Employee Spotlight: Yvonne Gallagher

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

Photo courtesy of Family Health Centers of San Diego

Rancho Mesa Account Manager, Yvonne Gallagher, recently attended the Spirit of the Barrio luncheon, a bi-monthly fund-raising event benefiting the Family Health Centers of San Diego, on July 21, 2017 at the Logan Heights Family Health Center.  Yvonne won a gift card at the raffle drawing and her photo was featured in the event's September invitation. 

The Spirit of the Barrio event serves to bring awareness about the organization's mission to the community and raises funding to support its programs.  

About Family Health Centers of San Diego
Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) is a nonprofit organization rich in history and tradition. In 1911, the San Diego Industrial School was built on the site where our first clinic now stands. This school was originally a settlement house that provided Barrio Logan’s immigrant residents with social services. The community grew around this location, and by 1940, Barrio Logan had become one of the largest Mexican-American communities on the West Coast.

To learn more about the Spirit of the Barrio luncheon and Family Health Centers of San Diego, visit: www.fhcsd.org.

Employee Spotlight: Drew Garcia Addresses Reducing Workers' Compensation Costs in NALP Magazine

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

"NALP’s Safe Company Program is relevant and critical to improving your risk profile and helping you control your insurance costs."

Rancho Mesa's Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, was recently published in The Landscape Professional May/June 2017 issue. The magazine is a bi-monthly publication produced by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

In the article, "Ways to Keep Workers' Compensation Costs Low," Drew discusses specific ways employers can actively work to reduce their costs. Some of the ideas he provides include:

• Winning safety awards
• Offering health benefits
• Offering employees the ability to grow within the company
• Timely claim reporting
• Thorough accident investigation techniques
• Establishing a return-to-work program
• Having Landscape Industry Certified employees on staff
• Instituting good hiring practices, including: pre-employment physicals and drug testing, reference checks and review referrals.

He also describes how an underwriter may award credits to companies who have implemented safety programs like the Safe Company Program offered by the NALP.

To read "Ways to Keep Workers' Compensation Costs Low," download the digital copy, today.

^{Reproduced with permission from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.}

Contact Drew Garcia if you have questions about lowering your Workers' Compensation cost or the NALP Program.

If you liked the "Ways to Keep Workers' Compensation Costs Low" article and would like to receive the full bi-monthly news magazine, The Landscape Professional, consider signing up for NALP membership.

Rancho Mesa’s Dede Pyle’s Cousin, Griffin Canning, is semifinalist for USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award

Photos courtesy of the Canning Family.

UCLA’s junior right-hander, Griffin Canning, is having another dominate season as is a semifinalist for the prestigious USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award. Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. The award is presented in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation. It is presented each year to the player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

UCLA’s Canning has become one of the country’s top starting pitchers, as he has compiled a 7-3 record with a 2.34 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 111.3 innings. He also ranks in the top-10 on the NCAA’s active career list for shutouts, complete games and strikeouts.

We all at Rancho Mesa want to wish Griffin the best of luck in winning the award and hopefully starting his professional career.  

Congratulations and good luck to both Griffin and Dede’s family. 

The Rancho Mesa Family

Employee Spotlight: Sam Brown Named 2017 Emerging Leader of the Year by IIAB San Diego

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services' Sam Brown was awarded the 2017 Emerging Leader of the Year award by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers (IIAB) San Diego Chapter at the organization's annual Greater San Diego Insurance Day (I-Day) trade fair and seminar. The event was held at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in Mission Valley on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.  

Sam Brown served as the organization's 2015 President and continues to be involved in the association.

Other highlights from the event included the keynote speaker, Chief Deputy District Attorney Summer Stephan and a continuing education course.

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About IIAB

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego) has served the interests of local Independent Insurance Agents since 1934. As the industry has changed, so have the projects, involvement and goals of this association. IIAB San Diego actively participates in and conducts regular continuing education sessions. Greater San Diego Insurance Day (I-DAY) is the largest one-day trade fair and seminar in the State of California. IIAB San Diego have supported local organizations such as the San Diego Safety Council’s Stamp Out Crime Committee, the San Diego Fire Department’s S.A.F.E. Program, the San Diego Child Care Coalition, a junior high school level essay contest, and the Insurance Vocational Education Student Training program (InVEST) at both the high school and college level, the San Diego Burn Institute, and San Diego Brain Tumor Society.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa's Jeremy Hoolihan Joins IFMA

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

Rancho Mesa is proud to announce that Jeremy Hoolihan, Rancho Mesa’s Janitorial Group Leader, has joined the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).  

IFMA is a volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the performance and professional growth of their members through networking, education and promoting the practice of facilities management. Jeremy is eager to get involved with IFMA’s San Diego chapter to share his expertise in risk management and insurance within the maintenance and construction Industries. 

PWI San Diego Holds Painting Social Fundraiser

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

On Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PWI San Diego held its Painting Social fundraiser at the local craft beer venue, 57 Degrees.  The event is one of many the organization hosts to raise funds for various charities.

The evening began with some light networking, hors d'oeuvers, beer, wine, and of course laughter!  The excitement in the room rose as the instructor began to lead the class through the painting process.  Everyone at the event had a great time learning new painting skills, seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  

Rancho Mesa's Christina Haake and Alyssa Burley proudly attended the event.

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Attendees make the final details on their paintings.

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Alyssa Burley and Christina Haake from Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, and Jimmy Trujillo from Imperial PFS show off their finished paintings.

Through its events like the Painting Social, golf tournament, fashion show, and holiday party, the PWI raises funds to support:

• Programs for students entering the insurance industry,
• YWCA's Battered Women's Shelter for women in transition,
• Rachel's Women's Center - Homeless Women's Shelter, and the
• Girl Scouts of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

About PWI San Diego

PWI San Diego is an insurance industry organization bringing together local insurance professionals in San Diego County.  The organization provides opportunities for networking, business development, idea exchange, career enhancement, education and giving back to the industry and the community.  For more information, visit www.pwisd.org.

Rancho Mesa Encourages Employees to Stay Healthy with the "7th Inning Stretch"

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

Twice a day, music fills the air of Rancho Mesa's office.  The hum of keyboards, the clicking of calculators and the various phone conversations come to a halt.  A song signals that it's time to take to the sidewalks of Santee, CA, a song in which is alternated from each of the staff's personal playlist.

This ritual is part of Rancho Mesa's Health and Wellness Program.  The daily walks, also known as the "7th Inning Stretch," provide an opportunity for the staff to get away from their desks, get moving, and enjoy the outdoors.

“RMI’s 7th Inning Stretch success could not have occurred without the tremendous support of Dave Garcia and the staff.  Can you name another company who rewards their employees for time away from their desks?" said Dede Pyle.

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The rules are simple.  When someone participates on the walk, they get a blue pebble.  If they walk five times (or more) during the week, they get a red pebble. If they walk to lunch or go to the gym during lunch, they get another red pebble.  At the end of each quarter, prizes are awarded based on the number of pebbles each person has earned.

The staff's progress is measured on a map of the United States.  Each quarter, the pebbles are tallied and the distance walked is calculated and recorded on the map.  The goal is to walk from San Diego to New York City.

Dede Pyle proposed the 7th Inning Stretch to Rancho Mesa in November 2014,  as a means to stay healthy and focused during the agency’s 01/01 crunch, which is the busiest time of year in the insurance industry.  The goal was to raise the energy level in a healthy, non-stressful way, have quality time away from the workstation and create camaraderie within the agency.  In addition to the twice daily walks, Rancho Mesa provides healthy snacks on Tuesday, also known as “Healthy Snack Tuesday” which is an alternative to the vending machine snacks.

Uploaded by National Association of Landscape Professionals on 2018-01-03.

Updated 01/11/2018.
 

Rancho Mesa in the Community: Waldorf School of San Diego Climb-A-Thon

Author Daniel Frazee, Execuitve Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As a proud Corporate Sponsor, Rancho Mesa participated in the first annual Waldorf School of San Diego Climb-A-Thon at Torrey Pines State Beach on Saturday, March 25th.  

Elementary school kids of all ages were invited to hike the Torrey Pines trails with older High School students and conclude their adventure with breakfast as a community.

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Students focused on an Easter theme with the climb as trail leaders were dressed as bunnies to hand out Easter eggs to the younger kids.  The goal of the event was raising funds and awareness for Waldorf’s eleventh grade service trip to Costa Rica later this year.

Photos by Daniel Frazee.

Rancho Mesa Says Goodbye to Debbie Milburn and Welcomes Suzi Ffrench

Author Brian Armstrong, Director of Employee Benefits, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Brian Armstrong, Broker

It’s been nearly a year since I joined the team here at Rancho Mesa, and what a year it’s been.  While we’ve worked to improve the expertise and service provided to you on your employee benefits, as well as the cost of and your actual benefits themselves, there was a Presidential election that has the potential of changing the entire landscape of healthcare and health insurance in this Country (although it’s important keep in mind that we’re in California, which politically can be a country of its own).  While much is still to be determined- just today the GOP announced that they don’t yet have enough votes to pass the American Health Care Act in its current form- you have my commitment to continue to advise and direct you on your benefits to the best of my abilities, and to your satisfaction, if not downright gratification, and to that of every single one of your employees.

Debbie Milburn, Former Account Manager

Toward that end, one of the commitments we made this year was to hire a full-time Senior Account Manager to help you with your day-to-day needs, which when it comes to health insurance, as you know, there can be a lot of.  Because of that, you’ve likely gotten to know Debbie Milburn as the wonderful person and service-provider she is, both of which I’m personally grateful for, so I’m sad to announce that due to a great opportunity for her and her family, she is relocating to Austin, Texas, at the end of this month.

While we’ve known for a while that Debbie is leaving, I wanted to wait until we secured a great replacement for her before announcing her departure, and that we’ve done by adding Suzi Ffrench (yes, that’s Ffrench with two F’s) to our team.  Like me, Suzi has joined us from one of the largest consulting firms in the country, Willis Towers Watson; so, she brings a great wealth of knowledge and experience helping both employers and employees with their benefits questions and needs.  Like Debbie, she is a great fit for Rancho Mesa; so, she’s going to be a great fit for you as part of your benefits team.

Suzi Ffrench, Senior Account Manager

Please feel free to reach out to Debbie to thank her for the great service and commitment she’s provided over the past 7 months (her last day is Friday, March 31st), and to introduce yourself to Suzi, from whom you’ll be hearing, as she picks up where Debbie is leaving off.

As always you’re invited to call me with any questions or input you have on how we’re doing and how we can be of better service to you as we move forward under the current Administration.  Through better technology, tools, and services, I’m going to continue to work toward making your employee benefits better, more affordable, more compliant, and easier to administer, and I look forward to doing so with Suzi as part of our team.

Respectfully and Sincerely,

Brian Armstrong
Director of Employee Benefits

Client Story: MAAC Project Video

"My MAAC Story - Darjené Graham/Rancho Mesa Insurance"

MAAC Project,  a local organization providing career pathways, education, health & wellness and housing in the community, recently published a video featuring Darjené Graham, one of the parents from the Child Development Program and Sam Brown from Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

MAAC builds partnerships with each one of their Head Start parents, providing them with opportunities to grow as leaders and develop their own professional paths, as they open up the doors to academic success for their children.

"Thank you Rancho Mesa Insurance, for believing and investing in our work," wrote Elsa Roth, Manager, Development and Donor Relations for MAAC Project. "Rancho Mesa is not only a sponsor, but a community partner. Together, we provide life-changing programs and services to over 70,000 individuals every year in San Diego through Career Pathways, Education, Health & Wellness and Affordable Housing. We really appreciate you sharing your commitment to MAAC!"

About MAAC Project.
Since MAAC’s beginnings in 1965, its focus has remained constant: to help individuals and families create the lives they want and deserve.

Today, MAAC provides life-changing services to over 35,000 individuals annually throughout San Diego County. Collaboration with community partners ensures MAAC remains on the forefront of the community’s ever-changing needs, while strong relationships with funders foster strategic planning around emerging trends. MAAC’s Pillars of Service — Career Pathways, Education, Health & Wellness and Housing — support our mission of maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities.  For more information, visit www.maacproject.org.