Richard E. Huff has gained a national reputation for his work at the local, state, and national levels as Executive Director of the Irving Arts Center in Irving, Texas. He previously served as director of the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, Texas; as director of the Dallas City Arts Program; and as executive director of the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. As director of the National Endowment of the Arts Locals Program, Huff promoted the value of community cultural planning and policymaking, and encouraged rural constituents to become involved with the NEA’s Locals Program. Huff graduated from Wichita State University with a B.A. in speech and drama and a minor in business, and received an M.A. from the University of Denver in technical theater (set and light design).