Employee Spotlight: Rachel Bristol Joins Rancho Mesa's Certificate Department

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to announce the hiring of Rachel Bristol as a member of the certificate department and receptionist.

Rachel graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology, and went on to receive her M.A. in Biology from Miami University. Prior to Rancho Mesa, she worked at San Diego Safari Park as a private and public tour guide. Her strong customer service skills make her ideal for the certificate department and Rancho Mesa's front desk.

Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Rachel Bristol to the RMI team, as she begins her new career in the insurance business!

Rancho Mesa Recognized as Best Practices Agency for 13 Consecutive Years

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., a leading Southern California commercial insurance brokerage, has been recognized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) as a Best Practices Agency for the thirteenth consecutive year.

The 2019 Best Practices Study conducted by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting subjectively scored and ranked agencies on 33 performance factors. Out of 1,349 nominated agencies, only 267 qualified for the coveted Best Practices designation as industry leaders.

“Since 1993, the Best Practices Study has examined top performing agencies across the country,” according to the study’s website. “The purpose of the research is to compile the operating statistics of the country's leading agents and brokers. This provides the industry benchmarks and operational information on growth, profitability, productivity and financial stability.” A list of the 2018 Best Practices agencies is available here. The 2019 study will be released later this year. Visit the Big “I” website for the 2018 study results.

About Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big "I") is a national alliance of more than a quarter million business owners and their employees who offer all types of insurance and financial services products. For more information, visit www.independentagent.com/best-practices/Pages/Become-BP/become-bp.aspx.

Client Spotlight: Clark Steel Fabricators Participates in Building Lakeside Landmark

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

If you have visited Lakeside, CA in the last month, you have probably driven under the 30-foot high “Lakeside” sign spanning the north end of Maine Avenue.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2019, enthusiastic residents watched as the new steel and aluminum sign was installed to welcome visitors to the historic business corridor of Lakeside.

Rancho Mesa client, Clark Steel Fabricators, Inc. was a part of the team of craftsmen who worked together to create the new sign.

Kim Clark, President/CEO and Kevin Clark, Vice President of Clark Steel Fabricators became involved with this project 8 years ago when Jerry Mosier of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce asked if they wanted to take on the construction of the sign.

Clark Steel Fabricators has called Lakeside home since 1999. They take pride in the construction of a local landmark.

“Clark Steel is extremely proud to have been involved in fabricating and installing the Lakeside sign,” said Kim Clark. “We love our hometown and are thrilled to be a part of making Lakeside history!”  

Among the Lakeside sign, Clark Steel Fabricators has also worked on the San Diego Zoo Treetop Pedestrian Bridge, the Stadium Trolley Station, the College Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, and many other San Diego County structures and facilities.

About Clark Steel Fabricators, Inc.
Clark Steel Fabricators, Inc. was established as a family business in 1977 by Melvin Clark. The company is now run by Mel's children, Kim and Kevin, who have been active in the business since its beginning. Clark Steel Fabricators provides high quality steel construction and installation services to customers primarily in the San Diego County area. To learn more, visit www.ClarkSteelFab.com.

Rancho Mesa Celebrates Launch of New Agency Management System

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

With champagne and cheers, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., a twelve-time Best Practices Agency, celebrates a successful migration from Applied Systems’ TAM agency management system to Applied Systems’ Epic®. To ensure the company continues to stay ahead of the pack with the latest technology, sixteen months ago, the decision was made to upgrade the agency’s internal system.

The migration process was a labor of love for members of the implementation team, Kim Vasquez and Lori Stone. Without them, this process would not have gone so smoothly.

The implementation team worked for over a year and a half to ensure the transition went off without a hitch. Their diligence and attention to detail was not only to ensure staff were well-trained and prepared for the new system, but also to ensure that Rancho Mesa clients saw no disruption in service.

“I’m so proud of everyone’s dedication, hard work and the overall effort it required to insure that this is yet another OneofOne moment for Rancho Mesa – Cheers!,” said Dave Garcia, President and CEO at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

After months of intense preparation and weeks of online and in-person training, Rancho Mesa’s staff is well prepared and eager to dive into using the new agency management system.

Rancho Mesa's Sam Brown Appears in 'My MAAC Story' Video

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, is featured in MAAC’s recently released video “My MAAC Story - Katie.”

Katie talks about her journey with MAAC and how the program taught her valuable life skills like writing a resume, opening a bank account, and enrolling in a technical training course that has helped her put her life back on track. Sam Brown praises MAAC for providing programs that directly help our communities. 

Rancho Mesa is honored to partner with MAAC, as they continue to help individuals, like Katie, transform their lives and communities.

Video Provided by MAAC.
“We thank Rancho Mesa for partnering with us, as together we strive to make San Diego a better place.” - MAAC

About MAAC
In 1965, MAAC was founded upon a vision to provide a place where local families in need could find the means to self-sufficiency. Together, members from the San Diego Chapter of the GI Forum, Hermandad Mexicana, Laborer’s Local #89, Association of Mexican-American Educators, and the Council of Latin American Clubs, along with other leaders of San Diego’s Mexican American community turned their vision into reality and founded the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty.To learn more, visit www.maacproject.org.

There’s Still Time to Register for the 2019 Nalp Field Trip

Want to move your landscaping business forward? Rancho Mesa is thrilled to sponsor the 2019 NALP Field Trip, August 6–7 in San Diego, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of LandCare and learn firsthand how they operate every area of their tremendously successful operation. In this short video, event presenter Marty Grunder, president and CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co. and a leading green-industry coach, shares what he’s looking to learn from the LandCare team to drive improvement at his own company and what you can, too. 

For a complete list of information about this event please visit NALP Field Trip: Frank and Marty’s Excellent Adventure or contact Lisa Wood at NALP for more details. 

Client Spotlight: Three E.L. Hobbs Employees Complete Safety Star Program

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

Within the last month, Eduardo Torres, Mike Gonzales, and Richard McDeavitt of E.L. Hobbs, Inc. completed the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. E.L. Hobbs has many more employees signed up and on their way to becoming Safety Star certified. Rancho Mesa is proud to partner with a company that holds safety to the highest importance.

The RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ in Construction Safety is designed to:

• Lower your organization’s probability of work-related injuries while promoting a safety culture.

• Give your organization a competitive advantage in the insurance marketplace.

• Better understand the major hazards that face your industry and drive insurance premiums.

• Lower the organization’s overall insurance cost.

The program is intended for supervisors, foremen, safety coordinators, upper management, and administrators, directors of human resources, facilities/operations managers and safety committee members, respectively. To learn more, please visit the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ page or contact aburley@ranchomesa.com.

About E.L. Hobbs, Inc.
E.L. Hobbs, Inc. is a well respected, fully licensed, insured and bonded company, established in 2006. They specialize in lath, plaster, integral colored plaster, EIFS, fireproofing, drywall and metal framing to both residential and commercial (private sector & public works) projects. To learn more visit, elhobbsinc.com.

NALP Field Trip Comes to San Diego!

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to announce our sponsorship to what has been described as the “Can’t miss educational event of the summer!”

Industry icons Marty Grunder and Frank Mariani, along with host Mike Bogan of LandCare, headline an incredible opportunity for educational growth and networking. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla, CA on August 6th & 7th and there will be a special tour of the LandCare facility. 

For a complete list of information about this event please visit NALP Field Trip: Frank and Marty’s Excellent Adventure or contact Lisa Wood at NALP for more details. 

We hope to see you there!

Rancho Mesa Hosts Heat Illness Prevention Workshop

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

Berkshire Hathaway's Zadock "Zee" Reid presented at the Heat Illness Prevention workshop hosted by Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Boys & Girls Club of East County in Santee, CA.

Zee conducted an educational and engaging workshop as he covered a variety of topics including:

• Modified Temperature Guidlines

• Pre-shift Meetings

• Supervisory Expectations

• Clarification on Access to Water

• Clarification on Access to Shade    

• Rest & Recovery periods

• Monitoring Employees

• Weather Monitoring

• High Heat Procedures

• Emergency Response

The Heat Illness Prevention workshop is part the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. At the end of the workshop, attendees completed and passed the required quiz to receive credit towards the program.

It is always a pleasure having Zadock Reid educate our clients on Heat Illness Prevention. We look forward to having Zee back to conduct another interactive and engaging workshop!

For those who were unable to attend the workshop, a video is available on demand within the Risk Management Center, and can be easily accessed by using the key words “Heat Illness Prevention” in the search box. Or, it can be requested via the Workshop Video Request Form.

Rancho Mesa Co-Hosts OSHA 10 Course with Sentry Insurance

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

On May 23 & 24, 2019 Rancho Mesa Insurance Services co-hosted the OSHA 10 Course for the Construction Industry at the San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA. The two-day training was provided by Sentry Insurance.

Ken Grote, a Senior Safety Services Consultant for Sentry, taught the course covering a variety of topics such as the differences between Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA, hazard communication, fall prevention, proper scaffold usage, working safely with electricity, hearing protection, reducing falls, trenching and excavation safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and much more.

Thank you Sentry Insurance for providing this valuable training to Rancho Mesa Insurance clients.

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.

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.