IIAB Hosts Annual Golf Day

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.

Rancho Mesa team members, Daniel Frazee, Shane Medlin, Sam Clayton, Dave Garcia, Chase Hixson and Sam Brown showed their support while including Nick Shureen and David Winthers from Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

To keep players safe, rather than the traditional awards dinner following the event, winners were announced via email. Players still enjoyed delicious food, as they were provided with lunch that had been placed on their carts before the round began.

About IIAB San Diego

IIAB San Diego is a group of local insurance professionals dedicated to upholding the ideals of the American Agency System. Our Association is founded on mutual respect and support of its members. Through our Association, members access information necessary to further their business. The continuing work of our Association benefits our members, the insurance industry and the San Diego community at large. They stand ready to meet the challenges of both the present and the future through involvement in both profession and the community. To learn more, visit www.iiabsandiego.com.

No Tricks by Rancho Mesa, Just Treats for the Boys & Girls Club

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

Over the last few weeks, as we’ve heard more and more about what a different Halloween this is going to be for children everywhere, we wanted to try and help put a few smiles on children’s faces. “With COVID-19, we all feel a sense of fatigue and desire to go back to life as it once was. But, for now that isn’t possible,” said Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa. “We thought, as the Rancho Mesa family, we could maybe bring some joy to a few children this Halloween.”

So, we came up with the idea to package 500 trick or treat bags; loaded with candy, a gaiter facemask, and mini hand sanitizers donated by Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, and distribute them through two of our clients: the Boys & Girls Clubs of both East County and South Bay.

Rancho Mesa team members, Kim Vasquez, Lori Stone, Alyssa Burley, and Sierra Stone ordered all the goodies and for the last four weeks have been filling the treat bags during lunch. 

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the four of them stepping up and finding the time to make this happen – and I can’t wait to see pictures of the smiles on those children’s faces,” says Dave.

Beginning this week, the Boys & Girls Clubs will begin handing out the trick or treat bags to all the kids that visit the clubs. With each bag, there is a printed card asking them to take a picture of themselves and send it back to us so that we can post their smiling faces for everyone to enjoy.

Be sure to check back next week as we post all those smiling faces. Happy Halloween from the Ranch Mesa family!

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Ghosts, goblins and pumpkins, oh my! 

Witches flying on brooms through the sky. 

Halloween is particularly spooky this year,

Thanks to the Evil Dr. COVID we had extra to fear.

But fear not, our RMI team quickly got to work,

On a special surprise that would surely bring a smirk.

Bags filled with candy, toys and masks,

Even some hand sanitizer for those everyday tasks.

Then off to the Boys & Girls Club 500 bags went,

For all the sweet little ones whose days are spent,

With the amazing staff and team at the Boys & Girls Club,

So of course, we couldn’t help but want to spread the love.

From all of us at the Rancho Mesa Team,

We want to wish you all a fun, and safe, Halloween!

BHHC Celebrates 50 Years

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

Box of See’s Candies BHHC delivered to the Rancho Mesa office as a ‘Thank You’ for partnering with them during their 50 years of success.

Rancho Mesa would like to congratulate their partner Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) on 50 years of successfully insuring local businesses.

BHHC has been providing OneofOne® workers’ compensation services to Rancho Mesa clients for more than 20 years.

“Without a doubt their support and partnership has been a key to our success. We certainly respect their business acumen but value their integrity and how they “Do The Right Thing” over and over again. Congratulations!!!” expressed Dave Garcia, President and CEO of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

BHHC’s Workers Compensation division is committed to providing injured workers with compassionate care and access to effective, timely treatment and support. The combined strengths of their specialized, in-house service teams, tailored risk management services, return-to-work programs, proactive claim management and fraud prevention help contribute to superior claim outcomes and set BHHC above competitors.

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 50 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/bhhc-culture.aspx

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.

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.

Client Spotlight: 36th Annual Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Raises Funds for UCP San Diego

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

San Diego’s firefighters, local TV and radio personalities, Hollywood celebrities, look-a-likes, and caring patrons gathered on Coronado’s sunny shores to raise funds for the United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County (UCP) at the 36th Annual Firefighters & Friends Celebrity Waiters Luncheon. Clear skies over the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa on September 20, 2019 lend itself to a perfect afternoon for giving to a worthwhile cause.

The event’s live and silent auctions, generous tips and sponsorships raised $58,000 for the organization whose mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

“UCP would like to thank our local media partners Sunny 98.1 FM, Location Edit, KUSI News and the San Diego Community Newspaper Group for their promotional efforts,” reads the organization’s website. “UCP also thanks the staff of the Coronado Marriott Resort & Spa for their assistance and cooperation and the following organizations, companies and individuals for their support: Auctioneer Clint Bell, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, Misty Thompson & Melody Morgan, DPC Productions, the San Diego Gulls, San Diego Seals National Lacrosse team and the San Diego Enforcers.”

Rancho Mesa Insurance is truly honored to support UCP’s mission.

The 36th Annual Firefighters & Friends Celebrity Waiters Luncheon to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County. Video courtesy of United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego.

About United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County

UCP is an agency committed to serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families since 1958. Working throughout the years to improve services with every step, UCP has program centers in San Diego and Escondido and numerous community based programs serving hundreds of local citizens on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.ucpsd.org.

BHHC Honored at OneofOne® Partners Recognition Spotlight Event

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

Like an intimate gathering of close friends, guests celebrated at the San Diego Yacht Club on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the OneofOne® Partners Recognition Spotlight event hosted by Rancho Mesa’s President, Dave Garcia. The event honored Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies’ (BHHC) San Diego claims department and underwriting staff for their commitment to providing OneofOne® service to Rancho Mesa clients over the last 20+ years.

The evening was filled with views of the marina, food, drinks, music, photobooth, tequila, and friendly faces. All enjoyed the celebration.

"On behalf of BHHC,” wrote Margaret Hartmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at BHHC. “I just wanted to express our gratitude for the amazing appreciation event in recognition of our service teams. It was a wonderful celebration of our long term and very successful partnership with Rancho Mesa. Everything was first class — the venue, food, tequila and even the weather was perfect. We were overwhelmed by your generosity and graciousness. Once again you have proved that Rancho Mesa is OneofOne. We look forward to continuing to provide the highest quality of service to our mutual clients. We can’t thank you enough!"

Thank you BHHC for your continued partnership!

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.

Rancho Mesa Hosts Heat Illness Prevention Workshop

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

Berkshire Hathaway's Zadock "Zee" Reid presented at the Heat Illness Prevention workshop hosted by Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Boys & Girls Club of East County in Santee, CA.

Zee conducted an educational and engaging workshop as he covered a variety of topics including:

• Modified Temperature Guidlines

• Pre-shift Meetings

• Supervisory Expectations

• Clarification on Access to Water

• Clarification on Access to Shade    

• Rest & Recovery periods

• Monitoring Employees

• Weather Monitoring

• High Heat Procedures

• Emergency Response

The Heat Illness Prevention workshop is part the RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™. At the end of the workshop, attendees completed and passed the required quiz to receive credit towards the program.

It is always a pleasure having Zadock Reid educate our clients on Heat Illness Prevention. We look forward to having Zee back to conduct another interactive and engaging workshop!

For those who were unable to attend the workshop, a video is available on demand within the Risk Management Center, and can be easily accessed by using the key words “Heat Illness Prevention” in the search box. Or, it can be requested via the Workshop Video Request Form.

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.