PATH INTERNATIONAL

Craig Huffhines was named executive vice president and CEO of the American Quarter Horse Association on April 1, 2015. Growing up on a small cow-calf operation in north central Texas, he pursued his dream of working in the livestock industry by first attending Texas A&M University where he participated on the livestock evaluation team, was an officer of the Block and Bridle Club, and received a degree in animal science. He then pursued a Master of Science degree from Colorado State University where he worked on several meat animal industry research projects, one which established the specifications for the Certified Hereford Beef program.

The American Hereford Association hired Mr. Huffhines in 1992 to develop from scratch the industry production partnerships for delivering a high quality USDA Certified beef program marketed into multiple retail, restaurateur, and international consumer channels. In 1997, Huffhines was named EVP and CEO of the American Hereford Association. For 18 years, he assembled a team of high energy association managers with a focus on science-based technology, education and youth development, consumer marketing, and strong national and international communication. Under his leadership, the Hereford breed reversed a 30-year market share decline while growing the association’s youth membership program by 25%.

At AQHA, Mr. Huffhines is assembling a dynamic team of professionals with a focus on delivering 21st century technology to serve the more than 260,000 AQHA members and more than 700,000 Quarter Horse owners while working on programs that will welcome youth and young families into our rich equine lifestyle.