Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Announces the Promotion of Kelsey McPherson to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead

Author, Harriet Berholtz, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is excited to announce Kelsey McPherson has been promoted to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead for the agency’s Construction Group.

McPherson joined Rancho Mesa in 2018 as a Client Manager with experience working with clients from various industries, including construction. Over the last six years, she has specialized in the construction industry and worked to build her leadership skills. Through her dedication and drive, McPherson has shown that she is ready for her new role in the Construction Group.

“I am beyond grateful and excited to step into this new role and for the incredible journey with Rancho Mesa over the past six years,” said McPherson. “These years have provided substantial growth, learning and collaboration with an exceptional team. I look forward to building on our successes and continuing to contribute to the Rancho Mesa OneofOne® vision.”

McPherson is a role model, earning her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. These certifications underscore her commitment to professional development and her deep understanding of the industry.

This promotion to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead reflects Rancho Mesa’s commitment to recognize and foster talent within the agency. Her leadership and expertise have already made a significant impact, and Rancho Mesa is excited to see how she will continue to drive the agency’s success forward.

Employee Spotlight: David McCoy Moves to Client Coordinator

Author, Harriet Berholtz, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is pleased to announce that David McCoy has taken a role as Client Coordinator in Rancho Mesa’s Landscape and Human Services Group.

For the last two years, David has worked at Rancho Mesa as a Surety Client Coordinator assisting the team with surety bonds.

In his new role, he will be working with the property and casualty Client Managers.

 “I'm excited for the opportunity to try something new and challenging. I'm hoping my past experience with surety will ease the transition.”

David is a San Diego native. In his free time, he enjoys taking his dog places, spending time with friends, and watching movies.

Employee Spotlight: Yvonne Gallagher Leads Landscape Service Group

Author, Harriet Berholtz, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Yvonne Gallagher, Senior Client Manager and Team Lead, started her insurance career right out of high school, thinking it would be a temporary job. However, after 20+ years in the industry, she has developed a highly successful insurance career.

Before joining Rancho Mesa, Yvonne entered the industry by typing certificates of insurance. She was quickly trained in both commercial and personal lines, and earned her Property & Casualty, and Life insurance licenses.

After many years working with a direct writer, Yvonne decided to move to an insurance brokerage as a Client Manager.

Yvonne then found a home at Rancho Mesa in 2016 as a Client Manager, before being promoted to Senior Client Manager in 2020, where she specializes in risk management for the landscape industry. In January 2024, Yvonne took on the role of Team Lead in addition to her other role, where she mentors others in her group and helps grow the landscape book of business.

“I absolutely love being a Client Manager but am really enjoying the challenges of my new Team Lead role.  It allows me to work closely with and mentor my incredible team” Yvonne said.

Originally from the East Coast, Yvonne lives in San Diego with her husband and two children. They enjoy bowling, camping, and taking trips to the desert and river.

Employee Spotlight: Welcome Client Manager Penelope Marquez

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

Rancho Mesa welcomes our newest Client Manager, Penelope Maquez.

Penelope brings over ten years of insurance experience, most recently working at an agency in Chula Vista, where she managed small business clients, including contractors, restaurants, and main street businesses. Her wide array of experience working across different industries will enhance the level of service that Rancho Mesa provides to its clients. 

Penelope was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She and her husband have one dog, Nox, and one cat, Noah. In her free time, she enjoys the company of family and friends, listening to audiobooks, and teaching Sunday school.

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Penelope to the team!

Employee Spotlight: Surety Group Welcomes Manuel Ovalle

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Manuel Ovalle as our new Surety Client Coordinator.

Manuel has 16 years of experience in various administrative roles, including the last nine years as a Records Control/Data Specialist. His extensive administrative background and skill set will transition nicely into his role with the Surety Group.

Manuel was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their three boys, watching sports, movies, and going to the beach.

Rancho Mesa is thrilled to have Manuel as part of the team!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Eileen Rojas

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to introduce our newest Client Coordinator, Eileen Rojas.

She brings valuable experience, having served as a Customer Service Representative and Claims Specialist at Geico for three years, and gained ten years of customer service experience at Cox Communications and Spectrum.

Eileen was born and raised in San Diego. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and exploring new restaurants and wineries, particularly those in Baja California.

Rancho Mesa is thrilled to have Eileen as part of the team!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Brittney Thompson

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome the newest member of our team, Surety Client Coordinator Brittney Thompson.

As a licensed insurance professional with seven years of agency experience, Brittney brings a wealth of knowledge in customer service and claims handling to her new role.

Brittney, born and raised in California, graduated from San Diego State University in 2016 with a degree in sociology. She adores animals and shares her home with two chickens, a tortoise, and two dogs. On weekends, you'll often find her at the San Diego Zoo with her husband and son. She enjoys karaoke and live music, and she plans her travels around concerts she wants to see throughout the year.

Rancho Mesa is fortunate to have Brittney’s extensive insurance expertise as part of our team!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa’s Andy Roberts Appointed President of SASD

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

Surety Account Executive Andy Roberts was appointed President of the Board of Directors for the Surety Association of San Diego (SASD) as of 2024, an impressive leadership position.

The Surety Association of San Diego is an organization that aims to support members, educate the community, and impact legislation relating to the surety industry. SASD promotes the benefits of corporate suretyship and actively strives to improve its business conditions and practices.

Roberts has over a decade of experience in both the insurance and surety industries. He previously held the position of Treasurer for the organization's board.

“This opportunity to be President of the Surety Association is something I’m very excited about as it represents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within this wonderful industry,” Roberts said.     

Rancho Mesa commends Roberts on his leadership accomplishment, making a positive impact within the surety industry.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Alex Torres to the Team

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

Rancho Mesa is pleased to welcome its newest member to the team, Alex Torres, as Administrative Assistant and Certician©.

Alex will handle certificates of insurance as well as maintain administrative assistant duties at the front desk. Her career experience in administrative, billing, and receptionist roles makes her a valuable asset to the team.  

Alex was born and raised in San Diego. She spends her weekends cheering on her three children at their soccer tournaments and cooking with her family. Alex also enjoys traveling, dancing, and watching movies.

Rancho Mesa is excited for Alex’s future at the company.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcome Diana Venegas as Client Coordinator

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

In our continued growth as a team, Rancho Mesa would like to welcome its newest addition, Diana Venegas, as client coordinator.

Diana’s experience in business administration and billing has given her strong customer service, communication, and technical skills vital to the client coordinator role.

Born and raised in San Diego, Diana enjoys spending her free time creating memories with her three children, cooking and spending quality time with her family and loved ones.

Rancho Mesa is excited to be expanding its client coordinator team with valuable members like Diana and we look forward to her future at the company.