Mark Huffman arrived at Oberlin College in the fall of 1975 from a farm in north-central Ohio. He graduated in 1978 with an impressive academic portfolio, earning degrees in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. During his five semesters on campus, Huffman was a dedicated student-athlete, earning varsity letters in cross country, swimming, and track. He greatly valued the support and mentorship he received from Oberlin's administration, faculty, staff, and especially from the athletic department and his teammates—a community that left a lasting impact on him.
While he was a versatile athlete, Huffman found his greatest success in swimming, competing under Oberlin Hall of Fame coach Dick Michaels. At the conference meet during his senior year, he reached the finals in three individual events and won the 100-yard backstroke, setting a new school record. He was also part of the 400 medley, 400 freestyle, and 800 freestyle relay teams that broke school records. At the NCAA Division III National Championships, Huffman further lowered his school record in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing 14th and missing All-American honors by less than one-tenth of a second.
Following graduation, Huffman pursued a PhD in mathematics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, while simultaneously training for the decathlon with SB Outreach, a group of elite post-collegiate athletes coached by renowned multi-event coach Sam Adams.
He then attended Stanford Law School, where he earned his JD and met his future wife, Maggie Fillmore, a physical therapist. Maggie introduced Huffman to a love for outdoor activities such as backcountry hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. The couple settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, expanding their athletic interests to include rowing and triathlons.
Professionally, Huffman spent 33 years as a regulatory attorney with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the public utility serving central and northern California. He continued his commitment to learning, earning an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1992.
Huffman and Maggie retired in 2018 and now live in Marin County, California. Huffman has taken up golf, and together they continue to enjoy the outdoors and the camaraderie of an active lifestyle.
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