Founders of Howard Vacations
At the heart of Howard Vacations is husband-and-wife duo, Jon and Rizz Howard — passionate hospitality experts who turned their love for the Florida coast into a boutique luxury vacation rental experience. With deep roots in 30A and Destin, they built Howard Vacations on a simple promise: personalized service, exceptional homes, and unmatched local expertise.
Jon, a former Special Operations veteran turned real estate broker, brings integrity, discipline, and strategic insight to every property. Rizz, a hospitality visionary with a flair for design and guest experience, ensures every stay feels curated and effortless. Together, they lead with heart, offering homeowners and guests direct access to the people who care most — no call centers, no middlemen.
Whether you're looking for the perfect beach escape or a trusted partner to manage your coastal home, Jon and Rizz invite you to experience the difference of a vacation company built on trust, connection, and coastal charm.
Jon Howard – The Heart Behind Every Howard Home
Jon Howard is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran whose years in Special Operations as a Combat Controller forged his reputation for grit, precision, and unshakable leadership. Those same qualities now fuel his success as the Principal Broker of Jon Howard Realty and Co-Founder of Howard Vacations, where he has built one of the Gulf Coast’s top-performing short-term rental portfolios.
But Jon’s story doesn’t stop at real estate. Service is in his DNA. As a volunteer with the Florida State Guard, he answered the call during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina — carrying out daring rescues that gripped the nation. In the middle of the storm, Jon saved a premature 11-day-old baby and a woman whose oxygen supply was running out. His courage and instinct under pressure earned him nationwide recognition, leading to multiple interviews on Fox News, as well as features on Dr. Phil and The Shawn Ryan Show.
Jon is also passionate about giving back long after the cameras fade. Through his bird photography at Jon Howard Art, he donates 100% of profits to support hurricane relief efforts and veteran-focused charities. His lens captures the beauty and resilience of nature — and his work ensures those images bring hope and tangible help to others.
Today, Jon channels that same drive and heart into guiding homeowners, investors, and guests along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Whether it’s helping a family secure their dream second home, walking a first-time investor through their rental property, or ensuring every guest’s vacation is flawless, Jon brings a hands-on, heart-led approach to everything he does.
With Jon at the helm, every home, every investment, and every stay is in the best possible hands.
Rizz Howard – Co-Founder, Creative Visionary & Coastal Hostess
With a background in both business and marketing — and years of hands-on hospitality experience — Rizz Howard brings a rare blend of strategy and soul to Howard Vacations. A U.S. military veteran turned entrepreneur, Rizz has a natural gift for storytelling, branding, and curating spaces that instantly feel like home. She co-founded the celebrated Florida Charms brand and now leads the creative direction and guest experience at Howard Vacations. From the little welcome details to the overall design flow of each home, Rizz ensures every stay feels thoughtful, elevated, and effortlessly coastal. Her passion for people and her eye for design shine through in every touchpoint — helping homeowners feel confident in their investment and guests feel completely cared for.