New Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Sean Iverson as Client Coordinator

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

As our team continues to grow, Rancho Mesa would like to welcome its newest addition, Sean Iverson, as Client Coordinator.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, Sean completed four internships at an insurance company, gaining hands-on experience in the industry. This combination of business and insurance knowledge makes him a valuable asset in his role as a Client Coordinator.

Born and raised in San Diego, Sean enjoys watching sports and playing on his slow-pitch softball league. He also spends his free time watching movies, going to the beach, and being with friends and family.

Rancho Mesa is excited to continue expanding its team with valuable members like Sean, and we look forward to his future at the company.

Getting to Know Your Rancho Mesa Family with Daniel Frazee

President of Rancho Mesa Insurance, David Garcia, sat down with Vice President Daniel Frazee for an interview on on Frazee’s upbringing, personal life, and professional career.  

David Garcia: Welcome back to StudioOne™. I’m Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa. I'm really pleased that I'm joined today by Daniel Frazee, one of my best friends, also our Executive Vice President, and one of the partners in the agency. And today we're going to be finding out a little bit more about Daniel, and I know quite a bit, so we don't know which direction exactly this show will go, but Dan welcome to the show.

Daniel Frazee: Thanks, Dave. Happy to be here and excited to spend some time with you.

DG: Okay. How hot is your seat right now?

DF: It's hot. So go easy.

DG: All right. Well, here's the layup tell the audience Dan, where did you grow up?

DF: I grew up here in San Diego actually in Point Loma. I was born and raised at Mercy Hospital and had the pleasure of growing up in Point Loma and spent all 18 years of my life there before I headed off to college.

DG: Oh that's great and you know Dan your family if you're willing to speak about it a little bit your family is very well known here in San Diego; made a big mark on the San Diego community in many different ways. Can you share a little bit about your family?

DF: Sure, there's more to it, but my dad and my uncle operated for Frazee Paint and Wall Covering for many years. Before that, my grandfather was involved in the business and even before that, my great-grandfather started the business in 1896. And it was really just a distributor of paint to Sherwin Williams, using Sherwin Williams paint. And fast forward to the early 1960s, my dad and my uncle convinced him to start manufacturing their own paint and that was at the facility on Miramar Road and the company kind of changed its course from that point on and they ended up selling the company in the late 80s, early 90s and it's now shifted hands ironically to Sherwin Williams, but that was a big part of me growing up. I spent a lot of time going with my dad to the office out on Miramar Road. And there are some great memories and have only good things to say about that experience.

DG: Yeah, you know, I grew up in San Diego as well. And Frazee Paint was just synonymous with paint. You know, really actually, it's like Kleenex is tissue paper. You know, that's how it seemed at the time. And so I was able to get to know your dad and your family pretty well over the years, and they just made such an impact, not just in the painting community, but honestly just in the San Diego community at large.

And I know, I don't want to put you on the spot here, but your family's done a lot, different charitable endeavors here in San Diego, different interests, you know, like your dad was, I think he was the Commodore, the Yacht Club at one time, and excellent racer, and rescued somebody at sea. I mean, this is just like a storybook here.

DF: Yeah, there's some crazy stories about my dad's sailing days and he was a very prominent, really long-distance sailing racer. I think maybe what I'm most proud of is my great-grandfather and grandfather from the Midwest. There are a lot of Midwest values that they brought to San Diego and just work ethic in general and that I think has kind of flowed through our family and something that I like to think that I've taken from that and even though we grew up in this beautiful town in San Diego, as you did, I feel very fortunate to have that connection to the history of the family.

DG:  Yeah, it really shines through Dan. I know you've probably have carried on a lot of those family values and commitments and things like that. So that's something, you know, I vicariously got to know your mom and dad. They had an imprint on me as well. So, just really cool when you have a San Diego family of that prominence who are really honestly Midwest people, just honest, good, hardworking, treat everybody fairly, things like that.

But let's put you back on the hot seat here, Dan. So growing up, you said you grew up in the Point Loma area. What high school did you attend?

DF: I went to Francis Parker; really didn't think I was going to end up there. All of my friends ended up at Point Loma High School and my parents convinced me to try Francis Parker in seventh and eighth grade before they had a middle school. So I went there for two years and we had a little bit of an agreement that I could always go back to Point Loma after eighth grade. But that changed. I really grew to develop some strong friendships there and ended up staying through high school and had a phenomenal experience. I felt very fortunate to have attended that school and it was just a great experience for me.

DG: So since I know you well, I know you're a really good athlete. Were there things in high school that you participated in while you were there?

DF: I played baseball and I played basketball and had just a super fun experience with the coaching staff on both sides and developed some really strong friendships, and then really kind of zeroed in on basketball. That is really something that I enjoyed and I loved and I put a lot of time and effort into that. And just again, had a great experience and very positive memories. And some of my closest friends to this day are from Parker.

DG: Oh, that's outstanding. So it's always nice when your high school experience is that way and you build these lifelong relationships like that.

So Dan, outside of work, what are some of the things you enjoy doing?

DF: You know, I read that question beforehand and I think the honest truth is I spent a lot of time with my family. I've been married for 28 years to my wife Susan and really blessed for that relationship and I feel really fortunate that we have four children. Our life to this point truthfully has been watching them in their activities and being the best parents that we can be. So we spend a lot of time with family and that can be just interacting with one another, watching them in events. They're all largely growing up and moving on in their lives, but that's been a big part of my life to this point.

DG: Well, I've been blessed that you've given me the opportunity to get to know your children and they're cut from the same cloth, all well-meaning, very big hearts, very looking to how can they make the world better type of people so you and Susan should be really proud of that.

Do you have any hobbies Dan?

DF: You know I think my one hobby right now more than anything is I've started to--it's not really a hobby but it's more health-conscious-- I've started to plunge. And that's not, it's kind of an odd thing but that is I jump in an ice bath every morning and just do what I can to do something uncomfortable, but it actually kind of flips my mindset and it's really helped my overall mental health and it's really kind of motivated me and given me an opportunity to reset some things. So as odd as that sounds, that's something that is the closest thing to a hobby.

Truthfully, I'm trying to find other hobbies right now. We've been so immersed with our kids and raising them that that's now my mind has opened up a little bit to start focusing on, “What would I enjoy?”

DG: Well, plunging sounds like something I'll happily pass on for now, but I'm pleased to hear that you're doing that each day. Do you want to talk about some of your hidden talents like singing and dancing?

DF: Farthest thing, farthest thing; I have zero musical talent and my kids and my wife will attest to that. So, you know, I don't know that it's necessarily hidden but I like to think that I can connect with a lot of different types of people. And I don't know if that that's necessarily a talent but maybe something that was given to me and I've tried to utilize in a way that create contacts with people and maybe deeper relationship. And so I feel like I can walk into a room and I don't know anybody and I can walk out with maybe a couple loose friendships and I think that to me that that's something that I really feel fortunate that I have that mindset and I'm kind of blessed that way.

DG: Yeah, that really is a talent. I don't think everybody possesses that same openness to, you know, it’s like plunging, right? You're putting yourself in an uncomfortable position. You don't know anyone in the room, but by the time you leave that evening or day, you've met two or three, four people. So that's great.

Dan, I know you're very family oriented. So I'm going to guess that you have one or several favorite vacation spots that you and Susan and the family like to go to. Want to share something about that?

DF: Sure. You know, the easy answer there is a place in Maui called Hana, which you're familiar with, that's on the eastern shore of Maui. My grandfather and my grandmother went on their honeymoon there and introduced my parents to it. And then my parents went on their honeymoon there and Susan and I did as well. And it was a vacation spot for my three older sisters and me for many years, and it has kind of trickled down to our family as well. We haven't been able to get back there as often as we would like as our kids get older, but it's a really special place. It's a very small town. We've over the years developed some really strong friendships with some of the locals in Hana, and it's just a very, very special place for us. The beach, Hamoa Beach, has a phenomenal body surf which I love to do and obviously the water is warm and it's just very quiet and calm. It's kind of the opposite of what you think of like Honolulu and Waikiki and we love that and thankfully our kids have grown to love it as well. So we've been over there and been very fortunate to spend several vacations there and that easily is, it's a quick answer.

DG: Yeah, that's great. You know, and it sounds like I'm sure your children are going to perpetuate this further so that they'll be the fourth generation of Frazee’s invading Hana. So it'll be fun to see who the fifth is. Maybe you'll have another wedding there, who knows?

Dan, I'm going to jump into kind of your role here and your time at Rancho Mesa. So how long have you been with Rancho Mesa?

DF: 25 years. So, you know, 2000, you and I met again in 1999, as I think we both know, and I will share that when we met for a second time because you knew me growing up and came to some of my sporting events at Parker in that window. We met and I told people that there was kind of instant synergy and I didn't really know why, but I kind of knew that there was something that I wanted to learn more about. So, as you know, I joined the company in early 2000. And at that time, it was really just the two of us, and then also Kim Vasquez.

DG: Yeah, it's fun to think of those times. Dan, we started, I would think you would agree, very humbly, we're still very humble. And we were in that little office in downtown La Mesa thinking we were all that, you know, like, “Hey, we got an office. This is pretty cool.”

You know, you're like a brother to me and I appreciate that you shared with the audience that I must be old enough that I actually was able to go to your games when you were in high school. Thanks for sharing that little nugget. But let's talk a little bit about La Mesa. Are there one or two of your fondest memories from back in those early days of Rancho Mesa?

DF: Absolutely. Absolutely. I think one of those memories is in October of 2000, we were having the opportunity to compete on some and earn the business for some new clients. I remember specifically, and I won't name the client just so we can keep it between us, but you remember that there was a situation where I was doing everything I could to try and earn the business. And the client was not responding. In this case, it was a prospective client. And you encouraged me to just call and basically ask for the business and then just be quiet. And I didn't really understand that concept at that time. But basically, we had delivered a really competitive proposal. And we felt like we could do a better job than their current broker. And I did that, I took your advice and I called, and sure enough, and I just paused. It was very awkward, but that prospective client ultimately said, "Okay, Dan, we'd like to do business with you."

And that was 25 years ago, and they're still a client of ours, and that was a great memory, and the other memory I have is our fax machine.

DG: You may have to explain to some of our audience what a fax machine is.

DF: Yeah, I think a lot of our existing brokers maybe don't even know or have had to deal with the fax machine, but that's where we used to get all of our quotes. And so there was a period of time where we would know that the quote was coming, we would hear from the underwriter, and then literally I would stand by the fax machine and just kind of twiddle my thumbs with excitement thinking, "Okay, this quote is coming through."

And the most hilarious piece is when the fax machine would jam, and I was so excited. And then I'd have to figure out how to put more paper in. Oftentimes it was Kim who would have to fix it. And it didn't happen often, but that was funny.

But there are many, many more memories that I could refer to that I'm sure you have and we shared, but those were, on one hand, they were really challenging times. We didn't, there was a lot of unknown. On the other hand, there was a lot of excitement, and there was a lot of focus on, "Okay, how can we get to the next level?" For us, it was just trying to find other businesses that wanted to grow with us, and that was really exciting time.

DG: We could probably do a whole episode on the life and times of Palm Avenue, La Mesa Boulevard. And maybe we should do that one time. But let's switch now to more present day, Dan.

So as an executive vice president here, so what are some of your responsibilities?

DF: Well, I think first and foremost is to manage my existing book of clients, which I think we take a lot of pride in. Even though we are in kind of management roles, our clients come first and they're the ones who really feed everything we do within the agency. So that's probably first and foremost.

I think the other is to a large degree be a resource and a voice for our brokers with the insurance companies that we work with. And I think making sure that we're aligned right, that we have carrier partners that can really help us inside the construction group and help us grow. And then I think involving myself with other brokers when it makes sense to partner and kind of offer my expertise and in some cases be a part of the proposal process. That's kind of how I view my role.

DG: Yeah and I would attest that you've excelled in both of those areas and one I think you really have done an outstanding job with as well is as we grow, we have a tendency to hire young producers without really any insurance experience. And you've been a terrific mentor, big brother, father figure to a lot of those young people, kind of getting them off to the right foot.

So is that--I was going to ask you, is there a couple of areas of your role that you really enjoy? I would, I know you like to coach. So that's kind of the coaching piece. I guess that's where I'm heading. Is that one of those areas you really enjoy?

DF: Yeah, and I think that's a good definition of it to some degree –coaching--but also, you know, part of being a coach also is collaborating and knowing that whoever you're working with has strengths and trying to make sure that they are able to utilize those strengths. And then you, kind of, fill in the gaps. And then I think you've talked about before, just kind of the longevity. You know, when I think that I've seen a lot, I know you've seen a lot more than me, but when you experience a lot of scenarios, if you're competing for somebody's business, things can go sideways, and they can be a challenge. And I think trying to stay calm and offer the right advice and then being a support, that is something that I really enjoy. And then obviously, at the very end, if we have an opportunity to work with that client, that's still really rewarding. More than anything, when someone says, "Hey, we'd like to do business with you," aside from everything else, what we do, that is absolutely the most rewarding piece of what we do.

And then backing that up. It's one thing to say, "Okay, we want to do business with you," but from our standpoint, I think you would agree, we have to continually earn the business every single year. And that is something that I think we really take pride in.

DG: Yeah, I would wholeheartedly agree with that. And you've been a big advocate of perpetuating that culture within all of our Rancho Mesa employees. How would you describe Rancho Mesa to a stranger, Dan?

DF: You know, I've had that opportunity to talk to people like just strangers and situations that I've been in. You talk about the fact that, “Hey, it's a second family,” and you hear people allude to that in their work environment, but I think it is 100% my second family. And I say that because we've had a lot of employees come and go--not a lot, a handful--but as we've added the right people and we've found the people that are the right fit, I like everybody that works here. And they're hard working, they're motivated, they're fun to be around, I can have conversation with really anybody, and it's fun, we do what we can.

I mean, everybody works hard, and I think you would agree our support staff is they are some of the strongest people that I know of in the industry, and we are so fortunate to have them on our teams. We're really just working as a team as much as possible. And I think they're just they're easy people to be around. And they make me laugh. Hopefully I do the same when it's appropriate. But it's just it's a very unique culture. And you know, as I describe it to other people, and the fact that we're largely, you know, we're in the office together, I just feel really blessed to be a part of that type of organization.

DG: Yeah, I appreciate that. And you know, I was working on some numbers over the weekend just as we continue to grow. And I don't know if you know this number yet because I just did it over the weekend, but actually 85% of our employees have been with us longer than five years. And I think that kind of emphasizes what you're speaking to as this culture that we're trying to create of a, “Hey, we're going to work hard. We're part of a team, but we're a part of a family looking out for one another.” And, you know, as you said, we work hard every day, but we want to provide, you know, a workplace that you look forward to coming to. You're not on Monday saying, “Oh, when's Friday?” And I think it's up to you and I, as two of the leaders of this company, to make sure that that culture is, as your family did it for you, we need to do it for our family here. Make sure that the new people come on board, feel that exact same way, like, we have to keep it that way and you've just been a huge part of that for what now is 25 years. It's hard to believe.

DF: Well, and look you just you just said it you know, I can rattle off: Sam Clayton, Jeremy Hoolihan, Kevin Howard. I can keep going down that list of people that are 20 plus years. That just-- it's uncommon. The more I connect with people and talk with them about their businesses I think they oftentimes will double-take when I talk about that longevity. It’s very rare and I think making our culture continually making our culture better is maybe one of the most important challenges and I look forward to that.

DG: Yeah, I think that's a well said, and it's one of those two-edged swords. We're very proud of what we've done, but it's seemingly like we always think there's more that we can do. So to us, that's awesome. It's a great challenge. We love thinking, you know, “How can we make this even better?”

You know, as you well know, Dan, we're building out another 5500 square feet. That's exciting. It's on their same floor so we're able to walk in there and take a look at it. What do you feel about the future? Do you see bright sunshine ahead for us in the industry in San Diego or what are you seeing going forward?

DF: I'm, obviously, I'm very excited about it. I think more than anything we enjoy interacting with people and that can be our own company but that can also be perspective businesses out there that I think COVID changed a lot of mindsets. And I think it moved a lot of people away from those connections. And I think we have kind of the opposite mentality of we need those connections.

You know, I know for me, I enjoy interacting with people face to face. And so I'm very bullish on how we operate and how I think most people in business and or any type of industry, they need that connection. And so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to show people that we love that connection. And if we can maintain that, that's probably the biggest challenge is I think we'll grow and maintain what we already have.

DG: Yeah, I agree. Dan, before we wrap up, is there anything I've not asked you about that you'd like to share or?

DF: There's plenty we could keep talking about, but I think more than anything, you had an opportunity for a path after your career in baseball. You went down a path and you chose insurance. I had paths as well and ultimately I chose insurance in part and in large part because of you. Yes, I was in the business for a short time before we kind of reconnected but I feel very thankful and grateful that I've had 25 years with Rancho Mesa and you know I look forward to more and I just feel very blessed and I've used that word before. But I truly do that I've had an opportunity to make an impact on the company, and the company has made such an impact on me and my family.

DG: Thanks, Dan. I feel the exact same way. I know me personally, as a human being wouldn't be the same person without having you as a friend for the last 25, 26 years. Certainly Rancho Mesa would not be anything like it is without you. I'm excited about the future. I don't plan on going anywhere. This is my second family as well. So I'm really excited to see kind of if we do this again next year where we're at. But I just want to thank you for all that you do for me as an individual and for Rancho Mesa and also for joining me today in StudioOne™.

 So thanks everybody for tuning in to our latest episode produced by our great team at StudioOne™. If you enjoyed what you heard, please share this episode and think about subscribing to our podcast channel. Look forward to talking to you down the road. Goodbye.

Employees Overwhelmingly Vote Rancho Mesa Best Workplace

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The insurance industry is a people business and Rancho Mesa is proud of the work we do in our community and the people on our team. The dedicated individuals who protect our clients are truly what sets us apart.

We value employee satisfaction across all areas of life. So much so, we decided to ask employees about their job satisfaction and we found that 93.5% of our employees said they have a high level of overall job satisfaction. And, while many companies have purchased “best place to work” awards through various publications, Rancho Mesa wanted real data from our real employees. Last year, Rancho Mesa used MarshBerry’s reputable Employee Engagement Survey which allowed employees to voice their opinions honestly and confidentially. MarshBerry then evaluated the feedback and provided a summary of the results. These results offered insight into areas such as career advancement, management, and work/life balance. Here’s what they discovered.

94.3% of employees say their work schedule allows them to have a work/life balance.
Rancho Mesa prioritizes work/life balance by ensuring manageable workloads, encouraging employees to take regular breaks, and time off. The agency offers a strong PTO policy, wellness programs via its health benefit plans, all in order to support employees' well-being. Rancho Mesa leadership promotes deep respect for personal time, with no expectations for after-hours work. The agency believes in recognizing the team’s efforts, ensuring that everyone can maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.

97.4% of employees say their careers are being advanced by working at Rancho Mesa.
The agency supports employees' career growth through continuing education courses, professional development workshops, and internal promotions. Rancho Mesa funds insurance licensing and certifications for team members, encouraging designations such as AIS, AINS, CRIS, and CISR. Furthermore, in 2024 Rancho Mesa promoted 16% of its entire workforce to more advanced positions. The agency is passionate about supporting its employees' professional goals, setting them up for a fulfilling and successful careers.

97.5% of employees say their immediate supervisor cares about their well-being.
Rancho Mesa upholds a leadership style that is committed to maintaining open lines of communication, regular check-ins and guidance when needed. Leadership also recognizes and celebrates achievements with initiatives like the OneofOne® Recognition Program, encouraging both leadership and employees to submit praise for when their team members go above and beyond. Based on the numbers, 67% of Rancho Mesa employees were publically recognized for their OneofOne work in 2024. The agency is proud to have cultivated a work environment where employees feel supported and truly cared for by their team.  

97.4% of employees say their job fully utilizes their knowledge, skills and experience.
The agency is committed to offer challenging and meaningful work that aligns with the team’s individual expertise. Rancho Mesa also utilizes employees' skills by creating opportunities for them to train and mentor others, encouraging continuous learning, and ensuring every team member can grow and contribute in their own distinct way.

92.1% of employees say they plan to keep working at Rancho Mesa for at least the next three years.
Rancho Mesa is proud to maintain a low employee turnover rate, which reflects the strong loyalty and satisfaction felt among the team members. Many employees choose to build long-term careers with Rancho Mesa, some even retire after 20+ years. Rancho Mesa believes this is the biggest indicator of its commitment to employees.

We’re honored to have the real voices of our team vote Rancho Mesa a best place to work, and we’re proud of the company culture that led to these results. If you are seeking a lasting career that values personal growth, professional development, and a positive work environment, you are invited to explore Rancho Mesa’s employment opportunities. 

Rancho Mesa Hosts PWI San Diego’s Membership Kick-Off Social & Game Night

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Thursday, January 23, 2025 over 50 insurance professionals and members of PWI San Diego gathered at Rancho Mesa’s Mission Valley office for the PWI 2025 Membership Kick-Off Social & Game Night.

Attendees were invited to enjoy food, drinks, and games, along with a chance to grow and strengthen relationships with other specialists in the insurance industry. The event featured speeches from Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton, former PWI San Diego President Cheena Malicki and Business Office Technology Coordinator Sosha Thomas from Grossmont College’s OPT Program.

Through all the fun and excitement, Rancho Mesa and PWI San Diego still kept their focus on helping the community by hosting a charity drive to collect over a dozen rolling backpacks for OPT students.

“It was a great start to the new year for PWI,” said this year’s PWI President and Rancho Mesa Senior Client Manager Christina Haake. “I loved seeing everyone gathered together and having a great time.”

If you missed out on this event, there are still plenty more exciting networking opportunities coming up in the rest of the year.

“2025 is going to be a really fun year for PWI,” Haake said. “We have some really exciting events coming including Paint Night in March and our first Pickleball Tournament in June. I'd like to encourage people to come to an event and see what we are all about if they have not done so before. It's always a good time”

To become a PWI member, or for details on upcoming events, visit the PWI San Diego website.

About PWI San Diego
PWI provides people in the insurance industry (and those who support the insurance industry) opportunities for networking, business development, idea exchange, career enhancement, education and giving back to our community. They do so through general membership meetings and through special events like golfing, shopping events, happy hours, and more.

Rancho Mesa’s 2024: Our Year in Review

With 2024 officially behind us, Rancho Mesa is proud of what we have accomplished the past year. 2024 was a year of breaking records, growing our team, and adapting to the changes in the insurance world. We’ve continued to strengthen our commitment to providing OneofOne® service to our clients, while keeping up-to-date with the tools and resources they need. From refining our policy review process to expanding our SafetyOne™ training library, we’ve focused on staying ahead for clients while enjoying the journey along the way. Here are some highlights from our 2024 year.

IIABA Best Practices Agency Designation for 18th Consecutive Year

In August, Rancho Mesa was recognized Best Practices Agency for the 18th consecutive year by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”). This special award is only given to a select group of agencies that are carefully evaluated based on their practices, methods, and finances to find the top performers in the industry. We were proud to stand out as one of a select few agencies to earn the Best Practices status in California.

Employee success

Our team celebrated many professional achievements in 2024, including impressive career milestones.

• Rory Anderson joined the Ownership Team as a new Partner.

• Yvonne Gallagher was promoted to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead.

• Kelsey McPherson was promoted to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead.

• David McCoy took a new role as Client Coordinator.

• Brenda Khalil took a new role as Client Technology Coordinator.

• Megan Lockhart was promoted to Marketing & Media Communications Specialist.

• Rachel Bristol was promoted to Client Manager.

• Maria Lotta was promoted to Assistant Client Manager.

• Ashley Hunter was promoted to Client Manager.

Brittney Thompson

Eileen Rojas

Manuel Ovalle

Penelope Marquez

Jadyn Brandt

Alex Torres

Georgina Diaz

Joyce Flores

Olivia Velasco

Natalie Aguayo

Along with our team’s internal achievements, we also welcomed 10 new employees across a diverse range of roles, to our RMI family last year.

Jeremy Hoolihan at his IIAB Board Member Installation dinner with his wife, Cheri.

Rancho Mesa employees dove into the industry’s community last year, taking on impressive leadership roles.

• Surety Account Executive Andy Roberts was appointed President of the Surety Association of San Diego (SASD).

• Partner Alyssa Burley was appointed Parliamentarian for NAWIC San Diego Board.

• Partner Jeremy Hoolihan served as an IIAB San Diego Board Member for the 2024 year.

• Senior Client Manager Christina Haake served as Secretary for PWI San Diego.

client & industry Involvement

Rancho Mesa stayed active and engaged in both our clients’ industries and the insurance community last year. Our Account Executives attended numerous conferences and industry events in order stay updated on the trends that affect our clients. Here are the highlights.

President Dave Garcia, Landscape Group VP Drew Garcia, and Account Executive Greg Garcia attended NALP’s Leaders Forum Litibu, Mexico.

The team attended I-Day this year, connecting with insurance professionals at our booth.

Construction Group Vice President Sam Clayton attended Artisans Insurance Ltd. Board of Directors Meeting in Nassau, Bahamas.

Partner Jeremy Hoolihan attended BHHC’s Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE.

Partner Rory Anderson attended Grow Summit 2024 hosted by Stay Green, Inc.

Drew Garcia and Greg Garcia attended NALP’s 2024 ELEVATE Conference in Charlotte, NC.

Client Services

Rancho Mesa is proud of the services and added resources we offered clients last year. We hosted 10 live workshops and streamed 53 virtual webinars for our clients to attend.

Additionally, our Safety and Risk Management Network, StudioOne™, published 99 podcast episodes in the 2024 year, and brought in 14 outside professionals as guests.

Our Employment Law Update workshop, hosted in November 2024 and presented by attorney Thomas E. Daugherty of Klinedinst San Diego, was highly anticipated and covered employment law changes in the 2025 year.

PWI’s Thanksgiving Food Drive, donating to those in need during the holiday season.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the Alzheimer’s Association

Family Health Centers of San Diego's Spirit of the Barrio, which raise funds for the San Diego community

Annual support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October

2024 MAAC Project Soirée, Rancho Mesa is proud annual sponsor of the organization which makes impactful change in the San Diego community

Community involvement

In addition to our industry involvement, Rancho Mesa remained dedicated to supporting the San Diego community by participating in sponsorships and events that align with the initiatives we proudly advocate.

Team enrichment

Rancho Mesa takes pride in fostering a dynamic work environment and creating camaraderie among our team. In 2024 we enjoyed celebrations and social activities beyond the office, which strengthened our team’s bonds, helping us serve our clients effectively. Here are the highlights.

The team cheered on the Aztecs at many SDSU football games in Rancho Mesa’s suite at Snapdragon Stadium.

We hosted clients and carrier partners on the lawn at our Mission Valley office with Fiesta Friday.

Our annual Summer Party was a blast for the whole family at Stone Brewery in Liberty Station.

We celebrated the season with a casino themed Holiday Party, this year at the Brigantine at Portside Pier in San Diego.

---

What a year! Rancho Mesa takes pride in our achievements of 2024, and we’re grateful for our clients, partners, and fellow team members that have made them possible. As we embark on the new year, we continue our commitment to delivering OneofOne© service and are excited for the 2025 journey ahead!

Rancho Mesa Hosts Preparing for a CalOSHA Visit Workshop

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Friday, January 17, attendees gathered at Rancho Mesa’s Mission Valley office for the Preparing for a Cal/OSHA Visit workshop, presented by Carmen Cisneros of the California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Consultation Services Branch.

Cisneros explained the differences between a Cal/OSHA consultation versus an inspection visit, broke down the basics of enforcement, and gave tips on how to follow proposed regulations.

Attendees were able to ask questions and better familiarize themselves with the Cal/OSHA reporting and inspection process.

For more information on keeping in compliance with OSHA regulations, register for Rancho Mesa’s upcoming OSHA Recordkeeping and Annual Reporting webinar.

Preparing, Posting and Submitting OSHA Log Data

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Beginning February 1, 2025, U.S. employers are required to post last year’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300A Summary at their worksites. This form serves as a record of the company’s annual work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA requires covered companies who have employed more than ten (10) employees during the previous calendar year—in this case 2024—to keep a record of work-related injuries and illnesses, and post the summary for employees to see. The form will need to remain posted through April 30, 2025.

There are some partially exempt industries that may not be required to comply with recordkeeping and posting regulations. A list of those industries can be found on the OSHA website.

Preparing OSHA Logs

OSHA logs encompass three forms most employers are responsible for maintaining throughout the year.

The 300 log lists basic details, including employee’s name, job title, date of injury or illness, location and a brief description for any recorded incident. It also includes severity of the injury or illness; number of days the employee was kept away from work or transferred as a result of the injury or illness.

Form 300A is a summary of the data recorded in the 300 log. It does not include any individual data like the employee’s name, but it does show incident totals including the total number of cases with days away from work. This is the form that must be posted at each worksite in an area where employee notices are usually displayed.

Form 301 is used to collect additional information specific to each individual injury or illness. This includes information about the worker who was injured and details about how the injury or illness occurred, and must be kept confidential.

Employers should be documenting incidents and maintaining OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301 throughout the year.

Rancho Mesa’s SafetyOne™ mobile app and RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal (HR portal) can be used for incident data collection, and the tracking and generating of the forms 300 and 300A, respectively.

Posting OSHA Form 300A Summary

OSHA requires the Form 300A Summary is posted at the worksite in a prominent area and it must not be covered by other material, altered or defaced in any way. Employers must also send a copy of the summary to any remote employees, or those who do not report to the worksite on a regular weekly basis. If a company has no recorded injuries or illnesses in 2024, the OSHA Form 300A Summary reflecting zeros in the data fields must still be completed and posted.

Once all incident information has been recorded for the year in the HR portal, employers can download and print the Form 300A Summary from the portal’s Safety/OSHA Logs screen for each year and worksite. Then, post the summaries at the appropriate worksites.

Submitting Forms 300A, 300 and 301 Data

In addition to posting the Form 300A Summary at the worksite, covered organizations with 20 to 249 employees are also required to submit their 300A data to Federal OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA) by March 2, 2025. The data can be manually entered into the ITA or a .CSV file with this data can be generated through the HR portal, which can then be uploaded into the ITA website.

OSHA also requires, “Establishments with 100 or more employees in designated high-hazard industries [to] electronically submit to OSHA detailed information about each recordable injury and illness entered on their previous calendar year’s OSHA Form 300 Log and Form 301 Incident Report.” This information is manually entered into the ITA.

Individual state OSHA requirements may differ slightly from Federal OSHA requirements. Be sure to check with your state’s OSHA division to ensure compliance.

Rancho Mesa’s OSHA Recordkeeping and Annual Reporting webinar explains how to generate the Form 300A Summary PDF and .CSV file in the HR portal.

Visit the OSHA Injury & Illness Recordkeeping webpage for more information.

Growth for Generations: Rancho Mesa Kicks Off for 2025

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Friday, January 10, 2025, the Rancho Mesa team gathered at ARLO Restaurant at the Town & Country in San Diego for its annual Kick-Off Meeting and lunch to reflect on the past year, acknowledge achievements, and set goals for 2025.

Employees enjoyed a delicious lunch and dessert while Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia presented a summary of the 2024 year. Garcia acknowledged successful employee milestones, sales achievements and offered insight into the 2025 outlook.

Garcia also gave means for celebration as he elaborated on the construction of our Mission Valley office expansion, occupying the entire floor.

We appreciate our clients and partners who have supported Rancho Mesa the past year. We look forward to continuing creating growth for generations in 2025!

View the Rancho Mesa 2025 Video:

Employee Spotlight: Kristi Kamenski Promoted to Assistant Client Manager

Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa congratulates team member Kristi Kamenski on her promotion to Assistant Client Manager.

Kristi joined Rancho Mesa in 2023 as a Client Coordinator and has been a valuable member of the team, taking on additional responsibilities to train newer members of the Client Coordinator team.

Through her hard work, commitment, and willingness to support others, Kristi has proven herself ready for the next step in her career path.

Rancho Mesa applauds Kristi for her accomplishments, and looks forward to her continued growth within the company.

Employee Spotlight: Brenda Khalil Becomes Safety Star Certified in Construction

Author, Megan Lockhart, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Brenda Khalil pictured holding her RM365 Advantage Safety Star certification.

Rancho Mesa congratulates client technology coordinator, Brenda Khalil, for earning her certification in construction safety as a part of our RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ program.

The courses in the Safety Star program teach important topics relating to construction safety in the workplace to help employers mitigate job-related injuries. Fall protection, ladder safety, heat illness prevention, and fleet safety are a few of the courses participants must pass in order to earn their certification in construction safety.

“Participating in the Safety Star program is a key factor in helping our clients mitigate risks. Gaining knowledge from getting certified, plays an essential role in understanding the risks within many industries and better allows me to assist our clients in implementing an effective safety culture throughout their organization,“ Khalil said.

The Safety Star program is just one way Rancho Mesa ensures not only our clients but also our team members understand how to mitigate industry-specific risks