He was the No. 2 under Alford, so this is what most expected when the search began.
Release from FSU:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STEPHEN PONDER NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SEMINOLE BOOSTERS, INC.
June 7, 2022
Tallahassee, Fla. -- Seminole Boosters, Inc. announced Tuesday that veteran fundraiser
and university administrator Stephen Ponder has been named the organization’s President and
Chief Executive Officer. Ponder, who has served as Executive Vice President of Seminole
Boosters for the last 11 months, succeeds FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael
Alford in the position.
“Stephen Ponder is an excellent choice to lead the Seminole Boosters,” said Florida State
University President Richard McCullough. “Stephen has been impressive on an interim
basis, and he has been extremely successful in similar roles at several prominent universities.
We look forward to the continued success of the Seminole Boosters, which is
a critical component to fielding our nationally competitive athletic programs.”
“I feel honored and excited to serve as the next President and CEO of Seminole Boosters,” said
Ponder. “Following 32 years in this industry, I was drawn to the legacy and opportunities at
Florida State Athletics and Seminole Boosters and am eager to continue the great work of past
leaders, Andy Miller and Michael Alford. I want to thank the Seminole Boosters Board of
Directors, President Rick McCullough, Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins, and Vice
President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford for their work in this process. My family
and I look forward to meeting Seminole Boosters new and old, and serving the FSU
community.”
Ponder led the ultra-successful Forward Together Campaign at Ole Miss that surpassed its
$150 million goal by $20 million while serving as Senior Executive Associate Athletics
Director from 2012-16 and Deputy Athletics Director in 2016-17. He also was responsible for
oversight and project management on a $100 million football facilities improvement project, a
$95 million basketball facility project as well as a baseball and a varsity sport facility.
Prior to Ole Miss, Ponder was Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations at
Arizona State where he is credited with increasing athletics fundraising from $7.5 million when
he joined the Sun Devils in 2006 to $25 million in 2012.
“Stephen is an exceptionally talented leader who has demonstrated throughout his career that he
is skilled in leading athletic support organizations and has the experience and creativity to solve
issues commonly faced in intercollegiate athletics,” said Alford. “The alignment between
Athletics, Seminole Boosters and the University is excellent and working together towards
common goals is an area in which we have already had great success.”
“As Chair of our CEO Search Committee, it is important to note that we attracted an
outstanding pool of candidates following our national search led by Nada Usina of Russell
Reynolds Associates,” said Jimmy Graganella, Seminoles Boosters, Inc., Chairman of the
Board. “The finalists for the position were particularly impressive but it became clear during
the process that Stephen had the vision and credentials that will best serve our organization.”
A 1989 graduate of NC State, Ponder worked for the Wolfpack from 1991-2006 rising to
Associate Athletic Director and Associate Executive Director of the Wolfpack Club. Among
his many accomplishments at NC State was securing $55 million for the expansion of the
football stadium and $65 million to build a new basketball arena.
Prior to joining the Seminole Boosters staff, Ponder was with Balch Sports where he worked
with high-level collegiate coaches and served as a consultant to intercollegiate athletic
programs.
Stephen and his wife Sloane have been married for 26 years and have two sons, Stetson and
Stratton. Stetson is a junior at the University of Alabama studying Finance and Chinese.
Stratton recently graduated from Florida High in Tallahassee and will be attending Mississippi
College where he plans to play basketball.
