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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