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.

Rancho Mesa Sponsors Leaders Forum 2020

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

Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, and Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, attended NALP’s Leaders Forum in Cabo San Lucas on January 21st to 26th. Rancho Mesa was a sponsor along with Caterpillar and John Deere.

“Once you have experienced this event you will become an annual attendee. The content and networking amongst industry greats is incredible,” said Drew Garcia.

On Friday morning of the event, Rancho Mesa unveiled their new video titled "Above and Beyond - Landscape." The video features Drew, explaining Rancho Mesa’s 2020 theme.

“We admire the complexity and professionalism the landscape industry stands for,” expressed Drew Garcia. “It was our hope that the video would demonstrate our appreciation for their work and our ambition to not only understand the risk, but provide tangible solutions to help support the direction the industry is headed. Based on some feedback after the movie played, I think our message was received. We are proud to be so engaged and committed.”

In attendance were Rancho Mesa partners, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Margaret Hartmann from Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) and AXIS Insurance’s Associate Program Manger, Nakia Rawles and Executive Vice President & Head of U.S. Programs, John Tatum.

Mark you calendars for January 21-23, 2021 when Leaders Forum heads to Maui, Hawaii!

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 BHHC
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.

About AXIS
AXIS Insurance Co. is a leading global specialty insurer and reinsurer, providing clients and distribution partners with a broad range of risk transfer products and services, backed by the exceptional financial strength and solid claims-paying ability of the AXIS insurance companies. They provide customized property, casualty, professional lines and other specialty coverage across the globe through wholesale and retail brokers, and managing general underwriters. To learn more, visit www.axiscapital.com.

Photos provided by NALP.

“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.

Drew and Dave Garcia Participate in NALP’s LEADERS FORUM, Punta Cana Dominican Republic

Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

This was our first experience attending the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) LEADERS Forum, and it will now be an annual “can’t miss” event.  The breakout discussions were presented by Sean Martin of Boston College University and Erica Dawson of Cornell University.  The speakers addressed common industry topics such as working with employees from different backgrounds and leadership decision making.

I’m so impressed with the vision and execution of the event, NALP did an incredible job finding a beautiful location and putting together an incredible agenda.  The association creates these focused networking and training events that attracts some of the strongest voices and leaders that the green industry has to offer.

While I work on the risk management side of business, my industry is without a doubt landscaping.  Working with landscape professionals and helping the industry grow is a true passion of mine.  At Rancho Mesa, we look forward to contributing our time, expertise, and overall enthusiasm to help OUR industry, the landscape industry, continue to evolve.

Drew with CEO of NALP, Sabeena Hickman.

Drew with President of NALP, Jon Cundiff, Weed-Man, Kansas City.