Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa’s Megan Smidt Promoted to Account Manager

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

A little over a year ago, Rancho Mesa welcomed Megan Smidt to our team. Her seven-plus years of commercial insurance industry knowledge, upbeat attitude, and drive to learn has led to her promotion to Account Manager in our Human Services group.

“Megan has worked diligently over the last year, proving that she has the experience and knowledge required to manage a book of business.  We are excited to see her step into this new role with RMI,” writes Kim Vasquez, Vice President of Account Services with Rancho Mesa.

Please help us congratulate Megan on her promotion and we look forward to her bright future.

Rancho Mesa’s Alyssa Burley Named NAWIC Member of the Year

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

Alyssa Burley, Media Communications & Client Services Manager, has been with Rancho Mesa for nearly 5 years; stepping above and beyond not only in her role at Rancho Mesa, but as an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

Recently, the NAWIC San Diego Chapter presented Alyssa with the Member of the Year Award!

Having been a NAWIC member since 2017, Alyssa has held titles of numerous leadership roles. Currently, Alyssa serves as Professional Development & Education Committee Chairperson; organizing speakers for monthly meetings, creating slide presentations, and running virtual chapter meetings. Burley is also the Newsletter Committee Chairperson. For monthly newsletters, she curates industry and chapter articles, event information, birthdays and anniversaries, and anything else that might be of interest to members. On top of this, she is also a member of the Teller Committee which manages the Officer and Board of Directors election process. Alyssa has also participated on the committee for the yearly Women in Construction Week (WIC Week).

“Alyssa has a natural gift to bring out the best in everyone around her, and always finds a way to make the projects she takes on exceed all expectations. She is truly OneofOne,” says Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa.

Rancho Mesa is proud to have OneofOne® employee, Alyssa Burley, a part of our team!

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. For over 65 years they have been providing education, professional development, networking and more to their members. Learn more at www.nawicsd.org.

Rancho Mesa Congratulates Christina Haake in Becoming a Star in Safety!

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

March 2021, Rancho Mesa’s own Christina Haake, Account Manager for the construction industry, earned her RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ in Construction Safety Certificate.

The RM365 Advantage Safety Star certificate program requires it’s participants to study incident investigation, along with at least two additional safety topics based on their industry-specific risks. Christina chose courses that directly reflect the risks her clients face in the field.

Christina has been a member of the Rancho Mesa family for 10 years and continues to excel in her career in the commercial insurance industry.

If you or a member of your team are interested in becoming a RM365 Advantage Safety Star reach out to us or visit our Safety Star webpage.

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.