My Story
Throughout my career, I’ve leveraged my expertise in marketing, communications, and leadership to create strategies that resonate with diverse audiences and drive meaningful results. As the founder and chair of the George Masa Foundation, I have designed and implemented campaigns that inspire youth engagement, elevate environmental conservation, and advocate for climate action.
In my role with the Carolina Mountain Club, I oversee a section of the Appalachian Trail and have led initiatives to boost volunteer engagement, enhance organizational visibility, and promote the club’s legacy, including its 100th-anniversary celebration. As a Board Member for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, I contribute to strategic planning and communications efforts that preserve and promote one of America’s most iconic natural landmarks.
My creative vision extends to my work as a photographer, where I use compelling visual storytelling to connect people with the natural world. Through David Huff Creative (https://www.davidhuffcreative.com), I have showcased the beauty of landscapes, wildlife, and conservation efforts, creating powerful imagery that inspires action and awareness.
As the executive producer of the award-winning family feature film Country Remedy, based on stories written by my father, I gained firsthand experience in the filmmaking and distribution process, further honing my skills in crafting narratives that captivate and engage.
I pair these creative skills with a strong foundation in outdoor leadership, cultivated at the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and further enhanced by earning certification as a Leave No Trace Master Educator, which has deepened my advocacy for sustainable recreation. Academically, I hold advanced degrees in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and education from George Washington University, along with a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University.
I have also represented the global outdoor equipment company Fjällräven as a brand ambassador, aligning my personal values of sustainability and exploration with their mission. Whether creating campaigns, guiding teams through change, or fostering community engagement, I thrive on delivering strategic solutions, clear messaging, and measurable outcomes.
Rooted in both creativity and strategy, my work centers on helping individuals, organizations, and communities communicate effectively, achieve their goals, and make an impact.
November 8, 2024
How the Appalachian Trail Inspired One of Japan’s Greatest Long Hikes
David Huff was exhausted. He wasn’t supposed to summit Mount Naeba, a 7,000-foot peak northwest of Tokyo, until the next day. But, thinking he had missed the prearranged rendezvous with his lift, he trudged up the two-lane highway to the mountain’s trailhead anyway, hoping he would meet his ride on its descent. Wet and muddy, he saw no one as he climbed in the dark. Eventually, he knew he would have to give up, turn around, and walk two hours to the inn where he was booked for the night. Continue
October 27, 2024
The forgotten Japanese naturalist who created a U.S. national park
In late 2021, David Huff came across a screening of the documentary “The Mystery of George Masa,” and despite being a longtime resident of North Carolina, United States, the American photographer knew nothing of this enigmatic immigrant from Japan who found his way to the Appalachian region more than a century prior. Continue
February 2023
“Contests like this are important because they elevate the level of the craft by recognizing exceptional work,” says Huff. “We live on a rare planet. My hope is that through contests like this, we will both celebrate the beauty of this earth and remember the responsibility we have to take care of it.” Continue
WNC Shines in Scenic America Photo Contest
A Story About a Stream
A Story About a Stream…
When I was eight years old, family friend and award-winning photographer Bruce Roberts included my brother, Steve, and me in an environmental storybook. That was the same year that I started sleep away camp in Brevard, NC, and fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains.
I was fascinated by Bruce’s techniques, especially when he set a small glass fish tank in a creek and then put his camera inside in order to take a photo half submerged underwater (the third picture below!). Keep in mind that he was shooting on film and wouldn’t see what he had until he developed the roll.
I had no idea that I would one day pick up a camera myself. Bruce obviously made an impact on my eight-year-old imagination. This story is as relevant today as it was almost 50 years ago.
Story by Joel Rothman • Photos by Bruce Roberts
Once there was a stream fresh and clear which flowed through fields and woods.
In this stream you could fish, swim, even drink the water.
As time passed, the stream began to fill with plastic bags, bottles and cans, dirt, debris, and all sorts of wastes.
As the water became polluted, the fishes slowly died out.
No longer can you fish.
No longer can you swim.
No longer can you drink the water.
Yes, once there was a stream, fresh and clear . . .
Core Values
