Rancho Mesa's Daniel Frazee Accepts Award at I-Day

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

On Wednesday, April 25, 2019 Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. attended Greater San Diego Insurance Day (I-Day) at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

The annual San Diego I-Day, organized by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of San Diego Association (IIAB), is the largest one-day trade fair and seminar in the State of California. Numerous insurance agents/companies along with assorted carriers, vendors, sponsors and more gather at I-Day to enjoy the luncheon, exhibit hall, and awards ceremony.

Daniel Frazee, the Executive Vice President at Rancho Mesa, was honored to accept the Broker of the Year award presented by the of IIAB committee chair. Daniel has been with Rancho Mesa since February of 2000 as an Account Executive in the Property & Casualty department. He became a stockholder in the Agency and was named Vice President in 2004. In 2009, he was elected to the Board of Directors. Frazee holds an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and a Construction Risk Insurance Specialists (CRIS) designation. He has served on the IIAB of San Diego board for six years; one of those as President, four as committee chair, and two years as the golf committee chair. Rancho Mesa is proud to have Daniel Frazee apart of our team!

NAWIC Celebrates WIC Week at RDO's Demo Day

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

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter concluded its celebration of Women in the Construction (WIC) Week at RDO Demo Day on March 7, 2019 at RDO Equipment Co. in Lakeside, CA.

RDO Equipment Co.’s staff and WIC Week committee members welcomed attendees with savory tacos, good music, goodie bags that included personal protective equipment like a pink hard hat, safety vest and safety glasses, and a John Deere pink/camouflage cap, sticker and key chain.

The evening’s main event was the mini excavator competition. Using the excavator’s bucket, participants tried to scoop up three basketballs that were balanced on safety cones, then drop the basketballs into a box. Participants were given a quick instructional lesson on safety and how to operate the Deere 35G excavator. Then, they began their timed run. Ashley Landers from Bay City Electric Works won the competition with the most number of balls dropped in the box in the fastest time.

“At first it was very scary,” said Shelby Ballow from Dowling Construction, Inc. when asked about her experience operating the excavator. “But, my adrenaline was pumping the whole time and it was really fun. I got one ball - first try. And then, it went downhill from there. But, it was really cool and every girl should try an excavator.”

The RDO Demo Day event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to support the National Association of Women in Construction San Diego and its mission.

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The NAWIC San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About RDO Equipment Co.
RDO Equipment Co. in Lakeside, California, serves the greater San Diego and surrounding areas. We sell and service John Deere construction equipment, Hitachi equipment, and Vermeer equipment as well as provide construction technology solutions from Topcon and more. Whether your job calls for paving, excavation, utilities, concrete, demolition, or landscaping work, our experienced sales department will help you find the right equipment for your needs. Our large inventory of parts ensures you get the right parts fast to reduce any costly downtime. We also have highly trained and certified technicians to get your equipment back up and running as quickly as possible. Contact us day or night for your service needs. For more information, visit www.rdoequipment.com.

NAWIC's Toast to the Trades Fundraiser Brings Awareness to Future Construction Leaders Foundation

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

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter kicked off the Women in the Construction (WIC) Week with a ‘Toast to the Trades’ fundraiser benefiting the Future Construction Leaders Foundation (FCLF) on March 5, 2019 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on San Diego Bay.

The nearly 200 people in attendance raised $10,000 through ticket sales, silent auction and sponsorships. The funds will be donated to the FCLF, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of programs focused on educating youth about career opportunities in the construction industry and encouraging them to pursue careers in this field.

Kayleen McCabe, the evening’s keynote speaker, is a general contractor, TV host of DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, and trades advocate. She spoke about the rising demand for trade professionals and how it is currently outpacing vocational training.­ McCabe advocates for the restoration of America’s respect for the trades. She also enlightened the audience with anecdotes from her TV show and how the popularity of the DIY movement has gotten some homeowners in over their heads with renovation projects.

Ana Gutierrez, tradeswomen at Clark Construction and former Camp NAWIC participant, spoke about her journey from attending camp as a high school student and learning about the various construction trades to her successful career in the industry.

The ‘Toast to the Trades’ event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Sponsors for the event included:
Project Manager Sponsors - DPR Construction, Tru-Duct Sheet Metal Fabrication, and MC Painting
Superintendent Sponsors - Paradigm Mechanical Corp., SMART, Titan Fire Protection, RDO Equipment Co., and Wateridge Insurance Services
Foreman Sponsors - Herc Rentals, Harper Construction Company, Inc., Ryan Companies, ROE Strategic, Sunrise Bobcat & Hauling Service, Inc., and Women’s Construction Coalition
Journeyman Sponsors - Clairemont Equipment, C-SOS Consulting, Denning Moores, SASC Surety Associates
Apprentice Sponsors - D3 Construction Services, Inc. and Ferguson Commercial

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About Future Construction Leaders Foundation
The Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego is dedicated to providing opportunities for young men and women to investigate the many private and public construction career opportunities available. From kindergarten to college, we have hands-on, free programs that expose students to various trades and the corresponding seasoned professionals who can guide and coach them. For more information, visit www.futureconstructionleaders.org.

Rancho Mesa Promotes Healthy Living with Healthy Snack Tuesday

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

Every Tuesday following the morning 7th Inning Stretch walk, the Rancho Mesa team gathers in the lunch room for a quick health snack.

Fruits, vegetables, granola bars, trail mix, eggs, olives, hummus and other healthy snacks are skillfully displayed for employees and visitors to enjoy as an alternative to the vending machine options. The tradition is known as Healthy Snack Tuesday.

“We all look forward to Health Snack Tuesday,” said Lori Stone, Accounting Manager and Office Administrator for Rancho Mesa Insurance. “It’s a great way to encourage employees to be healthy.”

Healthy Snack Tuesday began in 2014 as an employee suggestion and was implemented in conjunction with the 7th Inning Stretch walking routine.

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Employee Spotlight: Michelle Pandolfi Joins Account Management Team

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to announce the hiring of  Michelle Pandolfi as an Account Coordinator.

Michelle’s experience working as a compliance coordinator and liaison, her great attention to detail, and strong multitasking ability makes her a great asset to the Rancho Mesa team. 

Michelle was born and raised in San Diego. After she graduated from San Diego State University in 2016, she enjoyed backpacking in Europe, during which she visited 6 countries. In her free time she enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, going to the beach, and traveling.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is excited to welcome Michelle Pandolfi to the RMI team!

Rancho Mesa Attends Farmers Insurance Open With Sentry Insurance

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

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Jeremy Hoolihan, Kevin Howard, and Chase Hixson were the guest of Sentry Insurance company at the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament played at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Friday January 25, 2019. 

Pictured from left to right: Sam Clayton; John Fischel, West Coast Regional Executive; Chase Hixson; Jeremy Hoolihan; Kevin Howard; and Nic Hernandez, West Coast Underwriting Manager for Sentry.

The unbelievable field of PGA Tour Professionals included Tiger Woods, Rory McIIroy, Ricky Fowler, Jason Day, and 2018 Fed Ex champion Justin Rose. Rose went on to win shooting -21 for the weekend!

“The golf, weather, fans, and spending time with one of our premier carrier partners was an amazing experience” said Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is proud to partner with Sentry Insurance. They hand-picked Rancho Mesa as a business partner to grow their market share, due to Rancho Mesa’s expertise in the construction area.

About Sentry

Sentry Insurance started in 1904 and has grown to become one of the largest, and financially secure mutual insurance companies in the nation. They have recently opened their West Coast Regional office in Irvine, CA. At Sentry—because they are a mutual insurance company—their business is built on a foundation of service to their policyholders. Although they’ve grown and changed a lot over the past 110 years, one thing hasn’t changed. They still work to serve policyholders, and to help their clients’ businesses thrive. For more information, visit www.sentry.com.

RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ Lights Up the Sky

Author, Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The response to Rancho Mesa’s proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ has been like a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, lighting up the sky. Countless clients from California and as far away as Illinois have already begun the certification process in a race to see who becomes the first Safety Star Team Member.

This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries, while promoting a safety culture. There are many reasons for completing the certification process, including improving the safety culture of the organization which:

•  Reduces the probability of claims.

•  Improves productivity by keeping your employees safely at work.

•  Demonstrates care about the impact a claim has on the employees’ families.

•  Provides a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace.

•  Lowers overall costs of insurance.

Leaders in the insurance marketplace agree, stating:

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

This program is available exclusively to Rancho Mesa clients. If you have not already registered and want to enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

For non Rancho Mesa clients who want to learn more, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619)438-6869 or aburley@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Releases New Fillable Accident and Investigation Forms

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its new fillable accident and investigation forms to clients, in January 2019.

The new forms are distributed as fillable PDFs, making completing the information simple and easy for clients who are at a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The “Supervisor’s Report of Employee Accident or Near Miss” form now includes a body diagram where employees can specify exactly where the injury has occurred on the body. Identifying all injured body parts at the time of the accident is important when documenting a workplace injury. This ensures additional body parts are not added to the claim at a later time.

Each form in the library is offered in both English and Spanish. And, both versions are now combined into one PDF document, making distribution of the forms easier for employers.

Rancho Mesa clients can access the new forms through the online Risk Management Center, Accident and Investigation Center or by contacting the Client Services Department at (619) 438-6869.

Rancho Mesa Launches RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. This program is designed to provide safety education to supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators and upper management in order to lower their company’s probability of work-related injuries while promoting a safety culture. Each module provides the participant with a better understanding of the major hazards that face their industry and drive insurance premiums.

“Policyholders that recognize their employees are their most valuable asset, investing in and promoting a safety culture at their company, are Stars in our books,” said Gene Simpson, Vice President of Underwriting & Marketing at CompWest Insurance. “Businesses that strive to get their employees safely home to their families at the end of the day are valued customers at CompWest Insurance Company, because they care about their employees and understand the importance of avoiding workplace injuries.”

Currently, the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program is offered exclusively for the construction industry; however, plans are underway to offer a program specifically designed for human services organizations, in the future.

The construction program can be completed 100% online or through a combination of online and in-person workshop modules.

All participants take the Accident Investigation and Analysis module while choosing two remaining modules from Mobility & Stretch/ABLE Lift Protocol, Fall Protection, Heat Illness Prevention, and Fleet Safety.

“Rancho Mesa is always thinking outside the box for their clients to help them better manage risk,” said Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. “We value Rancho Mesa’s efforts as they help prepare our policy holders for the future.”

“This compelling and creative service approach is an example of the differentiation that Dave Garcia and his Rancho Mesa team bring to their business partnerships,” according to Bryan Anderson Senior VP/Regional Manager at Zenith Insurance Company.

Sending management through the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program can give the company a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace and lower its overall insurance costs.

“This program, when rolled out and followed in its entirety, should reinforce any companies safety program, safety protocol, and safety practices,” said Stephanie Cassady, Underwriting Branch Manager at ICW Group. “As a carrier, I am excited at the positive momentum that a program like this would have on a insureds’ frequency/severity of losses.”

To enroll in the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program, visit www.ranchomesa.com/rm365-advantage-safety-star-program and fill out the application.

Download the program flyer.

For more information, please contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869.

Happy Holidays from Rancho Mesa

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.

Rancho Mesa hopes you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

“I just want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas,” Dave Garcia, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.