Luke Huffman

Property Manager

Coalfield Development Corp

Huntington, WV USA

“I got tired of living someone else’s dream. It was my turn. Quit fighting it and just go live it.”

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Luke Huffman

Highlight

Now Playing

00:53

Luke Huffman HighlightInterview Highlight

Now Playing

03:48

InterviewThe Interview

Now Playing

01:19

My Daughter Is My Driving ForceWeb Exclusive

Now Playing

00:37

If You Wanna Go Back To School, Then Do ItWeb Exclusive

Now Playing

01:11

Day In The Life Of A Property Manager For A NonprofitWeb Exclusive

Now Playing

02:04

I Changed My Career In Order To Start Giving BackInterview Excerpt

Now Playing

00:51

Don't Live Someone Else's DreamInterview Excerpt

Now Playing

00:53

My Career PathInterview Excerpt

Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.

Born in West Virginia, but moved to Palm Beach, Florida when I was three years old—moved back to West Virginia when I was 14 and it was a massive culture shock.

After high school, I attended a community college in Illinois, where I played baseball.

Attended Marshall Community and Technical College, where I earned my associates’s degree in physical therapy.

While I was still in college, at 21 years old, my daughter was born—I had to raise her pretty much by myself for the first few years of her life and went to school right alongside her.

After college, I worked as a physical therapist assistant for over eight years—I truly loved it, but after a while, I got tired of doing it day-in and day-out.

I took my passion for helping people and started a community development group that helped feed and clothe local children.

Began volunteering with Coalfield Development, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the development of Appalachia and its people.

Eventually, I took on a full-time position working as a property manager for Coalfield Development, where I help oversee the various projects and properties we work on.

Education

High School

Associate's Degree
General Studies
Marshall Community and Technical College

Associate's Degree
Physical Therapy/Therapist
Mountwest Community and Technical College

Certification/License
Lead Paint Abatement

Certification/License
Clandestine Meth Lab Remediation

Certification/License
Mold Remediation

Certification/License
Forklift

Vocational
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

Career

Property Manager

I manage the property and projects for a community development organization.

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

Business

Non-Profit Organizations

Helping People

Skills & Qualities Beyond School

You have to have a passion for helping other people and be involved in your community (or the community you want to serve). Resourcefulness is a skill native to the people of Appalachia and it's something everyone should have. You have to make the best of what you have and know how to do whatever it takes to get to where you want to be. Always be willing to keep on learning. Honesty and respect always go a long way.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Start volunteering and advocating for your community and the causes you care about. Do whatever you can to help. If you want to make a career change, take the time to get educated whether it's through college, certificates, or on-the-job training programs.

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Society in General:

"Who are these guys? Why are they here trying to change things? It can't be good."

When Coalfield Development was established and started working in this area, people (including myself) were really skeptical of their motives and what all was actually going on. People in communities like ours tend to fear change, but ultimately all of our suspicions were wrong. I started volunteering with them and eventually took on a full-time position in order to better help Appalachia and all of it's people.