Millennium Magazine_2ndEd

A Marquis Who's Who Magazine 185 B orn in Portland, Oregon, in 1941, Kent H. Hughes was nearly 20 years old when he first heard John F. Kennedy’s rousing call to action: “…ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” This line from the former president’s famous inauguration speech ultimately inspired and informed the young Dr. Hughes’ budding desire to make the world a better place. He was particularly drawn to the economic challenges of developing nations, as well as finding a response to the challenge posed by the economic recovery of Europe and East Asia. Now recognized as an expert in foreign economic policy, international trade policy, and competitiveness policy and strategy, Dr. Hughes completed his undergraduate education at Yale University before receiving a law degree from Harvard University in 1965 and a PhD in economics from Washington University in 1976. He was a significant contributor to the Omnibus Foreign Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and has maintained his involvement with the competitiveness movement since its inception. In the 1990s, Dr. Hughes served as president of the Council on Competitiveness and worked in the Clinton administration. An important point in his career was when he was approved by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars to write a book on the competitive movement’s origin, legislative history, and adoption as national policy. As a result of his work, the center invited Dr. Hughes to remain with the institution to focus on foreign economic policy. Over the years, he has authored several additional works, including “Building the Next American Century: The Past and Future of American Economic Competitiveness,” published in 2005. Outside of his career as a lawyer and economist, Dr. Hughes enjoys finding various ways to give back to the community. He has served on the executive advisory board of FIRST Robotics since 2010, which has afforded him the opportunity to encourage young people to become confident innovators. According to Dr. Hughes, the secret to leading a fulfilling life is remaining open to trying new things while striving to make meaningful contributions to society. KENT H. HUGHES LAWYER, ECONOMIST Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Washington, DC