Mel Ponder

Mel Ponder is the president of Northwest [Florida State College]. He began serving in that position in January 2025. Affiliated with the Republican Party, Ponder previously served as a member of the Florida [House of Representatives], representing the 4th district between 2016 and 2020.
Ponder also served as the mayor of Destin, Florida, from 2014 to 2016. On August 30, 2016, Ponder won a close and contentious five-way primary to become the Republican nominee to represent District 4 in the Florida House of Representatives. Ponder was elected unopposed in the November general election. He succeeded state representative Matt Gaetz, who was elected to the Florida's 1st [congressional district|Florida 1st District U.S. House seat].