance professionals and members of PWI San Diego gathered at Rancho Mesa’s Mission Valley office for the PWI 2025 Membership Kick-Off Social & Game Night.
Attendees were invited to enjoy food, drinks, and games, along with a chance to grow and strengthen relationships with other specialists in the insurance industry. The event featured speeches from Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton, former PWI San Diego President Cheena Malicki and Business Office Technology Coordinator Sosha Thomas from Grossmont College’s OPT Program.
Through all the fun and excitement, Rancho Mesa and PWI San Diego still kept their focus on helping the community by hosting a charity drive to collect over a dozen rolling backpacks for OPT students.
“It was a great start to the new year for PWI,” said this year’s PWI President and Rancho Mesa Senior Client Manager Christina Haake. “I loved seeing everyone gathered together and having a great time.”
If you missed out on this event, there are still plenty more exciting networking opportunities coming up in the rest of the year.
“2025 is going to be a really fun year for PWI,” Haake said. “We have some really exciting events coming including Paint Night in March and our first Pickleball Tournament in June. I'd like to encourage people to come to an event and see what we are all about if they have not done so before. It's always a good time”
To become a PWI member, or for details on upcoming events, visit the PWI San Diego website.
About PWI San Diego
PWI provides people in the insurance industry (and those who support the insurance industry) opportunities for networking, business development, idea exchange, career enhancement, education and giving back to our community. They do so through general membership meetings and through special events like golfing, shopping events, happy hours, and more.
Rancho Mesa Hosts Preparing for a CalOSHA Visit Workshop
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, August 23, 2024, Rancho Mesa enjoyed a great turnout for its workshop, Protect Your Company with Contractual Risk Transfer, presented by Alan Coppola from Travelers.
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, January 17, attendees gathered at Rancho Mesa’s Mission Valley office for the Preparing for a Cal/OSHA Visit workshop, presented by Carmen Cisneros of the California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Consultation Services Branch.
Cisneros explained the differences between a Cal/OSHA consultation versus an inspection visit, broke down the basics of enforcement, and gave tips on how to follow proposed regulations.
Attendees were able to ask questions and better familiarize themselves with the Cal/OSHA reporting and inspection process.
For more information on keeping in compliance with OSHA regulations, register for Rancho Mesa’s upcoming OSHA Recordkeeping and Annual Reporting webinar.