Jennifer Hughes is the Deputy Director of Environmental Affairs for SCDES. She oversees the Public Health Bridge Office, Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services, and Office of Collaborative Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives.

She has more than 25 years of service with DHEC/SCDES, including her role as Chief of the Bureau of Water. Jennifer began her environmental protection career with the former DHEC in 1997 as part of the Bureau of Water's drinking water compliance and enforcement program. She served 18 years in the Aiken regional office where she worked in all program areas with much of her time devoted to the water programs.