Brian Hughes

On May 8, 2026, Brian Hughes was sworn in as NASA’s first senior launch operations director, overseeing launch operations at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the agency’s Wallops Flight Facilities in Virginia.

Previously, Hughes served as NASA’s chief of staff. Prior to that, he served as the White House deputy national security adviser for Strategic Communications, where he played a key role in shaping policy and messaging on critical national security issues.

Hughes served as a senior advisor to President Trump’s successful 2024 Presidential campaign and as director of the campaign in the state of Florida. He was the founding president of the political consulting firm Zulu Foxtrot Group, which advised numerous corporate and political clients.

With deep roots in Florida government, Hughes has held several senior roles in Jacksonville, including chief administrative officer and CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. As chief administrative officer, he managed 7,000 employees and nearly a $3 billion municipal budget. Additionally, he served as chief of staff to former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, further cementing his expertise in public administration and urban development.