John Hughes
About John Hughes
John Hughes is a Senior Vice President and recent Interim Chief Information Officer at Kaufman Hall, where he has significantly contributed to operational efficiency and growth strategies. He pioneered an enterprise travel and expense management system and has a strong background in technology and business management, holding degrees in Computer Science and Cinematography.
Work at Kaufman Hall
John Hughes has held multiple positions at Kaufman Hall, where he has significantly contributed to the company's growth and operational efficiency. He served as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer from 2014 to 2021, and prior to that, he was the Director from 2012 to 2014. In his current role as Senior Vice President and recent Interim Chief Information Officer since 2021, Hughes has been instrumental in developing departmental growth strategies during various acquisitions and divestitures. His efforts have led to substantial employee growth and operational improvements.
Education and Expertise
John Hughes holds a Bachelor's Degree in Cinematography and Film Production with a focus on Computer Science from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He also earned a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Bradley University. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in technology and operations management, particularly in digital transformation and enterprise business platforms.
Background
Before joining Kaufman Hall, John Hughes pioneered an enterprise travel and expense management system as a founding partner, impacting millions of Fortune 500 business travelers across more than 60 countries. His experience in building operations departments and optimizing staff skill sets has allowed him to operate at 50% cost and staff compared to similar-sized firms.
Achievements
John Hughes has spearheaded various growth initiatives, including the digital transformation of business platforms, product modernization, and cybersecurity enhancements. He has successfully reduced operating costs by over $1 million annually while simultaneously increasing productivity and quality. Additionally, he has played a key role in transitional service agreements for ten acquisitions, facilitating buy-side acquisitions and private equity investments.