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.

Rancho Mesa Welcomes Baby Girl Camryn!

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Move over Sarah Jessica Parker, Camryn Katherine Parker has made her debut! 

It was a beautiful San Diego day on July 14th, 2020.  Account Manager, John Parker, and wife Kimmie welcomed their sweet baby girl at five in the evening. Camryn is 8lbs 10ounces and 20 inches long. Mom and baby are happy and healthy.

Camryn was greeted at home by her two furry siblings.  The Rancho Mesa family would like to extend a big congratulations to the Parker family and we can’t wait to meet Camryn and snuggle her once it’s safe.

Rancho Mesa’s Party of Five

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Babies, we were all one once; and many of us have had them or are having them. During the Baby Boom, 50 million babies were born between the 1940s and 1950s. We haven’t seen numbers like that since, until this year. Well, we may be exaggerating a little.

Since the start of 2020, Rancho Mesa’s family has continued to grow. In January, we welcomed sweet baby girl Rylee. Rylee is daughter to Sierra Stone, one of our Assistant Account Managers, and granddaughter to Lori Stone, Rancho Mesa’s Accounting Manager. This is Sierra’s first child and Lori’s second grandbaby.

With March bringing more luck than ever, Andy Roberts, Account Executive in the Surety department, and wife Kelsey brought Reagan Lee into the world. Andy says he is looking forward to seeing her reach all the milestones: first steps, first word, first boyfriend – just kidding, Andy!

Springtime came after the winter melted away. We had a wet winter here in San Diego, so the season change was more than welcomed. Another grandbaby was born into the Rancho Mesa family. Kim Vasquez introduced her second grandson from daughter Brittani Davis who also works at Rancho Mesa as an Account Manager in Santee. Both are looking forward to watching new baby boy Desmond and big brother DJ build a relationship and grow together.

We also have some amazing tiny humans to look forward to in the coming months. In August, Account Manager John Parker is expecting his first baby. Their fur children are eagerly awaiting, as well. 

As Summer comes to an end, a new beginning will start at the Thomas household. Account Coordinator Erin and family are waiting for baby boy #2. Big brother Jaxon can’t stop asking when the baby will be here, and Erin just wants to hold him.  Don’t worry, that day will be here sooner than you know.

We want to say congratulations to all our parents and soon to be parents. Bringing a life into the world is one of the most special and amazing things you can experience. It’s also one of the hardest, but so rewarding. The next generation of Rancho Mesa Insurance is coming and we can’t wait to watch them grow and flourish.

A Silver Lining

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Day 92 in quarantine: you’re starting to forget what day of the week it is, wondering if your jeans remember who you are, and thinking about when this pandemic might be behind us for good. It’s hard to think of a silver lining through all of this, but there are glimmers of hope. 

Many are working from home and some are only beginning to return to work. At Rancho Mesa, we are lucky to have continued business as usual - well, as usual as it can be given most of us have not been in the office for months. Christina Haake, Account Manager, says she misses her friends and family in Santa Barbara most, but misses being spontaneous. “Now everything has to be planned and timed: going to the store, video calls, etc.” When asked what she has learned from the stay-at-home order, she said it has made her realize how important it is to show affection as much as possible because you never know the next time you will have the chance. Christina is a Disneyland annual pass holder and is counting down the days until she can sport her favorite pair of ears, once again.

Pictured: Christina Haake.

Pictured: Kimmie Parker and John Parker.

Then, there are the anxious sports fans. Quiet nights on the diamond, the void of fantasy league notifications and reruns on Monday nights take the place of watching the ol’ pigskin fly live on TV. John Parker, Account Manager, from our La Mesa office, is currently sheltered-in-place with his family and has been collecting baseball cards to occupy his free time over that last few months. His wife, on the other hand, has been enjoying virtual baby showers for their first child, who is due this Summer! Their babymoon to Palm Springs may be on hold, but John says it gives them something to look forward to when life gets back to normal. Both of them love music and going to local concerts, so they can’t wait to be outside again enjoying their favorites with friends.

Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, is occupying his time by watching all the Avengers movies with his four children. As much as he loves having them home, Daniel is the office social butterfly and admits he misses the interaction with his co-workers. Through this ordeal, Daniel has continued to work from the La Mesa office, along with Account Executive Jeremy Hoolihan. “I’ve worked with Jeremy for years and this situation has actually brought us much closer.” 

Pictured: Emily Marasso and husband.

Personally, I can’t wait to hear the words, “may I take your plate for you?” Or, “would you like another refill?” But, in all seriousness, almost everyone I have spoken with about the temporary shutdown has said – don’t take the little things for granted like going to Costco without feeling like you’re standing in an amusement park line,  leaving the house without a facial covering, hugging your loved ones, or sitting at a restaurant to eat. Our daily routines are far from normal, but we are getting there as more and more businesses and services begin to open up. The silver lining in all of this is that we’ve learned to appreciate each other and the things around us. I am happy to say I know most of my neighbors now, thanks to this!

In a world where everything is becoming automated, digital and rushed, this pandemic is reminding us of a simpler time. What are you looking forward to when this has passed? "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light," Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Rancho Mesa Bowls for Charity at IICF 11th Annual Tournament

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

Rancho Mesa’s Yvonne Gallagher, John Parker, Jeremy Hoolihan and Sam Brown participated in the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) 11th Annual Bowling for Charity tournament on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Kearny Mesa Bowl.

The annual event raises funds to support grants, volunteer service and leadership to local nonprofit organizations.

About Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) helps communities and enriches lives by uniting the collective strengths of the insurance industry in providing grants, volunteer service and leadership to local nonprofit organizations. for more information, visit www.iicf.org.

Rancho Mesa Celebrates Halloween

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

Happy Halloween! On Tuesday, October 31, 2017, Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley, Jessica Morton, Christina Haake, Lori Stone, John Parker, Brittani Kyriss, Sierra Pedersen and Kevin Howard (not pictured) dressed up to celebrate Halloween.

Left to right: Rosie the Riveter (Alyssa Burley), Hunter (Jessica Morton), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Christina Haake), Cowgirl (Lori Stone), Ace Ventura (John Parker), Wonder Woman (Brittani Kyriss), and Kelly Kapowski (Sierra Pedersen)

Employee Spotlight: John Parker Promoted to Account Manager

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

Rancho Mesa is pleased to announce and congratulate John Parker on his promotion to Account Manager.

"Through his determination to succeed and hard work, he has demonstrated to us the expertise and understanding necessary to take the next step," said Kim Vasquez, Vice President of Account Services.

In college, John worked summers at his mom's insurance agency.  In 2014, he started his official insurance career at Willis in Irvine, CA.  John then moved back home to San Diego and began working at Rancho Mesa in 2015.

John will be supporting Jeremy Hoolihan's book of business.