{"id":517,"date":"2024-11-19T21:30:05","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T21:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/presidential-search\/?page_id=517"},"modified":"2024-11-19T21:30:05","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T21:30:05","slug":"meet-president-elect-ponder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/presidential-search\/meet-president-elect-ponder\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet President-Elect Ponder"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/\">Home<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/about\/leadership\/board-of-trustees\/\">Board of Trustees<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/presidential-search\/\">Presidential Search<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><span><span>Meet President-Elect Ponder<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/presidential-search\/\">Overview<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"\/presidential-search\/upcoming-meetings\/\">Meetings<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"\/presidential-search\/search-committee\/\">Search Committee<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"\/presidential-search\/communications\/\">Communications<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n        <a href=\"#\">Meet President-Elect Ponder<\/a>\n    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Northwest Florida State College looks forward to President-Elect Mel Ponder joining the College on January 2, 2025. To learn more, see a message from our President-Elect below along with his biography and resume.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/presidential-search\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Mel-Ponder.Headshot-.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<h1>Message from President-Elect<\/h1>\n<div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through the many roles I have held serving our community, I have had a close relationship with Northwest Florida State College. I have seen firsthand the College\u2019s commitment to transforming lives through post-secondary education throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties, as well as its service to the entire Northwest Florida Region. I felt led to this opportunity, because our College is poised to ignite the vision of leading in post-secondary educational opportunities, charter school operations, workforce and economic development, and excellence in both athletics and arts. It will be an honor to step into the leadership of the College in January, joining the tremendous team serving our students, their families, and our community.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My background and experience in both the private and public sectors support me in bringing the College\u2019s mission and vision to life. I look forward to joining the great work of the College by furthering its ties to our community, which has been a core characteristic of the College since its beginning. I intend to build on our existing partnerships with the Walton and Okaloosa School Districts, State University System regional partners, our military installations, public and private economic development organizations, and employers throughout the region.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Each student that comes to the College brings with them dreams, talents, and skills, whether they reach the College through Collegiate High School, dual enrollment, traditional enrollment after high school, or workforce training. The College offers these students many training opportunities to make their dreams a reality. First-generation College students will find faculty, fellow students, and student success team members to be their support system. Other students come to the College pursuing a second career or additional training and attain the skills and confidence to step into their future roles as nurses, EMTs, welders, or business owners. Still, more students make the College their home for two years, securing an associate in arts or associate in science, which allows them to seamlessly continue their journey to bachelor\u2019s and graduate degrees in the university system. We must be passionate to tell the good news of our institution, meeting students where they are, and equipping them with the tools needed to empower them and transform their futures.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During my tenure as College President, I will celebrate and build on the programs we offer to grow enrollment and ensure students complete the programming they begin. We will work closely with our local, state, and federal representatives to secure critical appropriations and funding for College operations, and we will pursue grant opportunities to position the College for forward-looking, purposeful, sustainable growth well into its future. Continuing the legacy of the College, we will also maintain the excellence of Raider Athletics and the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, which foster student growth and engagement with our community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With the honor of leading the College\u2019s work alongside our faculty and staff, my desire is to bring hope and possibilities to all those in our service area who are striving to improve their lives through attaining educational and workforce skills. My hope is that every student in the region, when looking for an educational partner to their success, will come and take part in the exciting opportunities taking place at Northwest Florida State College.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr>\n<div>\n<h3>Biography<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Mel currently serves as the Association Executive for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, is the founder and President of Business Empowered (BE), and was elected in November 2020 as Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 5.\u00a0 Previously, Mel was honored to serve as Mayor of the City of Destin, a Destin City Councilman, and served in the Florida House of Representatives.\u00a0 Through his many years of public and private service, Mel has extensive experience in leadership and teamwork.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In addition to his various positions in public office, Mel has over 10 years of banking, mortgage, and financial services experience, achieving national recognition.\u00a0 As an Association Executive, he serves the Association Board and is responsible for managing a Realtor Association of over 5,400 members within the Association\u2019s Okaloosa and Walton County footprint.<\/p>\n<p>As a State Representative, Mel was honored to serve as Chair of Children, Families, and Seniors Subcommittee, Vice Chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and Deputy Whip within the House Majority Office.\u00a0 As a Commissioner, Mel had the honor to serve as Board Chair in 2022, Vice Chair in 2021, and as county liaison to several other Boards and Committees through his Commissioner role, including the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization (Vice Chair in 2021-2022), Youth Leadership Council, Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Coalition, and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n<p>While serving as a State Representative, Mel was honored as the Florida College System Council of Presidents Legislator of the Year.\u00a0 He carried HB 75, which authorized Florida\u2019s State Colleges to waive specific fees for active-duty military.\u00a0 He was also honored as the Florida League of Cities Defender of Home Rule, and Northwest Florida League of Cities Legislator of the Year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mel was appointed in 2022 and reappointed in 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors.\u00a0 He was also an at-large selection to serve on the Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors and a Speaker of the House appointee to serve on the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council.\u00a0 Through his role with the Florida Association of Counties, Mel served on the Finance, Tax, and Administration Policy Committee and as Co-Vice Chairman of the Presidential Select Committee on Preemption.<\/p>\n<p>A 3<sup>rd<\/sup> generation Floridian, Mel was born and raised in Ocala, Florida.\u00a0 He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University.\u00a0 Mel has been married to his wife Mona for 33 years, and they have three children: Preston, Casey, and Grace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n    <a href=\"\/presidential-search\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Melvin-P.-Mel-Ponder-CV-1.pdf\">RESUME<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<!-- {\"type\":\"layout\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding\":\"xsmall\",\"style\":\"primary\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"\",\"width\":\"expand\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"subnav\",\"props\":{\"css\":\".el-link {\\n    color: 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Bar\"},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding_remove_bottom\":true,\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"default\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\\\"auto\\\">Northwest Florida State College looks forward to President-Elect Mel Ponder joining the College on January 2, 2025. To learn more, see a message from our President-Elect below along with his biography and resume.\\u00a0<\\\/span><span data-ccp-props=\\\"{}\\\">\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"default\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"props\":{\"layout\":\"1-3,2-3\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-3\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"image\",\"props\":{\"image\":\"wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/Mel-Ponder.Headshot-.jpg\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]},{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"2-3\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Message from President-Elect\",\"title_element\":\"h1\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\\\"auto\\\">Through the many roles I have held serving our community, I have had a close relationship with Northwest Florida State College. I have seen firsthand the College\\u2019s commitment to transforming lives through post-secondary education throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties, as well as its service to the entire Northwest Florida Region. I felt led to this opportunity, because our College is poised to ignite the vision of leading in post-secondary educational opportunities, charter school operations, workforce and economic development, and excellence in both athletics and arts. It will be an honor to step into the leadership of the College in January, joining the tremendous team serving our students, their families, and our community.\\u00a0<\\\/span><span data-ccp-props=\\\"{}\\\">\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\\\"auto\\\">My background and experience in both the private and public sectors support me in bringing the College\\u2019s mission and vision to life. I look forward to joining the great work of the College by furthering its ties to our community, which has been a core characteristic of the College since its beginning. I intend to build on our existing partnerships with the Walton and Okaloosa School Districts, State University System regional partners, our military installations, public and private economic development organizations, and employers throughout the region.\\u00a0<\\\/span><span data-ccp-props=\\\"{}\\\">\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\\\"auto\\\">Each student that comes to the College brings with them dreams, talents, and skills, whether they reach the College through Collegiate High School, dual enrollment, traditional enrollment after high school, or workforce training. The College offers these students many training opportunities to make their dreams a reality. First-generation College students will find faculty, fellow students, and student success team members to be their support system. Other students come to the College pursuing a second career or additional training and attain the skills and confidence to step into their future roles as nurses, EMTs, welders, or business owners. Still, more students make the College their home for two years, securing an associate in arts or associate in science, which allows them to seamlessly continue their journey to bachelor\\u2019s and graduate degrees in the university system. We must be passionate to tell the good news of our institution, meeting students where they are, and equipping them with the tools needed to empower them and transform their futures.<\\\/span><span data-ccp-props=\\\"{}\\\">\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\\\"auto\\\">During my tenure as College President, I will celebrate and build on the programs we offer to grow enrollment and ensure students complete the programming they begin. We will work closely with our local, state, and federal representatives to secure critical appropriations and funding for College operations, and we will pursue grant opportunities to position the College for forward-looking, purposeful, sustainable growth well into its future. Continuing the legacy of the College, we will also maintain the excellence of Raider Athletics and the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, which foster student growth and engagement with our community.<\\\/span><span data-ccp-props=\\\"{}\\\">\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\\\"auto\\\">With the honor of leading the College\\u2019s work alongside our faculty and staff, my desire is to bring hope and possibilities to all those in our service area who are striving to improve their lives through attaining educational and workforce skills. My hope is that every student in the region, when looking for an educational partner to their success, will come and take part in the exciting opportunities taking place at Northwest Florida State College.\\u00a0<\\\/span><span data-ccp-props=\\\"{}\\\">\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]}]},{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"divider\",\"props\":{\"divider_element\":\"hr\"}}]}]}]},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"css\":\".uk-accordion-title {\\n  display: block;\\n  font-size: 38px;\\n  line-height: 1.4;\\n  color: #2d2e33;\\n  overflow: hidden;\\n  font-family: \\\"Helvetica 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service, Mel has extensive experience in leadership and teamwork.\\u00a0\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>In addition to his various positions in public office, Mel has over 10 years of banking, mortgage, and financial services experience, achieving national recognition.\\u00a0 As an Association Executive, he serves the Association Board and is responsible for managing a Realtor Association of over 5,400 members within the Association\\u2019s Okaloosa and Walton County footprint.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>As a State Representative, Mel was honored to serve as Chair of Children, Families, and Seniors Subcommittee, Vice Chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and Deputy Whip within the House Majority Office.\\u00a0 As a Commissioner, Mel had the honor to serve as Board Chair in 2022, Vice Chair in 2021, and as county liaison to several other Boards and Committees through his Commissioner role, including the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization (Vice Chair in 2021-2022), Youth Leadership Council, Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Coalition, and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>While serving as a State Representative, Mel was honored as the Florida College System Council of Presidents Legislator of the Year.\\u00a0 He carried HB 75, which authorized Florida\\u2019s State Colleges to waive specific fees for active-duty military.\\u00a0 He was also honored as the Florida League of Cities Defender of Home Rule, and Northwest Florida League of Cities Legislator of the Year.\\u00a0<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Mel was appointed in 2022 and reappointed in 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors.\\u00a0 He was also an at-large selection to serve on the Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors and a Speaker of the House appointee to serve on the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council.\\u00a0 Through his role with the Florida Association of Counties, Mel served on the Finance, Tax, and Administration Policy Committee and as Co-Vice Chairman of the Presidential Select Committee on Preemption.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>A 3<sup>rd<\\\/sup> generation Floridian, Mel was born and raised in Ocala, Florida.\\u00a0 He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University.\\u00a0 Mel has been married to his wife Mona for 33 years, and they have three children: Preston, Casey, and Grace.<\\\/p>\",\"image\":\"\",\"image_alt\":\"Commissioner Melvin P. \\u201cMel\\u201d Ponder\",\"link_text\":\"Resume\",\"title\":\"Biography\"}}],\"props\":{\"collapsible\":true,\"content_column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content_dropcap\":false,\"id\":\"ponder\",\"image_align\":\"left\",\"image_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"image_grid_width\":\"1-4\",\"image_svg_color\":\"emphasis\",\"image_width\":\"300\",\"link_fullwidth\":true,\"link_size\":\"large\",\"link_style\":\"secondary\",\"link_text\":\"Read 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To learn more, see a message from our President-Elect below along with his biography and resume.\u00a0\u00a0 Message from President-Elect Through the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-517","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Meet President-Elect Ponder - NWFSC Presidential Search<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nwfsc.edu\/presidential-search\/meet-president-elect-ponder\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meet President-Elect Ponder - NWFSC Presidential Search\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Home Board of Trustees Presidential Search Meet President-Elect Ponder Overview Meetings Search Committee Communications Meet President-Elect Ponder Northwest Florida State College looks forward to President-Elect Mel Ponder joining the College on January 2, 2025. 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