Speaker Biography

Christopher Hughes

Director of Purchasing
State of Utah - Division of Purchasing

Chris Hughes is the director of the division of Purchasing & General Services for the State of Utah. He has served in this role since January 2018. As the director he acts as the chief procurement officer and oversees the procurement of goods and service for most executive branch agencies in the State of Utah. Chris also oversees the State of Utah Cooperative Contract program in which all public entities are able to purchases from contracts established by the division of purchasing. Chris works with cities, counties, school districts, universities, executive branch agencies, and special service districts to identify contracts to meet their needs. This program has expanded from $500 million in total spend, when Chris was appointed to over $750 million in 2020. Prior to working for the State of Utah, Chris was an attorney for several law firms in Utah and practiced law in Utah and California. He graduated from the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2011.