Employee Spotlight: Alyssa Burley Instated Into NAWIC Board of Directors

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

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022 the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter held their Installation Dinner at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse in San Diego, CA. During the celebration, Rancho Mesa’s Media Communications & Client Services Manager Alyssa Burley was installed into the NAWIC San Diego’s Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 term.

Alyssa has taken on multiple leadership roles since joining NAWIC in 2017; going above and beyond in every position she has held within NAWIC and Rancho Mesa.

Congratulations to all of the newly appointed NAWIC officers and board of directors. Rancho Mesa is proud to support its leaders within the community and women in construction!

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.

Employee Spotlight: Rachel Bristol Promoted to Assistant Account Manager

Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa would like to congratulate team member Rachel Bristol for her well-deserved promotion from Client Coordinator to Assistant Client Manager.

Rachel joined Rancho Mesa in 2019 as a receptionist and Certician® and was promoted to Client Coordinator in 2020. Throughout the past 2 years, she has assisted in training many current client coordinators. Bristol also gained valuable experience working closely with client managers to prepare for her new role.

“This promotion means so much to me. It has truly been a journey for me over the past three years, and I feel like I have come so far and learned so much,” Bristol said. “I look forward to building relationships with clients and continuing to master the ins and outs of their accounts. I am grateful to be a part of the Rancho Mesa Team.”

We are proud of Rachel’s career milestone and look forward to seeing all she will accomplish in the future.

New Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Aboard Lauren Koblischke

Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Lauren Koblischke to the Surety Group as Surety Client Coordinator. With an impressive professional background in legal, licensing, and cause marketing, we are thrilled to have her on the team.

Lauren grew up in San Diego and after graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University, she acquired experience in the legal, marketing and administrative fields, working for organizations such as Simone & Associates and San Diego Wildlife Alliance.

“I'm most looking forward to starting new in the insurance world and being a part of the Rancho Mesa culture. My team is so supportive and I already enjoy so many people here,” Koblischke said.

Lauren has a love for animals, most particularly dogs. She resides in Alpine with her husband and dog. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.

With her diverse professional knowledge and an impressive career background, Rancho Mesa is proud to welcome Lauren as a valuable addition to the Surety team.

Employee Spotlight: Greg Garcia is Guest on Baseball Radio Show 97.3 The Fan

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

Rancho Mesa’s Greg Garcia was recently interviewed on 97.3 The Fan Ben & Woods show. Before joining the Rancho Mesa team, Greg played 10 years of professional baseball, five of which came at the major league level playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.

Host Steven Woods, along with producer Paul Reindl, interview Garcia about what life was like during and after professional baseball. Greg specifically speaks about his time with the San Diego Padres, the overwhelming support he felt from the community of fans, and the fortunate opportunity to join Rancho Mesa with his father President Dave Garcia and brother Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia.

Listen to Greg’s interview below (starting at 30:15). To learn more about the Ben & Woods show on 97.3 The Fan, please visit www.audacy.com/973thefansd/authors/ben-woods

Employee Spotlight: Sam Brown Coaches Team to Incredible Little League Championship Win

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

Sam Brown pictured with son Sammy Brown holding the Poway City Championship Trophy.

Earlier this month, the Poway Little League city baseball championships returned to the field after a three-year hiatus.

Yankees head coach and Vice President of the Human Services Group with Rancho Mesa Sam Brown led the Poway American Little League’s Majors team to the incredible win.

Twelve-year old Yankee’s pitcher Tristan Wolfe threw a perfect game with no runners reaching first base.

“The Yankees recorded nine hits, got six walks and took advantage of five errors by the Braves, who opened the regular season losing their first seven games before fighting their way into the finals,” Terry Monahan recounts the game in a San Diego Union Tribune article.

Evoking the mercy rule, the game was halted after five innings, leaving the 10-0 victory to the Yankees.

“I'm so proud of our players' hard work and strong camaraderie,” Coach Brown said. “Their improvement on the field and in the dugout still astonishes me. A team can achieve really great things when individuals support one another and work hard. Great life lessons learned on the field!"

Rancho Mesa is proud of Sam Brown’s volunteerism within the community and fortunate to have him on its leadership team.

Making a Difference: Rancho Mesa’s Amber Webb and Anne Wright Volunteer at Camp NAWIC

Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Wednesday, June 22, Rancho Mesa team members, Amber Webb and Anne Wright volunteered at Camp NAWIC, at AGC’s Apprenticeship Training Facility in Lakeside, CA. 

Camp NAWIC is a week-long summer camp for girls in grades 9 through 12 that teaches them basic construction skills while promoting an interest in a career path in the construction industry.

Campers learn construction skills through hands-on activities in disciplines such as electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, surveying, and heavy equipment operation. Returners complete a construction project as a team and mentor first year campers.

“This year, I volunteered with NECA for the electrical trade day and we were able to show the girls how to wire up a circuit with a switch and light bulb, bend pipe, install solar panels, learn about careers in the electrical industry and do some ladder safety,” Webb said.

Camp NAWIC is put on by the Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego, an organization set up by NAWIC San Diego to run its outreach programs. NAWIC Chapters all over the country host these camps which facilitate friendship and teamwork while encouraging construction careers for women.

“I have been volunteering for Camp NAWIC since 2015 and it is such an amazing week,” Webb said. “The girls show up for camp on their first day and are scared and timid, but by the last day of camp, they have new friends and the confidence to take on new projects with the trade skills they learned.”

Many Rancho Mesa clients are also involved in this event, namely Melinda Dicharry, the former President of the foundation and the owner of Paradigm Mechanical Corp. Victoria Friar of Chula Vista Electric Co. and Sunrise Bobcat’s Tiffany Carapella and Tosha Carapella were also involved this year.

Rancho Mesa is a proud contributor to the NAWIC mission and its support of women’s careers in the construction industry, and we value our team aiding this cause through their volunteer work.

“Witnessing the exposure that these young ladies had to the creative process that is construction was so enjoyable,” Wright said. “Not many summer camps can actually lead you to a productive career path. NAWIC does an amazing job with this, year after year.”

About Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego
The Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego is dedicated to the advancement of programs focused on educating youth about career opportunities in the construction industry and encouraging them to pursue careers in this field. We work to influence our educational systems, students, and parents to place more emphasis on, and resources toward, vocational education that connects directly to construction industry jobs.

About NAWIC San Diego
NAWIC has over 115 chapters throughout the United States that provide its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC continues the vision of its founding members by advocating for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry.

Employee Spotlight: Alyssa Burley Joins NAWIC Board of Directors

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

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Alyssa Burley was elected to one of six director positions on the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego chapter Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 term.

Since joining NAWIC in 2017, Alyssa has been a dedicated member, spending countless hours serving as the Newsletter Editor, Golf Committee Member, WIC Week Committee Member, and Professional Development & Education Committee Chair. Last year, she was proudly presented with the NAWIC Member of the Year Award for her ability to take on multiple leadership roles within the organization, all while being a leader for her department within Rancho Mesa.

"I am so excited to be on the NAWIC San Diego Board of Directors and look forward to supporting the chapter this coming year," says Alyssa.

Alyssa is not the only Rancho Mesa employee that is part of the NAWIC San Diego Chapter. Account Executive Amber Webb is heavily involved in NAWIC, serving on the board of directors for the past four years and chapter President from 2020-2021. Rancho Mesa’s Surety Relationship Executive Anne Wright has also been a long-time NAWIC San Diego Chapter member.

Rancho Mesa is proud to support its leaders within the community and women in construction!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Amy Johnston as Senior Client Manager

Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is proud to announce the newest addition to its flourishing client management team, Amy Johnston.

Amy is originally from Kansas City, MO. Throughout her career, Amy has maintained a large book of business across industries such as hospitality, real estate and construction.  

With her CISR Designation and over 25 years of experience working in the insurance industry, Rancho Mesa feels honored to welcome her to the team.

“I’m excited to be working at Rancho Mesa,” Amy said. “The environment is so relaxed, [and] everyone is so happy.”

Amy has a love of traveling both within the United States and abroad. Her favorite destination so far has been Iceland. In her free time, she also enjoys baking desserts such as pies and cakes, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Rancho Mesa Honored at NAWIC Anniversary Celebration

Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Amber Webb and Alyssa Burley pictured holding their NAWIC award plaques.

Information provided by NAWIC.

Rancho Mesa and its employees were honored to be presented three awards at the NAWIC San Diego 64th Annual Anniversary and Executive Night, on Tuesday, April 12.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter held its annual anniversary night celebration. Rancho Mesa was named the Company of the Year for “contributions to advancing the education and careers of women in construction.”

“We are so honored to be recognized as the Company of the Year by NAWIC, it’s an outstanding organization that’s dedicated to the career growth and development for women in construction. We are very proud to be a part of their efforts,” Rancho Mesa President, Dave Garcia said.

Account Executive Amber Webb was presented with the President’s Award for her strong leadership and dedication to the organization.

“I feel honored to be given the 1st NAWIC San Diego Chapter President’s Award. When I went to my first NAWIC meeting back in 2015, I knew this group of women was special and that I wanted to be part of it,” Webb said. “I want to thank Madam President, Shelby Ballow, for this recognition, her friendship, and all her hard work getting our chapter back up and running after all that we have been through.”

Media Communications and Client Services Manager Alyssa Burley also took home the 5-year membership award during the award ceremony. Attendees enjoyed dinner, scholarship winner announcements, and a presentation regarding the Terminal 1 redesign of the San Diego Airport by keynote speaker, Robert Bolton.

Rancho Mesa and its employees are passionate about supporting the career opportunities for women in construction, and we are proud that our employees can make a difference through this organization.

“I want to help encourage as many women as possible to see their potential in this male dominated industry,” Webb said. “Over the years, I have learned so much from all the people I have had the pleasure of meeting through NAWIC and feel so fortunate to be able to give back to the community.

About NAWIC
NAWIC has over 115 chapters throughout the United States that provide its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC continues the vision of its founding members by advocating for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry. To learn more, visit www.nawic.org.

Garcia Brothers Give Professional Safety Guidance on NALP Podcast

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

Image provided by NALP.

In a most recent podcast episode of Growing in the Green Industry, Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, and Account Executive Greg Garcia discusses the importance of effectively communicating with your team and building awareness around safety. The episode is hosted by Brett Lemcke with R.M. Landscape, Inc. and Macey Robinson with LandCare LLC.

The episode shares tips of starting your own company, implementing a safety plan and different strategies on how to be proactive when it comes to safety in the workplace. Listen to Season 2, Ep. 40 Being Proactive with Safety with Drew Garcia and Greg Garcia below, or on your favorite podcast platform: anchor.fm/nalp-young-professionals

About Growing in the Green Industry Podcast
Growing in the Green Industry is a podcast for the specifically centered around the landscape industry. Each week their hosts and guests discuss topics that matter most for landscape professionals, including career advancement, hiring, professional development, retention, sales, operations, and more. Growing in the Green Industry is produced by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Young Professionals Network. Growing in the Green Industry is produced by NALP's Young Professionals Network. To learn more, please visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org/youngprofessionals.