Search
Close this search box.

Northwest Florida State College selects Mel Ponder as next president

The current Okaloosa County Commissioner will take the helm of the college pending approval of employment agreement at November 19 board meeting.
Okaloosa County Commissioner Mel Ponder (contributed)

Northwest Florida State College’s District Board of Trustees announced Tuesday night their selection of Commissioner Mel Ponder as the institution’s next president.

  • The appointment is contingent upon approval of an employment agreement at the board’s November 19 meeting.

Ponder, who currently serves as Association Executive for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 5, was chosen following candidate forums and interviews held November 4 and 5.

His public service experience includes terms as Destin’s mayor, city councilman, and state representative, where he served as Vice Chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. The Florida State University graduate was previously honored as Florida College System Council of Presidents Legislator of the Year.

The selection came after a comprehensive search process that involved input from students, faculty, staff, donors, and community members through forums and surveys. Ponder emerged as the chosen candidate from a field of four finalists.

  • The college thanked all finalist candidates who participated in the campus visits and interviews, including retired Brigadier General R. Gwyn Armfield, Dr. James Walter Ross, and Dr. Mark F. Strickland, Jr.

Further information about Ponder’s background and the presidential search process remains available at www.nwfsc.edu/presidential-search.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
Respond
“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
Respond
“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
Respond
“I remember both Kathy & Lee from their work with the church youth program. Despite being a Catholic "yankee" visiting each summer I have never found a more welcoming place...”
Respond
“Hey Lee. I am so glad Danny sent this article to all the Szarowicz siblings! Congratulations on an amazing career!!! Wish I had been there to witness it. I remember...”
Respond
“Congratulations, Lee, and the very best wishes to you and Cathy during your retirement years. A heartfelt thank you on behalf of my Bolton family for your attention and care....”
Respond
“There is no public parking…note from article, “The beach bar is accessible only to Sandpiper Cove residents and guests, along with people walking up from the beach.” Walk in from...”
Respond
“This should NOT BE ALLOWED in single family residential neighborhoods.”
Respond
“It's amazing that the State of Florida can come up with money to purchase 2483 acres for a new park. But Caladesi Island State Park, Cayo Costa State Park and...”
Respond
“What a beautiful story of past, present, and future. Lee, you have left an amazing legacy. These words from Matthew 25:21 are fitting for you, ‘Well done, good and faithful...”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.