About / Our Team / Sam Brown
Phone: (619) 937-0175
Chris Cabral, Chief Administrative Officer, Nation's Finest
“Sam Brown and the Rancho Mesa team are excellent to work with. Sam is knowledgeable, approachable, and a pleasure to work with. There are a lot of insurance options, but Nation’s Finest has found a home with Rancho Mesa. We know we can rely on their team for prompt service and quick replies to our (many!) questions. We would recommend Sam Brown to other nonprofits searching for great rates and great customer service.”
Deedre Robles, Chief Financial Officer, Center For Community Solutions
“CCS has partnered with Rancho Mesa and Sam Brown since 2011. Sam has been an incredible support to CCS, as we navigate the complexities of risk management and the insurance world. He ensures we have the most up-to-date information to make informed decisions concerning insurance coverage, while also taking the time to understand the needs and compliance requirements related to our nonprofit organization.
He and the entire team are patient and professional with the numerous questions and requests we regularly have for them. We are extremely grateful to have such an amazing team ensuring we have the best possible coverage. Thank you Sam Brown, Claudia Garczewski, and the entire Rancho Mesa team for your outstanding service!”
Lane Avery, The Ocean Institute
"Sam Brown has been a valued insurance partner for the Ocean Institute for several years. We have complex land and maritime operations, requiring extensive industry knowledge and mastery of details. Sam has supported us by providing timely and thoughtful responses as well as alternative approaches. It is a pleasure to work with Sam and the team and Rancho Mesa."
Jodie Saunderson, Orange County Rescue Mission
“Sam Brown has been a wonderful business partner for the Orange County Rescue Mission. I know I can count on Sam to answer my questions and assist me in navigating even the most complex work injury cases. I highly recommend Sam Brown and the team at Rancho Mesa.”
Pebbles Dumon, CFO, Adjoin
“[Adjoin] has partnered with Sam Brown/Rancho Mesa Insurance Services for our Workers Compensation policy since July 2013. In the five plus years of this partnership, we have maintained a long-term relationship with one insurance carrier and Sam continues to actively manage our account resulting in steady or reduced premiums. We appreciate that Sam’s commitment to [Adjoin] has not wavered over the years.”
Mike Austin, CFO, Friendship Shelter, Inc.
"Friendship Shelter is fortunate in the worker safety arena - we don’t get injured very often. When something does happen, though, it’s a little bit of a scramble. In mid-2017 our maintenance manager was cut on the job operating a circular saw. I got the call and the question – where do I go? “Circular saw”creates a serious mental picture. I called Sam Brown at Rancho Mesa who responded in moments with the Kaiser On-the-Job location nearest our employee and treatment was rendered soon thereafter. In the end, there was no loss of limb or even lost time, but Rancho Mesa treated it like it was a major incident. That’s the kind of treatment we get no matter what the issue and why we love Rancho Mesa."
Andrew Simone, Providence Speech & Hearing Center
“Sam Brown elevated the appeal to the highest level when the state workers’ comp board wanted to change our workers’ comp class codes. He researched similar organizations, class definitions, and job duties to make the best possible argument in our favor. I’m certain he will never back down when advocating for Providence. Sam Brown’s careful attention to detail saves us money. The most recent example is an $18,000 error on our Workers’ Compensation audit. Thank you, Sam!”
Marcia Dillenback, Planned Parenthood
“Sam, thank you for being a true partner the last two years. You demonstrated what a high quality broker “looks” like. We appreciate everything you did for Planned Parenthood. Thank you!”
Rebeca Valenzuela, Esq., Director of Human Resources, Toward Maximum Independence
"Having Rancho Mesa in our corner makes us feel safe, knowledgeable, and confident in daily business operations. Thank you!"
Dennis Haggar, Director of Human Resources, Interfaith Community Services
“Rancho Mesa’s support and commitment towards our agency’s risk management goals has been unwavering since day one! We’ve been fortunate to have Sam Brown actively involved with our safety committee, where he has shared his knowledge and expertise of workers’ compensation trends and best workplace safety practices to further educate and raise awareness within our organization, contributing towards the reduction in our ex mod rating! We greatly value this partnership with Rancho Mesa and their efforts to better our organization.”
Yvonne Reid-Hairston, Senior Human Resources Analyst, MAAC
"When you work with Sam Brown and the team at Rancho Mesa, you are working with the best insurance brokerage in the San Diego area. They provide hands-on services to support our organization in so many ways, beyond insurance, including participating in our Safety Committee. "
Florence Andres, Associate Director of Human Resources, North County Lifeline
"Rancho Mesa is a true professional Insurance broker who really is concerned about their customer’s interest. They make sure that we thoroughly understand the terms of our insurance policies...help us manage open claims resulting in reduced WC xmod and lower premium-more savings for our non-profit! They provide helpful and informative trainings on employment and workplace safety. I personally like the various video trainings on Rancho Mesa’s website."
Mark Myland, Care-A-Van
"Through his never-ending persistence, Sam Brown was the only broker that came through with the perfect fit for our workers' compensation needs. He helped us prepare for an OSHA audit and wrote a letter to our carrier explaining our unique situation, which saved us $10,000. I would highly recommend starting with Rancho Mesa and Sam Brown whenever looking for your insurance needs; you won’t be disappointed."
Dennis Haggar, Director of Human Resources, Interfaith Community Services
"I’ve had the privilege of working with Sam as our Insurance Broker since 2011 (when we became a client). Without a doubt, he’s always gone above and beyond in satisfying our unique and ever demanding insurance requirements, quickly performing agency-critical requests with little or no notice. Very knowledgeable, always available and extremely professional. Sam and the team at Rancho have always exceeded our expectations. I’ve been extremely pleased with Sam and his quality of work, ethics, and integrity, and would highly recommend him to anyone seeking a hard working broker to look out for the best interests of their organization."
Florence Andres, Associate Director of Human Resources, North County Lifeline
"Lifeline has been a client of Rancho Mesa Insurance for many years now, and I have to say, Sam Brown and his experienced team is one of the most professional and responsive insurance broker I ever dealt with. His proactive service and resourcefulness has been very helpful for our non-profit. He provides us with very detailed quotes and options to fit our specific needs. I’m always confident that he always has his clients’ best interest in mind."
Sam Brown, VI, AAI
Vice President, Human Services Group
Sam began his insurance career working for General Electric, a national insurance carrier. Desiring more interaction with clients and risk managers, he then joined Rancho Mesa Insurance Services in 2010 to grow the Human Services department. Sam values his role in the industry and community, joining the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association of San Diego in 2012. He served as President in 2015.
Presenter for the University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute
Affiliate member of the NonProfit Risk Management Center
Active member of several insurance carrier/broker advisory councils
Experience
Vice President, Human Services Group, January 2010 - Present
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Education
Master of Arts
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Political Science and a Minor in Economics
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Designations
Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI)
Awards
2017 Emerging Leader of the Year, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego
2015 Hot 100 List, IBA Magazine
2015 Top 10 Broker List, IBA Magazine
Associations & Organizations
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego, President, 2015
North County Lifeline, Board Member
About
Sam and his wife, Jaime, live in Poway with their two children. They spend their free time on the soccer and baseball fields, while also getting to the beach as much as possible. Sam serves on the Board at North County Lifeline.
Podcast
Industry News
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s commercial clients purchase insurance to transfer financial risk to a third party and protect their business against claims of liability. These clients rightfully expect their respective insurers to fulfill the obligation found in black and white on the Insurance Service Office (ISO) general liability form that reads “We will pay those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of bodily injury or property damage to which this insurance applies.” So, what must a policyholder do to ensure this obligation is fulfilled?
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It was June 86 years ago, Congress and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) signed into law the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). In the words of FDR, the FLSA ensured “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The first quarter of 2024 is in full swing and the insurance industry is already feeling the rising cost of insurance claims, often referred to as social inflation. Commonly discussed reasons for social inflation include socioeconomic, legal, and behavioral trends that produce costly lawsuits, according to research conducted by The Institutes. In addition to these familiar observations, a relatively new factor is now playing a role in large lawsuits: third-party litigation financing.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A non-profit organization’s culture and positive impact often flows through its strategically placed locations in the communities it serves. These locations, whether they be offices, group homes, childcare centers, or shelters all further the mission and may drive revenue. The cost to the organization if one of these locations becomes inoperable due to a property damage claim can often add undue stress to the finances and leadership. This article will address how business interruption insurance (BII) can address these costs.
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, July 14th Rancho Mesa hosted a popular workshop titled “Cyber Liability Explained: Hacking Trends for 2023” with presenter Beau Bechelli of Evolve MGA. His 60-minute presentation educated the audience on the cost of cyber-attacks, the most common types of attacks, and practical ways to help reduce the threat of a breach.
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As some company leaders may recall, since 1991, all California employers are required to maintain a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). An IIPP is an understandable and accessible safety program tailored to a business’ operations. An effective IIPP will help an employer establish and maintain a safe workplace while setting expectations and protocols for all employees.
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As non-profits and leaders of human service organizations navigate important business decisions in the face of inflation, it’s important to consider measures that can reduce inflation’s impact to an organization’s operating budget. Today, we look at inflation’s effect on workers’ compensation insurance and strategies to reduce future costs.
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California employers work hard to maintain a safe workplace, but accidents and injuries can occur. While human resources professionals typically have an excellent understanding of the workers’ compensation claim process, proper supervisor training can improve workers’ compensation outcomes for employers and their injured workers.
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
You hoped this day would never come, but it’s time to notify your insurance agent of a liability insurance claim. You know you need to retain defense counsel, but who chooses the firm and pays the bills?
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Crime insurance policies act as one line of defense against financial loss to an employer. At times, guarding against theft can feel like an uphill battle with many factors outside of our control. One common form of crime insurance claims may be more preventable than ever with some quick education. We are talking about employee theft.
On February 8th, 2022 Sam Brown, Vice President of Human Services Group, welcomed Nonprofits Insurance Alliance® (NIA) founder, president, and CEO Pamela E. Davis to Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne® podcast. Pamela shared how she turned a graduate school project and a vision for insuring nonprofits into $250 million in written premium. Sam and Pamela discuss how a nonprofit specialist broker serves clients, and how NIA provides cost-saving tools tailored for nonprofit leaders and brokers.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Senate Bill 606 (SB 606), greatly expanding Cal/OSHA’s enforcement powers and monetary penalty amounts. The new law will take effect January 1, 2022, so California employers have only a few months to tighten their safety practices or face steep monetary fines.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s non-profit clients successfully serve their communities in changing economic and political climates. In part, their success is due to managing risk for an organization’s employees, clients, finances, and mission. Just as important, but less discussed than risk management, is risk analysis. This article offers one helpful tool non-profit leaders can use to facilitate risk analysis, the Risk Bow Tie Exercise.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The 2017 historic wildfire losses and ever-changing atmospheric conditions continue to alter the commercial property insurance marketplace in 2021.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The dramatic increase in cyber-attacks since 2020 has resulted in employer pain and made headlines as the economic cost skyrockets. The recent Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2021 states that the number of firms attacked rose from 38% to 43%. Not surprisingly, more than 28% of those employers suffered multiple cyber-attacks.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As COVID-19 vaccinations become more available and the positive results of our efforts are realized, employers may ask how this impacts the workforce and a full-scale return to the workplace. More specifically, they may ask if an employer can mandate a COVID-19 vaccination policy.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As American employers navigate the Coronavirus Pandemic, many business leaders quickly adapted to a virtual office and virtual workforce. While many organizations anxiously wait for the day employees can all safely head into the office Monday through Friday, employers must adjust risk management practices to account for the virtual workforce.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc.
On September 17th, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1159 (SB 1159) and Assembly Bill 685 (AB 685), both COVID-19 related bills. Both pieces of legislation will impact how employers respond to incidents of COVID-19 infections. This article will help business owners understand AB 685’s heightened occupational health and safety rules. Employers also need to understand how AB 685 grants California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) greater enforcement powers.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
To help avoid a decrease in private donations due to the Coronavirus pandemic, nonprofit leaders have turned their attention to a powerful tool used to increase website traffic and online donations: Google’s Ad Grant Program.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, May 6 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order making workers’ compensation benefits more readily available to essential workers.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor, Gavin Newsome, signed a new state law on October 13th, 2019 to better protect California’s survivors of child abuse. In response, youth organizations and insurance companies expect a surge in legal activity in 2020.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Nonprofit leaders who want to make workplace safety training more accessible may be surprised to learn about a unique grant program through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Since 1978, OSHA has offered grants to nonprofit organizations for safety training. Specifically, grants are awarded on a competitive basis to provide employees with training on the recognition and prevention of safety/health hazards in the workplace. The intent of the program is to reach audiences who might not otherwise receive safety training.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Nonprofit leaders who want to reduce overhead and tax burdens should consider revisiting their organizations’ unemployment tax status. More to the point, thanks to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act of 1972, nonprofits can eliminate the unemployment insurance tax and outsource the headache of claims administration. Let’s investigate further.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While schools and nonprofit agencies serving youth are typically very serious about preserving child safety, organizations’ leaders may not understand the risk factors or have a plan in place to prevent a growing threat: cyberbullying. The Cyberbullying Research Center states that about 28% of recently surveyed youth and teens have been the victim of cyberbullying in their lifetime, and 16% admitted to participating in cyberbullying. This article will define cyberbullying, identify risk factors, and list preventative measures.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services.
When designing youth protection measures, many nonprofit leaders want to understand the industry’s “best practices” and incorporate what already works for others. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to identify one set of “best practices” or a universal checklist all organizations should adopt. As a result, it will benefit nonprofit leaders and their clients to tailor daily practices to the unique exposures and operations of the agency. When doing so, it’s best to consider four important factors when designing a youth protection program.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Many of our agency's social service and nonprofit clients serve an important function for individuals and families...transportation! Whether helping a physically challenged child get to school or embarking on a day trip to the mall with a group of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it's vital to manage all risks associated with transporting clients.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Nonprofit organizations often conduct special events throughout the year. These events can successfully increase awareness of the nonprofit’s mission, generate important unrestricted revenue, and offer all stakeholders a nice opportunity to have fun. Unfortunately, important risk management steps are often overlooked before the day of the event. Let’s look at a few that can limit exposure to risk.
Sam Brown in the News
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Earlier this month, the Poway Little League city baseball championships returned to the field after a three-year hiatus.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For 31 years, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego) have hosted its Annual Celebrity Waiters Holiday Party for Charity.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, August 12, 2021 the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) hosted a Summer Family Fun Night. The event strikingly raised over 42 thousand dollars, directly benefiting nonprofits in San Diego County through the IICF Community Grants Program.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (IIAB) of San Diego, also known as the Big “I", hosted A Day of Golf at Maderas in Poway, CA.
On October 8, 2020, players came out to support the IIAB San Diego and its contributions to the San Diego community.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Clients Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.
San Diego’s warm clear skies provided a cheerful backdrop for The Nonprofit Institute’s 7th Annual State of Nonprofit and Philanthropy Summit at the University of San Diego’s Mother Rosalie Hill Hall in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Saturday, September 7, 2019 Vocational Visions, an Orange County nonprofit helping create opportunities for adults with disabilities, hosted the Enchanted Evening Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach, CA. Rancho Mesa’s Sam Brown, Shane Medlin, and Colin Cadman enjoyed the fun-filled event as it offered delicious food, a Vocational Visions participant dance routine, and one of the most impressive silent auction collections ever seen.
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to announce that we will be sponsoring another legacy gift opportunity and giving one of our clients the naming rights to a pediatric examination room at Family Health Centers of San Diego.
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.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.
On Friday, July 12, 2019 the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County held their 46th annual Golf Day at Singing Hills Golf Resort, Oak Glen Course, in El Cajon, CA.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Members of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services spent the afternoon with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego (IIAB San Diego) at the organization’s Padre Game Event on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at San Diego’s Petco Park.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. recently launched its proprietary RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. When launched the program was offered exclusively for the construction industry; however, plans were underway to offer a program specifically designed for human services organizations, in the future.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
At the office we sit at the desk quite a bit. If you’re not careful the only time you are getting up throughout the day is at your break and lunch. So, about four years ago Rancho Mesa started a routine as part of their Health and Wellness Program. The daily walks, also known as the 7th Inning Stretch, provide an opportunity for the staff to get away from their desks, get moving, and enjoy the outdoors. This year employees wanted to expand the benefits of the 7th Inning Stretch outside of the office.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
MAAC, an organization dedicated to maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities, held its annual MAAC Soirée on November 8, 2018 at the Sandbox in San Diego. The event brings MAAC supporters together to celebrate the organization’s impact on the community. Rancho Mesa is honored to support MAAC and its mission.
Auther, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa’s Yvonne Gallagher, John Parker, Jeremy Hoolihan and Sam Brown participated in the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) 11th Annual Bowling for Charity tournament on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Kearny Mesa Bowl.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, September 26, 2018, Chase Hixson and Sam Brown, insurance brokers at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, presented a critically important webinar on six newly proposed class codes targeting nonprofits, healthcare, social services, and schools.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
We’re taking you behind the scenes of some of our most recent media projects. Rancho Mesa’s Media Communications department has been working to produce quality, informative and relevant videos.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, Ty Smith from Vigilance Risk Solutions (VRS) presented the Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness workshop for Rancho Mesa Insurance Services clients.
Nonprofit leaders gathered from far and wide at the University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute’s 14th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium on January 26th and 27th, 2018.
This year’s theme, People, Place and Performance: The Triple Bottom Line for Nonprofit Governance, provided attendees and speakers alike with the inspiration needed to make it the best nonprofit symposium in recent memory.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., specializing in Nonprofit and Human Services since 1989, recently added The Nonprofit Risk Management Center, headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia, to its already strong compliment of Nonprofit and Human Services risk management resources. This unique tool allows Rancho Mesa to identity its clients’ exposures within their individual missions and address potential shortcomings in existing risk management plans.