Being Authentic and Listening to the Team Keeps Rancho Mesa Insurance Services on Top

By Jahna Jacobon

Outstanding leadership can create a winning culture. A winning culture grows a successful team.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services Inc. employees laud its leadership for fostering a collaborative, dynamic, and positive environment, making it the Best Agency to Work For 2025 Bronze Award winner for the West region.

The award is heart-warming, said Rancho Mesa President David Garcia.

“Knowing that our employees felt strongly enough to nominate us means the world, because culture can’t be faked,” he said. “It tells me we’re on the right track, and it motivates us to keep building a workplace where people feel valued.”

Rancho Mesa, founded more than 25 years ago in San Diego, California, is an independent commercial insurance brokerage providing risk management services to organizations throughout the United States. The agency specializes in construction, landscape and tree care, surety, property/casualty, and nonprofits and human services.

According to Garcia, being authentic and listening to your team is the first step in creating a great workplace.

“Being a best place to work isn’t about programs or perks–it’s about creating an environment where employees feel heard, valued, and supported,” he said. “If you focus on that, recognition will follow.”

Garcia worked at a Fortune 50 company when he was recruited into the commercial insurance industry 38 years ago. He saw insurance as an opportunity to make an impact and a tangible difference for many businesses.

“Giving them a peace of mind that their businesses are protected–problem solving, building relationships, personal growth, and then as time has gone on, watching our employees grow and achieve their own business and personal goals is extremely rewarding,” he said.

“It’s a great place to work because people feel like they belong here,” Garcia added. “We’ve built a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration where everyone’s ideas matter and contributions are recognized.”

An employee with the agency for more than 20 years said their “amazing leadership” has spurred company growth and success.

“Strong leadership from the top has attracted great talent throughout the ranks,” the employee said.

The agency invests in development and innovation and encourages team members to take on new challenges.

“We’re given real opportunities to lead, take ownership, and build something meaningful,” said another employee.

“Promotions are earned through hard work and impact, not politics. I’ve seen colleagues rise quickly because leadership believes in empowering talent.”

Rancho Mesa employees who have worked at other agencies said the agency is one of a kind.

“Client managers come here and are blown away at the level of partnership between themselves and the producers,” an employee said. “There are no big egos, no superiority complexes, and no ungrateful team members. We view every person’s work product and effort as a critical part of the agency’s ‘hum.'”

Garcia and the agency leadership team have set the standard for a culture that offers both autonomy and collaboration, said another employee. The company rewards initiative with competitive compensation, incentives, and ownership opportunities, offering work/life balance and a family focus.

“Most importantly, Rancho Mesa puts people first, celebrating wins, supporting each other through challenges, and giving back to the community,” they said. “It’s a rare environment where hard work, integrity, and ambition truly pay off.”