2023 Reflections: Rancho Mesa Milestones and Triumphs

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

Rancho Mesa had an epic 2023. From moving offices to celebrating huge company milestones, the year was full of excitement for our team.

Launching SafetyOne™

Rancho Mesa launched it’s very own proprietary safety mobile app, SafetyOne™, in January kicking off the year with client demonstrations, trainings and webinars designed to get users up to speed quickly. The official launch was a colossal endeavor. After several years of research, planning, development, and focus group input, the mobile app and website was released to Rancho Mesa clients. We’re currently at 999 users and will soon cross the 1,000 user mark.  

Moving to Mission Valley

In typical Rancho Mesa fashion, the first day at the new Mission Valley office could not be just another April morning. Dubbed Opening Day, as a nod to the start of a new baseball season, the morning was carefully orchestrated to build excitement for the new space, the team would call their second home.  Smiling faces eagerly arrived and waited outside the office doors like they were anticipating entering a concert venue. As 8:00 am rolled around, “cel-e-brate good times, c’mon” could be heard coming from within the new office. As the banners were moved from the doorway and the crowd was let inside, the word “wow” could be heard over and over like seeing one of nature’s wonders for the first time. People hugged and shook hands as they explored the new space. Little touches like the naming of The Clubhouse (large conference room) and The Dugout (small conference room) to the concessions sign in the lunchroom all reinforced the feeling of Rancho Mesa’s team spirit.

Attending Summit Club

After settling into the new office, it was time to relax at Summit Club.  Every year, this trip is attended by the agency’s top producers, leadership team and admin staff who have reached certain milestones. June was the perfect time to escape to the St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. For five days, attendees relaxed and explored the natural beauty of the area while strengthening their relationships with other Rancho Mesa team members.

Celebrating 25 years

Once the team came back from Summit Club, it was time for the entire agency, carrier partners and a few original Rancho Mesa clients to celebrate the company’s 25th Anniversary.  Held at the Skybox at DiamondView Tower in San Diego, CA on a warm July evening, the celebration overlooked the city’s baseball stadium and downtown’s stunning skyline. Guests enjoyed a look back at Rancho Mesa’s 25 years through a heartfelt video that featured the story of the agency’s beginning.

Earning the National Best Practices Agency title

In August, for the 17th year, Rancho Mesa was named an Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) National Best Practices Agency. Of the roughly 35,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., only about 150 across the nation were chosen in 2023. In California, Rancho Mesa is among about a dozen agencies to earn this distinction.

Giving Back to the Industry

Throughout the year, team members were encouraged to develop their industry knowledge through earning new designations, researching and writing articles, and participating in the StudioOne podcast. As a result of their efforts, many appeared on third-party podcasts, as webinar expert panelists, and speakers for various events.

Along with developing industry expertise, our team is also encouraged to take on leadership roles within various organizations. For the second year in a row, Christina Haake has accepted the role of Secretary of the PWI San Diego. Jeremy Hoolihan has joined the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of San Diego board. Andy Roberts has been elected President of the Surety Association of San Diego for 2024. And I, Alyssa Burley, continue to serve on the National Association of Women in Construction San Diego board.

Our team not only volunteered their time with industry associations but also throughout the community. We supported organizations like Nativity Prep, MAAC Project, Family Health Centers of San Diego, United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego and many others.

With an incredible year behind us, Rancho Mesa is grateful for our clients and partners for their support. The success and excitement of 2023 leaves us hopeful and optimistic for the 2024 year to come.

Rancho Mesa Celebrates at its 2023 Holiday Party!

Over the weekend, Rancho Mesa had a blast celebrating another amazing year and holiday season with our team, loved ones, and friends!

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, we enjoyed delicious food, drinks, music, dancing, games and lots of holiday cheer amid a beautiful ocean view at the Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla.

Rancho Mesa wishes you a Happy Holidays and New Year, from our family to yours!

Employee Spotlight: Whitney Chiriboga Attains MLIS Designation

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

Rancho Mesa is proud to announce that Assisant Client Manager Whitney Chiriboga has earned the Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS) designation.

The MLIS program is designed to equip insurance professionals with a comprehensive understanding of management liability exposures and insurance coverage. The program provides Whitney with fundamental knowledge in areas such as professional liability insurance, directors and officers (D&O) liability, employment practices liability (EPL), and fiduciary liability exposures and insurance.

This accomplishment reflects Whitney's dedication to enhancing her expertise and better serving her clients, particularly in the human services and nonprofit sector.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Grows with Newest Addition Brenda Khalil

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to announce the newest member of our team, Client Coordinator Brenda Khalil.

Brenda brings with her over 15 years of experience in various office administrative roles, more recently as an accounting/bookkeeping associate. She has also worked as the Education & Customer Relations Coordinator at an animal sanctuary.

As a San Diego native and the youngest of seven children, Brenda has a love for spending time with family and friends. She has a passion for the outdoors, enjoying activates such as hiking, camping, and exploring new towns. Additionally, Brenda has an enthusiasm for trying new restaurants and sharing her own culinary creations with others.

Rancho Mesa is fortunate to have Brenda’s diverse experiences and vibrant personality on the team. Welcome to the Rancho Mesa family, Brenda!

Rancho Mesa Expands Ownership Welcoming Four New Partners

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to introduce its newest partners to the ownership team, Account Executive Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive Kevin Howard, Accounting Manager & Office Administrator Lori Stone, and Media Communications & Client Services Manager Alyssa Burley. These individuals have been offered ownership stakes in recognition of their contributions and dedication to Rancho Mesa’s success.

Unlike traditional practices that limit ownership to account executives, Rancho Mesa has extended this opportunity to key support staff members, acknowledging success is a collaborative effort that involves contributions from every department.

"I’m so excited to welcome Jeremy, Kevin, Alyssa and Lori as new partners. This obviously represents how much they have all meant to the business success of Rancho Mesa but also just what amazing people they all are. They are not just business partners to me but, most importantly, friendships I cherish." said Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa.

Rancho Mesa's commitment to recognizing achievements at all levels not only celebrates its team members' accomplishments but also signifies a commitment to promoting a workplace where every individual, regardless of their role, is empowered to contribute to the company's overall success.

Rancho Mesa Hosts 2024 Employment Law Webinar

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

On Wednesday, November 8th, Rancho Mesa held its very popular 2024 Employment Law webinar for California Employers. The virtual event was presented by Thomas E. Daugherty from Klinedinst Attorneys and covered the laws affecting the workforce next year.

Daugherty covered both Federal and California State employment laws. He focused on laws specifically affecting California businesses beginning in 2024, such as increases in minimum wage and paid sick leave, along with workplace violence prevention requirements.

Daugherty expanded on the Cannabis discrimination law, which was mentioned in last years’ presentation, but officially takes effect in 2024. Additional updates included changes in non-compete agreements and the new reproductive loss leave.

The webinar welcomed questions from attendees as Daugherty outlined a plethora of important information for employers.

Rancho Mesa prioritizes hosting workshops and webinars such as this to ensure clients are best equipped to run their organizations. The webinar was recorded and will be broadcasted again on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Register today. 

Employee Spotlight: Becky Diaz Joins Client Coordinator Team

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

Becky Diaz has joined Rancho Mesa’s growing team as a Client Coordinator. Becky brings with her seven years of general office administrative experience, with a specialty in accounts payable. Most recently she was a client support specialist at a benefits and enrollment company in San Diego.

Currently pursuing Associate Degrees in Sociology and Communication Studies at San Diego Mesa College, Becky demonstrates a commitment to learning and personal development.

Becky is a San Diego native. Outside of the office, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and dog, Simba.

Becky's enthusiasm, paired with her diverse skill set, make her a valuable asset to the Rancho Mesa team.

Client Spotlight: Francis Parker School Prioritizes Fall Protection Training

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

Recently, Francis Parker School took a significant step in ensuring the well-being of their maintenance crew by organizing fall protection training.

The training was expertly conducted by Zee Reid and Laurel Tanaka-Regan, Senior Loss Control Specialists at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. Their experience in safety measures ensured that the maintenance crew at Francis Parker School received thorough instruction on fall protection. By partnering with professionals who prioritize safety, Francis Parker School not only demonstrates their dedication to their team's well-being but also their commitment to fostering a safe and secure environment.

Rancho Mesa is thrilled to support clients like Francis Parker School, who embrace safety as a core value and take proactive steps to protect their community.

About Francis Parker School
Francis Parker School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 from across San Diego County. Parker's mission is to inspire a diverse community of independent thinkers whose academic excellence, global perspective and strength of character prepare them to make a meaningful difference in the world. To learn more, please visit francisparker.org.

Employee Spotlight: Jack Marrs Elevates His Insurance Expertise with MLIS Designation

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

Jack Marrs, an Associate Account Executive specializing in the Human Services sector at Rancho Mesa, has earned the Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS) designation. The MLIS program equips professionals like Jack with a comprehensive understanding of management liability exposures and insurance coverage.

Completion of this program signifies proficiency in the fundamentals of professional liability insurance, directors and officers (D&O) liability, employment practices liability (EPL), and fiduciary liability exposures and insurance. Jack's achievement shows his dedication to providing top-notch service to his clients and reinforces Rancho Mesa's commitment to developing its team.

With the MLIS designation in hand, Jack is better positioned to advise and protect the interests of the organizations he serves.

PWI San Diego's Paint and Wine Night: An Evening of Networking and Creativity

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

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Rancho Mesa team members gathered at Pinot’s Palette in Liberty Station for PWI San Diego's Paint and Wine Night. PWI San Diego is an organization that offers insurance industry professionals with opportunities, including networking, business development, idea exchange, career enhancement, education, and community service.

The Paint and Wine Night was a unique blend of socializing and creativity. This is just one of PWI’s many events. They host an impressive lineup of gatherings, including their annual golf tournament, fashion show, and holiday party.

One of Rancho Mesa’s employees, Senior Client Manager Christina Haake, takes an active role in PWI San Diego as the Secretary. Christina’s involvement highlights her dedication to not only excel in her career but also to support the community. To learn more about PWI San Diego, please visit PWISD.org.