Advantica EyeCare Updates Website
Advantica EyeCare would like to thank you for your business and continued support. We are pleased to report that through our continued growth, we are able to make significant investments in our people and our technology. One component of our investment in new technology will provide our clients with a more efficient online administrative tool. We are planning the new system upgrade on Friday, November 14th, 2008. As a result, the website will be down from Friday the 14th through Tuesday the 18th. The new benefit administrator portal will be up and running on Wednesday, November 19th; at which time, you will be able to login using your current username and password. The site will take on a new look and will offer more features to better facilitate your needs.
Should you need any assistance while the site is down or would like to schedule a training session with an Advantica Representative, please contact your account manager.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience during the exciting transition.
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Advantica EyeCare Announces Office Expansion in Clearwater, Florida.
Advantica EyeCare has announced that their Corporate Headquarters in Clearwater, Florida will be expanding effective December 1, 2008
Advantica EyeCare's Corporate Headquarters is located in the Arbor Shoreline Office Park in Clearwater, Florida and recently due to organizational growth the need to expand has become apparent. Advantica will be expanding in to an additional 1600 square feet adjacent to the current office. According to Andy Davis, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, "The additional office space is important to us as we look to add administrative support for the executive team, account management and additional staff in our finance department."
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Human Resources Director
Clearwater, FL- Advantica EyeCare, a vision benefit company offering services to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Sherry Reich to the position of Human Resources Director.
Sherry Reich comes to Advantica EyeCare with over 20 years of Human Resource experience. Throughout her career, Mrs. Reich has worked and excelled with several employers with similar employee populations to Advantica EyeCare. Mrs. Reich began her career with a major retail chain in Washington D.C., where she provided the oversight for the company's 400 employees. Sherry also brings healthcare experience from her most recent employment with Trailblazer Health, a Medicare contractor owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. According to Linda Sauer, Advantica EyeCare's Chief Operating Officer "Sherry's many years of HR experience in both healthcare and call center environments will be a valuable asset to our organization". Mrs. Reich obtained her Professional in Human Resources Certification in 2000. She is active in CHRA and is a local member of the Society for Human Resources Management.
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more than 10,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to nearly two million members. The company is Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and it service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Vice President of National Sales and Strategic Development
Clearwater, FL - Advantica EyeCare, a vision care plan and management company to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Denise Stefan to the position of Vice President of National Sales and Strategic Development according to Andy Davis, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing.
Denise Joins Advantica EyeCare with over 15 years of experience in the employee benefits and healthcare industries. Denise started her career in the Northeast with US Healthcare where she was an Account Executive selling to middle market employers. She then held several sales and management roles within US Healthcare and then Aetna in the Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, FL markets. Mrs. Stefan graduated the University of Connecticut, with both a Bachelors Degree in Marketing and Management and a Masters in Business Administration. "We are delighted Denies is a part of our team. Her skill set will not only influence our sales efforts, she will be able to contribute to all aspects of our organizational growth." Said Mr. Davis.
Advantica EyeCare serves a network of more than 10,000 retail optical and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to Two million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare is title sponsor of Birdies for the Brave Tampa Bay
Clearwater, FL (September 12, 2008) - Advantica EyeCare, a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announcned that it will be the Title Sponsor of the Birdies for the Brave golf tournament at TPC Tampa Bay in December.
According to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO of Advantica EyeCare, "Our company is honored to have the opportunity to be associated with an outstanding organization that supports our military and their families. We are excited about having our team as well as our business partners be involved in this event." Gerald P. Minetti, Major General, USA (R), Tournament Co-Director, added "The financial and community support provided by Advantica EyeCare is such an important component of the success of this event. Mr. Richard Sanchez and his team are an excellent example of how we as U.s. patriots can support both our troops and their families at home. We are very pleased to have Advantica EyeCare on the team!"
Birdies for the Brave, which falls under the PGA TOUR Charities, Inc. has grown to include fundraising events benefiting six military homefront groups: Homes For Our Troops, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Homefront, Naval Special Warfare Foundation and Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. All are 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organizations and are part of the U.S. Department of Defense's America Supports You initiative. Military fundraising events are held at the PGA TOUR's TPC network of premier golf clubs coast-to-coast.
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more than 10,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to 2 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its operations center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Sean McCormick to the position of Marketing Project Manager
Clearwater, FL - Advantica EyeCare, a Vision care plan provider to employer gro0ups and Health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Sean McCormick to the position of Marketing Project Manager according to J.P. Fatseas, Marketing Director.
Mr. McCormick brings over five years of experience in marketing communications. Most recently, Mr. McCormick served as Director of Account Services for Mind Inventions, LLC., a full service marketing communications company. He provided day-to-day management of the firm's client base, as well as supervision of junior staff, daily interface with clients, research and analysis of marketing data, and coordination with creative teams.
According to Mr. Fatseas "We are excited to have Sean join our team: his expertise will play an important role as we continue to brand ourselves and grow the business." Mr. McCormick will work closely with Mr. Fatseas and Andy Davis, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Sean will play a vital role expanding our marketing efforts as Advantica EyeCare's business is developing both regionally and Nationally." said Mr. Davis.
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more than 10,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to two million members. The Company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Promotes Joseph V. Price to Executive Vice President
Clearwater, FL (July 18 2008) - Advantica EyeCare, a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the promotion of Joseph V. Price to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
Mr. Price joined Advantica EyeCare in 2003 as the Chief Financial Officer. He has over 20 years of senior financial and operations management experience, primarily in healthcare, technology and manufacturing environments, within both publicly and privately held companies. Mr. Price has served as CFO for an on-line education company, a high-tech manufacturing company and the controller for two medical device corporations. He started his career at Price Waterhouse. Mr. Price has a BS in Accounting from Le Moyne College and an MBA from the University of Miami.
According to Mr. Sanchez "this promotion is in recognition of the contributions Joe has made to Advantica and we are pleased to have him take on additional responsibilities as our organization continues to expand."
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more than 10,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to 2 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Richard Sanchez is named 2008 Tampa Bay Entrepreneur of the year by the Gulf Coast Business Review
Richard Sanchez, President and CEO of Clearwater based Advantica EyeCare has been named the 2008 Entreprenuer of the year for the Tampa Bay Area by the Gulf Coast Business Review.
The Gulf Coast Business Review recently named the entrepreneurs of the year for each business region on the Gulf Coast. In an article titled Vision for Growth in the May 16-22, 2008 issue of the Gulf Coast Business Review, you would read about Sanchez's days at Exxon and Vision Twenty-One. As well as learn about Advantica EyeCare and the services that it provides.
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Advantica EyeCare makes Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2008 Fast 50 List
The Tampa Bay Business Journal has named the 50 fastest growing privately held companies for 2008. The No. 1 fastest growing firm will be named, and the entire ranking order will be revealed, at a luncheon in July celebrating the list makes.
The ranking is based on percentage of annual growth over a three-year period. There also will be a special list and award for total revenue growth in dollars from 2005 to 2007
The Luncheon is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on July 17, 2008, at A La Carte Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa.
Fast 50 sponsors include partner accounting firm Kirkland Russ Murphy & Tapp. Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLP, Bank of Florida, Great-West Healthcare, HRH and Verizon Wireless.
It is the second year of partnership between the Tampa Bay Business Journal and Kirkland Russ. The goal is to drive increased participation of companies by allowing financial information to be securely submitted to an independent firm.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Clearwater, FL (May 15, 2008) - Advantica EyeCare, a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Andy Davis to the position of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
With over 10 years of employee benefits experience, MR. Davis started his career in Human Resources at Raymond James Financial Services. He then moved to Mercer as an Employee Benefits Consultant concentrating on sales and account management. Most recently, he was a large group Account Executive at Aetna and he became one of the 5 top producers nationally. Mr Davis obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, in Marketing, from Florida State University. "Advantica EyeCare is taking the next step in having the talent of Andy join our team. Andy will be a tremendous asset in managing our business devlopment team and marketing initiative.' said Mr. Sanchez.
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more that 10,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to nearly 2 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Senior Vice President and Director of Government Affairs
Clearwater, FL (April 1, 2008) – Advantica EyeCare, a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Charles Kight to the position of Senior Vice President and Director of Government Affairs according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
A former Administrator with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Mr. Kight developed, implemented and managed the largest state-run Medicaid managed care program in the nation. He was also the primary architect of the Agency’s disease management initiative. The program was the first comprehensive disease management program for Medicaid recipients in the country. Prior to joining the AHCA team, Mr. Kight supervised Florida’s education and prevention campaign to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Most recently he provided consulting services to health care related companies working in the public sector environment. Mr. Kight obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, with emphasis in Sociology and Psychology, from Florida State University. “We are pleased to have Charles join our team as we continue to grow our contracts with Medicare and Medicaid health plans” said Mr. Sanchez.
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more than 10,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as eye care management services to over 2 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Provider Recruitment Specialist
Clearwater, FL (January 15, 2008) –Advantica EyeCare a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Teresa M. Gettier to the position of provider recruitment specialist according to Richard Sanchez, president and CEO.
Gettier will be responsible for expansion of Advantica’s professional provider network of eye doctors throughout the country. The providers are accepted after a detailed credentialing process to NCQA Standards (National Committee for Quality Assurance).
“We’re increasing our provider network to keep pace with our steady growth. This effort will allow Advantica members an increased mix of both independent and retail locations for eye care,” Sanchez said.
Gettier has 20 years experience in the optical field. Formerly, she served as an Optician and Ophthalmic Technician at the practice of Braver and Hameroff, Pikesville MD and owner of Krome Eyecare, Arbutus, MD. She holds a certificate in Ophthalmic Dispensing from Essex Community College, Baltimore, MD.
Advantica EyeCare provides vision care plans to employer groups, managed care companies, Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations and Medicaid Plans. The company serves over 2 million members. Advantica EyeCare has a national network of more than 7,000 credentialed and contracted retail optical and independent eye care providers. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Director of Network Management
Clearwater, FL (December 12, 2007) –Advantica EyeCare a vision care company serving employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Dan Fredman to the position of director of network management according to Richard Sanchez, president and CEO.
Fredman will be responsible for strategic planning, direction and management of Advantica’s provider network of eye doctors throughout the country.
“Strategic management of our network, its operation and development, is key as we continue to grow and add new members. Our members will have the freedom to choose from a growing number of credentialed independent and retail optical providers nearby their work and home,” Sanchez said.
Fredman has 15 years experience in managed care, health plan operations and network management. Prior to joining Advantica EyeCare, he was responsible for the start-up and operations of Medical Funding Services, Rockville, MD, a healthcare financial services company. His experience also includes network management leadership positions at Elder Health, Amerigroup Corporation, United Payors & United Providers and Randmark Managed Dental Services. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds a B.A. degree in Anthropology.
Advantica EyeCare provides vision care plans to employer groups, managed care companies, Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations and Medicaid Plans. The company serves over 2 million members. Advantica EyeCare has a national network of more than 7,000 credentialed and contracted retail optical and independent eye care providers. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica Eyecare Enters Into Three Year Partnership with Lightning
TAMPA BAY -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have entered into a three-year partnership that designates Advantica EyeCare the “Official Vision Plan Provider and Sponsor.”
“We are proud to welcome Advantica EyeCare as the Official Vision Plan Provider of the Tampa Bay Lightning,” said Ron Campbell, president of the Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum. “We are excited to have them on board as a partner.”
The Lightning and St. Pete Times Forum employees, as well as their families, are eligible to participate in the plan. Approximately 200 people will be covered by the Advantica vision plan.
Also included in the partnership is an interactive live game that will give fans the chance to compete for prizes. Other featured elements of the partnership include scoreboard and LED logo inclusion and a hockey puck giveaway at a Lightning game.
“Partnering with the Lightning is very exciting for our company. We’re big fans and look forward to another great season. A vision plan for employees is a good addition to organization’s benefit lineup,” said Richard Sanchez, president and CEO of Advantica EyeCare.
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Adamo appointed as Trustee at Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Clearwater, FL (September 25, 2007) –Great Explorations
Advantica EyeCare a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations announces the appointment of Anthony A. Adamo, Ed.D. as Vice President of Corporate and Community Relations, according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
Adamo will be responsible for building and developing Advantica’s corporate account relationships throughout the country.
“As our business grows and expands both locally and nationally, we are pleased to have Anthony join our team,” said Sanchez.
Most recently, he served as Chief Development Officer at The Children’s Home, Tampa. His experience includes Director of Corporate Relations and Estate Planning for the Culinary Institute of America in New York; President of the New York and Florida Special Olympics and Dean of Student Affairs at Dutchess Community College of the State University of New York, Poughkeepsie, New York and at Adelphi University, Garden City, New York.
Adamo is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, New York. He holds both a B.S. degree in Business Administration and Marketing and a M.S. degree in Guidance and Counseling. He earned a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Administration at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Advantica serves a national network of more than 7,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as, eye care management services to over 1.5 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Accountant
Clearwater, FL (August 21, 2007) –Advantica EyeCare a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Heather Pappas to the position of Accountant according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
Pappas will assist in both contract management for the company’s health plan area and general accounting duties.
“We’re seeing increased attention to the importance of vision care by both our health plan and employer group markets.
Our business is expanding and it has created a need for additional staffing,” Sanchez said. Recently, Pappas served Lokey Motor Company in the accounting department with responsibilities in billing, inventory and accounts receivable.
Advantica serves a national network of more than 7,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as, eye care management services to over 1.5 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Avalon Healthcare Contracts with Advantica Eyecare to Offer Vision Plans
Tampa, FL August 15, 2007 – Tampa based Avalon Healthcare, Inc. has signed an agreement with Advantica EyeCare of Clearwater to provide private labeled discount and insured vision plans to Avalon Members, announced Avalon CEO Charles O’Neill. The agreement is effective September 1, 2007.
Avalon will provide free discount vision plans to all Avalon Members including group and individual Members, O’Neill said. Members have the option of increasing their vision benefit through two alternative insured vision plans, he added.
“Adding vision plans to our product mix is part of Avalon’s continued strategy of providing a family of high quality, leading edge health insurance products to consumers in Florida,” O’Neill said. “Advantica is a local company with national focus and one that offers premier products at prices that consumers can afford.”
“Advantica has been successful over the past few years because we are finding smart strategic partners like Avalon who want to provide our broad based options of vision plans to their Members,” said Richard Sanchez, Advantica EyeCare CEO and founder.
Avalon’s private label Avalon Vision Plans will have complete access to Advantica’s network of 700 vision optometrists, ophthalmologists and retail outlets throughout Florida. Retail outlets include VisionWorks, JC Penney Optical, Sears Optical, For Eyes and Target Optical.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Account Manager
Clearwater, FL (April 30, 2007) – Advantica EyeCare a vision care plan provider to employer groups and health plan organizations, announces the appointment of Gregory Sauer to the position of Account Manager according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
Sauer will specialize in the client service area, managing the company’s onsite enrollment, online enrollment and electronic claims. In this capacity he will coordinate the enrollment process for Advantica’s employer group businesses.
Most recently he served as marketing and management training intern at Advantica EyeCare. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from York College in Business Administration.
Advantica EyeCare serves a national network of more than 7,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, as well as, eye care management services to over 1 million members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Account Manager
Clearwater, FL (November 21, 2006) –Vision benefits company, Advantica EyeCare, announces the appointment of Blake Johnson to the position of Account Manager according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
Johnson will specialize in the client service area, managing the company’s onsite enrollment, online enrollment and electronic claims. In this capacity he will coordinate the enrollment process for Advantica’s employer group businesses. He holds a degree from University of Maryland in Economics.
Advantica EyeCare provides vision care plans to employer groups and health plan clients. With a national network of over 7,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, Advantica EyeCare provides eye care management services to over 900,000 members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Prevent Blindess Florida names Chairman
Clearwater, FL (June 15, 2006)--Prevent Blindness Florida has named Richard L. Sanchez to chairman of the Board of Governors, according to Jay Tobin, vice president for community services and development for Prevent Blindness Florida.
Formerly, Sanchez served as vice chairman of the Board of Governors. He was appointed to this position in 2005. He is also CEO and president of vision benefits company Advantica EyeCare, a Clearwater, Florida based company. “We value his professional advising and knowledge of the eye care field,” said Tobin.
Prevent Blindness Florida, an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, was established in 1957 and is the state's leading sight-saving organization. Its mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight. Its offices are located in Tampa, Florida.
Advantica EyeCare provides vision care plans to managed plan clients and employer groups. With a national network of 7,000 independent providers and contracts with major retail optical locations, Advantica EyeCare provides eye care management services to over 900,000 members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica Eyecare Expands Network
Clearwater, FL (February 13, 2006)—Vision benefits company Advantica EyeCare, a subsidiary of Allied EyeCare, announces the addition of Eye Doctor’s Optical Outlets to its network of over 6,000 eye care providers according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO of Advantica EyeCare.
“Eye Doctor’s Optical Outlets adds a large network of professional eye care services to our Florida network. The new association will offer our vision plan members another choice for their eye care. They’ll value the easily accessible Florida locations that Eye Doctor’s Optical Outlets has to offer,” said Sanchez.
Eye Doctor’s Optical Outlets, a Tampa based company with 36 discount retail locations offers complete eye exams, discount glasses and contact lenses. The company uses its 10,000 sq. ft.Tampa manufacturing facility to produce eyeglass and contact lens orders for its customers throughout Florida. The company was founded in 1987 by Dr. Robert Lewenson. Orlando and Tampa were its first locations.
Advantica EyeCare provides vision care plans to employer groups of 10 or more and managed care organizations. With over 6,000 providers nationwide and contracts with most major retail optical outlets, Advantica EyeCare offers freedom of choice, easy to administer plan designs, vision exams, discount eyewear, mail order contact lens service and lasik surgery. Over 700,000 individuals are served by the company. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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Advantica EyeCare Appoints Account Manager
Clearwater, FL (January 4, 2006) –Vision benefits company, Advantica EyeCare, announces the appointment of J.P. Fatseas to the position of Account Manager according to Richard Sanchez, President and CEO.
Fatseas will specialize in the client service area, managing the company’s onsite enrollment, customer online management and electronic claims. In this capacity he will coordinate the enrollment process for Advantica’s employer group businesses.
Formerly, he was Director of Gulf Coast Recovery, Treasure Island, Florida. He holds a degree from the University of South Florida in International Business Administration.
Advantica EyeCare provides vision care plans to employer groups and health plan clients. With a national network of over 7,000 retail optical locations and independent providers, Advantica EyeCare provides eye care management services to over 900,000 members. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida and its service center is located in Ellicott City, Maryland.
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