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Our TEam

Experience Makes the Difference

Ponderosa’s leadership team has nearly 100 years of combined experience in managing and developing hotels and commercial projects. Our in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry has led to positive growth for our investment partners and the communities we serve.

Mission Statement

“We create award-winning hospitality accommodations with superior guest service in the communities we serve”

Core Values

  • Committed to Excellence in All We Do
  • Creating a Fun Atmosphere where People Succeed
  • Living with Uncompromising Integrity
  • Trusting and Appreciating Each Team Member
  • Being Direct, Honest and Respectful
  • Putting People First
Brad Christensen

Brad Christensen

As the Founding Member and Principal of Ponderosa Companies, Brad oversees operations for all hotels in the company’s portfolio. Brad has been in the hotel management and development business since 1985. He co-developed construction of the Marriott Residence Inn Prescott in 2007, Marriott SpringHill Suites Prescott in 1999, and the Comfort Inn Flagstaff in 1989. Brad was responsible for renovating the Best Western Plus Sierra Vista in 2019. He developed and managed other hotels in Prescott, Flagstaff, Sierra Vista, Santa Fe, and Lincoln, Nebraska. Brad graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Mount Marty College in South Dakota. He has lived in Arizona since 1989. Brad and his wife, Margo, live in Prescott.

Margo Christensen

Margo Christensen

Margo Christensen is Vice President of Marketing for Ponderosa Hotel Management Services which operates three hotels in Northern Arizona, the Comfort Inn in Flagstaff and in Prescott, the SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott and in Southern Arizona, Best Western in Sierra Vista.  Margo oversees sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, corporate partnerships, ecommerce and social media for all properties.  

In addition, she serves on several boards and committees throughout Arizona and in her hometown of Prescott.  Margo has lived in Arizona since 1985 and currently resides in Prescott with her husband, Brad and two daughters, Savannah and Sierra. 

Chris Blight

Chris Blight

As a Founding Member, Chris has worked with Brad and Mark on hotel and commercial development since 2016. He assisted Ponderosa with developing the Best Western Plus in Sierra Vista from 2018 to 2019. Chris supports various hotel management and development functions at the company, including arranging financing sources and spearheading new project development. An Arizona resident since 1985, Chris has an MBA from the University of Arizona. Before joining Ponderosa, Chris held financial roles at several companies and banks. As a Senior Commercial Lender at Foothills Bank, Chris grew his loan portfolio by more than 100%. Chris and his wife, Jeanette, live in Prescott with their four children.