Christopher Hughes, Ed.D.
Major General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Chief Executive Officer
About Us
Experience. Relationships. Execution.
The Way Forward LLC is a strategic consulting and business acceleration firm helping organizations grow, scale, and navigate complex environments by aligning leadership, strategy, opportunity access, and capital.
Our firm brings together former military leaders, enterprise executives, government advisors, and specialized consultants who provide strategic guidance and operational support.
Mission
Help organizations build sustainable growth by aligning leadership, strategy, opportunity access, capital, and execution through an international network of experienced professionals.
Vision
Build an interconnected ecosystem where organizations, investors, institutions, and communities work together to create sustainable economic opportunity and long-term growth.
Our differentiators
What sets our approach apart.
- 01
Integrated growth model
- 02
Executive-level engagement
- 03
International expert network
- 04
Strategic access and relationships
- 05
Practical implementation
- 06
Measurable milestones
- 07
Long-term partnerships
Leadership
Our leadership team.
Michael Hughes, MBA
Chief Strategy Officer / Chief Revenue Officer
Patrick Hughes, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Our network
Specialized expertise, when it matters.
The Way Forward draws on a network of specialized consultants and advisors across leadership, operations, technology, capital strategy, government, and international markets — matched to each organization's needs.
Cydney Hughes
Founder & Lead Career Coach
Colorado Career Academy
Brian Weaver
Founder, Chairman, & CEO
Torch.AI
Scott Cohen
Chief Executive Officer
Jaxon AI
Brian Cook
Chief Strategy Officer
Red Thread X
Gary Kerr
Founder and Principal Consultant
OutFront Consulting
Kadhim Al-Waeli
SES Joint Intel
Foreign Service
Hon. Debra Wada
Assistant Secretary of the Army (R)
Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Karyn Eliot
Senior Executive
Central Intelligence Agency
Jamie Jones Miller
Senior Executive Service, Congressional Staff
Pentagon, Capitol Hill, Higher Education
Mathew Hermann
Former Congressional Chief of Staff
Senior Lobbyist
Chris Goode
TRG Navy Lobbying
Kyle Wilkens
Former Missouri State Director of Rural Development
Steve Cann
Chief Strategy Officer
Cann Strategic Consulting
Mike Holmes
Air Force, GEN (R)
Chairman of the Board of Directors at RED 6
Jason Evans
Army, LTG (R)
Former G9 Army Senior Staff
Kathleen Ferguson
Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Installations, Environment & Energy at US Air Force
Dave Bassett
Army, LTG (R)
Former Director, Defense Contract Management Agency
Bob Ashley
Army, LTG (R)
Former Director DIA
Steve Lanza
Army, LTG (R)
Former I Corps CG
Duke DeLuca
Army, BG (R)
US Corps of Engineers and Mentor to the Lebanon National Defense Forces
Steve Farmen
Army, MG (R)
Supply Chain Management
Tim McGuire
Army, MG (R)
Army Installation Management Command
Bob Whittle
Army, MG (R)
Former Commanding General, Army Corps of Engineers
Robert Caslen
Army, LTG (R)
59th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy
Dr. Clarence Green
Vice President of Culture and University Police Chief
Northwest Missouri State University
Dr. Andreia Nebel
President/CEO
Clarkson College
Dr. Matt Baker
VP of Student Affairs
Northwest Missouri State University
Dr. B.K. Taylor
Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellness
Dr. Jim Martin
Former Chief Academic Officer for the Army's Staff College and University
Your Next Stage of Growth Starts Here.
Whether you are building a company, entering new markets, strengthening operations, or preparing for enterprise growth, The Way Forward can help identify the next step.