NALP's ELEVATE Conference Brings Landscape Industry Insights

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

From Left: RMI Landscape Group VP Drew Garcia, BHHC Sr. VP Chief Marketing Officer Margaret Hatmann, and Loss Control Supervisor Steve Hamilton

From Left: RMI Account Executive Greg Garcia and RMI Landscape Group VP Drew Garcia, stand at RMI Booth

From Left: RMI Landscape Group VP Drew Garcia, RMI Account Executive Greg Garcia, BHHC Sr. VP Chief Marketing Officer Margaret Hatmann, and BHHC Loss Control Supervisor Steve Hamilton

On November 3-6, our Rancho Mesa team had spent time learning and networking at the National Association of Landscape Professionals 2024 ELEVATE Conference in Charlotte, NC.

RMI President David Garcia, Landscape Group Vice President Drew Garcia, and Account Executive Greg Garcia also enjoyed hosting clients and partners at our OneofOne© Reception prior to the conference.

Following the event, Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley sat down with Greg Garcia to recap NALP’s ELEVATE Conference and share important takeaways for the landscape industry.

Involved in the Community: Rancho Mesa Sponsors Local Little League

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

Rancho Mesa is proud to sponsor the Alpine American Little League season for the 2024 year.

Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group has stepped in as coach for the team this season. Garcia, a former professional baseball player himself, is a proud example of our team using their skills to make a meaningful impact on youth lives.

We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to this valuable community.

Rancho Mesa and BHHC Host OSHA 10 Course for Landscape Professionals

Author, Kathryn Zamora, Client Technology Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies hosted its OSHA 10 Landscape Focused Course in San Jose, California on Wednesday, May 8 – Thursday, May 9.  

During the course, BHHC’s Steve Hamilton taught clients the purpose of OSHA and how to identify safety hazards and prevent OSHA violations. Attendees became certified in OSHA 10 and received a certificate from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).  

“We really appreciate the support from BHHC, Steve Hamilton, Loss Control Supervisor for BHHC, as well NALP, and the landscape professionals who attended the two-day workshop,” said Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa. “Rancho Mesa is proud to work alongside the landscape industry and we will continue to look for ways to help bring safety and risk management content to the industry.”

Supporting Landscape Professionals: Rancho Mesa Sponsors NALP’s Leaders Forum 2024

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

Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia, and Account Executive Greg Garcia attended the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Leaders Forum in Litibu, Nayarit, Mexico last week, January 17 to 20.

Rancho Mesa continued its support of Leaders Forum 2024 as a Gold Sponsor this year. Our executives enjoyed networking with other landscape professionals and gaining more knowledge about their industry.

“Leaders Forum is a great opportunity to connect, build relationships and spend time with some of the industry’s best.  NALP does a great job hosting and cultivating plenty of opportunities for businesses and industry partners to network.” Drew said.

The team cultivated business relationships with the many green industry leaders who attended, as well as built more personal bonds while enjoying the destination’s offerings, such as surfing, cornhole, and live music.

“NALP and those who attend Leaders Forum all understand how to make everyone feel welcome,” Drew said. “We are very intentional at this event to listen, this helps our business better develop current and future needs of the green industry.”

Dave, Drew, and Greg were joined by Rancho Mesa clients, partners, and friends, including President of Stay Green, Chris Angelo, CFO of LandCare, Dan Krems, and Allen Sweeney, CEO of Aphix.

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.

Client Spotlight: LaBahn's Landscaping Holds Annual Training Day

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

Rancho Mesa would like to thank Chris Gillespie, President of LaBahn’s Landscaping, and the entire LaBahn's Landscaping team for allowing Rancho Mesa the opportunity to support their Annual Training Day. 

The company’s annual training day is dedicated to safety, HR, and lawn care operational education to ameliorate their employees and further raise the quality of service provided to their clients.

Training stations included pruning, irrigation, fertilization, heat illness safety, safely backing up trailers, and operating riding lawn mowers.

“The stations were really well thought out. You could tell that everyone was engaged, learning, and having some fun,” says Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa. “Looking forward to next year!”

About LaBahn's Landscaping
Information provided by LaBahns.com. LaBahn's Landscaping is a family-owned and operated design-build-maintenance firm serving San Diego County since 1984. With over 150 employees working throughout Southern California, LaBahn’s provides pro-active, sustainable landscaping solutions to homeowner and condo associations, apartment complexes, hospitals, corporate campuses, industrial facilities, shopping centers, hotels, resorts, and more. Excellent customer care, long-lasting relationships, and daily follow-through are the hallmarks of their commitment to quality and service. To learn more, visit labahns.com.

Coach Steve Fisher and Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Matt Soria – Surprise Guests at the Rancho Mesa Snapdragon Suite

Pictured: Drew Garcia, Matt Soria, Dave Garcia, and Steve Fisher.

Legendary and former San Diego State head basketball coach Steve Fisher along with current San Diego State assistant basketball coach Matt Soria made a surprise visit to the Rancho Mesa Snapdragon Stadium suite to greet Dave Garcia, Drew Garcia, and the rest of the Rancho Mesa leadership team at Saturday’s opening game.

“What an amazing surprise and honor it was to have Coach Fisher and Matt take the time to stop by and say hello,” said Dave Garcia. 

Dave continued on to say that he and his sons Drew and Greg have formed a friendship over the last few years with both Coach Fisher and Matt. 

“Coach Fisher is not only an amazing basketball coach but an even better person. I feel like  Drew, Greg, and I have not only learned how to become better leaders from him but also how to be better men,” said Dave Garcia.

Although the game did not turn out how the Aztec fans had hoped, the team at Rancho Mesa got a memory to share for years to come. Thank you Coach Fisher and Matt Soria – Go Aztecs!

Client Spotlight: Munie Greencare Recognized with NALP’s Safety Award

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

Rancho Mesa would like to congratulate all of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 2022 Safety Award recipients, with a special shoutout to client Munie Greencare Professionals.

“It’s no surprise that Munie achieved this type of safety recognition. President Joe Munie and his team are consistent in everything they do.” said Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa.

Munie Greencare received the Gold Overall Safety Achievement for having no injuries and illnesses, and zero days away from work.

“Munie Greencare Professionals has consistently demonstrated their attention to team member safety. They have applied their safe work culture to a large variety of customer offered services in their multi-state operations,” says Keith Smith, Loss Control Supervisor at BHHC. “Their employee commitment to applied operational safety continues to keep injury frequency low compared to similar companies.”

Congratulations to Munie on this well deserved accomplishment!

Bruce Wilson & Company Delivers Dynamic Leaders Event

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

On July 25-27, 2022, Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia attended Bruce Wilson & Company’s Thought Leaders Retreat in San Antonio, Texas at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.

The Thought Leaders Retreat is a conference crafted to bring landscape industry leaders together to enhance attendees’ professional and personal lives. The event was centered on building meaningful connections in a personalized setting and delivering pioneered professional education.

“Bruce [CEO of Bruce Wilson & Company] is a green industry legend, he also founded the first peer group program for the landscape industry back in the early 2000s,” Garcia said. “I really enjoyed learning from Bruce, his team and the professional network of landscape companies in attendance.”

Rancho Mesa is honored to have been selected as a sponsor for this event.

To learn more, visit brucewilsoncompany.com.

Safety Spotlight: LaBahn's Landscaping Training Day

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

Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia, pictured with LaBahn’s President Chris Gillespie at LaBahn’s Training Day.

LaBahn's Landscaping recently hosted their first annual Training Day for their employees. This was a creative and fun event to promote safety and merit amongst their team.

The day consisted of rotating training stations where employees were educated on proper equipment use, landscaping techniques, driver safety, human resources, and general safety.

“Training Day was an opportunity to educate our crew members on how to provide the best quality landscape maintenance care to our clients. While this day-long training covered the important topics, it’s just one of many training opportunities available to our team throughout the year.” said LaBahn’s Landscaping.

There was also plenty of fun and socializing to be had at this full day of learning, with team building soccer games and a delicious taco bar.

“We were so thrilled to support Chris and his team for this training day event,” says Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa. “The event was engaging; everything had a purpose and I think the residual impact will be long lasting. I think this will inspire other companies to try something similar. Great job LaBahn’s, this was OneofOne!”

Watch a short video highlighting the event, below.

About LaBahn's Landscaping
Information provided by LaBahns.com. LaBahn's Landscaping is a family-owned and operated design-build-maintenance firm serving San Diego County since 1984. With over 150 employees working throughout Southern California, LaBahn’s provides pro-active, sustainable landscaping solutions to homeowner and condo associations, apartment complexes, hospitals, corporate campuses, industrial facilities, shopping centers, hotels, resorts, and more. Excellent customer care, long-lasting relationships, and daily follow-through are the hallmarks of their commitment to quality and service. To learn more, visit labahns.com.

Garcia's Share Expert Opinions on Rising Workers' Comp Costs

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

Rancho Mesa's President Dave Garcia and Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia discuss preparing for rising workers’ compensation costs, in a recent article published by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) The Edge.

The Garcia’s shared their professional opinions and forecasting for where the workers’ compensation marketplace is headed and what is causing this shift.

Drew includes beneficial recommendations business owners can take to offset rising costs.

“Some landscapers may say, ‘Oh, I haven’t had a claim in five years. So it doesn’t affect me,’” says Dave Garcia. “But that won’t be the case as all companies will experience a hardening marketplace. All companies will be impacted regardless of individual losses since insurance, by definition, is a spread of risk among all businesses.”

To learn how you can be proactive in preparing for rising workers’ compensation costs, please contact Drew Garcia at (619) 937-0200 or drewgarcia@ranchomesa.com.