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.

Employee Spotlight: Casey Craig visits Lambeau Field with Sentry Insurance Company

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

Casey Craig, Rancho Mesa’s PaintOne™ program director, was the guest of Sentry Insurance Company at the Green Bay Packers vs. the Arizona Cardinals game played at historic Lambeau Field on December 2, 2018. Casey is pictured with Dennis Levesque, the Regional Vice President, along with Nic Hernandez, West Coast Underwriting Manager for Sentry.

Casey, as one of only three brokers from California in attendance, was selected for this amazing bucket-list trip based on both his and Rancho Mesa’s relationship with Sentry. It was truly at trip of firsts for Casey as he experienced his first sub 32 degree tailgate as well as behind the scenes tour of the historic venue.

East County Posse Gives Military Families Walmart Gift Cards

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

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the East County Posse, a philanthropic organization comprised of over 80 East County business owners, provided $15,000 to 30 military families in the form of $500 gift cards to Walmart. The 4th Annual Gift Card Giveaway was held at the East County Chamber of Commerce.

“Many of our military families struggle this time of year,” Tim Ney, Executive Director of the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, “We are extremely grateful that the East County Posse has chosen to provide support to our military families during this holiday season.”

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, has been a long-time member of the East County Posse and was privileged to participate in the event.

“We are pleased to honor our military families and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make and the service they provide, so that we can all enjoy the freedoms that we have here in the USA,” Tim McDougal, President of the East County Posse.

About the East County Posse

The East County Posse is a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping their fellow East County residents who are in need of support. Our goal is to help those less fortunate improve their quality of life by way of donation of our time, skill or trade, as well as monetary donations. For more information, visit www.eastcountyposse.com.

About Armed Services YMCA San Diego

Armed Services YMCA (San Diego ASY) is the leading non-profit that makes military life easier for active duty service members and their families. The San Diego ASY gives military personnel and their loved ones the support and resources they need to be resilient, confident, connected, and secure. Founded in 1920 as a national affiliate of the YMCA, its mission is to enhance the lives of service members and their families in mind, body, and spirit. Through programs and services that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life, the ASY strengthens the military community. The San Diego ASY is, and always will be, dedicated to strengthening our military family. For more information, visit www.asysd.org.

Client Spotlight: Pacific Western Painting Requests Nominations for Paint-It-Forward Campaign

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

Pacific Western Painting, an Escondido-based painting contractor, truly appreciates the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to serve as police officers, firefighters, EMTs and retired military personnel throughout the San Diego community.

“As a way to honor these heroes and Pay It Forward in Color, we are now accepting Paint-It-Forward nominations for first-responder heroes whose homes or meeting spaces are in need of a fresh coat of paint,” requests the company.

The local painting contractor invites the public to nominate police officers, firefighters, EMTs and retired military personnel living in San Diego County. The nominations can be submitted on the company’s Paint-It-Forward webpage.

Nomination must be submitted by December 14, 2018. The winner will be announced on December 19, 2018.

About Paint-It-Forward.

Across America, painting contractors are joining together to give back to their local communities. The Paint-it-Forward campaign began 10 years ago after ALLBRiGHT Painting participated in ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover. It was so inspirational that they decided to start Paint-It-Forward. Since that time, Paint-It-Forward and similar paint charity programs have been adopted by other painting contractors across the United States and Canada – it has truly grown into a movement!

Community Spotlight: NAWIC Donates 500 lbs of Food to San Diego Food Bank

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

In November 2018, the NAWIC San Diego Chapter donated at total of 500 pounds of nonperishable food items to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

Members of the local NAWIC chapter collected food and monetary donations from their employers, coworkers and themselves to amass the large donation.

On November 16, 2018, a substantial donation was presented to John and Tammy from KSON’s morning show at their Food Fund event hosted at Perry’s Café in El Cajon.

“It’s really special to see the local construction industry come together to support such a vital nonprofit organization in San Diego,” said Chase Hixson, Account Executive in the Human Services Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services.

Later that day, another 310 pounds of food, along with a monetary donation from Tri State General Contractors, was made at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank facility in San Diego.

About Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 28 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 370,000 people per month in San Diego County. For more information, visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org.

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.

2019 Legal Update Workshop Video Now Available

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

Rancho Mesa has released the video presentation from the 2019 Legal Update Workshop that took place on November 1, 2018 at the San Diego Bar Association. The legal update workshop is designed to inform human resources personal and business owners about the most important changes happening in 2019.

The workshop covers common employer and human resources pitfalls and solutions. Attorney Alexis S. Gutierrez from Higgs, Fletcher and Mack discussed:

• Federal Immigration Law (AB 450)

• Equal Pay Act (AB 2282)

• Classifying Independent Contractors

• Data Protections in California - GDPR by 2020

• Overtime for Non-Exempt Employees

• Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64)

• Minimum Wage Increases

The presentation is now available in the Risk Management Center for clients to review on-demand.

For questions about viewing the 2019 Legal Updated Workshop video on-demand, contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869.

Client Spotlight: Ickler Electric Corporation Honored with ABC Awards

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

At the recent 2018 Associated Builders and Contractors San Diego Chapter (ABC San Diego) Excellence in Construction Awards, Ickler Electric Corporation was honored with the Subcontractor Excellence in Construction (Under $2 million) award for the Illumina Building 6 Fire Turtle Labs project and a Merit award for the Lilly Biotechnology Center.

“Projects were judged by an independent panel of judges based on a set criteria of safety, innovation, quality of construction, and owner satisfaction,” according to ABC San Diego.

A long-term relationship between Ickler Electric and lllumina has developed into “years of continuous on-site work in nine buildings throughout San Diego,” according to Ickler Electric Corporation’s website.

Congratulations, Ickler Electic Corporation for your continued excellence.

About Ickler Electric Corporation

Ickler Electric Corporation is entering our 31st year of service. We are large enough to have financial stability and vast experience, but still small enough to have a very personal interest in every project. For more information, visit www.icklerelectric.com.

NAWIC San Diego Releases Pacific Southwest Fall Conference Video

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

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter released its 2018 Pacific Southwest Fall Conference video on Monday, November 5, 2018. The event took place at The Dana on Mission Bay in San Diego, CA and hosted nearly 100 attendees.

The video includes interviews with the Regional Director, the San Diego Chapter’s immediate Past President and attendees.

Watch the video for an inside look at 2018 NAWIC PSW Fall Conference.

Rancho Mesa is proud to support the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter 21

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 nawicsd.org.

Women In Construction Gather at the 2018 NAWIC PSW Fall Conference

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

Rancho Mesa is proud to support the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

On Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20, 2019, nearly a hundred women from Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas and Utah gathered for the 2018 annual NAWIC Pacific Southwest Fall Conference hosted by the NAWIC San Diego Chapter.

The two day event began with an early morning yoga lesson before the personal development and education began.

Yehudi Gaffen of Gafcon spoke about renovations taking place at San Diego’s famous Seaport Village.

Attendees learned how to develop effective communication and leadership skills through an interactive activity lead by Bob Dietrich and Alma Galvan. They also spoke about making a lasting impression with an effective elevator speech. Alma showed the attendees several brain exercises.

Dr. Tara Zandvliet discussed various health issues and ways to improve one’s body naturally. Attendees came away with tips that can improve their overall health and healthcare guidelines for each stage of life.

NAWIC”s social media guru Carol Hagen provided a lesson on how to effectively use Twitter to market a business or NAWIC chapter by attracting tweets, sharing posting and riding coattails.

Evan Hawthorne and Genevieve Alexander from CNA Insurance provided an informative presentation on Cyber Liability that covered the risks associated with network security, phishing, spear phishing and other types of cyber crime.

Crystal Howard from Project Cornerstone, Inc. spoke about the current shortage of skilled labor experienced by the construction industry and how Project Cornerstone is working with high schools and middle schools to introduce students to the construction industry as a possible future career.

“We just held our 2018 Regional Fall Conference here in San Diego. It turned out wonderful. We had beautiful weather, wonderful speakers, and overall San Diego committee did a great job. It was a lot of fun,“ said Myrna Smith, PSW Regional Director.

Rancho Mesa Educates Contractors at San Diego Airport Authority's 'Meet the Primes' Event

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

On Wednesday, October 17th, 2018, the San Diego Airport Authority hosted a “Meet the Primes” event at The Scottish Rite Center.

The event was designed to help contractors and vendors build their “business by forming relationships between [their] business and the Airport Authority, and obtain valuable resources,” according to the San Diego Airport Authority.

Rancho Mesa’s Andy Roberts did an excellent job educating contractors and subcontractors on what it takes to get a bonding program started. He also explained the steps they can take to increase their bonding capacity with a surety company once the program is put into place.

Rancho Mesa’s Kevin Howard was busy speaking to guests about the 2019 Experience Modification Formula changes which is important for contractors to understand if they plan on bidding work for the Airport Authority.

The San Diego Airport Authority has a very strict policy regarding experience modification acceptance. Contractors or vendors who would like to conduct work for the Airport Authority must have an experience modification of 1.00 or less, to stay eligible.

With the 2019 changes creating an entirely new formula, the questions were flying and Kevin invited guests to Rancho Mesa’s November 8th webinar that will educate viewers on the 2019 changes and how they will affect California employers.

For more information, register online for the November 8th, 2018 webinar.