Rancho Mesa Hosts Second “Lunch and Learn” for Employee Personal Enrichment

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

On Wednesday, October 6, 2022, Rancho Mesa employees gathered in the Santee office conference room to hear about the importance of 401k plans while enjoying a catered lunch for its second “Lunch and Learn” event.

Rancho Mesa’s leadership hosts these events for team members as a part of its continued commitment to employee personal development.

James Pierik of Stratos Wealth Partners, outlined what 401k plans are, how they work, and the value of company matching. He also emphasized the importance of starting this strategic financial planning early in one’s career.

Rancho Mesa is happy to offer events such as these in order to support its team members not only in their career but also outside the office.

“I would like to find ways to help all of us grow outside of just the insurance functions that help us succeed professionally,” Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, said.

Rancho Mesa Named "Best Practices" Agency in National Competition for 16th Consecutive Year

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

Santee, CA, August 19, 2022 – Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., a leading Southern California-based commercial insurance brokerage firm, has been awarded the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's (Big “I”) Best Practices Agency designation for the sixteenth consecutive year.

An elite group of agencies endure a comprehensive analysis of their methods, practices and financials to determine the best agencies in the industry. Of the roughly 36,500 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., only 279 across the nation were chosen this year for this distinction. In California, Rancho Mesa is among about a dozen agencies to earn the Best Practices status.

In order to participate, an agency must first be nominated by the Big “I.” Then, it must submit detailed financial and operational information which is analyzed, scored, and ranked objectively based on operational excellence, including: outstanding customer services, growth, stability, and financial management.

The data collected from these Best Practices independent insurance agencies is studied and used to establish benchmarks in which other agencies can measure their performance and adjust their businesses based on the best practices guidelines established through the study.

“I’m so proud of everyone here at Rancho Mesa for their hard work, commitment to excellence, and client focused efforts that enable us all to be recognized for the 16th consecutive year with this prestigious award,” Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia said. 

Each year, the Big “I” publishes its "Best Practices Study" using financial and operational data collected from agencies throughout the United States. The 2022 Best Practices Study will be available later this year. It will include a list of all the Best Practices Agencies by state and the results of the study.

To learn more about what it takes to be a "Best Practices Agency," visit www.independentagent.com/best-practices.

About Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa was founded in 1998 and is regarded as a leading Southern California insurance agency with recognized expertise in construction, landscape and nonprofit/social services. The company provides its clients with risk management services, comprehensive insurance programs, bonding, employee benefits, and industry specific training.

Rancho Mesa and BHHC Attend SDSU Football Golf Tournament

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Daniel Frazee, Greg Garcia, SDSU Head Coach Brady Hoke, Dave Garcia, and Rob Darby.

On Friday, July 29, 2022, Rancho Mesa’s President Dave Garcia, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee, and Account Executive in the Landscape Group Greg Garcia were joined by President of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies Rob Darby at the SDSU Football Golf Tournament at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. 

“I’m a proud graduate of San Diego State and longtime supporter of their efforts to help shape future generations of young people both on the field and in the classroom,” commented Dave Garcia at the event. 

“Having Rob come down from San Francisco and join us was awesome, it just shows his and BHHC’s commitment to both Rancho Mesa and organizations that we value – can’t thank him enough for making the time and effort,” Dave added.

Rancho Mesa is excited to have a suite at SDSU’s new Snapdragon stadium where the agency plans to entertain clients, carriers, and other partners when the it opens in September 2022.

Dave concluded, “getting to talk with Aztec’s Head Coach Hoke and hearing the excitement in his voice about both the opening of SnapDragon Stadium and the upcoming season, really fired us all up for the September 3rd game vs. Arizona.”

Rancho Mesa Employees Expand Their Estate Planning Knowledge Through Personal Development Initiative

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

A group of eager Rancho Mesa employees gathered in the company’s Santee office on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 as part of the company’s effort to provide not only professional development, but also personal development education to its team members.

Dave Garcia, Rancho Mesa’s President and CEO, had invited attorney Stephanie Downer from Buchalter to educate Rancho Mesa’s team on estate planning.

Pictured Stephanie Downer and Dave Garcia.

“We strongly believe that we should provide a platform for our team members to grow in their personal development outside of their professional development at Rancho Mesa,” said Garcia. “We want them to know we care about them as individuals not just Rancho Mesa employees.”

The presentation focused on the importance of estate planning, who should consider estate planning, and the goals of an estate plan. 

Downer went into detail about revocable trusts, wills, durable power of attorney for financial management, advance health care directives, and HIPAA authorization.

By the end of the presentation, the audience had a better understanding of the purpose of each document and how they work together to create an estate plan.

“I’ve been meaning to learn more about trusts,” said Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager with Rancho Mesa. “So, I’m grateful that Rancho Mesa took the time to offer this class to us. I feel like we are now equipped to make informed financial decisions for our families.”   

“We want these trainings to become a part of our cultural fabric so we plan on holding them on a quarterly basis,” Garcia explained.

Rancho Mesa Throws Summer Luau Party on Mission Bay

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

Rancho Mesa was finally able to bring together the entire family again for their annual summer party on Saturday, July 16, 2022. This year’s luau inspired gathering was bayside in the sand at the Bahia Resort Hotel with great food, lei making, luau dancers, music, and fun games for the youngest members of the Rancho Mesa family.

This is just one of multiple events that Rancho Mesa hosts each year for their employees to enjoy.

A special thanks to Lori Stone for always going above and beyond to make these events for the Rancho Mesa family so special!

Making a Difference: Rancho Mesa’s Amber Webb and Anne Wright Volunteer at Camp NAWIC

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

On Wednesday, June 22, Rancho Mesa team members, Amber Webb and Anne Wright volunteered at Camp NAWIC, at AGC’s Apprenticeship Training Facility in Lakeside, CA. 

Camp NAWIC is a week-long summer camp for girls in grades 9 through 12 that teaches them basic construction skills while promoting an interest in a career path in the construction industry.

Campers learn construction skills through hands-on activities in disciplines such as electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, surveying, and heavy equipment operation. Returners complete a construction project as a team and mentor first year campers.

“This year, I volunteered with NECA for the electrical trade day and we were able to show the girls how to wire up a circuit with a switch and light bulb, bend pipe, install solar panels, learn about careers in the electrical industry and do some ladder safety,” Webb said.

Camp NAWIC is put on by the Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego, an organization set up by NAWIC San Diego to run its outreach programs. NAWIC Chapters all over the country host these camps which facilitate friendship and teamwork while encouraging construction careers for women.

“I have been volunteering for Camp NAWIC since 2015 and it is such an amazing week,” Webb said. “The girls show up for camp on their first day and are scared and timid, but by the last day of camp, they have new friends and the confidence to take on new projects with the trade skills they learned.”

Many Rancho Mesa clients are also involved in this event, namely Melinda Dicharry, the former President of the foundation and the owner of Paradigm Mechanical Corp. Victoria Friar of Chula Vista Electric Co. and Sunrise Bobcat’s Tiffany Carapella and Tosha Carapella were also involved this year.

Rancho Mesa is a proud contributor to the NAWIC mission and its support of women’s careers in the construction industry, and we value our team aiding this cause through their volunteer work.

“Witnessing the exposure that these young ladies had to the creative process that is construction was so enjoyable,” Wright said. “Not many summer camps can actually lead you to a productive career path. NAWIC does an amazing job with this, year after year.”

About Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego
The Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego is 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. We work to influence our educational systems, students, and parents to place more emphasis on, and resources toward, vocational education that connects directly to construction industry jobs.

About NAWIC San Diego
NAWIC has over 115 chapters throughout the United States that provide its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC continues the vision of its founding members by advocating for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry.

Rancho Mesa’s Suite at Aztec Stadium Nears Completion

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

In Ranch Mesa’s recent announcement of the location move to Mission Valley, it was revealed that Rancho Mesa has purchased a suite in the in the new home for Aztec football, the Snapdragon Stadium, steps away from the new office location.

With an expected finish date of September, construction of the Snapdragon Stadium is swiftly progressing. The first game will be September 3, 2022 vs. the University of Arizona, of the Pac-12 Conference.

Rancho Mesa’s President Dave Garcia had the pleasure of getting an inside look of the stadium’s advancements. The box suite will be complete with twelve theater seats, four counter seats, Wi-Fi, a screen with device connection capabilities, and plenty of space making it ideal to hold client meetings and host smaller workshops when events are not taking place.

“As a graduate of San Diego State and longtime supporter of Aztec athletics, I couldn’t be more excited to have the football team not only have their own stadium to call home, but also have the finest, most intimate, and fan friendly college venue on the west coast.” says Garcia. “Go Aztecs!”

Sentry® and Rancho Mesa Build Relationships Through Golf

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Personal relationships often mean the difference between earning the client’s business or losing out on a deal. That’s why many organizations use golf as a backdrop to develop personal relationships with those in which they choose to do business.

“Personal relationships are the cornerstone of success,” according to Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. President Dave Garcia in a recent article distributed within the Sentry® insurance company’s intranet.

Sentry’s article outlines reasons why the company uses golf to connect with their prospects, customers and partners.

“We’ve learned that golf—whether playing a round or attending a top-tier event—provides the perfect backdrop for business conversations and helps us get to know our customers in a way we couldn’t in an office,” the article explains.

Greg and Dave Garcia pictured at 2021 U.S. Open.

Rancho Mesa’s father and son duo Dave Garcia and Account Executive Greg Garcia were invited by Sentry to the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pine in San Diego. They spent the day building upon their relationships with the carrier.

“In my view, Sentry not only understands [relationships], but lives [relationships]. We see that day-to-day with our business interactions. Then, at an event like the U.S. Open we get the opportunity to meet the executive team and see that this is a belief not just talked about but held in esteem from the top down,” Dave said.

Events like these provide “the chance to meet with the decision makers of those we serve,” Scott Miller, President of National Accounts with Sentry was quoted in the article.

Both Rancho Mesa and Sentry understand the importance of building long-lasting partnerships that are based on relationships with people.

Whether you’re playing a round or spectating, golf provides a relaxed venue to get to know people, their personalities and the organization.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Amy Johnston as Senior Client Manager

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is proud to announce the newest addition to its flourishing client management team, Amy Johnston.

Amy is originally from Kansas City, MO. Throughout her career, Amy has maintained a large book of business across industries such as hospitality, real estate and construction.  

With her CISR Designation and over 25 years of experience working in the insurance industry, Rancho Mesa feels honored to welcome her to the team.

“I’m excited to be working at Rancho Mesa,” Amy said. “The environment is so relaxed, [and] everyone is so happy.”

Amy has a love of traveling both within the United States and abroad. Her favorite destination so far has been Iceland. In her free time, she also enjoys baking desserts such as pies and cakes, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Rancho Mesa Move Becomes Official with Signing of Lease

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

Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia pictured signing lease with Joe Virgilio and Liza Strom of Strom Commercial.

The upcoming Rancho Mesa move to Mission Valley has become official with the signing of the office floor lease. On Monday, May 23, 2022 Rancho Mesa President Dave Garcia sat down with real estate brokers Liza Strom and Joe Virgilio of Strom Commercial to sign the lease.

With contracts officially underway, Rancho Mesa is excited to move into the design phase of this project. Given the vast space at the new location, there is freedom to configure an in-house studio where podcasts and video projects will continue to come to life, with improved technology. An overall modern industrial design, and ample room is perfect for allowing company growth in the coming years.

Centrally located in San Diego, the office is steps away from the Rancho Mesa suite at Snapdragon Stadium.

“I want to thank my attorney Li-An Leonard of Buchalter and our real estate brokers for all their expertise, support and guidance – as they say it takes a village,” says Dave Garcia. “I can’t wait to have everyone back in one office and feel that team energy every day.”

Watch a video below, outlining the features of the new office.