Entrepreneur in Residence

John E. Hughes

Self-made millionaire, John E. Hughes, is this year’s “Entrepreneur in Residence” in the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.   He will be in Fresno Oct. 10-14 to share his life of entrepreneurship with students and community members.

Hughes is board chair and former president and CEO of The Coleman Foundation, Inc., a private charitable foundation that has approved $85 million in grants for cancer care, treatment, and research, handicapped housing and education, and education programs in the area of entrepreneurship since its beginning in 1980.   The foundation also funds several endowed chairs, professorships and fellowships, with the Fresno State management department being home to one of these “Coleman Chairs.”

Hughes got his start without any formal education, dropping out of high school in 1944 and earning his GED after World War II. Through attending night classes, he received his CPA certificate from the University of Illinois in 1957 and later founded his own CPA firm, which he sold in 1980.

From 1981 to 1991 he served as CEO of Archibald Candy Corp. and Fannie May Candy Shops, Inc., corporations with 260 shops in 15 states.   He is also President and CEO of another charitable foundation, the John E. and Jeanne T. Hughes Foundation, and part owner of the Schaumburg Flyers professional baseball club.

Hughes has spoken to groups at numerous universities, conferences, and elementary schools, and has been recognized for his success in more than 100 publications and presentations.

The Entrepreneur in Residence program at Fresno State was established in 1998 with a visit from Bruce Musick of Skyline Concepts.   Past visitors include William Lyles of Lyles Diversified; Gary Cocola of Cocola Broadcasting; Eric McAfee, a venture capitalist; Michael O’Brien, CEO and co-founder of FinancialAid.com; and Richard Houghten of the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies.

For more information, contact the Lyles Center at 294-2045.