Garcia Brothers Featured in Landscape Management Magazine

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

In the December issue of the Landscape Management magazine, Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia and Account Executive Greg Garcia shared their insights on how landscape companies benefit from insurance checkups.

Drew and Greg explain how not having the correct coverage can be detrimental to a business in the occurrence of a catastrophic event. The Garcias also go over the importance of a company reviewing their insurance policies with their insurance broker, and the best time to do this to ensure the company is properly covered.

“You hear a lot of landscape professionals who are frustrated with last-minute insurance renewals and decisions,” Drew Garcia says. “Having a ‘pre-renewal’ meeting 90 to 120 days in advance of your policy effective date can just about eliminate this pain” (LM Staff 23).

To learn more, please contact Drew Garcia at (619) 937-0200 or drewgarcia@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Team Members Enjoy Holiday Spirit at PWI’s Flamingle and Jingle

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

Pictured Rancho Mesa Account Executive Amber Webb, Account Manager Christina Haake, and Account Coordinator Rachel Bristol.

On Thursday, December 9, members of the Rancho Mesa team donned ugly Christmas sweaters while attending the PWI Flamingle and Jingle Holiday Party at Trailer Park After Dark.

The Professionals Within Insurance is an organization that supports opportunities for insurance professionals and also gives back to the community through donations and fundraising events such as the Flamingle and Jingle.

Account Executive Amber Webb, Account Manager Christina Haake, and Account Coordinator Rachel Bristol enjoyed food, drinks, games, and a unique ambiance as they celebrated the holidays for a good cause.

“The proceeds went to YWCA Becky's House, OPT Program, and Rachel's Women's Center,” Bristol said. “My favorite part of the evening was seeing everyone get into the holiday spirit, and when we got to hear from a few of the women from the organizations that received the proceeds.”

The attendees toured the different trailer seating areas, enjoyed themed drinks such as the “Gin Ricky Bobby,” and glowed amid the red solo-cup lights. They also competed to win prizes for ugliest and most creative Christmas sweaters.

“I love going to PWI events and this one did not disappoint. It was so much fun to go out and relax and laugh with everyone. Also, the ugly Christmas sweater contest was top notch,” Haake said.  

As a member of PWI, Rancho Mesa values the support the organization provides professionals in the insurance agency as well as the opportunity to give back to the community during the holiday season.

“PWI has done a great job encouraging community in the insurance industry by hosting events such as these that allow us professionals to join forces to better those in need,” Webb said.

Rancho Mesa Celebrates Surety Superstar Anne Wright Joining the Team

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

On Wednesday, December 1, the Rancho Mesa family excitedly welcomed Anne Wright, a veteran of the San Diego surety industry, to the team.   

Anne will serve as Surety Relationship Executive in the Surety Group, continuing to manage her current accounts as well as new opportunities.

Throughout her 30+ tenure as a surety professional, Anne has worked as a surety underwriter and served multiple executive roles, and even owned her own insurance agency. She is proud of the relationships she has created over the years through these positions and feels joining Rancho Mesa is the perfect next step for her career.

Anne is an impressive contributor to both the surety community and the construction industry. She is continually active in local trade associations including serving as chairperson, and ultimately president of the American Subcontractors Association of San Diego, and was a founding board member of the Women’s Construction Coalition.

She has also held board positions with the Surety Association of San Diego and served as their president for a term. She continues to be active with the ASA of California in the ABC San Diego chapter, and is also well known for working with local public agencies and general contractors in their outreach efforts to emerging businesses.

“Anne has an extensive career in Surety and is highly admired for her expertise and professionalism. We are so fortunate not only to gain her industry expertise and clients but someone who shares the same values as all of us here. She will be a great addition to an already strong family feeling that we all share,” Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, said.

In her free time, Anne enjoys spending time with her retired husband Jim, their Beagle Gracie, and their grandkids, neighbors, and friends. She enjoys gardening and began a Monarch butterfly habitat this last year. In addition, Anne enjoys playing the piano, bike riding and has recently taken up painting.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Celebrates Two More Safety Stars

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

Rancho Mesa employees continue to go above and beyond by gaining knowledge of their clients’ risk exposures with the RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ Program.

Account Manager Kelsey McPherson and Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator Megan Lockhart recently became Safety Star certified in construction safety. The safety program required them to study incident investigation, along with at least two additional safety topics based on industry-specific risks such as fall protection, fleet safety, ladder safety, mobility & stretch, and heat illness prevention.

Rancho Mesa is proud of their employees stepping up to understand the potential risks their clients are facing in the field. Ultimately, this will help our employees better serve the needs of their clients.

The RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program is designed for construction and human services industries. If you, or a member of your team, is interested in becoming a Safety Star, please visit the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program webpage and complete the online application.

Rancho Mesa President Receives ICW Coin Designation

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

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 Rancho Mesa’s President Dave Garcia received an eminent award from ICW Group.

Dave is the first outside of ICW Group to receive ‘The Coin,’ for embracing above and beyond characteristics and visionary business practices.

‘The Coin’ encompasses four main qualities; honor, integrity, passion, and focus. From valuing our commitments, our communities and each other, to focusing on the details and putting our customers first, Rancho Mesa has indeed embodied these attributes.

“I was completely surprised and honored to receive this recognition and be the first outside of their company to receive it – a true OneofOne moment I will always remember,” says Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa.

About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held group of insurance companies domiciled in California. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims, and is committed to meeting the needs of its policyholders and elevating the trusted agents and brokers who advise them. To learn more, visit www.icwgroup.com.

IIAB San Diego Hosts Celebrity Waiters Holiday Party for Charity

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

For 31 years, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego) have hosted its Annual Celebrity Waiters Holiday Party for Charity. 

Industry leaders gathered on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Bahia Resort Hotel on San Diego’s Mission Bay to raise funds for the Burn Institute and Healing Wave Aquatics.  Toys and canned foods were also collected for the El Nido Transitional Housing Program at Interfaith Shelter Network.

Rancho Mesa Vice Presidents Sam Clayton and Sam Brown along with Account Executives Kevin Howard and Amber Webb, Associate Account Executive Jack Marrs, Account Managers Christina Haake, John Parker, and Megan Smidt, with Account Coordinator Rachel Bristol celebrated the holidays and the spirit of giving while supporting the IIAB‘s efforts to raise awareness and much needed funds for local charities.

Sam Clayton, the outgoing IIAB San Diego President, introduced the incoming Board of Directors at the annual event. While his term nears its conclusion, it’s not the end to Rancho Mesa’s support of the philanthropic endeavors of the organization.

Rancho Mesa is proud to be a member of the IIAB San Diego.

Understanding Client Risk: Rancho Mesa Account Executives Become Safety Star Certified

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

Pictured: Rancho Mesa’s Assistant Account Executive Jack Marrs and Account Executive Greg Garcia.

Earlier this year, several Account Executives at Rancho Mesa earned their Safety Star certification as part of the RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ Program.

Account Executives Amber Webb and Greg Garcia earned their certification in Construction Safety and Associate Account Executive Jack Marrs earned his Safety Star in Human Services.

“I personally decided to complete the Safety Star Program so that I could have a better understanding of the most frequently exposed risks my clients and prospects are facing,'' Amber Webb, Account Executive in the Construction Group said. 

The Safety Star Program is important for all business owners and their employees as it teaches important topics relating to safety in the workplace in order to mitigate job-related injuries.

“The Safety Star Program is an important tool that our clients can use to bring common safety topics to the forefront of their workforce and ensure they are properly trained on these topics. It also allows me to showcase my client’s dedication to safety to our carrier partners,” Webb said. 

Rancho Mesa takes safety seriously. We aim to be as knowledgeable and prepared as possible in order to meet our clients’ needs and understand their industry.

“It was important for me to complete the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program because I wanted to make sure I understood the courses and training that I was sending out to my clients, and how and why it can benefit them,” Greg Garcia, Account Executive in the Landscape Group, said. “Now that I have my Safety Star certification I can better understand the value and content this training can bring to my customers.”

Employee Spotlight: Sierra Stone Promoted to Account Manager

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to share the official promotion of Sierra Stone to Account Manager.

Sierra started with Rancho Mesa in May 2016 as a receptionist and Certician®. She has since worked her way up to an Account Coordinator, and then to an Assistant Account Manager position where she diligently showed the grit necessary to take on her new role and responsibilities as Account Manager.

“Her attention to detail, desire to learn and willingness to accept new challenges will make her an exceptional Account Manager within our construction unit,” says Kim Vasquez, Vice President of Account Services with Rancho Mesa.

Please help us congratulate Sierra on her promotion!

Listen to Ep. 120 Getting to Know Your Rancho Mesa Family with Sierra Stone to learn more about Sierra!

Garcia Brothers Attend LANDSCAPES 2021

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

Pictured left to right: Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Cheif Marketing Officer, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies; and Greg Garcia, Account Executive of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa.

Rancho Mesa’s Landscape Group headed back to Louisville, Kentucky for LANDSCAPES 2021, the largest annual conference for the landscape and lawn care industry. Hosted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP),  the event took place on October 19-22nd, during which landscape professionals were able to learn from industry leaders and connect with peers.

Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia, Account Executive Greg Garcia, and President Dave Garcia walked away with gained knowledge of industry techniques, challenges, new technologies, and best practices through peer-to-peer discussions and insightful seminars.

“This event is a great opportunity for Rancho Mesa to network with other landscape industry professionals, from software providers, manufacturers, contractors and other industry leaders,” says Drew. “It’s important for our team to remain in the loop on things impacting the industry so we can remain proactive for our customers and anticipate change before it becomes an issue. The education sessions offered by NALP are incredible, it’s a great chance to learn and prepare for the future.”

Also in attendance, were Rancho Mesa partners Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer and Steve Hamilton, Loss Control Manager with Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

Pictured left to right: Greg Garcia, Account Executive of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa; Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, BHHC; Steve Hamilton, Loss Control Manager, BHHC; and Drew Garcia, Landscape Group Leader, Rancho Mesa.

LANDSCAPES is held every October in Louisville, KY. We hope you mark your calendar to join us, next year, for another incredible event!

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Daniel Bondesson to the Team

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is excited to announce the newest addition to our ever growing team, Surety Account Coordinator, Daniel Bondesson.

Daniel grew up in San Diego. After graduating from UC Davis with his bachelor’s degree in international relations, Daniel worked in the hospitality industry. He then decided to switch paths to pursue a career in surety.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys outdoor activities such as surfing, rock climbing, and camping, as well as playing music.  

Daniel is excited to be joining the Rancho Mesa team and we are proud to have his intelligence and perspective in the surety department.