901-754-9404
My List0

We've now made it easier for you to research and save your favorite keynotes speakers. Click on the + sign to add a speaker to your Speaker List and email your favorites to colleagues and friends.

using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
CJ Huff, Leadership Speaker

CJ Huff

    • Former Superintendent of Joplin Schools
    • Lead his District of 1,100 Employees and 7,700 Students Through the Recovery Effort that Followed the Devastating 2011 Tornado. 
    • One of People Magazine's 2011 “Heroes Among Us."
    • Leadership and Crisis Management Speaker
Full Bio
In Person-Fee 🛈

$5,000 - $10,000

Virtual Fee:

Please Inquire

Travels From

Missouri

C.J. Huff: Resilience in the aftermath of the unthinkable

C.J. Huff: Resilience in the aftermath of the unthinkable

Viral Change for the Common Good: Dr. CJ Huff at TEDxFrontRange

Viral Change for the Common Good: Dr. CJ Huff at TEDxFrontRange

CJ Huff Speaker Biography


Dr. C.J. Huff served as the superintendent of Joplin Schools from July, 2008 through June, 2015. He is the proud father of three children and has been married to his best friend, Jennifer, for 18 years.

A native of McCune, Kansas, Huff earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, his Master and Specialist in Education from Missouri State University. Most recently, he earned his Doctorate in Education with a focus in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas in 2003.

His wide range of experiences as a classroom teacher, building principal, superintendent and a family farmer prepared him to lead his district of 1,100 employees and 7,700 students through the recovery effort that has followed the devastating Sunday, May 22, 2011 tornado that ripped through the heart of Joplin. Graduation ceremonies for Joplin’s Class of 2011 had just concluded at Missouri Southern State University when the tornado struck around 5:41 p.m. destroying or damaging 10 of the 19 buildings in Huff’s district including the high school and leaving over half of his students without a school to return to on Monday, May 23. The Joplin Schools family suffered loss more precious than the buildings though as they lost a staff member and seven students to the storm. 

Huff’s declaration that “We will start school on time” is credited with being a key factor that drew the community of Joplin together just days after the tornado and provided a positive light for the country to rally around in the midst of such tragedy and destruction. To find and create learning space for 4,200 kids—54 percent of the district—in 12 weeks was a daunting task. However, on August 17, 2011 what many determined was an “impossible goal” became known as the “promise kept” when Joplin’s 7,700 students started the new school year on time. On May 21, 2012—just one day shy of the one year anniversary of the devastating tornado—President Barack Obama delivered the high school graduation commencement address.

Three years later, Joplin Schools continued to take the lead in the community's recovery effort. Huff and his team encountered and overcame many challenges since that fateful day in May. Undaunted, his focus remained unchanged as he and his team continued to take care of what he refers to as his "Joplin Schools' family" and crossing the recovery finish line strong. In August 2014, the last of the buildings destroyed by the storm was rebuilt. Fulfilling yet another promise to build Joplin back bigger AND better, his students and staff came home to the new Joplin High School after three long years. A 21st Century high school with a forward-looking and rigorous program of study to prepare students for a highly competitive workforce and global economy that has the potential to change public education as we know it. Of particular note, in the fall of 2015, Joplin Schools was named one of nine “Future Ready” school districts in the nation by the United States Department of Education.

Huff is well-respected by the community and his peers as a man of vision and a man that keeps his word. People magazine named him as one of their 2011 “Heroes Among Us." Other recognitions include the 2013 Missouri “Superintendent of the Year” award, one of four finalists for the 2013 “National Superintendent of the Year Award”, 2012 Missouri “National Education Association Horace Mann Award”, National School Public Relations Association’s “Bob Grossman Leadership in School Communications Award”, eSchool News 2012 “Tech-Savvy Superintendent Award”, Missouri Association of School Administrators 2012 “Pearce Award”, Missouri School Public Relations Association 2012 “Administrator of the Year” and the 2011 American School Board Journal Magna Award/Grand Prize Winner for “Joplin’s Bright Futures” initiative focusing on community engagement and drop-out prevention.

To book C.J. Huff call Executive Speakers Bureau at 901-754-9404.

Stronger Together
C.J. understands how teamwork, leadership and a focus on the future can help overcome any challenge.  In this presentation, he shares his remarkable story of leadership, relationships, and resiliency that kept children at the center of the recovery effort after the Joplin Tornado. Claiming 161 lives and inflicting damages exceeding $3 billion, it's recognized as the most costly tornado in U.S. history.

Education for the 21st Century
Dr. Huff focuses on ways the education system must prepare the leaders of tomorrow through technology and communication to face future challenges.
 
Additional Topics within CJ's expertise:
• Community Engagement 2.0 - A Whole Community Approach to Educating Our Children
• Legacy Leadership - The Intersection of Vision and Action 
• Public Education Systems 
• School Design and Facilities Planning 
• Crisis Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
• Framework for Community Engagement 
• Political Lobbying and Relationships 
• Public Speaking and Group Facilitation

Related Speakers

Music Paradigm, B2B & B2C Speaker

Music Paradigm

An Experiential Learning Event

Richard Hadden, Business Trends Speaker

Richard Hadden

Certified Speaking Professional with a focus on Leadership and Employee Engagement

Jason Lezak, Overcoming Adversity Speaker

Jason Lezak

8-Time Olympic Medalist

Nicole Kalil keynote speaker

Nicole Kalil

Confidence Sherpa

Sylvie di Giusto keynote speaker

Sylvie di Giusto

Chief of Staff for the Chief Human Resources Officer of Europe’s largest tourism and retail group

Marshall Jones keynote speaker

Marshall Jones

Senior Advisor at The Distribution Team

Andy Stefanovich, Business Trends Speaker

Andy Stefanovich

Chief Curator and Provocateur

Chuck Martin, Communications Speaker

Chuck Martin

Leading Business Strategist

Patricia Russell McCloud, Diversity Speaker

Patricia Russell McCloud

Former Attorney

Israel Del Toro, speaker

Israel Del Toro Jr.

Air Force Senior Master Sergeant

Patrick Sweeney, speaker

Patrick Sweeney

Elite Athlete

Kindra Hall, speaker

Kindra Hall

Captures Attention

Reviews

Testimonials

Everyone on the ESB team has been great to work with for our events. Looking forward to keep working with ESB!

Plexus Worldwide

We had a positive experience with ESB. Matt Meyer is a great communicator and easy to get a hold of. His helped us through the process to mak..

BNSF

ESB was patient, thorough, and responsive during the planning process. Thank you for making this such a great experience for us!

ConnectWise

ESB supported our needs and the needs of our speaker throughout the entire process. I highly recommend working with ESB to find your next spe..

DogWatch

"It's always a pleasure to work with ESB. Very professional and personable staff. Thanks!"

Testimonial | Texas Society of Architects

"Excellent! Thank you for being a true partner to our organization and its development."

HCA Healthcare

"They are the only speakers bureau I will even consider using!"

Testimonial | Youth Villages

A wonderful bureau to work with! Big ups to everyone who helped make our event a success. Fingers crossed we get the chance to collaborate fo..

MDRT | Testimonial

"As always, you are the best most responsive speaker bureau I've ever worked with!"

Image Media

Angela Schelp was a great partner in finding the right kick-off speaker for our conference. This was my first conference identifying the keyn..

CubeSmart
Need Suggestions? Have Questions?

Need Suggestions? Have Questions?

Call to discuss how we can you help find the right speaker(s) for your organization.

© 2024 Executive Speakers Bureau. All Rights Reserved.

Design and Developed by eBiz Solutions

Get Ideas in 1 hour or less

Executive Speakers Bureau consistently receives praises about our speed and efficiency. From the beginning of your event planning, our extensive online speaker database and resourceful staff allow us to quickly equip you with the best speaker for your event.

Need a last minute speaker? No worries. Our speed and efficiency help us give you ideas for speakers in one hour or less.

Please fill in information below