About Rancho Del Sur Insurance Services, Inc.

Craig Bass
Principal/President

craig@ranchodelsurinsurance.com

Craig W Bass is an experienced insurance professional. Insurance is in his blood. His father was a perennial top performer for Farmers Insurance with a forty-year agency in Torrance, CA. Upon completion of his studies at San Diego State University, Craig started his own scratch agency in Lomita, CA. He remained an agent, winning every honor Farmers could bestow, establishing himself as a rising star within the company. Within seven years he had attained the pinnacle of Farmers success by being invited to participate in the President's Council, an honor reserved for the upper 1% of agents and district managers.

Looking for greater challenges, Craig sold his agency to his father to try his hand at being a district manager. He moved to Colorado for two-year tutelage. Then he accepted his own small district. He took the district from obscurity to notoriety by increasing both sales and morale. He rapidly established himself an insurance prodigy and a natural leader... a rare combination.

In 2002 Craig moved back to California. He took the reins of District 9951 in San Diego. The rest is history. Craig turned this small district into a powerhouse, netting him California District Manager of the Year as well as all other awards offered by Farmers. Toppers Club is awarded to the top 10% in the company. He won that twenty five times. The Championship award goes to the top 3%. He won eleven times. Lastly, the coveted President's Council (top 1%) was awarded Craig Bass an amazing ten times. After selling his district at Farmers in 2018 Craig built a $10+ million dollar agency in Southern California prior to accepting a position as President of Distribution at City Centre Insurance Management Group, Inc.

Scott Benjamin
Co-Principal/Agent

scott@ranchodelsurinsurance.com

Scott Benjamin has been serving the community of San Diego and beyond as an insurance agent/broker since 1990. Originally from the Detroit area, Scott graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1982 in Hotel Administration. After serving in various management capacities in the hospitality field for 8 years, he entered into the Insurance industry as a Farmers Insurance agent in 1990.

Scott served as a Farmers Agent for 20 years and moved to an independent agency in 2010 where he continued until July of 2016.

"As an independent insurance broker, my daily activities are similar to those of a specialized personal shopper. I review the numerous carriers and coverage programs available to me and find the best fit for the unique exposures and risks my clients face, and find the most cost effective way to do so."

Away from work, Scott enjoys golf, barbequing and watching football.

Geoffrey Mountain
Co-Principal Washington Office

geoff@ranchodelsurinsurance.com

Geoffrey Mountain spent the beginning of his career as an Award-Winning Real Estate Broker including Broker of the Year for Walker & Lee/ Great Western Real Estate and Broker-Owner of the Year for RE/MAX of CA.

After a successful career in real estate, he transferred his interests to the insurance industry and owned an Insurance Agency in Carlsbad. In 2023, he decided to join forces with Craig Bass at Rancho Del Sur Insurance and eventually relocated to Spokane to manage the local office as Co-Principal. Geoff is licensed in CA, WA, ID & OR.

Cheri Dornberg
Personal Lines Manager

cheri@ranchodelsurinsurance.com

Cheri Dornberg was born and raised in San Diego and began her career in the insurance field in 2001 at Farmers Insurance in Poway. In 2005, Cheri moved to Texas and continued working for a Farmers agent along with an independent agent. Cheri is now back in San Diego and is beginning a new chapter of her life with Rancho Del Sur Insurance Services, Inc.

With over 15 years in the insurance business, Cheri is very knowledgeable and can handle your insurance needs proficiently and professionally. She truly enjoys working with customers and building solid relationships with our clients.

Cheri enjoys spending time with her husband, their two sons and their lab and German shepherd.

Ruby Castillo
Office/Operations Manager

ruby@ranchodelsurinsurance.com

Ruby is a native of San Diego County with a rich history in Southern California. She has worked in the insurance industry since 1989; beginning at Farmers Insurance as a file clerk and quickly promoted, where she worked in each of the following disciplines: Commercial, Workers' Compensation, Auto / Home Life Insurance, and Personal Umbrella, and then advanced to a management role in the Billing Department. In 2005 she left the regional office and joined a district office - still with Farmers. She remained with that $100+ million dollar district office until 2018 when she successfully transitioned to the brokerage world. When not on the job, Ruby enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and is very active in her church. She brings years of experience and know how to City Centre.