Wenda Lewis is passionate about her family and her family’s business, but she is also devoted to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. Wenda runs her family-owned business, Lewis Oil Co., which her father, Wendell Lewis, started in 1962. After graduating from the University of Florida and working in Alabama, Wenda returned home to take over her family’s small business when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She and her mother were Mr. Lewis’ primary caregivers for 10 years – until his death in 2008.
“I didn’t appreciate the impact of Alzheimer’s until I had to reintroduce myself to my father every morning,” she said. Lewis wants to advocate at the state level for patients with Alzheimer’s and their families. Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia represent the sixth leading cause of death among adult Americans according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – and women are 30 percent more likely to develop the disease than men, she notes. “With our high number of retirees, a big Alzheimer’s hit is coming to Florida,” she said.
“We need to make sure Florida is ready with public/ private responses from the medical community, policies that support home care, and high quality facilities such as Al’z Place, the adult day care that ElderCare operates.”
Lewis has always championed small businesses and programs that help women and families. That involvement includes serving on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, being a board member of Alachua County Elder Care, and being active with the Florida Retail Association and the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association. She previously served on former Governor Jeb Bush’s Alzheimer’s disease Initiative and chaired the Alachua County Early Learning Coalition. Now she’s seeking a bigger platform – by running in for the Florida House seat now held by Representative Keith Perry (who is now running for an open Florida Senate seat).
Lewis Oil, which supplies bulk fuel and lubricants also owns 30 convenience stores, and is regulated by various agencies. Lewis wants to protect business owners against the overreach of regulatory agencies.
“I work hard to comply with regulations, but sometimes the rules go too far or the regulators go beyond their authority,” she said. “If it has an acronym, I’ve had a fight with it. I believe we need more small business owners in the Legislature.”
Lewis has support statewide from other business owners she’s serves with like Patti Hamilton, the vice president of Lantana-based Southern Waste Systems, who is another member of the Commission on the Status of Women.
“Wenda certainly represents the area well in her role on the commission,” Hamilton said. “She is a tremendous role model for young professional women and students in her community.”
“Voters are tired of typical politicians that spend their adult lives running for office,” concludes Wenda. “They recognize that Tallahassee is full of lawyers and government bureaucrats. They are clearly interested in sending more business people who understand how to meet a budget and are willing to roll up their sleeves to solve problems. I’ve worked hard my entire life to build a successful business and provide 25 jobs, and I want to put to work that same passion and experience for the voters.”
For more information visit www.wendalewis.com Paid for and approved by Wenda Lewis for Florida State House of Representatives District 21. Advantage Publishing, Inc. does not endorse political candidates. We allow anyone running for political office equal opportunity to pay for advertising within our magazines.
Senior Writer CHRIS EVERSOLE has been a keen observer of business, government and culture in the Greater Gainesville Area while living here over the past two decades. His experience includes work with the University of Florida and Alachua County Government. He also has been a journalist and public relations professional in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota- Bradenton areas, as well as in Michigan, Ohio and New York.