Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa’s Andy Roberts Appointed President of SASD

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

Surety Account Executive Andy Roberts was appointed President of the Board of Directors for the Surety Association of San Diego (SASD) as of 2024, an impressive leadership position.

The Surety Association of San Diego is an organization that aims to support members, educate the community, and impact legislation relating to the surety industry. SASD promotes the benefits of corporate suretyship and actively strives to improve its business conditions and practices.

Roberts has over a decade of experience in both the insurance and surety industries. He previously held the position of Treasurer for the organization's board.

“This opportunity to be President of the Surety Association is something I’m very excited about as it represents an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within this wonderful industry,” Roberts said.     

Rancho Mesa commends Roberts on his leadership accomplishment, making a positive impact within the surety industry.

Employee Spotlight: Andy Roberts Earns Highest Surety Designation

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

Surety Account Executive Andy Roberts has earned his Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding (AFSB) designation. This is the highest designation for the surety industry.

Andy joined Rancho Mesa in February of 2018. With a desire to further strengthen his expertise within the industry, Andy began the journey to earning his AFSB designation in 2020.

Over the course of almost 2 years, Andy completed a series of well-rounded curriculum, expanding his knowledge of finance, law, professional ethics, and over-all comprehension within the surety industry. On December 8, 2022, Andy passed the AFSB exam, officially earning his designation.

According to an article published by The Business Professor, “The designation puts an individual in a better position where he or she can effectively communicate and negotiate with underwriters on behalf to clients.”

To learn more about the AFSB designation, please visit the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) website.

Rancho Mesa celebrates Andy Roberts in his outstanding accomplishments, and his professional dedication to the surety insurance industry and Rancho Mesa clients.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa’s Andy Roberts Joins Board of Directors for SASD

Author, Megan Lockhart, Surety & Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Surety Account Executive Andy Roberts took a new leadership position as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Surety Association of San Diego (SASD).

With over a decade of experience in the insurance and surety industries combined, Roberts is eager to lead within the organization and give back to the community. As treasurer, he will manage and oversee the finances of the organization.

“This position unexpectedly opened up and I jumped at the opportunity to fill it, and I am very excited to be a part of the Board,” Roberts said. “I’m going to try and learn as much as possible about the position and my next position so that I can do my best for the association over the next three and a half years.”  

The Surety Association of San Diego is a non-profit organization that promotes education, legislation, and community within suretyship.

“The Surety Association of San Diego does a great job of planning events that keep the local agents and underwriters all connected, which is important as we continually try to grow our industry,” Roberts said. 

Roberts has spent the past three years concentrating on his passion for surety as an Account Executive with Rancho Mesa. In that time, Roberts has authored 14 articles about various surety topics published in Rancho Mesa’s newsletter and website, and he is a frequent guest on the StudioOne podcast.

“My favorite thing [about working in surety] are the relationships that you develop with your clients and also the underwriters that you work with,” Roberts said.

The Rancho Mesa team is very proud of Roberts for his leadership achievement and the opportunity to impact and give back to the industry through his new position.

“To me, this position is a way to further my involvement in the surety community which is important to me because I’m very passionate about the industry and doing anything I can to help it,” Roberts said.

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.

NAWIC San Diego Members Broaden their Performance & Payment Bonds Knowledge

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

In a virtual meeting so many have become accustomed, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter 21 met on November 10, 2020 to inspire each other, celebrate new members, discuss upcoming events and learn about performance and payment bonds.

NAWIC’s Professional Development & Education Committee is tasked with providing monthly programming that is relevant and educational for its chapter’s membership.

Andy Roberts, Account Executive in the Surety Group with Rancho Mesa Insurance led the presentation that addressed an increasing requirement many contractors in California are now dealing with on their projects, surety bonds.

Performance and payment bonds are becoming more popular in today’s construction climate. Contractors who previously never or rarely needed bonds, are now discovering a need for a formal bond program.

In the “Surety 101: Performance & Payment Bonding Basics” class, Andy discussed the different types of contract surety bonds (i.e., bid bonds, performance bonds and payment bonds). He explained the distinction between surety bonds and traditional insurance, when a bond may be required and who may require it, the benefits of a bond, the qualification process and indemnity.

While there is so much more to learn about performance and payment bonds, the attendees of the class are sure to better understand why their companies are being required to obtain contract surety bonds for their projects.

To learn more about performance and payment bonds or to book a presentation with Andy Roberts, contact him at (619) 937-0166 or aroberts@ranchomesa.com.

Rancho Mesa’s Party of Five

Author, Emily Marasso, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Babies, we were all one once; and many of us have had them or are having them. During the Baby Boom, 50 million babies were born between the 1940s and 1950s. We haven’t seen numbers like that since, until this year. Well, we may be exaggerating a little.

Since the start of 2020, Rancho Mesa’s family has continued to grow. In January, we welcomed sweet baby girl Rylee. Rylee is daughter to Sierra Stone, one of our Assistant Account Managers, and granddaughter to Lori Stone, Rancho Mesa’s Accounting Manager. This is Sierra’s first child and Lori’s second grandbaby.

With March bringing more luck than ever, Andy Roberts, Account Executive in the Surety department, and wife Kelsey brought Reagan Lee into the world. Andy says he is looking forward to seeing her reach all the milestones: first steps, first word, first boyfriend – just kidding, Andy!

Springtime came after the winter melted away. We had a wet winter here in San Diego, so the season change was more than welcomed. Another grandbaby was born into the Rancho Mesa family. Kim Vasquez introduced her second grandson from daughter Brittani Davis who also works at Rancho Mesa as an Account Manager in Santee. Both are looking forward to watching new baby boy Desmond and big brother DJ build a relationship and grow together.

We also have some amazing tiny humans to look forward to in the coming months. In August, Account Manager John Parker is expecting his first baby. Their fur children are eagerly awaiting, as well. 

As Summer comes to an end, a new beginning will start at the Thomas household. Account Coordinator Erin and family are waiting for baby boy #2. Big brother Jaxon can’t stop asking when the baby will be here, and Erin just wants to hold him.  Don’t worry, that day will be here sooner than you know.

We want to say congratulations to all our parents and soon to be parents. Bringing a life into the world is one of the most special and amazing things you can experience. It’s also one of the hardest, but so rewarding. The next generation of Rancho Mesa Insurance is coming and we can’t wait to watch them grow and flourish.

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.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Andy Roberts

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

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to announce Andy Roberts has joined our team as an Account Executive in the Surety department.

Andy has worked in the commercial insurance industry for over eight years, focusing on the insurance needs of homeowners associations throughout California.

After desiring a more specialized role within the industry, Andy decided to join Rancho Mesa's Surety Department. 

Andy was born and raised in San Diego, and currently resides in the Clairemont area with his wife Kelsey and their two dogs. He enjoys staying active, playing softball, ice hockey, and spending time with his family and friends.  

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services sincerely welcomes Andy the RMI team!