Drew Garcia Provides Insight into COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation Claims in Total Landscape Care Magazine

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

As the country continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa and NALP’s Safety and Risk Management Committee Chair, shared his insurance expertise with Beth Hyatt Presley in her article “Take it out: Diving in deeper with COVID-19 preperation practices” published on March 20, 2020.

As a subject matter expert, Drew gives advice on COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims and business interruption as it pertains to property coverage.

According to Drew, each workers’ compensation claim is evaluated by its unique situation. In order for COVID-19 to be a covered workers’ compensation claim it, “must be caused or aggravated by a condition of employment.”

Drew says in order for COVID-19 to be considered a cause of loss, ones property policy must have pollution coverage. As a virus may be considered a pollutant.

Drew’s complete responses and the full article can be found at TotalLandscapeCare.com.

Rancho Mesa Sponsors Leaders Forum 2020

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

Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, and Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, attended NALP’s Leaders Forum in Cabo San Lucas on January 21st to 26th. Rancho Mesa was a sponsor along with Caterpillar and John Deere.

“Once you have experienced this event you will become an annual attendee. The content and networking amongst industry greats is incredible,” said Drew Garcia.

On Friday morning of the event, Rancho Mesa unveiled their new video titled "Above and Beyond - Landscape." The video features Drew, explaining Rancho Mesa’s 2020 theme.

“We admire the complexity and professionalism the landscape industry stands for,” expressed Drew Garcia. “It was our hope that the video would demonstrate our appreciation for their work and our ambition to not only understand the risk, but provide tangible solutions to help support the direction the industry is headed. Based on some feedback after the movie played, I think our message was received. We are proud to be so engaged and committed.”

In attendance were Rancho Mesa partners, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Margaret Hartmann from Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) and AXIS Insurance’s Associate Program Manger, Nakia Rawles and Executive Vice President & Head of U.S. Programs, John Tatum.

Mark you calendars for January 21-23, 2021 when Leaders Forum heads to Maui, Hawaii!

About NALP
The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

About BHHC
The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies is a group of six insurance carriers that are part of the Berkshire Hathaway group of insurance companies. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 40 years in business, BHHC has grown from a regional organization to a national insurance group, offering insurance products from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.bhhc.com.

About AXIS
AXIS Insurance Co. is a leading global specialty insurer and reinsurer, providing clients and distribution partners with a broad range of risk transfer products and services, backed by the exceptional financial strength and solid claims-paying ability of the AXIS insurance companies. They provide customized property, casualty, professional lines and other specialty coverage across the globe through wholesale and retail brokers, and managing general underwriters. To learn more, visit www.axiscapital.com.

Photos provided by NALP.

LANDSCAPES 2019 Conference Grows A Culture of Safety

Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa looks forward to participating in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) LANDSCAPES event each year. From veteran industry icons to rookie start-ups, this event has information for everyone.

The 4-day schedule was packed as Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, and myself championed two different Breakfast with Champions' table topics. We discussed the top five free safety phone applications for landscape professionals.

As much as we are supposed to lead the discussion at the tables I always end up coming away learning more from the group. We discussed how equipment continues to evolve, and we witness the result this has on productivity, yet not often do companies explore how they can leverage today’s tech to become a safer company. From communication to training, and overall awareness, technology is ready to make a difference in the landscape industry.

Alyssa Burley, Rancho Mesa’s Media Communications Manager, had re-arranged a hotel conference room into our mobile studio, “StudioOne.” Alyssa and I were able to interview six different landscape companies from across the country. In the next few months, NALP and Rancho Mesa will be releasing the final version of these safety interviews to help the industry share ideas and continue to build upon establishing a safe work environment.

I was also able to interview Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Margaret Hartmann and Loss Control Manager Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) to provide insurance carrier perspective in regards to the landscape industry. In the months to come, you will hear how BHHC takes a proactive approach to claims management and injury prevention.

At the Kentucky Expo Center, Dave and I led a hour and fifteen-minute presentation on “the Four Secrets to Making Your Safety Program Improve Your Bottom Line,” which was full of audience interaction.

On the last night, I was selected to participate in the 50th Annual Awards of Excellence as the presenter for the safety portion of the program. I had the pleasure of announcing the winners of the Safety Awards and then join Rancho Mesa client Brett and Theresa Brennan of Urban Habitat, who collected a Gold Award for their Coachella Etherea Art Park Project.

Friday morning wrapped up the event and the team headed back to San Diego, CA. LANDSCAPES is held every October in Louisville, Kentucky. We hope you mark your calendar to join us, next year on October 20-23, 2020, for another incredible event!

Client Spotlight: Urban Habitat’s Project Gains National Recognition

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Drew Garcia, left, with Urban Habitat holding the Gold Award of Excellence plaque.

Urban Habitat’s Brett and Theresa Brennan were recognized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) for their Coachella Etherea Art Park Project on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at the 50th Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky.   

“When Urban’s project was announced you could hear the entire room take notice. A special moment for Brett and Theresa,” said Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa. “Sometimes I get so caught up in delivering for our landscape clients, from the insurance aspect, that I don’t get the opportunity to lift my head up and enjoy the beautiful work they create on a daily basis. Our team takes a lot of pride working with Urban Habitat and we are extremely proud of the amazing work they create on a daily basis.”

The Coachella Valley, CA based company received the Gold Award for their excellence and creativity in the Commercial Design/Build category. The NALP Awards of Excellence Program honors outstanding landscape projects. Judges assess excellence in design, craftsmanship, build, maintenance, attention to detail, in addition to specific criteria for various categories, is assessed for each. Urban Habitat received the Gold Award, the program’s highest category of excellence, for going above and beyond the standard. Rancho Mesa is honored to work with a company that shares our OneofOne® philosophy.

Drew Garcia reiterated, “This was a statement project, Urban was competing against National and Super-Regional Landscape Companies to win this award. To come out with a Gold Award among companies like that is incredible.”

About Urban Habitat
Urban Habitat has years of experience as Coachella Valley's premier landscape provider. Their vast experience and expertise includes small renovations to large scale industrial and commercial sites, resorts, hotels, master planned communities and public works projects. They specialize in design/architecture, landscape construction installation, grounds maintenance, arboricultural, and water management services. To learn more visit their LinkedIn page.

Rancho Mesa Film Studio Travels East to National Conference

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

Drew Garcia interviewing Margaret Hartmann Senior Vice President Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

Media Communications Manager, Alyssa Burley, moved the Rancho Mesa filming studio east to Louisville, Kentucky for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 2019 LANDSCAPES Conference.

Alyssa joined Drew Garcia, Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Landscapes Division and Program Manager for the NALP Lawn & Landscape Workers’ Compensation and Package Programs, as he interviewed several landscape industry professionals, including this year's safety award winners, and Margaret Hartmann & Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

LANDSCAPES is an educational event for landscape and lawn care professionals. The four day event is packed full of keynote speakers, expos, recognition ceremonies, networking, and more. Presenters included Drew and David Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, as they educated attendees on the "4 Secrets to Using Your Safety Program to Improve Your Bottom Line."

About NALP
The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

There’s Still Time to Register for the 2019 Nalp Field Trip

Want to move your landscaping business forward? Rancho Mesa is thrilled to sponsor the 2019 NALP Field Trip, August 6–7 in San Diego, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of LandCare and learn firsthand how they operate every area of their tremendously successful operation. In this short video, event presenter Marty Grunder, president and CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co. and a leading green-industry coach, shares what he’s looking to learn from the LandCare team to drive improvement at his own company and what you can, too. 

For a complete list of information about this event please visit NALP Field Trip: Frank and Marty’s Excellent Adventure or contact Lisa Wood at NALP for more details. 

NALP Field Trip Comes to San Diego!

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

Rancho Mesa is excited to announce our sponsorship to what has been described as the “Can’t miss educational event of the summer!”

Industry icons Marty Grunder and Frank Mariani, along with host Mike Bogan of LandCare, headline an incredible opportunity for educational growth and networking. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla, CA on August 6th & 7th and there will be a special tour of the LandCare facility. 

For a complete list of information about this event please visit NALP Field Trip: Frank and Marty’s Excellent Adventure or contact Lisa Wood at NALP for more details. 

We hope to see you there!

Rancho Mesa Co-Hosts OSHA 10 Course for Landscape Industry

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance, Inc.

Attendees holding certificates after completion of the OSHA 10 Course for the Landscape Industry.

On May 14 & 15, 2019 Rancho Mesa Insurance Services’ co-hosted the OSHA 10 Course for the Landscape Industry at the San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA.

The OSHA 10 Course for the Landscape Industry is a two-day training provided by Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) in partnership with the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. 

Multiple companies were in attendance at the workshop, including Atlas Tree Service, Four Seasons Tree Care, Inc., Heaviland Landscape Management, Rancho West Landscape, Inc., Pacific Green Landscape, Inc., True Lawn Care, Inc., and Urban Habitat.

Art Marquez of BHHC started off the training with an introduction of the history of OSHA. Steve Hamilton taught the rest of the course covering a variety of topics such as the fatal four hazards (i.e., fall protection, caught in or between, electrical exposures, and struck-by hazards), material handling storage/use, and stairways/ladders. Steve and Art are in the Loss Control department at BHHC, which assists the insureds with safety related trainings and site inspections to ensure that they are not doing anything that would create a hazard or potential claim.

“Momentum" Video Premiers at Leaders Forum 2019

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Dave Garcia, President & Chief Executive Officer, and Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, along with Margaret Hartmann, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, participated in NALP’s Leaders Forum last weekend in Aruba. 

The Leaders Forum is an annual leadership education conference for landscape industry professionals. It is a great opportunity for fellow company owners and executives to connect, share, and learn.

The event marked the video premier of Rancho Mesa’s Momentum. After the video ended, Rancho Mesa’s Drew Garcia was welcomed to the stage to address the audience on behalf of the company.

“It was a great opportunity to speak in front of some of the landscape industry’s greatest leaders,” said Drew Garcia. “I’ve had the privilege to work with some incredible leaders throughout my baseball and insurance career. I look forward to this event each year, I always come home with so much information that I can apply to my life; both at home and at work.”

Leaders Forum is a great way to jump start the year with fresh ideas that can be brought back to the workplace and positively impact your business.

“Let’s keep the momentum going in 2019!” said Drew Garcia.

About NALP

The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

About Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies

The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies is a group of six insurance carriers that are part of the Berkshire Hathaway group of insurance companies. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 40 years in business, BHHC has grown from a regional organization to a national insurance group, offering insurance products from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.bhhc.com.

Inside Look at OSHA 10 Course for Landscape Industry

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

Drew Garcia of Rancho Mesa gives an inside look at the 10-Hour OSHA Construction Course for the Landscape Industry.  Interested in hosting one at your facility? Contact Amy Easterday at amy@landscapeprofessionals.org or call 1-800-395-2522.

The OSHA 10 Course for the Landscape Industry is a two-day training hosted by Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, provided by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) in partnership with Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies held on May 17-18, 2018 at San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA.  

Video originally aired live on the NALP Facebook page.