Rancho Mesa Honored at NAWIC Anniversary Celebration

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

Rancho Mesa’s Amber Webb and Alyssa Burley pictured holding their NAWIC award plaques.

Information provided by NAWIC.

Rancho Mesa and its employees were honored to be presented three awards at the NAWIC San Diego 64th Annual Anniversary and Executive Night, on Tuesday, April 12.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter held its annual anniversary night celebration. Rancho Mesa was named the Company of the Year for “contributions to advancing the education and careers of women in construction.”

“We are so honored to be recognized as the Company of the Year by NAWIC, it’s an outstanding organization that’s dedicated to the career growth and development for women in construction. We are very proud to be a part of their efforts,” Rancho Mesa President, Dave Garcia said.

Account Executive Amber Webb was presented with the President’s Award for her strong leadership and dedication to the organization.

“I feel honored to be given the 1st NAWIC San Diego Chapter President’s Award. When I went to my first NAWIC meeting back in 2015, I knew this group of women was special and that I wanted to be part of it,” Webb said. “I want to thank Madam President, Shelby Ballow, for this recognition, her friendship, and all her hard work getting our chapter back up and running after all that we have been through.”

Media Communications and Client Services Manager Alyssa Burley also took home the 5-year membership award during the award ceremony. Attendees enjoyed dinner, scholarship winner announcements, and a presentation regarding the Terminal 1 redesign of the San Diego Airport by keynote speaker, Robert Bolton.

Rancho Mesa and its employees are passionate about supporting the career opportunities for women in construction, and we are proud that our employees can make a difference through this organization.

“I want to help encourage as many women as possible to see their potential in this male dominated industry,” Webb said. “Over the years, I have learned so much from all the people I have had the pleasure of meeting through NAWIC and feel so fortunate to be able to give back to the community.

About NAWIC
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. To learn more, visit www.nawic.org.

Rancho Mesa President Writes for Construction Business Owner Magazine

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

This month, Rancho Mesa’s President, Dave Garcia was published in Construction Business Owner magazine. His article “4 Steps to Clarity in Construction Insurance,” with John Fischl, Pacific regional executive for Sentry Insurance, highlights key advice for construction businesses to benefit from their next renewal.

“No matter what your policy looks like today, the goal of any renewal is finding coverages that fit your business and keep it protected,” Garcia says in the article.

Read “4 Steps to Clarity in Construction Insurance,” in Construction Business Owner’s April 2022 issue linked below.

Uniting the Team: Rancho Mesa Announces Move to New Office

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

On Thursday, March 10th, the Rancho Mesa team gathered at the La Mesa Brigantine Seafood Restaurant to hear President Dave Garcia announce the company’s plan to move to a new office, located in Mission Valley.

Excitement flooded the room amid the appetizers and cocktails as Garcia outlined the long-awaited reuniting of the two offices into one space in April 2023.

“When I made the announcement I was blown away with the excitement I saw and felt from the group,” Garcia said. “They all have missed being together and can’t wait for next February when this becomes a reality.”

The presentation showed a video created by Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Alyssa Burley, which outlined the new features of the larger floor plan, one being the expansion of our safety and risk management network, StudioOne™. 

“I’m excited for the new office. We’re completely reimagining our StudioOne™ by incorporating new technology and improving its functionality. I can’t wait to see what the Media Communications and Client Services Group will accomplish in this new space,” Burley said.

The building includes a gym, outdoor seating area, and a rustic industrial interior. The location is also within walking distance of the Snapdragon Stadium, aka Aztec’s Stadium, where Rancho Mesa plans to hold meetings with clients in its box suit. 

The move marks an important goal achieved since 2019 when the team was divided into two offices. Garcia has worked hard since then to make the transition back into one office a reality.  

“I couldn’t be more excited to have everyone back together. This will not only enhance our abilities to serve our clients and their needs but allows our team to interact and grow on a daily basis,” Garcia said.

The presentation also featured words from Vice President Sam Clayton, and Account Manager Christina Haake who praised the work environment and employee opportunities Rancho Mesa offers.

“I was honored that he picked me to speak about the career opportunities that are offered here.  It's really incredible to see how much we’ve grown over the years, especially up to this point now that we're moving to such a bigger space,” Haake said. 

Rancho Mesa is thrilled to make this long anticipated announcement and looks forward to how it will benefit the company’s success as well as the clients we serve.

“Probably a little contrary to the current business climate as to the need for office space, we’ve taken the opposite position and are adding several thousand square feet to what we have now in two offices,” Garcia said.  “Everyone here believes very strongly that we will continue to grow at 15% a year and I for one am not about to doubt this amazing team and their abilities to make this happen.”

Garcia Brothers Head to Nashville for GROW! 2022

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

Pictured from left, Greg Garcia, Marty Grunder, and Drew Gracia in front of Milosi Landscape.

Drew Garcia (left) and Greg Garcia pictured tabling at GROW! 2022.

Drew Garcia (left) with President of Rancho Mesa Dave Garcia at GROW 2022! conference.

On February 23 - 25, 2022, Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia and Account Executive Greg Garcia attended GROW! 2022 annual conference in Nashville, TN to help landscapers with their risk management needs.

GROW! is led by Marty Grunder, President and CEO of The Grow Group.

“Marty Grunder and his team put on an incredible event,” said Drew Garcia. “I would highly encourage any landscape business, no matter your revenue size to check out the event. From the professional development, business operations insight, and networking, it’d be impossible not to come away with a sizeable amount of new knowledge.”

Landscape professionals throughout the country enjoyed three days packed-full of energizing speakers, stimulating group sessions and networking, and gained an inside look at the operations of a longtime successful landscape company, Milosi Landscape.

 “Just from getting to know Marty and his team, I knew [GROW! 2022] was going to be a great event. I was blown away with how well this event was set up, as well as the amount of knowledge being passed along, and the ability to network with others in the green industry,” said Greg Garcia. “I’m excited to bring back some of the things that I was able to learn to Rancho Mesa to help continue our growth!”

About The Grow Group
Led by Marty Grunder, The Grow Group is a premier consulting firm for landscape professionals, providing innovative programming, peer-groups, and real-world resources to help business owners and their teams succeed. Everything our professionals teach is based on what we know works: We test it ourselves at our “living laboratory,” the business Marty began as a teenager and still leads today, Grunder Landscaping Company. To learn more, please visit GrowGroupInc.com.

Hands-On in Her Industry: Account Executive Amber Webb Takes on the AHR Expo

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

Beginning January 31 through­ February 2, 2022, Rancho Mesa’s Account Executive Amber Webb attended the 2022 AHR Expo, in Las Vegas, an event for those who work in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry to showcase new technology and share ideas.

Webb specializes in risk management for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors, so the AHR Expo was a great opportunity for her to network with the HVACR community and learn more about the industry she insures.

“My goals for attending the Expo included learning about all the new technology being presented to the HVACR industry, networking and getting to know people from all facets of this community, and learning from the educational sessions that I attended to gain a better understanding of what my clients are curious about or having issues with,” Webb said.

The event was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and consisted of two expo areas filled with booths of contractors, manufacturers, and industry vendors.

In addition to the expo vendor floor, several separate areas held presentations on specific topics. Notable sessions included “How to be Human in a Technical World” presented by Karine Leblanc from US Air Conditioning Distributors, and “Hire + Fire + Retention = Culture”, presented by Women in HVACR.

“I really enjoyed the entire event, but if I have to pick a favorite part, I would say exploring the two different show floors where all the exhibitor booths were set up. It was extremely impressive to see all of the massive equipment they were able to bring in and actually show demonstrations to the attendees,” said Webb. “I was also able to do some hands-on demonstrations of my own for a couple of the tool vendors, which was great.”

Rancho Mesa encourages its team to immerse themselves in their clients’ industries in order to best support them in their insurance needs.

“I think it’s important for insurance companies such as Rancho Mesa to play a role at events like these because we focus on specialization for our brokers. For me personally, I specialize in MEP Contractors and being able to attend an event that is specifically designed for the HVACR community, allows me to grasp a better understanding of what these companies are going through,” said Webb. “Attending the educational sessions not only gives me an opportunity for professional and personal development, but it allows me to learn about the topics that are of highest concern to my clients.”

About AHR Expo
The AHR Expo provides a unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology. Since 1930, the AHR Expo has remained the industry’s best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, technicians, facility operators, architects, educators and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and to cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. The event is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, endorsed by many industry leading organizations, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference.

Garcia Brothers Give Professional Safety Guidance on NALP Podcast

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

Image provided by NALP.

In a most recent podcast episode of Growing in the Green Industry, Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, and Account Executive Greg Garcia discusses the importance of effectively communicating with your team and building awareness around safety. The episode is hosted by Brett Lemcke with R.M. Landscape, Inc. and Macey Robinson with LandCare LLC.

The episode shares tips of starting your own company, implementing a safety plan and different strategies on how to be proactive when it comes to safety in the workplace. Listen to Season 2, Ep. 40 Being Proactive with Safety with Drew Garcia and Greg Garcia below, or on your favorite podcast platform: anchor.fm/nalp-young-professionals

About Growing in the Green Industry Podcast
Growing in the Green Industry is a podcast for the specifically centered around the landscape industry. Each week their hosts and guests discuss topics that matter most for landscape professionals, including career advancement, hiring, professional development, retention, sales, operations, and more. Growing in the Green Industry is produced by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Young Professionals Network. Growing in the Green Industry is produced by NALP's Young Professionals Network. To learn more, please visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org/youngprofessionals.

Video: Lead the Way in 2022

Rancho Mesa’s annual video highlighting the company’s theme for the year premiered at the company-wide virtual kick-off meeting on January 14, 2022.

Whether your organization’s specialty is building our community’s infrastructure or molding our communities’ character and well-being, Rancho Mesa is here to lead the way in 2022.

© Copyright 2022. Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transcript

Through our workers’ compensation Key Performance Indicator dashboard, we’ll provide the data and analysis your organization’s leadership needs to make informed business decisions.

Minimize the impact of workers’ compensation claims on your organization using our in-house claims advocacy service and ensure your employees get the care and respect they deserve throughout the process.

Our innovative technology platforms and personalized approach to risk management ensures you have the right tools and expertise when you need them.

Build confidence that your business is in compliance with the latest legislative requirements with our smart employee handbooks. Get personalized expert advice from live human resources professionals when you need help navigating the ever-changing labor market.

Our RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal is your one-stop-shop for managing your human resources.

Establish a safety culture with our Risk Management Center. Show your employees their well-being is most important to you and directly affects the overall health of the organization. 

Your dedicated client services coordinators will guide your team on a path to risk management, pointing out best practices along the way for generating OSHA logs, and implementing effective training programs.

Stay informed with StudioOne™, our safety and risk management network. Listen to interviews with industry leaders on your favorite podcast platform. Gain access to safety and risk management experts at our workshops and webinars. Tune in for on-demand video tutorials and training classes that fit your schedule.

Your Rancho Mesa team is here to walk you through managing your risks.

Join us, we’ll lead the way.

Developing solutions, building trust, protecting clients - one relationship at a time.

Garcia Brothers Featured in Landscape Management Magazine

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

In the December issue of the Landscape Management magazine, Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Landscape Group Drew Garcia and Account Executive Greg Garcia shared their insights on how landscape companies benefit from insurance checkups.

Drew and Greg explain how not having the correct coverage can be detrimental to a business in the occurrence of a catastrophic event. The Garcias also go over the importance of a company reviewing their insurance policies with their insurance broker, and the best time to do this to ensure the company is properly covered.

“You hear a lot of landscape professionals who are frustrated with last-minute insurance renewals and decisions,” Drew Garcia says. “Having a ‘pre-renewal’ meeting 90 to 120 days in advance of your policy effective date can just about eliminate this pain” (LM Staff 23).

To learn more, please contact Drew Garcia at (619) 937-0200 or drewgarcia@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa Team Members Enjoy Holiday Spirit at PWI’s Flamingle and Jingle

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

Pictured Rancho Mesa Account Executive Amber Webb, Account Manager Christina Haake, and Account Coordinator Rachel Bristol.

On Thursday, December 9, members of the Rancho Mesa team donned ugly Christmas sweaters while attending the PWI Flamingle and Jingle Holiday Party at Trailer Park After Dark.

The Professionals Within Insurance is an organization that supports opportunities for insurance professionals and also gives back to the community through donations and fundraising events such as the Flamingle and Jingle.

Account Executive Amber Webb, Account Manager Christina Haake, and Account Coordinator Rachel Bristol enjoyed food, drinks, games, and a unique ambiance as they celebrated the holidays for a good cause.

“The proceeds went to YWCA Becky's House, OPT Program, and Rachel's Women's Center,” Bristol said. “My favorite part of the evening was seeing everyone get into the holiday spirit, and when we got to hear from a few of the women from the organizations that received the proceeds.”

The attendees toured the different trailer seating areas, enjoyed themed drinks such as the “Gin Ricky Bobby,” and glowed amid the red solo-cup lights. They also competed to win prizes for ugliest and most creative Christmas sweaters.

“I love going to PWI events and this one did not disappoint. It was so much fun to go out and relax and laugh with everyone. Also, the ugly Christmas sweater contest was top notch,” Haake said.  

As a member of PWI, Rancho Mesa values the support the organization provides professionals in the insurance agency as well as the opportunity to give back to the community during the holiday season.

“PWI has done a great job encouraging community in the insurance industry by hosting events such as these that allow us professionals to join forces to better those in need,” Webb said.

Rancho Mesa’s RM365 HRAdvantage™ Portal Update Introduces New Look and Features

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

On Tuesday, October 12, 2021, users of Rancho Mesa’s RM365 HRAdvantage™ portal were introduced to the platform’s brand new look and enhanced features.

The platform redesign includes not only changes to the site visually with different fonts and colors, but also how the resources are organized to improve functionality.

The dashboard is now customizable with an HR business news feed, favorites, to do list, and more. Users can contact the HR Experts for advice and view open cases directly from the new dashboard.  

Users also will notice some labels have changed like “Learn” and “Comply” are now “Trainings” and “HR Compliance,” but access to high-quality content is still available and easily accessible.    

“What I like about the new design is that the user can customize what they want to see,” Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager with Rancho Mesa, said. “So, if it’s HR news that is important or having quick access to the HR experts, the end user has control over what they see.”  

Rancho Mesa values keeping our clients informed of the changes made to our programs and resources. If clients have any questions regarding these new updates to the RM365 HRAdvantage™ Portal, please contact your Client Services Coordinator.