John Morgan Hughes is a 2008 graduate of Hillcrest Christian School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Mississippi State University, a Masters of Business Administration from Ole Miss, and a Doctorate of Business Administration from Belhaven University. Hughes serves as a Founding Partner of Ten One Strategies, one of Mississippi’s leading government affairs firms, where he advocates on behalf of clients before policymakers in Jackson and Washington, D.C. In this role, he provides strategic counsel and policy guidance to more than 50 senior leaders across Mississippi and the nation and serves as a trusted policy and campaign advisor to nearly 50% of the sitting members of the Mississippi Legislature.

In addition to his work in government affairs, Hughes is a minority partner, investor, and advisor in six companies spanning four different industries. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Hillcrest Christian School, the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District. His professional accomplishments have earned him recognition as a Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 honoree, a Magnolia Tribune Top 100 Leader Shaping Mississippi, and is an alumni of both Leadership Jackson and Leadership Mississippi.

Hughes has served for more than 11 years in the Mississippi Air National Guard and currently holds the rank of Major. During his military career, he deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility, supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of a rapidly deployable Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team (AELT). He earned the Air Force Commendation Medal for his team’s actions in support of the U.S. response to the Iranian attacks of January 2020. He currently serves as Director of Strategy and Plans (A5) on the Mississippi Air National Guard Air Staff, helping guide long range planning and strategic initiatives for the organization.

Hughes is married to Brittany Davis Hughes of Meridian, Mississippi, who serves as a teacher in the K4 program at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Together, they have two daughters, Charlie and Maddie, who attend MRA in K5 and K3, respectively. The Hughes family resides in Madison, Mississippi, where they are actively involved in their church, community, and civic affairs.

Why Did You Choose Lobbying?

I chose government relations because it provided me an avenue to stay in my home state and work on policies to improve our economic condition. As a first-generation college graduate, education and opportunity have been the difference in my life and I hope my work expands these opportunities to others. I love the diversity of our clients. No two days are the same.

Practice Areas (Specialties)

• Procurement and appropriation
• Non-profits
• Trade associations
• Complex financial legislation 
• Regulatory relief

If I weren’t a Lobbyist I would be…

An F-35 pilot