Employee Spotlight: Greg Garcia Joins Rancho Mesa’s Landscape Group

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is thrilled to announce the hiring of Account Executive Greg Garcia, as he joins his father Dave Garcia and brother Drew Garcia in the commercial insurance industry. 

Greg grew up surrounded by the game of baseball, it was the “family business.” After 10 years of professional baseball, five of which came at the major league level playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres, it was time for Greg to join another team.

Greg arrives at Rancho Mesa eager to make his mark. He is working in tandem with Drew specializing in only insuring landscape professionals. Rancho Mesa is excited to have Greg’s dedicated work ethic, team mindset, and drive to excel as a part of the landscape group.

Employee Spotlight: Whitney Chiriboga Promoted to Assistant Account Manager

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

Whitney Chiriboga began her career with Rancho Mesa in December 2017 as a Receptionist and Certician®. In less than a year, her strong work ethic led her to being promoted to Account Coordinator. After she quickly mastered her new role, her true team building spirit gave her the initiative to assist in training fellow team members in their new positions.

Recently, Whitney earned her Property & Casualty Broker-Agent License, making her qualified to advance to her new role as Assistant Account Manager.

“Whitney’s strong work ethic, quality of work, and attention to detail has proven she is ready to take the next step in her insurance career. We are excited to see her step into this new role,” says Kim Vasquez, Vice President, Account Services Manager.

Please help us congratulate Whitney on her promotion! We look forward to her bright future.

Client Spotlight: Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon Returns to Raise Funds for UCP San Diego

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

Coronado Island welcomed back San Diego firefighters, local TV personalities, Hollywood celebrities, look-a-likes, and caring patrons on Friday, September 24, 2021 to raise funds for United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County (UCP) at the 38th Annual Firefighters & Friends Celebrity Waiters Luncheon.

Rancho Mesa’s Kim Vasquez, Lori Stone, Alyssa Burley, Sierra Stone, and Jack Marrs were gratified to attend as guests of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. The event was filled with live and silent auctions, generous tips and sponsorships that raised funds for the organization whose mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Rancho Mesa is truly honored to have UCP San Diego as a client.

About United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County

UCP is an agency committed to serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families since 1958. Working throughout the years to improve services with every step, UCP has program centers in San Diego and Escondido and numerous community based programs serving hundreds of local citizens on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.ucpsd.org.

NAWIC SD Holds 12th Annual Golf Tournament

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

It’s a birdie! It’s an eagle! It’s a bogey?! It’s the 12th annual National Association of Women in Construction golf tournament. On August 26, 2021, NAWIC San Diego hosted its golf tournament at the Twin Oaks Golf Course. The yearly event raised nearly $17,000 for Rady’s Children’s Hospital and the Future Construction Leaders Foundation.

It was a warm one but that didn’t stop participants from having a tee-rific time. Teams puttered around the course in friendly competition but in the end the golf-father was Team Kohler.

Thanks to all Rancho Mesa par-tees involved; Kevin Howard, Casey Craig, Andy Roberts, and Jeremy Hoolihan. We hope it was an event to never fore-get.

About National Association of Women in Construction San Diego Chapter
The National Association of Women in Construction (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.

The Garcias Head East for NALP Landscaping Adventure

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

Rancho Mesa’s Dave, Drew, and Greg Garcia headed to Gaithersburg, Maryland to attend the 2021 Field Trip at Ruppert Landscape. The two-day landscaping event is held by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), in partnership with Marty Grunder, CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co. and The Grow Group, and Frank Mariani of Mariani Landscape.

“We were humbled to have the opportunity to sponsor and attend this event,” says Drew. “It’s a great opportunity for Rancho Mesa to learn from landscape industry leaders and surround ourselves with companies who are looking to improve.”

The event gave attendees a look at Ruppert Landscape’s headquarters and a chance to receive inside knowledge of how an industry leading company operates.

The Garcia’s attended the VIP dinner hosted by husband and wife Craig and Pat Ruppert, where they were kind enough to welcome guests into their home. Dinner was enjoyed by many including Rancho Mesa clients, Bill and Laurie Schnetz from Schentz Landscape, as well as Jessica Bird and Max from LaBahn’s Landscaping.

“It says a lot for one of the largest landscape companies in the country to welcome their industry competitors in to see a behind the scenes look at how they are able to be successful,” says Drew.

Events like these are constant reminders that Rancho Mesa is so fortunate to work alongside such a thriving professional industry. We encourage all landscape companies to attend this event in the future; you will certainly find us there!

Employee Spotlight: Jack Marrs Joins Rancho Mesa

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack is Rancho Mesa’s newest pick.

The Human Services Group at Rancho Mesa welcomes Jack Marrs as its newest Associate Account Executive. 

Jack came to Rancho Mesa in early August and is a 4th generation insurance professional. He will be working alongside Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group.

Jack is a San Diego native and grew up near the coast. Besides enjoying the beach and catching a wave, here and there, you can find him cruising the streets or tinkering on his 2002 Harley-Davidson.

We are excited to have Jack and his enthusiasm for the industry.

Landscape Magazine Publishes Drew Garcia’s Mobility & Stretch Routine

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

In this month’s NALP’s The Landscape Professional magazine, Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia shared his insights on how landscape companies can benefit from a mobility and stretch program.

“Starting the day off with a mobility and stretch routine can help employees prepare for the day ahead by activating their bodies for physical activity,” writes Drew Garcia.

Drew includes helpful tips on how to effectively implement a consistent program, as well as information on ways to integrate safety and participation.

To learn more about how your company may benefit from a mobility & stretch program, please contact Drew Garcia at (619) 937-0200 or drewgarcia@ranchomesa.com.

Business Owners Learn How to Protect Against Cyber Threats

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

Michael Armstrong, Production Underwriter for Evolve MGA, an award-winning managing general agent that specializes in cyber insurance, took to the web and broke down the importance of cyber insurance and how companies can avoid a cyber attack in a detailed webinar hosted on July 22nd, 2021 for Rancho Mesa’s clients.

Attendees learned that phishing is the action of sending fraudulent emails mimicking a reputable company or person for the sake of gaining access to sensitive information. Michael explained the simplest form of phishing is an email or web link that is similar to a legitimate one, often changing only one letter. 

Phishing works by tricking the email recipient into clicking on a link that triggers malware to be downloaded and installed on the system. From there, the hackers can encrypt the data and request a ransom or sell the data on the dark web. Michael shared that on average, a business doesn’t identify a breach for up to 197 days. Imagine the damage that could be done without a good cyber policy.

Companies large and small have experienced data breaches due to cybercrimes. With technology ever changing, it’s never been a better time to review your current cyber insurance policy or start looking for coverage. Thanks to Michael and Evolve MGA for providing such valuable information to our clients.

If you’re interested in getting a cyber insurance quote, contact Rancho Mesa at (619) 937-0164.

Employee Spotlight: RMI’s Surety and Media Department Welcomes Megan

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa would like to welcome, Megan Lockhart to the Surety department and Media Communications team. 

Megan recently graduated from Baylor University with a journalism degree as well as a background in public relations and social media.

One of her passions is connecting with people and the community making her a great fit to the team.  Besides being a people person, Megan also enjoys spending time writing, going to the beach and spending time with her very large lap dog, Alta. 

Rancho Mesa is excited to have Megan and add her experience and charisma to the family.

Rancho Mesa Earns “Best Practices Agency” Designation for 15th Consecutive Year

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, 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 fifteenth consecutive year.

Of the roughly 35,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., only about 120 are chosen each year for this distinction.

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 top agencies in six revenue categories are included, notified and deemed "Best Practices Agencies."

Each year, the Big “I” publishes its "Best Practices Study" using financial and operational data collected from agencies throughout the United States. The 2021 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 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.