Before joining SMI, Craig A. Hughes served as the Business Operations Manager for the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon, catalyzing innovation across the Department of Defense (DoD) with a focus on DIB oversight and management. In this role, he provided expert-level advice as an Assistant Designated Federal Officer. Prior to that, Hughes was the Chief of Innovation and Strategy Implementation at the Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures under the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority. He played a key role in the fight against COVID-19, overseeing the Moderna vaccine supply contract for the U.S. Government’s international donations. Earlier in his career, Hughes held various leadership positions at the Office of Naval Research, managing portfolios exceeding $980M annually and focusing on university research initiatives, laboratory workforce development, and innovative technology implementation.
In the commercial sector, he served as Deputy Program Manager of Navy Programs and Senior Military Operations Analyst. Retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel, Hughes held roles such as Acting Director of Operational Experimentation, Project Director of Emerging Technologies, and Director of Operations in NATO. His distinguished career includes commanding combat operations in the F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft and receiving recognition as an Air Force-level expert in flight training.
Mr. Hughes holds an MS in National Security Strategy from The National War College at The National Defense University, an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin, and a BS in Management from The United States Air Force Academy. He attended the Senior Managers in Government Course at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College. Certified as a Federal Acquisition Institute Level III and Department of Defense Contracting Officer Representative, he is also a Project Management Professional certified by the Project Management Institute. Hughes is Level III DAWIA certified as a Science and Technology Manager, Level I DAWIA certified as a Program Manager, and holds a TS/SCI security clearance.