Rick Wade, a native of Montana, was raised as a military “brat." He has lived all over the world, including assignments in the Philippine Islands, France and Italy. Following in his father’s footsteps, Rick attended the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1970.  Later, he completed a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at Stanford University.

Recently, Rick was asked if his military background was a factor in his success in the mortgage industry. 

“Absolutely! When it comes to the military scenario, I speak the language. I’ve lived the experience peculiar to buying a home as a military member. I think military clients pick up on that.” 

Rick has recently joined the ACHL team. He brings a wide spectrum of life and professional experience to the table. In the past year alone, Rick has closed over $36 million in mortgage loans and, over his career, helped hundreds of families realize their property ownership goals. 

In 2005, Rick received the Lendingtree.com award as Top Producer, Prime Mortgages for the entire Lendingtree network which includes over 6000 loan officers, coast to coast. 

He is fluent in French, a licensed pilot, an accomplished musician and a valuable member of the America’s Choice Home Loans Team. Rick Wade was elected on 14 November 2012 to serve a two-year term as 1st Vice President.

Liza Garza is a full time Real Estate Agent with Home Team of America and has partnered with Ambit Energy, Sr. Independent Consultant, an energy provider of electrical and natural gas services in deregulated markets across the U.S. offering affordable rates. Speaking both English and Spanish fluently, she began her real estate career in the industry with a passion in 2004. Since that time, she has created a standard of excellence and a commitment to high ethics, empathy and respect for homebuyers/sellers. This standard and commitment has been recognized locally by Home Team of America, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Cover Honoree – Premier Agent Magazine 2011, Houston Association of Realtors Magazine (April 2009) and a Top Producer for the City of Houston Down Payment Assistance Program. She continues to be invited to speak with the City of Houston Counsel Members and worked very closely with Houston Mayor Bill White’s office to help revitalize communities. She has attended the Houston HOPE Program home builders meetings, interviewed by local Spanish Television and has teamed up with Lenders for weekly Radio Talk Shows with La Tremenda an Univision Radio Station as well as employed in a TV Commercial for a local builder. Recently was on the Radio Talk Show Real Estate Radio Experts on KNTH AM.Transactions in 2009, 2010, and 2011 were a record year for Liza and 2012 continues to be a success with both Real Estate and her Ambit Energy Organization.Liza is not your typical Realtor. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Liza earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Masters in Business Administration from LeTourneau University. In a distinguished career with Compaq Computer/Hewlett Packard for 17 years, she was promoted throughout several divisions including: Product Manager of a New Products/Design Engineering Teams & Product Marketing Manager of the Storage Division and she traveled Domestic and International to meet with Customers, Train and participate in EXPO Shows. Liza was born in Eagle Pass, Texas. Earlier in her life, her parents who were owners of several Mexican Restaurants, boutiques, and grocery stores were a tremendous influence to Liza as she was employed and gained a valuable and sincere empathy for the customer needs and requirements.

Utilizing her extensive business skills, Liza has mastered the City of Houston's Down Payment Assistance Programs as well as the Harris County DAP, Texas Department of Housing Community Affairs Bonds, Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corp and the Mortgage Credit Certificate programs. As a result, she has worked hard to develop a business acumen of a "One Stop Shop" for prospective home buyers which also includes sources of competitive mortgage loans including VA, FHA and Conventional loans and has worked with the Texas Veteran Land Board products. As a result, many families have now moved up to a house from an apartment or rental home and many more will continue to do so in the future. She has also helped many households save on their electric and natural gas bill. Liza has helped Veterans and Soldiers families to purchase their home and was one of the first Corporate Sponsors for the Association of the United States Army Houston Sub-Chapter. Both of her companies support AUSA-Houston Sub-Chapter.

Prospective homebuyers and Realtors can find her selling affordable homes at these subdivisions where she currently is the Listing Agent for: Bauman Villas with Home Art Construction, Villas del Parque where she sells homes built by Casas de Tejas, Romesco Builders and Suburban Oaks with Hogar Builders and HSS Investments and most recently she got a exclusive listing agreement with Franklin Royal Homes who committed to build in the Acres Homes Area. An investor from Venezuela has hired Liza exclusively to sell his investment properties in Hispanic Communities and continues to work closely with affordable home builders building in the HOPE and Workforce Areas where she has sold many homes. Liza travels to her clients wherever they want to purchase or sell their home including the Greater Houston areas and as far as Eagle Pass, Del Rio and San Antonio, TX to sell homes and she attends every closing.

She has made dozens of public appearances and motivational speeches at Realtor conventions including National Association of Houston Real Estate Professionals, National Association of Professional Mortgage Women meetings, businesses, churches and non-for-profit functions. She has participated as a panelist at the Greater Home Builders Association Meeting and NAHREP. Liza was also awarded by NAHREP the Top Realtor in 2010 and Top Affordable Real Estate Agent award for 2009 and Liza was also recognized by Wells Fargo as one of the Top 30 Realtors in the Affordable Housing. Liza currently sits on the Board of Directors with the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation. Liza sat on the Board of Directors NAHREP-Houston 2011.Liza is constantly volunteering to help the community, enjoys mentoring others, traveling, snow skiing, golfing, continued education including leadership and keeping abreast of the many exciting developments in Houston particularly as it pertains to real estate and deregulations of electricity and natural gas around the U.S. and her many, many satisfied clients.

Director of the Office of Veteran’s Affairs for the City of Houston. An advocate on behalf of all veterans and their families, improving quality of life and assisting veterans with services and benefits. Working to make Houston the best place for veterans to live.

Previously, served as the Chairman of the Joint Hurricane Community Settlement Task Force,the Chief Operating Officer of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, theOperations Officer of the Joint Hurricane Housing Task Force during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Vice President of Sunland Engineering Group.

As a career Army Combat Arms/Logistics Officer, Buddy has been involved at various levels in planning and executing operations and logistics functions at numerous locations in various sizes of organizations around the world in both war and peace. He has commanded Cavalry and Armor units and mentored both active duty and Reserve units to meet their wartime readiness requirements.

Buddy has been very involved in mentoring and assisting in the growth of our youth. Through Boy Scouts, youth sports and working with youth groups.

He has a B.S. from Texas A&M University and an MBA from University of Maryland.

Director of the Office of Veteran’s Affairs for the City of Houston. An advocate on behalf of all veterans and their families, improving quality of life and assisting veterans with services and benefits. Working to make Houston the best place for veterans to live.

Previously, served as the Chairman of the Joint Hurricane Community Settlement Task Force,the Chief Operating Officer of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, theOperations Officer of the Joint Hurricane Housing Task Force during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Vice President of Sunland Engineering Group.

As a career Army Combat Arms/Logistics Officer, Buddy has been involved at various levels in planning and executing operations and logistics functions at numerous locations in various sizes of organizations around the world in both war and peace. He has commanded Cavalry and Armor units and mentored both active duty and Reserve units to meet their wartime readiness requirements.

Buddy has been very involved in mentoring and assisting in the growth of our youth. Through Boy Scouts, youth sports and working with youth groups.

He has a B.S. from Texas A&M University and an MBA from University of Maryland.

Morrie is President and Founder of Bytes of Life Studios, a video and digital media production company, delivering high quality products and services to business and communities.

Morrie provides a solid bottom-line orientation with strong strategic and operational business savvy as a result of more than 35 years of experience gained from working within a variety of industries, technologies, and organizational settings. His previous executive level marketing and operations experience allows him to serve a wide range of clients’ needs.

Established in 2003, Bytes of Life Studios provides video production, creative editing, 3D motion graphics, and streaming video for a wide range of clients, including: Sports Car Club of America – Houston Region, Talisman Energy, Association of the United States Army, City of Magnolia, Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, The Woodlands Township and Economic Development Partnership of South Montgomery County.

Morrie earned his Masters degree in Business Administration at Indiana State University and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri at Rolla, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering. He completed postgraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and Vanderbilt University. A graduate of Leadership Montgomery County (2009), Morrie also sits on the LMC Board of Directors.

Bytes of Life Studios is based in Shenandoah, Texas and is an active participant in many local activities and is a member of the Houston Professional Videographers Association, Houston Better Business Bureau, The Woodlands, and Magnolia Chambers of Commerce.

Rita Zarghami is the President of 1st Community Mortgage with the resposibility for the brokering Residential and Commercial Loans. She also serves a Broker Associate for Century 21 Outstanding Homes where she assists with the listing and selling of residential and commercial properties. Rita has been in the Mortgage/Real Estate industry for over 20 years in various roles including underwriting, processing, closing, post closing, due diligence, quality control, shipping and secondary marketing. Rita is also a National Representative for Ampegy (an affiliate of Spark Energy) and has been with Ampegy since its lift off.

Rita Zarghami holds various professional and civic titles such as Member of National, Texas and Houston Association of Realtors, Ambassador Committee Member and New Committee Membership Member for the Lake Houston Area Chambers of Commerce, Reception Coordinator for the HAR Lake Houston Networking Group, National Representative for Ampegy (an affiliation of Spark Energy), and Member of Darren Jensen's Field Advisory Council for Ampegy.

Rita resides with her husband Keyvan in Humble, Texas and they have been married for 20 years, and have three children, and three grand children.  

She has served as the Houston Sub-Chapter Vice President of Individual Membership since December 2011.

Stephen Otero is a Texas native, who spent 12-years as a U.S. Air Force Non-commissioned officer building an award-winning track record of global communications within the international community.

Stephen possesses extensive experience in strategic communication planning, crisis communications, campaign planning, public and media relations, information technology, and social media best practices.

He has served in multiple public relations leadership roles throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Stephen was assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany from August 2008 to March 2012 as the Social Media Manager, where he implemented and maintained a multifaceted social media outreach program. During his time assigned to Germany, Stephen deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Khost Province, Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 as Deputy Chief of Public Affairs where he researched, planned and executed communications coverage of 3K employees’ spanning a 13K square mile area. He created and executed new policy in support of senior leader key messaging initiatives and developed key messages to target audiences in order to accomplish management initiatives and develop a diverse range of international relationships. Stephen’s approach fostered sustainable partnerships through negotiation between Taliban and U.S. government personnel.

While assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base from 2005 to 2008, Stephen was assigned as project manager overseeing and advising staff PR personnel, event, inventory & budget manager, trainer of imagery development/acquisition operations, and network administrator. During his time assigned to Barksdale, Stephen volunteered to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as one of the first U.S. Air Force counter-IED investigators assigned to the U.S. Army, under direction of the U.S. Navy’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Mobile Unit 3. In Iraq, he was involved in classified operations targeting disrupting enemy IED supply lines and developing new tactics to counter the IED threat.

Stephen’s other assignments include time with the 55th Air Wing Public Affairs, Omaha, NE 2003-2005, and United States Strategic Command, Omaha, NE 2001-2003 as the 4 Star General’s personal photographer and intelligence imagery maintainer.

Stephen’s education includes:COMPTIA A+ CertificationAdobe Creative Suite Certified ProfessionalArmy Combat Skills TrainingSpecial Weapons And Tactics Team TrainingCounter-IED Investigators CourseMilitary Trainer/Certifier CourseOfficer Leadership/Management CourseAirmen Leadership School - ValedictorianAdvanced Combat Camera CourseVisual Information Management CourseSurvival Evasion Resistance Escape CourseDefense Information School Photojournalist Course

Stephen also holds numerous professional awards from throughout his career such as Communications Excellence Awards for Best Website Design and Best Visual Communicator from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 oak leaf cluster, the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal, the Communications and Information Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, the Communications and Information Airman of the Year, and the John L. Levitow Distinguished Honor Graduate Award for finishing 1st in his class at Airman Leadership School.

He is a contributing member of the National Press Photographers Association, Nikon Professional Services, The National Association of Photoshop Professionals and a United Services Organization Volunteer.Stephen has served with numerous units from the U.S. Army, U.S Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps including 75th Ranger, 5th Group SFS, 4th ANGLICO, 82nd ABN, 101st ABN, Mobile Unit 3, and 1st Marine Division.

Stephen currently resides in Houston with his wife Sarah and is employed as the Public Relations Director for Security America Mortgage, Inc., a VA specialized mortgage-lending company.

Ms. Johnson is the President and CEO of Horizon Outreach a non-profit 501 ( c ) 3 organization located in Houston, Texas founded in February 2010. She is a veteran of the United States Air Force and an Executive MBA Graduate of Auburn University. Prior to receiving her calling to serve in the social services field, she spent 17 years in the oil and gas industry as a Senior Financial Analyst managing      $320 plus million dollars in oil and gas and government drilling projects. In addition, she has 8 plus year’s real estate brokerage experience which includes: residential purchases/sales, property management, leases and tenant landlord rights.

Horizon Outreach’s mission is “Giving Everyone A New Start”. This mission is accomplished through various programs’ that seek to increase self-sufficiency by providing supportive services and housing assistance to military veterans, non-veterans and their families. Since 2010, the organization has connected over 700 people to resources and supportive services in the community through collaborative partnerships with non-profit, state, and federal agencies. Horizon Outreaches latest initiative, the Horizon Eagle Fatherhood Program, focuses on giving military veteran fathers a new start by providing them with strategies to overcome the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, on their relationships, parenting abilities and employability. This program helps military veterans reconnect with their families, employment and children. Ms. Johnson and her staff are committed to ensuring their clients regain necessary life skills to reintegrate back into society and to become responsible parents..

Lieutenant Colonel O’Driscoll became the Senior Army Instructor of the JROTC program at Bellaire HS in August 2002.

A retired Infantry officer, he served in various command and staff positions in Berlin, Germany, Ft. Benning, GA, West Point, NY, The Pentagon, Washington D.C., and Ft. Ord, CA. He retired from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY as the Associate Director of Admissions. He teaches the 3rd and 4th year cadets and is the coach of the Rifle Team.

He also serves as a Regimental Commander in the Texas State Guard.

Joseph W. Johnston II LTC. Inf. (Ret)

Born:  27 January 1937; Portland Oregon

Education: B.A.  Oregon State University.  M.A. Webster University 1980.

Military Education: R A Commission, ROTC, 1960; Infantry OBC; Ranger course; Basic Airborne course; 1960.

Infantry Officer Advanced Course 1967.  C&GSC, 1971.  Mexican Army Staff Officer Course (2nd Yr.), 1972.

Commanded at Platoon through Battalion level Infantry units.  Staff positions at Battalion , Brigade and Installation level.  Assignments in CONUS, Germany, Panama, and RVN.

LTC Johnston was on the staff and faculty of two service schools (Signal Corp and Artillery) where he had an additional duty to supervise newly commissioned Officers as they attended their respective OBC.

Retired: Ft .Sill, 1981

Jared Reinhardt joined the Army immediately after high school when he went to Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he graduated as the “Soldier of the Cycle”. He then transitioned into Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, AZ where he graduated third in his class as an “All Source Intelligence Analyst”. He served six years enlisted as an Intelligence Analyst with units such as CENTCOM DET 7 and the 36thID G2. Jared commissioned as a 2LT in the Texas Army National Guard through the University of Texas Army ROTC program as a Signal Officer. Jared recently returned from the Signal Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Gordon, GA and is currently serving as the 2ndPlatoon Leader, C Company, 72ndBSTB in support of the Brigade S6 in Houston, TX.

Jared graduated from Saint Edward’s University in Austin, TX with a BA in Political Science. He also recently received his Network Plus and Security Plus Certifications. Jared is currently working in two startup companies (First Nations Communications and RideScout, LLC). On the side, he is working on a guest speaker presentation for the Saint Edward’s student veterans in order to help the find careers after graduation.

Dr. Henry J. Ostermann is a native Texan, born in El Paso and raised in Windthorst, Texas. Dr. Ostermann received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University. He was a Distinguished Student, Distinguished Military Student, Distinguished Military Graduate and the Editor of the Aggieland. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired at the rank of Brigadier General in November 2008. Dr. Ostermann completed Master of Education and Master of Strategic Studies degrees and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Care Administration.

Dr. Ostermann is the president and chief executive officer of HJO Enterprises, LLC, a real estate investment company. From 1974 through 2009, he was employed at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas. He held positions in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Recreation Service, Office of the Director, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line, and Clinical Support Service Line. He retired as the Clinical Support Service Line Executive. He has received numerous honors and awards including: VA Superior Performance Award; Legion of Honor, Chapel of the Four Chaplains; District Award of Merit, Sam Houston Area Council, Boy Scouts of America; Employee of the Year, Federal Business Association; Notable Graduate, College of Education, Texas A&M University; Ernst Jokl Fellow Award and the Julian Vogel Memorial Life Membership Award, American Kinesiotherapy Association; All-Star Football Official, Texas High School Coaches Association; and the Phi Epsilon Kappa Scholarship Key. From 1986 to 2011, Dr. Ostermann served on the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas where he was Associate Professor, Allied Health Sciences and Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. His research interests are in rehabilitation, human performance and program evaluation. He has delivered formal presentations at numerous meetings, seminars, conferences, symposiums, and conventions. Dr. Ostermann has published 24 journal articles, book chapters, and papers on various rehabilitation related topics.

General Ostermann was an Honor Graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course. He attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course, where he was named to the Commandant’s List. He completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Course and the U.S. Army War College. He completed the National Defense University Capstone General and Flag Officer Course in joint and combined studies. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device. He received the Order of St. Maurice Primicerius Award for his significant and lasting contributions to the Infantry.

During his military career, General Ostermann served in a wide range of staff and command positions. His previous duty assignments include Commander, 1st Training Support Battalion, 289th Regiment, 75th Division (Training Support), Houston, Texas; Regimental Brigade Observer/Controller, 1st Brigade, Battle Projection Group (BCST), 75th; Commander, 5th Brigade (Health Services), 95th Division (Institutional Training), San Antonio, Texas; and Deputy Commander, 90th Regional Readiness Command, Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2010, he was appointed by the Chief, Army Reserve as a United States Army Reserve Ambassador.

Dr. Ostermann is married to the former Mary Warfield. He and his wife reside in Spring, Texas.

Civilian affiliations:  2012-Present St. Laurence Catholic Church – Parishioner and Catechist

                                    2013-Present Member, Hispanic Republicans of Texas

                                    2013-Present Member, Association of the United States Army

                                    2013-Present Leader, Catholic War Veterans of Ft Bend County, Texas 

Significant experience:

Nov 2011 – Present: HHC 72nd BSTB – Readiness NCO/Asst Battalion Operations NCO

(AGR)

Sep 2010 – Nov 2011: US Division South- Commanding General’s Personal Security Officer

(Deployed)  - Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation New Dawn

April – Sep 2010: 36th Infantry Division- PSD Platoon Sergeant/ FTUS NCOIC

(AGR)

Sep 2009 – Apr 2010: HHC 1st BN (ABN) 143rd Infantry- HR SGT/ Readiness NCO

(AGR)

Mar - Sep 2009: JFTX-HHD- Readiness NCO

(AGR)

Jun 2008 – Mar 2009: JFTX-J3 Joint Operations Center- Battle CPT/NCO/OPS NCO

(AGR)

May 2007- May 2008: A CO 3rd BN 144th Infantry- Squad Leader/PLT SGT

(Deployed) – Operation Iraqi Freedom

May 2006- May 2007: JFTX-J3 Joint Operations Center- Battle CPT/NCO/OPS NCO

(AGR)

Sep 2003 – May 2006: 136th Regiment (Combat Arms)- S1/RNCO/Instructor/Retention NCO

(ADSW/AGR)

Jan 2003 – Sep 2003: 3rd Infantry Division- Convoy Escort/Mail Escort

(Deployed) – Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom

Bobby Nicholson was appointed in October 2010 to his current position and is responsible for all aspects regarding of the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program III – a ten year, $39 billion contract – to include the administrative closeout, resolving US Government audit responses, withhold of payment, claims, negotiations, vendor disputes and litigation and arbitration support.

He joined KBR in July 2007 as the Deputy Program General Manager for LOGCAP IV.

He deployed to the Southwest Asia and becameresponsible to the planning and executing transitions from LOGCAP III. He participated in the transitions of Djibouti and Kandahar, Afghanistan to base operations support contracts and supervised the revision of the LOGCAP III transition plan. After a short return to the USA he redeployed from Iraq where he was the Senior Project Manager responsible for KBR’s mission to provide Quality Electrical support to over 82,000 facilities in the Middle East and Central Asia. Later he oversaw KBR’s support of the U.S. Forces-Iraq responsible drawdown of military forces. This mission entailed the closure of 20 bases and the transition of all LOGCAP III services to other performance contractors throughout Iraq. The total magnitude included the disposition of over 900,000 lines of property and materials and the over 43,000 employees and subcontractors. More recently, Bobby was responsible for business unit strategy development, acquisitions & mergers, risk monitoring and legacy issues.

Bobby is a retired US Army Corps of Engineers officer with broad experience in combat engineering, construction and facilities management. He led in a variety of command and staff positions from platoon to Army level. Of note were his assignments to provide engineering support to airborne and light infantry troops, the design and construction of an airfield for the then experimental USAF C-17 cargo aircraft and administration of public works at a national level. He has a wide variety of training assignments including, the Australian School of Military Engineering (where he taught drainage & tactics), National Guard and Reserve engineer units in a five state area and Director of the US Army Counter Explosives Hazards Center. Bobby participated in operational deployments to Grenada, Honduras, Haiti, Bosnia and Iraq. In all these operations he gained extensive experience in basecamp construction and construction materials management in austere locations. In his final Army assignment he was responsible for the integration of the US Army’s efforts to counter Improvised Explosive Devices and was the systems manager for $4.0B in US Army engineer programs.

Bobby Nicholson received a Bachelors Degree in Forest Engineering and Fire Control in 1978 and a Masters Degree in Forest Management in 1983 from Stephen F. Austin State University; as well as a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from US Army War College in 2001. He is a graduate of the US Army Engineer Basic and Advanced courses, Command and General Staff College and the Army Management Staff College.

Married to the former Lori Jane Hjorth since 24 November 1978. They have two daughters, : AnnieRose Nicholson and Niki Neuendroff, and five grandchildren; Cameron, Ethan, Zoe, Kylie and Corbin.

Professional experience– Loan officer for over 20+ years in residential and various management levels of experience with Wells Fargo, Toshiba International, Sterling Capital, etc.

Community involvement

Presently serve on the Tejano Center Board for the past 8 years – serve as a board member, school board for Raul Yzaguirre Charter School , treasure, chair various committees (finance, gala, golf)

Member of knights of Columbus as a 4th degree, usher at St. John Vianney Church, volunteer on church functions (blood drives, bazaars, pro-life, etc)

Volunteer for 1st time homebuyers class and others

Personal information

Born in Wharton, TX –Married for over 40 years -Spouse is Dora Mata – 2 children’s (Barbi- Texas AM graduate and Chris University of Houston graduate)

Education

BBA – University of Houston major in business/accounting and minor in computer science

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