Rancho Mesa Welcomes Kristina Hauser to the Team

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

Spring has sprung at Rancho Mesa and we are in full bloom with our newest Account Coordinator Kristina Hauser. 

Kristina came to us after several years in the childcare industry. She has past experience in customer service and retail, as well, and is attending Grossmont College where she will graduate in June with an Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is a dedicated dog mom and animal lover who spends most of her time with family and friends.

Kristina is new to insurance and is eager to jump in with both feet and progress her career in the industry.  Please help us welcome her to the Rancho family. We can’t wait to see what she will accomplish.

Employee Spotlight: Whitney Chiriboga Earns P&C License

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Whitney Chiriboga, an Account Coordinator at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, earned her Property & Casualty Broker-Agent License through the California Department of Insurance's (CDI) Producer Licensing Bureau.

As an Account Coordinator, Whintey’s commitment to advancing her career by earning her license, embodies Rancho Mesa’s OneofOne® attitude.

Due to COVID-19, the Property & Casualty Exam Prep Courses looked a little different than usual, as everything was online-based versus in-class sessions. After Whitney completed 52 hours of online courses, she passed the exam in December 2020 and received her license on February 17, 2021.

Congratulations, Whitney!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Account Coordinator, Mel Chibende

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is excited to announce the hiring of Mel Chibende, as an Account Coordinator with the Employee Benefits Department.

Mel brings with him several years of administrative and benefits experience, as well as a positive essence and energy that will add to Rancho Mesa’s dedicated team.

Mel was born in Zambia and moved to the U.S when he was 5-years-old. He has lived in Michigan, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Washington, and now California.

Mel currently resides in Mira Mesa with his wife, Jojet, and their son, Judah. Mel enjoys reading, playing basketball, soccer and has recently gotten into hiking!

Rancho Mesa is thrilled to welcome Mel Chibende to the RMI family!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Account Executive, Trevor Frank

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to announce the hiring of Trevor Frank, an Account Executive for Plumbing and HVAC contractors.

Trevor grew up in San Diego East County. He recently moved back after seven years of playing baseball in over half of the United States and three different countries. In his free time, Trevor enjoys many outdoor activities.

Trevor’s background in management, customer service, and teamwork make him an ideal fit for Rancho Mesa’s growing team. He specializes in Risk Management for plumbing and HVAC contractors.

Trevor played seven years professionally in the most stressful job there is in baseball, a closing pitcher. Being in that role, he had to understand the meaning of teamwork, goals and plan of attack. When things were on the line he had to study the situation at hand, relax and get the job done for the team. In the off-seasons, he worked to perfect his communication and customer service skills, while building strong relationships. As a pitching coordinator for a very successful player development facility, Trevor used his skills and knowledge to inspire and fine tune the potential within his pitchers. His team-focused attitude and dedication translates well into coaching his construction clients with their insurance needs.

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Trevor Frank to the RMI team!

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is pleased to congratulate Rory Anderson, Account Executive of the Tree Care Group, and wife Alex Anderson on their recent wedding. The ceremony took place on Friday, September 25, 2020 at the The Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, CA.

Due to COVID, the couple had to switch plans up bit by limiting the attendees to immediate family and closest friends. This ended up making their special day that much more personal and intimate. “It turned out to be perfect. We both enjoyed it so much and wouldn’t have wanted it to go any other way,” expressed Rory.

NAWIC San Diego Members Broaden their Performance & Payment Bonds Knowledge

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications & Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In a virtual meeting so many have become accustomed, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter 21 met on November 10, 2020 to inspire each other, celebrate new members, discuss upcoming events and learn about performance and payment bonds.

NAWIC’s Professional Development & Education Committee is tasked with providing monthly programming that is relevant and educational for its chapter’s membership.

Andy Roberts, Account Executive in the Surety Group with Rancho Mesa Insurance led the presentation that addressed an increasing requirement many contractors in California are now dealing with on their projects, surety bonds.

Performance and payment bonds are becoming more popular in today’s construction climate. Contractors who previously never or rarely needed bonds, are now discovering a need for a formal bond program.

In the “Surety 101: Performance & Payment Bonding Basics” class, Andy discussed the different types of contract surety bonds (i.e., bid bonds, performance bonds and payment bonds). He explained the distinction between surety bonds and traditional insurance, when a bond may be required and who may require it, the benefits of a bond, the qualification process and indemnity.

While there is so much more to learn about performance and payment bonds, the attendees of the class are sure to better understand why their companies are being required to obtain contract surety bonds for their projects.

To learn more about performance and payment bonds or to book a presentation with Andy Roberts, contact him at (619) 937-0166 or aroberts@ranchomesa.com.

The RMI Family Keeps Getting Bigger

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

You know those favorite pair of Levi jeans we have all had; 501’s, 505’s, high-waisted and fit just right? Well there is a new favorite Levi in these parts, Levi Wesley Velovich!

Levi was born on September 30, 2020 at 7:27AM to Rancho Mesa’s own Employee Benefits Assistant Account Manager, Erin Thomas. Mom and baby boy are doing well and were welcomed home by big brother Jaxon, Dad - Kyle and furbabies Hank and Stella. He weighed 7.7lbs and 19.5” long.

When I asked Erin what the biggest difference was between having a baby and having one during a pandemic, she said, “no visitors and having to wear a mask during labor. It was weird not having family or friends be there this time. Jaxon couldn’t meet his baby brother, right away.” When Jaxon was asked for comment on his new brother, he told me, “I like being a big brother because my baby is so cute. My favorite part is cuddling and kissing the baby.” I couldn’t agree more!

Rancho Mesa Insurance is known for valuing family. We can’t express how happy it makes us to see our team growing personally and professionally. We want to say congratulations to Erin, Kyle, and Jaxon on baby Levi and we can’t wait to meet him, safely.

Drew Garcia Goes National in NALP’s The Landscape Professionals

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Services Inc.

It’s no secret that Drew Garcia, Vice President of Rancho Mesa’s Landscape Group, has been helping landscape clients for years in best practices and how to stay safe on the job. But now, he is going national to help landscape professionals all over the country, again!

In this month’s NALP’s The Landscape Professionals Magazine, Drew breaks down the five things landscape companies can do to lower their Experience Modification Rates (XMOD). 

“Landscape companies with a low Experience Modification Rating typically exhibit similar best practices when dealing with work-related injuries. Their proactive approach helps close claims faster and returns employees to work sooner than their counterpart,” writes Drew Garcia.

The NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals) represents almost 100,000 landscape industry professionals around the world. Specializing in landscape design and installation, lawn care, maintenance and more, the national trade association is made up of students, consultants, state associations and affiliate members, plus industry suppliers. Their mission is “to advocate for lawn and landscape industry growth and the benefits we provide to our communities.”

To learn more about how to lower your XMOD, contact Drew Garcia at (619) 937-0200 or drewgarcia@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Welcomes Baby Girl Camryn!

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Move over Sarah Jessica Parker, Camryn Katherine Parker has made her debut! 

It was a beautiful San Diego day on July 14th, 2020.  Account Manager, John Parker, and wife Kimmie welcomed their sweet baby girl at five in the evening. Camryn is 8lbs 10ounces and 20 inches long. Mom and baby are happy and healthy.

Camryn was greeted at home by her two furry siblings.  The Rancho Mesa family would like to extend a big congratulations to the Parker family and we can’t wait to meet Camryn and snuggle her once it’s safe.

NAWIC Today Magazine publishes Sam Clayton’s Cyber Threats Article

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, recently had an article published in the July/August 2020 issue of NAWIC Today, the National Association of Women in Construction's (NAWIC) official publication. This nationally-distributed magazine covers construction safety, technology, leadership and other important industry topics. Leading the CyberOne™ program for Rancho Mesa, Sam is has an extensive knowledge about how the construction industry can protect itself from losses due to cybercrimes.

Sam’s article titled “3 Cyber Threats of Employee Telecommuting” features helpful tips to minimize threats to businesses while many employees are currently working remote. Check out Volume 4/Number 4 of NAWIC Today for the full article.

Founded in Fort Worth, Texas by sixteen women, NAWIC’s core purpose is to “Strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.” For over 65 years they have been providing education, professional development, networking and more to their members. Rancho Mesa Insurance Services offers a CyberOne™ insurance program designed for NAWIC members.

Want even more information about cyber threats and how you can be prepared? Listen to our podcast StudioOne™ Safety and Risk Management Network on most major streaming platforms.

Edited 4/19/2021.