“Momentum" Video Premiers at Leaders Forum 2019

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

Rancho Mesa’s Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, along with Margaret Hartmann, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, participated in NALP’s Leaders Forum last weekend in Aruba. 

The Leaders Forum is an annual leadership education conference for landscape industry professionals. It is a great opportunity for fellow company owners and executives to connect, share, and learn.

The event marked the video premier of Rancho Mesa’s Momentum. After the video ended, Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia was welcomed to the stage to address the audience on behalf of the company.

“It was a great opportunity to speak in front of some of the landscape industry’s greatest leaders,” said Drew Garcia. “I’ve had the privilege to work with some incredible leaders throughout my baseball and insurance career. I look forward to this event each year, I always come home with so much information that I can apply to my life; both at home and at work.”

Leaders Forum is a great way to jump start the year with fresh ideas that can be brought back to the workplace and positively impact your business.

“Let’s keep the momentum going in 2019!” said Drew Garcia.

About NALP

The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

About Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies

The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies is a group of six insurance carriers that are part of the Berkshire Hathaway group of insurance companies. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 40 years in business, BHHC has grown from a regional organization to a national insurance group, offering insurance products from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.bhhc.com.

RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ Lights Up the Sky

Author, Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The response to Rancho Mesa’s proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ has been like a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, lighting up the sky. Countless clients from California and as far away as Illinois have already begun the certification process in a race to see who becomes the first Safety Star Team Member.

This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries, while promoting a safety culture. There are many reasons for completing the certification process, including improving the safety culture of the organization which:

•  Reduces the probability of claims.

•  Improves productivity by keeping your employees safely at work.

•  Demonstrates care about the impact a claim has on the employees’ families.

•  Provides a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace.

•  Lowers overall costs of insurance.

Leaders in the insurance marketplace agree, stating:

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

This program is available exclusively to Rancho Mesa clients. If you have not already registered and want to enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

For non Rancho Mesa clients who want to learn more, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619)438-6869 or aburley@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Kicks Off the Year With First Workshop

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

On Friday, January 11, 2019, Rancho Mesa hosted their first workshop of the year: Cal/OSHA: Enforcement vs. Consultation. The workshop took place at San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA. 

Area Manager of the Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch, Carmen H. Cisneros, delivered an informative presentation on the various services Cal/OSHA provides for companies. Instead of employers dreading Cal/OSHA visits, her goal is to educate business leaders and have them work side-by-side with Cal/OSHA to create a better workplace safety environment. She covered topics such as, onsite assistance, partnership programs, top 10 Cal/OSHA citations, and resources that OSHA provides.

Attendees came away with a better understanding of the various ways they can utilize Cal/OSHA for the benefit of their company’s safety. Carmen suggests scheduling an onsite consultation with Cal/OSHA so a company can correct any problems, rather than have a hazard detected during inspection; resulting in fines.

If you missed this workshop and want to learn more about the services available, contact CAL/OSHA at (619) 767-2060 to set up a one-on-one meeting with Area Manager of the Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch, Carmen H. Cisneros. If you are outside of the San Diego area, click here to find the Cal/OSHA Consultation area office closest to you.

Contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869 for more information about upcoming workshops.

Click here for a helpful article written by Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Construction Group, Sam Clayton, outlining key steps to take before, during, and after an OSHA visit.

Rancho Mesa Releases New Fillable Accident and Investigation Forms

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its new fillable accident and investigation forms to clients, in January 2019.

The new forms are distributed as fillable PDFs, making completing the information simple and easy for clients who are at a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The “Supervisor’s Report of Employee Accident or Near Miss” form now includes a body diagram where employees can specify exactly where the injury has occurred on the body. Identifying all injured body parts at the time of the accident is important when documenting a workplace injury. This ensures additional body parts are not added to the claim at a later time.

Each form in the library is offered in both English and Spanish. And, both versions are now combined into one PDF document, making distribution of the forms easier for employers.

Rancho Mesa clients can access the new forms through the online Risk Management Center, Accident and Investigation Center or by contacting the Client Services Department at (619) 438-6869.

NAWIC San Diego Hosts Engaging Panel Discussion at January Meeting

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

Members and guests of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter 21 began the new year in style with an engaging panel discussion at the organization’s monthly meeting on January 8, 2019 at the Riverwalk Golf Club.

Lisa Thibodeaux, president at Construction Experts, Inc., vice president of the NAWIC San Diego Chapter and chairperson for the chapter’s Professional Development and Education Committee moderated the evening’s discussion.

The panel consisted of Annet Del Rosario, shop supervisor for Able Heating and Air Conditioning, Mary Darling, rental operations manager for Bay City Electric Works, Katie Burke, owner and plumber at Fluid Plumbing, and Nicole Donnelly, owner of Miramar Kitchen & Bath.

Through both laughter and seriousness, panelists discussed their paths into the construction industry, their motivations, obstacles they have overcome, mentors they have had along the way, and advice for others in the industry.

After the panel discussion concluded and the meeting was adjourned, many in the audience continued the discussion in small groups throughout the banquet room.

The January NAWIC San Diego Chapter 21 meeting was a success and it could not have happened without the brave women who participated in the discussion.

About NAWIC San Diego

The San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit nawicsd.org.

Rancho Mesa Launches RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries while promoting a safety culture. Each module provides the participant with a better understanding of the major hazards that face their industry and drive insurance premiums.

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

Currently, the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program is offered exclusively for the construction industry; however, plans are underway to offer a program specifically designed for human services organizations, in the future.

The construction program can be completed 100% online or through a combination of online and in-person workshop modules.

All participants take the Accident Investigation and Analysis module while choosing two remaining modules from Mobility & Stretch/ABLE Lift Protocol, Fall Protection, Heat Illness Prevention, and Fleet Safety.

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“This compelling and creative service approach is an example of the differentiation that Dave Garcia and his Rancho Mesa team bring to their business partnerships,” according to Bryan Anderson Senior VP/Regional Manager at Zenith Insurance Company.

Sending management through the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program can give the company a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace and lower its overall insurance costs.

“This program, when rolled out and followed in its entirety, should reinforce any companies safety program, safety protocol, and safety practices,” said Stephanie Cassady, Underwriting Branch Manager at ICW Group. “As a carrier, I am excited at the positive momentum that a program like this would have on a insureds’ frequency/severity of losses.”

To enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

Download the program flyer.

For more information, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869.

Employee Spotlight: Whitney Chiriboga Promoted to Account Coordinator

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

Rancho Mesa is pleased to announce and congratulate Whitney Chiriboga on her promotion to Account Coordinator.

Whitney's experience in customer service and the certificate department makes her transition to Account Coordinator a perfect fit.

Whitney was born and raised in San Diego. She grew up playing tennis and moved to Northern California to attend Sonoma State University where she graduated in 2017. She traveled for a month in Europe after graduating and besides traveling, loves spending time with friends and family and being near the beach, as much as possible.

Congratulations, Whitney!

Employee Spotlight: Casey Craig visits Lambeau Field with Sentry Insurance Company

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

Casey Craig, Rancho Mesa’s PaintOne™ program director, was the guest of Sentry Insurance Company at the Green Bay Packers vs. the Arizona Cardinals game played at historic Lambeau Field on December 2, 2018. Casey is pictured with Dennis Levesque, the Regional Vice President, along with Nic Hernandez, West Coast Underwriting Manager for Sentry.

Casey, as one of only three brokers from California in attendance, was selected for this amazing bucket-list trip based on both his and Rancho Mesa’s relationship with Sentry. It was truly at trip of firsts for Casey as he experienced his first sub 32 degree tailgate as well as behind the scenes tour of the historic venue.

Happy Holidays from Rancho Mesa

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.

Rancho Mesa hopes you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

“I just want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas,” Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

East County Posse Gives Military Families Walmart Gift Cards

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

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the East County Posse, a philanthropic organization comprised of over 80 East County business owners, provided $15,000 to 30 military families in the form of $500 gift cards to Walmart. The 4th Annual Gift Card Giveaway was held at the East County Chamber of Commerce.

“Many of our military families struggle this time of year,” Tim Ney, Executive Director of the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, “We are extremely grateful that the East County Posse has chosen to provide support to our military families during this holiday season.”

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, has been a long-time member of the East County Posse and was privileged to participate in the event.

“We are pleased to honor our military families and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make and the service they provide, so that we can all enjoy the freedoms that we have here in the USA,” Tim McDougal, President of the East County Posse.

About the East County Posse

The East County Posse is a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping their fellow East County residents who are in need of support. Our goal is to help those less fortunate improve their quality of life by way of donation of our time, skill or trade, as well as monetary donations. For more information, visit www.eastcountyposse.com.

About Armed Services YMCA San Diego

Armed Services YMCA (San Diego ASY) is the leading non-profit that makes military life easier for active duty service members and their families. The San Diego ASY gives military personnel and their loved ones the support and resources they need to be resilient, confident, connected, and secure. Founded in 1920 as a national affiliate of the YMCA, its mission is to enhance the lives of service members and their families in mind, body, and spirit. Through programs and services that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life, the ASY strengthens the military community. The San Diego ASY is, and always will be, dedicated to strengthening our military family. For more information, visit www.asysd.org.