
Rancho Mesa News

Heat Illness Prevention Vital for Workers in Late Summer and Early Fall
With Fall on the horizon, and high heat still a hazard for employees working outdoors, it remains critical for employers to practice heat illness prevention on the job.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With Fall on the horizon, and high heat still a hazard for employees working outdoors, it remains critical for employers to practice heat illness prevention on the job.
These past few months have seen record-breaking heat across California and throughout the U.S., with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees in areas like Palm Springs. Since many employers conduct heat illness prevention training in May or June, as we close out Summer and enter Fall, employers might be tempted to reduce their monitoring of heat illness symptoms with workers on the jobsite. However, temperatures can still sore well into September and even October. So, this can be dangerous if employers are no longer vigilant.
In order to prepare, employers should check their Heat Illness Prevention Program to ensure it meets current standards. The Cal/OSHA website offers a sample written Heat Illness Prevention Program for both indoor and outdoor spaces that employers can download.
Additionally, employers should keep workers up to date on their heat illness prevention training. Rancho Mesa has added additional dates to our Heat Illness Prevention webinar to help keep employees safe. Clients can register for one of the webinars in the coming weeks to learn how to best protect their workers from heat illness.
Rancho Mesa is happy to offer the necessary resources clients need to stay prepared. For questions about this and other workshops and webinars, contact your Client Technology Coordinator.
Rancho Mesa Hosts Contractual Risk Transfer Workshop
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, August 23, 2024, Rancho Mesa enjoyed a great turnout for its workshop, Protect Your Company with Contractual Risk Transfer, presented by Alan Coppola from Travelers.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Friday, August 23, 2024, Rancho Mesa enjoyed a great turnout for its workshop, Protect Your Company with Contractual Risk Transfer, presented by Alan Coppola from Travelers.
Attendees munched on cookies and sipped refreshments at our Mission Valley office, during the informative presentation. Coppola outlined the importance of including insurance requirements in written contracts on construction projects, and covered common risk exposures associated with these contracts.
Coppola closed his presentation by advising clients to assess their company’s contractual risk process to ensure they are fully protected.
Through workshops such as these, Rancho Mesa aims to help clients gain necessary information to keep their businesses secure and manage risk.
Involved in the Community: Rancho Mesa Sponsors Local Little League
Rancho Mesa is proud to sponsor the Alpine American Little League season for the 2024 year.
Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group has stepped in as coach for the team this season. Garcia., a former professional baseball player himself, is a proud example of our team using their skills to make a meaningful impact on youth lives.
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is proud to sponsor the Alpine American Little League season for the 2024 year.
Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group has stepped in as coach for the team this season. Garcia, a former professional baseball player himself, is a proud example of our team using their skills to make a meaningful impact on youth lives.
We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to this valuable community.
Employee Spotlight: Brenda Khalil Named Client Technology Coordinator
Author, Alyssa Burley, Partner, Marketing & Media Communications Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to announce Brenda Khalil is now a Client Technology Coordinator in the Media Communications and Client Services Group.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Partner, Media Communications & Client Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to announce Brenda Khalil is now a Client Technology Coordinator in the Media Communications and Client Services Group.
After joining Rancho Mesa in November 2023 as a Client Coordinator, Brenda has shown her drive to learn new skills and expand her knowledge of the industry.
As a Client Technology Coordinator, she is now working with clients to implement Rancho Mesa’s RM365 HRAdvantage™ Portal and SafetyOne™ mobile app and website, along with administering the RM365 Advantage Safety Star™ Program.
“I am excited to embark on this new adventure in Client Services, as my desire to help others and be creative, backed by prior experience, will allow me to be a true contributing member of an already amazing team of people. I look forward to assisting our clients,” said Brenda.
Rancho Mesa is delighted to see Brenda growing her career within the Media Communications and Client Services Group.
Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Announces the Promotion of Kelsey McPherson to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead
Rancho Mesa is excited to announce Kelsey McPherson has been promoted to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead for the agency’s Construction Group.
Author, Harriet Berholtz, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to announce Kelsey McPherson has been promoted to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead for the agency’s Construction Group.
McPherson joined Rancho Mesa in 2018 as a Client Manager with experience working with clients from various industries, including construction. Over the last six years, she has specialized in the construction industry and worked to build her leadership skills. Through her dedication and drive, McPherson has shown that she is ready for her new role in the Construction Group.
“I am beyond grateful and excited to step into this new role and for the incredible journey with Rancho Mesa over the past six years,” said McPherson. “These years have provided substantial growth, learning and collaboration with an exceptional team. I look forward to building on our successes and continuing to contribute to the Rancho Mesa OneofOne® vision.”
McPherson is a role model, earning her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. These certifications underscore her commitment to professional development and her deep understanding of the industry.
This promotion to Senior Client Manager/Team Lead reflects Rancho Mesa’s commitment to recognize and foster talent within the agency. Her leadership and expertise have already made a significant impact, and Rancho Mesa is excited to see how she will continue to drive the agency’s success forward.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. Honored with Best Practices Agency Designation for Eighteenth Consecutive Year
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., has been awarded by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) as a Best Practices Agency for the eighteenth consecutive year.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., has been awarded by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”) as a Best Practices Agency for the eighteenth consecutive year.
This prestigious recognition is given to an elite group of agencies that undergo a comprehensive analysis of their methods, practices, and financials to determine who is the best in the industry. Out of approximately 35,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., 2,600 were nominated and only 235 were selected this year for this distinction. In California, Rancho Mesa stands out as one of a select few agencies to earn the Best Practices status.
To qualify, an agency must first be nominated. Following the nomination, it must submit detailed financial and operational information, which is then analyzed, scored, and ranked objectively based on operational excellence, including outstanding customer service, growth, stability, and financial management. Each agency must be among the 35-45 top-performing agencies in its revenue category to be awarded Best Practices status.
The data collected from these Best Practices independent insurance agencies is studied and used to establish benchmarks, enabling other agencies to measure their performance and adapt their businesses based on the best practices guidelines established through the study.
“This award is incredibly challenging to achieve, and I am immensely proud of our team's sustained efforts. Congratulations to everyone at Rancho Mesa for your dedication and hard work,” said Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa.
Each year, the Big “I” publishes its "Best Practices Study," which includes financial and operational data collected from agencies across the United States. The 2024 Best Practices Study will be available later this year and will feature a list of all the Best Practices Agencies by state, as well as the study's results.
To learn more about what it takes to be a "Best Practices Agency," visit www.independentagent.com/best-practices.
Employee Spotlight: David McCoy Moves to Client Coordinator
Rancho Mesa is pleased to announce that David McCoy has taken a role as Client Coordinator in Rancho Mesa’s Landscape and Human Services Group.
Author, Harriet Berholtz, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is pleased to announce that David McCoy has taken a role as Client Coordinator in Rancho Mesa’s Landscape and Human Services Group.
For the last two years, David has worked at Rancho Mesa as a Surety Client Coordinator assisting the team with surety bonds.
In his new role, he will be working with the property and casualty Client Managers.
“I'm excited for the opportunity to try something new and challenging. I'm hoping my past experience with surety will ease the transition.”
David is a San Diego native. In his free time, he enjoys taking his dog places, spending time with friends, and watching movies.
Employee Spotlight: Yvonne Gallagher Leads Landscape Service Group
Yvonne Gallagher, Senior Client Manager and Team Lead, started her insurance career right out of high school, thinking it would be a temporary job. However, after 20+ years in the industry, she has developed a highly successful insurance career.
Author, Harriet Berholtz, Marketing and Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Yvonne Gallagher, Senior Client Manager and Team Lead, started her insurance career right out of high school, thinking it would be a temporary job. However, after 20+ years in the industry, she has developed a highly successful insurance career.
Before joining Rancho Mesa, Yvonne entered the industry by typing certificates of insurance. She was quickly trained in both commercial and personal lines, and earned her Property & Casualty, and Life insurance licenses.
After many years working with a direct writer, Yvonne decided to move to an insurance brokerage as a Client Manager.
Yvonne then found a home at Rancho Mesa in 2016 as a Client Manager, before being promoted to Senior Client Manager in 2020, where she specializes in risk management for the landscape industry. In January 2024, Yvonne took on the role of Team Lead in addition to her other role, where she mentors others in her group and helps grow the landscape book of business.
“I absolutely love being a Client Manager but am really enjoying the challenges of my new Team Lead role. It allows me to work closely with and mentor my incredible team” Yvonne said.
Originally from the East Coast, Yvonne lives in San Diego with her husband and two children. They enjoy bowling, camping, and taking trips to the desert and river.
Employee Spotlight: Welcome Client Manager Penelope Marquez
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa welcomes our newest Client Manager, Penelope Maquez.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa welcomes our newest Client Manager, Penelope Maquez.
Penelope brings over ten years of insurance experience, most recently working at an agency in Chula Vista, where she managed small business clients, including contractors, restaurants, and main street businesses. Her wide array of experience working across different industries will enhance the level of service that Rancho Mesa provides to its clients.
Penelope was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She and her husband have one dog, Nox, and one cat, Noah. In her free time, she enjoys the company of family and friends, listening to audiobooks, and teaching Sunday school.
Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Penelope to the team!
Employee Spotlight: Surety Group Welcomes Manuel Ovalle
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Manuel Ovalle as our new Surety Client Coordinator.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa is excited to welcome Manuel Ovalle as our new Surety Client Coordinator.
Manuel has 16 years of experience in various administrative roles, including the last nine years as a Records Control/Data Specialist. His extensive administrative background and skill set will transition nicely into his role with the Surety Group.
Manuel was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their three boys, watching sports, movies, and going to the beach.
Rancho Mesa is thrilled to have Manuel as part of the team!