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
Rizz Howard is the co-founder of Howard Vacations, where hospitality, strategy, and elevated guest experiences come together to redefine luxury vacation rental management along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Her journey in hospitality began long before Howard Vacations. Rizz served 13 years in the United States Air Force in the Services division, where her role was deeply rooted in the hospitality industry — managing lodging, guest services, and large-scale operations with precision and care. That experience instilled in her a standard of excellence, discipline, and attention to detail that continues to define her approach today. Building and growing a successful rental management company ultimately gave her the opportunity to transition out of active service and avoid further deployments — a turning point that allowed her to fully pursue her passion for hospitality and entrepreneurship. With a strong academic foundation, Rizz holds an Associate’s degree in Hospitality Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Business, and a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama — Roll Tide. Her education, combined with real-world operational experience, gives her a unique ability to position each home not just as a rental, but as a curated guest experience and a high-performing investment. As a traveler herself, Rizz brings a personal lens to every property. She understands firsthand what today’s guests expect — from seamless booking and thoughtful design to the small details that turn a stay into an experience. That perspective allows her to anticipate needs, elevate comfort, and consistently deliver the kind of stay she would expect for herself. At Howard Vacations, Rizz leads marketing strategy, guest experience design, and brand development. From high-converting listing narratives to seamless, concierge-level stays, she ensures every detail reflects the elevated standard the company is known for. Her approach blends data-driven strategy with a deep understanding of modern travelers — those who value design, comfort, and meaningful experiences. For homeowners, that translates into stronger bookings, higher returns, and a management experience that feels both personal and professional. At the core of everything she does is a simple belief: true luxury isn’t just about where you stay — it’s about how it makes you feel.