Mayors' Prayer Breakfast 2013

The Wyandotte County mayors, in cooperation with the Christian Businessmen's Committee, are hosting the 39th annual Mayors' Prayer Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 a.m. Seating begins at 6:45 a.m.

Sam West, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A, Plaza at the Speedway, will be this year's speaker. Born in Phillip, Miss., West completed his undergraduate studies at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. In 1992 he graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Executive Management Program.

West began his career with HSBC (formerly-HFC) in 1980; in 1989 he became HSBC's first African American Executive in the Plains Division, serving as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. In 1990 he was promoted to Vice President of Training and Development in Elmhurst, Ill. Just two years later, West was promoted to Vice President-District Sales Manager, managing $250 million plus in receivables. During his 15 year tenure he was selected premier manager in 1988 and executive of the year in both 1992 and 1995. West appeared in the 1996 issue of Money Magazine.

West then served as President of 1st Fidelity Mortgage, Prairie Village, Kan., where he increased the company sales by $1.5 million or more for 10 consecutive years. West received several leadership and community awards while serving in his role at 1st Fidelity.