Sheriff to Headline Leadership Prayer Breakfast for Take Stock in Children

BRADENTON, FL – Come January, there’ll be a new sheriff in town – and he already has an appointment on his calendar.

Col. Rick Wells, the sheriff-elect of Manatee County, today was named the keynote speaker for the 10th Anniversary Leadership Prayer Breakfast. The event, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26, will benefit Take Stock in Children of Manatee County.

“The Leadership Prayer Breakfast usually sells out early, and because Col. Rick Wells will be sworn in just three weeks before, this will be one of the first opportunities the community will have to hear him speak and to show their support,” said Diana Dill, the executive director of Take Stock in Children.

The Leadership Prayer Breakfast is modelled after the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, D.C., since 1953. Every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the breakfast, which brings leaders together to develop relationships and create common ground in building strong communities.

The Manatee County event features many local dignitaries, business, religious, educational and community leaders and provides an opportunity to support local students.

Wells was named Manatee County’s sheriff-elect Friday, June 24 after nobody filed to run against him before the qualifying deadline. He has more than 31 years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as second in command at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Brad Steube.

Wells was born in Tampa and moved to Manatee County in 1978. He graduated from Manatee High School in 1982, attended Manatee Junior College and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Columbia Southern University.

Wells, the son of former Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells, currently lives in Palmetto with his wife, Lupita, and their two sons.

The 10th Anniversary Leadership Prayer Breakfast will take place at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Dr. in Palmetto. Tickets for the event are $50, and include a full breakfast. Sponsored reserved seating for tables of eight are $1,000.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.takestockmanatee.org/prayer-breakfast.

Image courtesy of Take Stock in Children