Classmate Spotlight - Kenedy Hughes

Name: Kenedy E. Hughes
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Currently Residing: Houston, TX

Activities involved in while at Texas A&M: Liberal Arts Student Council, HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed), CCA, and a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority
What was your most memorable Aggie experience: Touching down on Aggieland soil for the first time to take a tour of the campus as a transfer student is probably my first of many memorable Aggie experiences. I recall thinking, " this place is enormous" and, in general, being overwhelming by the amount of traditions I'd have to learn as a member of the Aggie family. Little did I know how easy it would be to make friends, learn the traditions quickly, and become in sync with the Aggie culture. As they say, "On the outside looking in, you can't understand it and on the inside looking out, you can't explain it."

How has your time at Texas A&M impacted where you are today personally and/or professionally?
Thru a variety of twists and turns I've gained employment and the job of a lifetime thru the good ole' Aggie Network. I was in the right place and the right time. I'm certainly a chatty and confident person so I was able to gain access to apply thru networking and the positions later became mine!

Where do you want to be in 5 years? : Hopefully I'll have climbed the corporate ladder high enough and will have settled down with a spouse and had some children. Work has been a focus in my life. I'm not getting any younger! My parents will enjoy that I'm saying this.

Where can you find me when I'm not at work? Visiting friends in Texas or hosting wedding and baby showers seem to be the constant these days! Additionally volunteering with the Jr. League of Houston doing community service work and enjoying my time on the Wine Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! I do enjoy what Houston has in the means of entertainment so attending a local festival, farmer's markets, and checking out the new exhibits at the museums are also places I'd frequent.

My favorite way to spend a Sunday? I really enjoy going to brunch with friends and watching football in the Fall. Go Cowboys!

Where do you work and what is your role? What excites you about your work and the contributions you can make? I work at IHS, in the oil and gas industry, and I'm the current Country Manager of Tradeshows and Campaigns. I’ve been here for 7 years and I thrive in managing events, tradeshows, conferences, and marketing to the energy industry. I’m fortunate to have found an industry I enjoy and really feel I have found my calling. The ability for me to create revenue for my company makes me feel like my efforts are worth-while. Waking up excited to go to work every day is unique and engaging with intelligent and fun colleagues are a major bonus.

What do I miss most about Texas A&M or Bryan/College Station?
The ability for all my friends and I to pull football tickets together and swing back and forth in the stadium singing our Aggie fight song! I also miss the college lifestyle in general. Going to a couple of classes a day is much more enticing as opposed to sitting eight hours in an office!

What would be impossible for you to give up?
The Spirt of Aggieland!