Mr. Ponton was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He immigrated with his parents at the age of five; they divided their time between Colorado, Palm Beach, and Nantucket, MA. He graduated from George Washington University with a degree in finance in 1982. Within six months after his graduation, Mr. Ponton reopened Club Colette in Palm Beach. He has had restaurants throughout his career in Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado. His latest endeavor, as CEO and proprietor of Classic Cuisine Inc., is the Surfside Diner on South County Road, a cherished restaurant location for more than 50 years.  Mr. Ponton is involved in many community organizations locally, nationally, and abroad. His focus is on health care, architecture, animals, and advocacy for children.