our team
Velda Hughes
Owner & CEO
More than 35 years’ experience in public relations, marketing, event planning and advertising.
Started Hughes Agency in 2001 and is now one of the most recognized public relations specialists in the South.
Led $18 million fundraising campaign to build Unity Park in Greenville and instrumental in more than $25 million raised since 2011 by TD SYNNEX’ Share the Magic to support families and children in need.
An ally and champion for some of the region’s foremost organizations and companies, including Clemson University, the City of Greenville, Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville Convention Center and USC School of Medicine Greenville.
Recipient of the Order of the Palmetto.
Graduate of the University of North Carolina.
Daughter of a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.
Eliza Bostian
Senior Account Director
More than 12 years’ experience in public and media relations for B2B and B2C clients.
Manages strategic direction and day-to-day execution of client work.
Has worked with top-tier business, technology, and hospitality organizations from the local to national level.
Named one of Greenville Business Magazine’s Best & Brightest in 2016.
Honors graduate of Furman University.
Bill Fox
Senior Account Director
More than 30 years of journalism and communication experience, including six years in marketing.
Served as Managing Editor of The Greenville News.
Directs accounts for clients in higher education and municipal government, as well as the technology, automotive, sports, real estate and commercial development industries.
Pulitzer Prize finalist and two-time South Carolina Journalist of the Year.
Graduate of Northwestern University with bachelor and master degrees in journalism.
Kate Little
Senior Account Director
Directs accounts through management of day-to-day client services and strategic planning.
Communications leader with over 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing for clients across a range of industries. Expertise includes strategy, media relations, and event management.
Previously worked with global luxury lifestyle clients while residing in New York City.
Graduate of The College of Charleston.
Amanda Long
Senior Account Director
Responsible for leading marketing strategies for multiple clients across a variety of industries.
More than 25 years’ experience comprised of advertising, branding, word-of-mouth marketing, public and media relations, crisis communications, and event management.
Has managed clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies, top 25 public universities to small businesses and non-profits.
Wake Forest University graduate with a B.A. in Psychology, minor in Studio Art.
Named one of TALK Magazine’s 25 Most Beautiful People in 2022.
Anna McNinch
Senior Vice President
More than 26 years’ experience in event production and management, community and public relations.
Has worked with organizations in the banking, sports and entertainment and non-profit industries.
Recipient of the Ann C. Sherard Young Supporter of the Arts award in 2019 from the Metropolitan Arts Council.
Graduate of Clemson University with a B.A. in Speech & Communications and Journalism.
Anna Wofford
Senior Creative Services Director
More than 8 years’ experience in graphic design, marketing and social media management.
Responsible for event production, project management, fundraising and graphic design for various clients in non-profit, higher education, business and sports sectors.
Honors graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Graphic Communications.
Named one of Greenville Business Magazine’s Best & Brightest in 2024.
Hays Bacon
Senior account executive
More than 6 years of proficiency in event planning, communications, and strategic marketing.
Oversees day-to-day client services, media relations, and special events.
Has worked with clients in diverse industries, including non-profit, healthcare, automation, consulting, utilities, home improvement, wellness, and legal services.
Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from the University of Georgia.
Mary Catherine Beecy
Account Executive
Responsible for supporting the management of day-to-day account activities, including research, planning, and implementing public relations and communications strategies.
Has worked with clients across multiple industries, including healthcare, professional sports, commercial real estate, higher education, corporate banking, and non-profit.
Cum laude graduate of Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and minor in business.
Sandra Brockman
Office manager
Responsible for day-to-day business and administrative operations.
More than 40 years’ experience, including 25 years as administrative assistant to the publisher at The Greenville News.
Graduate of Greenville Technical College in Business Administration.
Teresa Buzzoni
Account executive
Responsible for supporting account management and day-to-day execution of client initiatives.
Previously worked in aeronautics.
Honors graduate of Syracuse University with a B.S. in Public Relations and B.A. in International Relations.
Augusta Fox
senior media planner/buyer
More than 5 years’ experience in media research, strategy and analysis.
Responsible for media research, plan implementation and reporting for a variety of clients.
Named one of Greenville Business Magazine’s Best & Brightest in 2023.
Graduate of The University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Psychology and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing.
Jennifer Gaillard
director of finance & hr
More than 20 years’ experience in accounting.
Previously served as office manager for Narramore Associates.
Graduate of North Georgia College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a minor in Spanish.
Kristen George
senior creative manager
Design Specialist for Hughes Agency and clients with 3 years of experience in graphic design, marketing, and social media management.
Graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Graphic Communications.
Rachael Greathouse
Director of avenue
Responsible for Avenue and supports the Hughes Agency Events Team. More than 20 years of experience in event coordination, hospitality, club management, customer service, non-profit and food and beverage industries.
Named one of Greenville’s top 40 under 40 in 2023.
Western Carolina University graduate with a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism.
Angie Jelley
Media Planner/buyer
More than 10 years’ experience in the marketing industry including media planning/buying, email and text strategy, and social media management.
Responsible for media research, plan implementation and reporting for a variety of clients.
Graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Graphic Communications, minor in Business Administration.
Hallie Rae Jones
Assistant director of avenue
More than 6 years of experience in event planning, management, and design. Has worked with clients in the hospitality, event planning, food and beverage, and non-profit industries.
Responsible for Avenue and supports the Hughes Agency Events Team.
Graduate of Furman University with a B.A. in Communications Studies.
Eleanor Kneeland
Account executive
Responsible for supporting the events team with day-to-day activities, including planning, and executing events for corporate and non-profit clients.
Experience with multiple marketing agencies, specializing in event management, marketing and communication plans, travel and tourism campaigns, and project management systems.
Graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Business Marketing and minor in Brand Communications.
Moriah Roberts
Senior Event Manager
More than 7 years’ experience in the hospitality industry including event management, planning, and execution.
Responsible for event production, project management, and fundraising for various clients.
Has worked with clients across multiple industries such as corporate, non-profit, socials, weddings, and festivals.
Honors graduate of Clemson University with a B.A in Communications and Sociology.
Melissa Slater
Senior account executive
More than 7 years of experience in marketing, communications and event planning.
Responsible for day-to-day client services including public relations, media relations and special events.
Has worked with clients spanning a variety of industries including healthcare, non-profit, higher education, fiber co-op’s and hospitality.
High Point University graduate with a B.A. in Strategic Communications and Journalism.
Tiby Weinstein
Event manager
Lifelong resident of Greenville, SC and local business owner for over 37 years specializing in custom invitation design and event planning.
Focuses on event management and production for corporate and non-profit clients.
Graduate of Emory University with B.A. in English.
