Ed Ponder
Founder

Ed Ponder, a native Miamian, developed a highly regarded reputation for leadership and success with corporate hotel brands such as Carnival Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Resorts, Hyatt Hotels, and Morgans Hotel Group, as well as independent boutique Four-Star and Five-Star hotels. Throughout his thirty+ year hotel career, Ed served in managerial and executive leadership roles, including Conference Service Manager, Chief Concierge, Director of Guest Services, Director of Operations, Director of Food & Beverage, and Hotel Manager.

He is renowned for managing, motivating, and maintaining exceptional, award-winning hospitality service. Hotel properties and departments he directed and was affiliated with were honored with some of the industry's most prestigious accolades and awards for service excellence, efficiency, and luxury. The list of property distinctions includes Mobile 5-Star, AAA 4-Star, Forbes 4-Star, Conde Nast Gold List, Leading Hotels of the World, and Restaurant of the Year.

In addition to property success, Ed takes great pride in mentoring and supporting his team's professional growth and goals. Ed has mentored and managed multiple company Employee of the Year, Citywide Employee of the Year, Concierge of the Year winners, and more. Several former team members currently serve as managers and executive leaders in hospitality and tourism in Miami and other cities worldwide.

Ed's professional achievements and awards include his two-term tenure as the Southern Florida Concierge Association president and the only African American to serve in that capacity. He received Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association's Hospitality Leadership Award, Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine's Apex Award for Distinguished Service, and Where Magazine's prestigious Concierge Associations Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2019, Ed established Rednop Management Group LLC, a hospitality services company specializing in Customer Service Training and Consulting. His client list includes the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, American Airlines, AMPM Housecalls, Miami International Airport, several Miami-area restaurants, boutique hotels, and companies.

He is active on community and tourism-related committees focused on youth mentorship, hospitality service, and promotion of South Florida's rich offering of things to see, do, and enjoy.