The Story of Mike Ponder:
Anyone who ever watched a John Wayne western knows that “a man’s word is his bond,” his best friend is his horse,
and “the code of the West” is all about honesty and integrity. So you might expect a modern-day cowboy who learned life’s lessons running a “string of
mules” working with an organization called Vision Quest, based out of Tucson, Arizona.
This organization still takes troubled youths out of state institutions and gives them the opportunity to turn their lives around by learning to trust and rely on others in an unfamiliar, untamed environment. “Those kids needed you to be a brick wall, yet love them at the same time,” Mr. Ponder says.
Mike first worked at Vision Quest as a youth counselor, and ended up serving as the organization’s youngest administrator at that time.
Mike has brought those same attitudes to his business dealings. In fact, he feels so strongly about those core values that he used one of them as his company’s name - Integrity.
Ponder, President and CEO of Integrity Payment Systems, does things the way he knows they should be done. Out West as a young man he learned the value of hard work and honesty. His many years as an executive in the financial industry have demonstrated that he has brought those early lessons into his current business life.
People who have dealt with him over the years continue their working relationships with him because of his high standards. “He’s one of the most honest, stand-up guys in the business,” said Scott Rutledge of The Phoenix Group. Rutledge has known Ponder since 1990, and although they’ve never worked together at the same company, they’ve built a solid relationship through numerous business deals.
“When Mike gives his word, you can bet the farm that event will take place,” Rutledge said. “He’s the type of guy that does what he says he’ll do. That’s what’s so refreshing about his business. I would use the words ‘honesty’ and ‘integrity’ to describe him without hesitation.”
