Client Spotlight: Able Heating & Air Conditioning

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to highlight Able Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in the Client Spotlight.  

Able Heating & Air Conditioning specializing in all heating and air conditioning products and services. They service commercial and residential accounts from Escondido to Chula Vista and anywhere within San Diego County. In addition to AC service, repairs, new equipment and installation, they also offer a "worry free" maintenance contract to properly maintain the equipment and protect the property owner's investment.

About Able Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Eddie Moreno's vision of creating a family business started in 1983. That vision has come to fruition as Andrew Moreno (son), Moses Moreno (son), Zeke Moreno (son) and Andrew Moreno Jr. (grandson) all work in some capacity within the company. As a family business, we take great pride in the quality of our work and are proud of the 28 years we've been serving the San Diego area. We know we are only as good as our last project, so we work extremely hard to ensure all of our customers are 100% satisfied! For more information, call (619) 409-9100.

Jackson Design & Remodeling and Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Win Prominent BBB Awards

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client services Coordinator and Daniella Lopez, Marketing Communications Intern, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is proud to acknowledge Jackson Design & Remodeling and Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank for their recent Better Business Bureau (BBB) Awards received on November 28, 2017, at the 20th Annual Torch Awards ceremony. 

Jackson Design & Remodeling received the Torch Award for Ethics.  "Being recognized with the BBB Torch Award for Ethics multiple times is one of my proudest business accomplishments," says Todd Jackson, president and CEO.  Jackson Design & Remodeling have earned this award six times for their ethical business practices.  

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank received the Environmental Stewardship Program Award.  "The San Diego Food Bank has implemented a sustainability program to reduce their impact on the environment," according to a recent BBB article.  In 2017, the food bank distributed 26 million pounds of food to San Diego County residents.  

Rancho Mesa is pleased to work with these ethical organizations.  

Cal/OSHA Delivers Powerful Presentation

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Drew Garcia thanks workshop participants and Carmen Cisneros from Cal/OSHA.

Business leaders from across San Diego County gathered on Thursday, January 4, 2018 for the Cal/OSHA: Enforcement vs. Consultation Branches workshop hosted by Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. at San Diego Christian College.

Carmen Cisneros, Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch Area Manager, delivered an informative presentation covering the differences between Cal/OSHA’s enforcement and consultation branches. She educated the attendees on how to take advantage of Cal/OSHA's free consultation services and provided real-world examples of her experiences in the Enforcement Branch which sparked discussions with the audience.

"Thanks for putting these on, they are valuable tool that you provide to your clients and we appreciate it," said Tyler Rogers, Heritage Landscape Services, Inc.

Mission and Purpose

Carmen began the workshop by describing her experience within Cal/OSHA's Enforcement branch before moving into the Consultation branch.  She explained the goal of Cal/OSHA is to keep people safe.  Its "mission is to promote, adopt, and maintain reasonable and enforceable standards that will ensure safe and healthful workplace for California workers."  She enjoys working within the Consultation Branch where she can help employers be proactive with their approach to safety in the workplace.

Online Resources

During the presentation, Carmen covered various pages on the Cal/OSHA website (www.dir.ca.gov/dosh) and how to navigate through the site.  She explained where to find information on how business owners can participate in advisory meetings to assist Cal/OSHA in its regulations.

Reporting

The presentation included practical information for business owners.  For example, Cal/OSHA's Enforcement Branch will respond to accidents, complaints, referrals, and imminent hazards. Carmen included definitions for terms like "catastrophe" (i.e., inpatient hospitalization of three (3) or more employees) and "serious exposure" (i.e., exposure to a hazardous substance sufficient to create a realistic possibility that death or serious physical harm in the future could result from the exposure). There was also a discussion on when and how to report an accident. When required, an employer must call to report the accident within 8 hours of knowledge of the event.  She also stressed the importance of documentation and recommended tracking the date and time the initial call was made to Cal/OSHA to report an incident.

Citations and Appeals

Carmen discussed the various categories of citations the Enforcement Branch may issue and provided maximum dollar amounts for each:

• Regulatory (up to $7,000)
• General (up to $7,000)
• Serious (up to $25,000)
• Repeat (no adjustment for good faith or history)
• Failure to Abate (maximum penalty up to $15,000)
• Willful (up to $75,000)

She also covered the Appeals Board process, including informal conferences and appeals.  The take away from this part of the presentation was that Cal/OSHA is willing to work with an employer who is genuinely taking steps to correct an issue.

Consultation Services

The main objective of the workshop was to inform employers that Cal/OSHA offers free consultation services. These are resources that are available to employers to ensure they maintain safe workplaces without the added pressure of citations or fines.  The Consultation Branch offers free:

• Onsite visits
• Offsite consultation (telephone support)
• Educational materials
• Educational outreach (workshops)
• Partnership programs

In order for the Consultation Branch to work with an employer, they must be invited and the employer must not have any current citations or penalties

The Catch.  While information is not shared with the Enforcement Branch, "serious and imminent hazards identified during a consultation are expected to be corrected in a timely manner."  So, when working with the Consultation Branch, an employer is expected to make the recommended changes within the set time frame (i.e., within 30 days, immediately); otherwise, the Enforcement Branch may become involved to prevent a serious accident.    

The Cal/OSHA website has an extensive library of educational materials that employers can utilize to ensure their workplace is safe.

Contact Cal/OSHA to schedule a free consultation.

Rancho Mesa Hosts 2018 Employment Law Workshop - Now available On Demand

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa enlisted attorney Alexis S. Gutierrez from the law firm of Higgs Fletcher & Mack to conduct its 2018 Legal Update workshop on Friday, November 17, 2017.  The event was held in the firm's building in Downtown San Diego and attracted companies from a variety of industries like construction, human services, landscape and others.

Watch Drew Garcia thank Alexis S. Gutierrez for presenting and everyone for attending the workshop.

The a copy of the workshop is now available on demand from the Risk Management Center.  Non-Rancho Mesa clients may request a copy of the video using the link below.

About Alexis S. Gutierrez

Alexis S. Gutierrez is the Chair of Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP’s Litigation Department, in addition to serving on the firm’s Executive and Management Committees.  With over 20 years of first chair experience, Mr. Gutierrez provides business and employment counseling and complex commercial litigation support to public and private entities, and non-profit organizations.  He enjoys Martindale Hubbell’s highest peer rating (“AV Preeminent”) for Legal Ability and General-Ethical Standards.  He is also a Recognized Practitioner® with Chambers USA Guide and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America®, and by San Diego Magazine for as a Top Lawyer® for Labor and Employment and ADR (since 2013). For more information, visit higgslaw.com/attorneys/alexis-s-gutierrez.

About Higgs Fletcher & Mack

Organized by specialty, Higgs Fletcher & Mack has 23 legal practice groups designed to serve individuals and both large and small businesses. This structure allows our attorneys to leverage their expertise, and work together to obtain successful resolutions to your legal issues. As San Diego grows and the innovation sector booms, so too does Higgs Fletcher & Mack. We continue to evolve the practice groups to reflect the changing legal needs of our region’s individuals and businesses. From health care to intellectual property law, family law to immigration and business litigation, we are the law firm you can trust. For more information, visit higgslaw.com.

Client Spotlight: Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to highlight Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar in the Client Spotlight.  

"Sometimes, finding a heating and air contractor that you can trust feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. And so, when we founded Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar, we wanted our strong family values to shine as brightly as the high-quality repairs, installation and maintenance services that our HVAC company delivers," according to the Mauzy website.

About Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar
Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar provides top-notch heating and cooling services to the greater San Diego, CA region. When your home needs service, repair, or a whole new system, our team at Mauzy will provide you with the best quality service available. No job is too big or too small for us here at Mauzy. We offer services from basic upkeep on your residential system to full system installation. Our family and our team is here to work for you, our customers, every step of the way. For more information, visit www.mauzy.com.

ICW Group Provides OSHA 10 Training

Author, Steve Medellin, Sr. Risk Management Consultant, ICW Group.

I would like to personally thank you and Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc for coordinating and setting up the construction OSHA 10-hour class, which was conducted at the MAAC Center, located at 1355 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, California 91911.  The class was held on October 25 & 26, 2017.  We had eight different companies and a total of 13 students, which participated in this training opportunity.  The snacks you provided every morning were delicious and very much appreciated.

This was a two-day course which covered a variety of topics such as:  Intro to OSHA, Fatal Four Hazards (Fall Protection, Caught in or between, Electrical exposures, Struck-By hazards), Material Handling/Storage/Use, and Stairways/Ladders were all taught by me.  

Two sections, Occupational Health Hazards & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), taught by Glenn Ingraham.  One section on Heat Illness Prevention taught by Tom Jolliff.  There was a total of ten hours of instruction time on the topic of hazards on construction sites. 

Rancho Mesa Hosts Selling Safety Workshop

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa clients gathered at the Selling Safety Workshop on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 held at Toward Maximum Independence in San Diego's Murphy Canyon area.  Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies' Steve Hamilton, delivered the presentation to the audience in the room and online viewers from across the country.

Convincing employees to be proactive and safe is a difficult task. Fancy slogans and colorful posters will only take your company so far.  The key to a successful safety programs is meaningful buy-in at all levels.  This requires “selling safety” on a daily basis.  This presentation was designed for company owners, supervisors and foremen who have ultimate responsibility for implementing safety programs.

The workshop was streamed live online and is available to clients within the Risk Management Center.

To learn more, contact Rancho Mesa Insurance at (619) (619) 937-0164.

Rancho Mesa Hosts Workers' Compensation Anti-Fraud Workshop

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa clients gathered at the Fraud Within the CA Workers' Compensation System Workshop on Thursday, August 10, 2017 held at the San Diego Christian College campus in Santee.  ICW Group’s, Christopher Dill from the Special Investigations Unit, gave an informative presentation.

ICW Group' Special Investigations Unit has been nationally recognized for its significant contribution towards the prosecution of, what California Department of Insurance deemed to be, one of the largest cases of Workers’ Compensation health care fraud in state history.  

Christopher provided an overview of the elements of the cases which made up “Operation Back Lash,”  the role of advanced analytics in the identification of patterns associated with the criminal schemes,  and what can potentially be learned from those patterns.

To learn more about Fraud within the CA Workers' Compensation System, contact Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. at (619) (619) 937-0164

Rancho Mesa Hosts Payment Remedies Workshop

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa clients gathered at the Payment Remedies Workshop on Thursday, July 20, 2017 held at the San Diego Christian College campus in Santee.  Failure to know and comply with requirements can result in a forfeiture of your statutory payment remedies.  Over 30 people attended the important event to learn how to avoid payment pitfalls.

Rancho Mesa's Matt Gaynor invited Kevin R. Carlin, Esq. from Carlin Law Group, APC to give the hour-long presentation.  The workshop covered various topics including:

• Preliminary Notices
• Lien Waivers & Releases
• Mechanic’s Liens
• Stop Payment Notices
• Payment Bond Claims
• Retention Reduction
• Prompt Payment Deadline

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Attendees were provided with a copy of the detailed presentation slides, along with a cheat sheet to assist them if they have payment issues in the future.

Contact Rancho Mesa at (619) 937-0164 for questions about your bonding or payment remedies.

About Carlin Law Group, APC
The Carlin Law Group, APC's construction and surety practice provides experienced and effective counsel in project management, claims and litigation involving owners, sureties, contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers. The firm prides itself on its knowledgeable and personalized service, striving to achieve results in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The Carlin Law Group, APC is also one of the few law firms where its attorneys have personal and professional construction experience providing them invaluable insight and first-hand knowledge into how projects are built and specific industry needs. 

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. Named "Best Practices" Agency for 11th Consecutive Year

Author Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., a leading Southern California-based commercial insurance brokerage firm, for the eleventh consecutive year, has been included in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's (IIABA) elite group of “Best Practices” agencies. 

Of the roughly 38,000 independent insurance agencies in the country, only 241 retained their “Best Practices” agency status in 2017. In California, Rancho Mesa is one of only fourteen agencies to earn the distinction.

An agency must first be nominated by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I); then, it must submit detailed financial and operational information which is analyzed, scored, and ranked objectively based on operational excellence, including: outstanding customer services, growth, stability, and financial management.

Each year, the IIABA publishes its "Best Practices Study" using financial and operational data collected from agencies throughout the United States. The 2017 Best Practices Study will be available later this year. It will include a list of all the Best Practices Agencies by state and the results of the study.

To learn more about what it takes to be a "Best Practices Agency," read the article "Characteristics of a Best Practices Agency Explained" published by the IIABA.

About Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa was founded in 1998 and is regarded as a leading Southern California insurance agency with recognized expertise in construction and nonprofit/social services. They provide their clients with risk management services, comprehensive insurance programs, bonding, employee benefits, and industry specific training.