Steven H. Pontius

Steve Pontius enjoyed a career of over 50 years in the television broadcast industry beginning in 1972 as a paid intern at WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas and ending as the Executive Vice President and General Manager for Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC.

During his career he witnessed and participated in the transition from local newsgathering on 16mm film to live shots on bonded cellular and cell phones. Television broadcasting transitioned from three or four stations in most markets in the early 70’s to a time today where viewers select from a limitless range of streaming and programming options. VHF and UHF transmission gave way to high definition (ATSC1) and is moving to “NexGen TV” (ATSC3).

Most notably, Steve was the VP/GM in Fort Myers of WBBH-TV (NBC) beginning in 1986 and expanded his role to also manage the daily operations of WZVN-TV (ABC) following a revolutionary LMA agreement signed in 1994. This was one of the first co-located, co-managed, top four network combinations in the US.  In the beginning, the operation was controversial even with NBC and ABC.  Over time, the operation expanded to more than 230 employees…mostly in the news operation.

This expanded news and weather operation, with an unwavering commitment to public service enabled Waterman Broadcasting to super-serve its viewers during hurricanes Charley, Wilma, Irma, & Ian, as well as numerous tropical storms, tornadoes, elections and even a pandemic. All of this led to multiple National Edward R. Murrow Awards for journalistic excellence.

However, it is the people that Steve touched during his decades at Waterman Broadcasting that gives him the greatest pride and satisfaction. Steve and his remarkable staff embraced the idea that as a middle market, they would not be able to hold on to some of their top talent. Instead of building roadblocks to retaining talent, they built bridges that helped talent move to larger markets which, in turn, helped recruit top young talent to Waterman Broadcasting.

Professionally, Steve worked in local news in Dallas and Tyler, Texas followed by local sales in Tyler, San Antonio and Dallas. Steve became Local Sales Manager at KDFW-TV (then CBS) in Dallas and was promoted to Director of Sales in St. Louis at KTVI-TV (then ABC). In late 1985 he was hired by Bernie and Edith Waterman to join WBBH-TV as General Sales Manager and was quickly promoted to Vice President & General Manager in early 1986. 

Steve has actively been involved in the Florida Association of Broadcasters since 1986 during the “Ad Tax Fight”. He served as Chairman in 2000 and continues to serve on the FAB Board today as an Emeritus member. He is proud to have been honored with the “Bill Brooks Award” and was recognized as a “Legend” by the FAB in 2023.

Steve and his wife Lou met while attending college at Texas Christian University and have been married for over 52 years. He has served the Southwest Florida Community for decades and is actively involved in a wide range of boards and organizations including The United Way, Rotary Club of Fort Myers, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Boy Scouts of America and several others.

Steve’s community honors include The Boy Scouts of America “Silver Beaver Award” in 2003 and the “2004 Distinguished Citizens of the Year”.  Steve and his wife were also recognized by Gulfshore Lifemagazine as one of the 2005 “Citizens of the Year”. Steve was awarded an honorary PhD. by Southwest Florida College and was recognized by Junior Achievement as a “Hall of Fame Laureate” for Lee County in 2007 and was the commencement speaker at the 2010 graduation exercises at Edison State College. He has also been recognized by Gulfshore Business magazine as one of Southwest Florida’s “40 Most Influential People”.