Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Maybe it was destiny that Meagan Huff would have a career with the National Park Service. Her parents were both park rangers. After college studies and museum work, Huff returned to her hometown’s Fort Vancouver, excited to share her knowledge. “I was happy to come back because I knew I didn’t want to move away from the Northwest,” she says.
Name: Meagan Huff
Job/employer: National Park Service museum technician.
Age: 28
Education/professional background: I was born in Arizona. My parents were park rangers at the Grand Canyon, so I had lots of “park” influence. We moved to Vancouver when I was 5 years old. I got my associate’s degree at Clark College and earned a bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in art history, from the University of Washington. I also have a master’s degree in museology from UW.
While in Seattle I was an intern, a volunteer and a paid employee at the Seattle Art Museum, the Frye Art Museum and the Museum of History and Industry. I was trying to get as much exposure as I could because I knew that was where I wanted my career to go.
I also worked at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle for two years. After my graduate program, I came to Fort Vancouver in 2010. I was happy to come back because I knew I didn’t want to move away from the Northwest.
Residence: Northeast Portland.
One word to describe yourself: Creative.
Most rewarding part of job: A favorite part of my job is a program called Museum Collection Open House. Visitors get to see behind the scenes at the museum. It helps people, especially locals, make connections with their community. And I like talking to people.
Most challenging part of job: It is very fast paced here and it is challenging to balance all of our projects.
Personal/business philosophy: One of my work goals is to help the community connect with museum collections.
Something you would like to do over: I don’t think I have been in my career long enough to have regrets.
Best feature of my Vancouver community: The people who are here, the people I see on tour, the researchers who come in all are interested in their community’s past. Everyone is nice.
What would make your community a better place? Finding more ways to connect to each other. Getting to know your neighbors.
Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop/store: I like Thatcher’s Coffee and Ginger Pop.
Hobbies: My husband and I raise chickens and I like reading and traveling.
Favorite travel destination: Paris. We were married there in 2012.
Most interesting book in last 12 months: “Columbine” by Dave Cullen.
Most interesting play/movie/arts event: I like the television series “Mad Men.”
One thing you want to do this year: There are several big projects, exhibits that I want to see completed. At home I would like to get our backyard in order.
Something you want to do within five years: I want to visit more national parks. I don’t think I have been to enough of them.
Person you’d most like to meet: Television host Stephen Colbert.
