Reagan Library Boss Leaving After 3 Years

Serving as executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum has presented both challenges and perks for Mark Hunt--including several opportunities to meet the man for whom the library was named.

Hunt’s tenure at the Simi Valley institution will draw to a close when the director steps down to pursue a job opportunity outside Southern California.

Reagan library officials have yet to choose his replacement, he said.

“I came here for the opportunity to work for Ronald and Nancy Reagan and for the opportunity to take a look at an interesting time in American history, the time when [Reagan] grew up, became a movie star and eventually went on to become governor and president,” he said. “It was a great professional opportunity, and it continues to be, I just have another opportunity that is very attractive at this time.”

The 50-year-old Hunt would not say what the opportunity is or when his last day at the library will be, but he did say that he and his family will be moving to another part of the country.

Hunt said there are several things he is proud of when he looks back on his run as the library’s director, which began May 1, 1996.

“One has been our increased programming, serving more and more people in the larger L.A. metro area with special exhibits and programs,” he said. “Then, I have a wonderful staff and volunteer staff who are dedicated to this place and who made my time here very pleasant, made my job easy.”

Hunt said he tried to attract more people to the library by luring special exhibits, such as displays from Norman Rockwell and Faberge, as well as strengthening ties with the community through service agencies such as the Rotary Club and the Moorpark College Foundation.

“Our visitation is going to be the highest since the library opened, and that I’m pleased about,” he said, adding that the library expects to draw 200,000 visitors by the end of the year. “When you put the time and effort into exhibits and programs, you like people to be there to enjoy and take advantage.”