Paul Sharff

Mr. Paul Sharff has been a pillar in Manatee County’s charitable organizations and business community for years. He also is a dedicated community advocate for the early education of young children. In July 2008, Mr. Sharff was appointed to the Board of Directors of Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County by Governor Charlie Crist. After a change in leadership, Mr. Sharff petitioned to leave the Board of Directors and become the Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County. Under Mr. Sharff’s leadership, the Early Learning Coalition has grown dramatically to an annual budget of $29 million making it the 4^th largest non-profit in Manatee County. Along with his CEO responsibilities, he also serves as the Managing Director of the From Cradle to College Foundation, which has implemented the highly successful PEARLS program.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University. Mr. Sharff previously sat on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, the Manatee County Tourist Development Committee, the DeSoto Historical Society, and the Bradenton Sunrise Kiwanis. Currently he is a board member of the Manatee Education Foundation, Manatee 100 Club, the Police Athletic League, Sheriff’s Advisory Board, and an active member of the NAACP. In his free time, he loves to travel, ride his bike, and spend time with his two sons – Ian and Evan.  Ian will graduate from Georgetown University this May and Evan is currently at Florida Southern College in Lakeland.