Hector Ponte: Making sense of changing interest rates, challenging times

Hector J. Ponte started in banking as a part-time teller with no intention of being in the industry too long. Thirty-six years later, he rose through the ranks and is now South Florida Regional Banking Director of Wells Fargo, one of the biggest banks in the nation. 

He oversees the operations of 120 branches and over 1,200 employees in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. His current priority is effectively leading his team through challenging times by providing the training and resources they need to serve clients. 

“I want to make sure that I make people feel successful, that I make people feel valued, that I make people feel included. Regardless of what the pretty words are, or what I did, I want people to walk away feeling good,” he said. 

Mr. Ponte has been involved in the communities he works with, especially in education. He has been serving for 20 years on the executive committee of the Miami-Dade Public Education Fund, and sits on the boards of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Broward, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Council and the Broward Workshop. 

Mr. Ponte has been recognized in various instances, including in 2012 by being included in the Miami Dade College Hall of Fame, his 2016 Distinguished Citizens Award by the South Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and by being selected by the National Diversity Council as a 2016 Top Latino Leader Award Winner.

Mr. Ponte spoke with Miami Today reporter Gabriela Henriquez Stoikow. 

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