Charting an Unconventional Path to Success: From Industry Leader to LSU Alum

Barry Hugghins grew up in Troup, a small town in northeast Texas, where the oil and gas industry was a prominent aspect of daily life. In this community, the sight of oil wells dotting the landscape was commonplace, underpinning the local economy and shaping career paths.

With Shreveport-based TV accessible through their antenna, Hugghins became more connected to Louisiana by being exposed to the regional happenings and culture. He was well-versed in LSU lore from an early age, including the legendary Billy Cannon and the 1958 championship football team. 

Hugghins' college journey began at the University of Houston. He was drawn there by his passion for golf and the opportunity to play for their team. However, his experience as a member of the golf team proved to be more enlightening than he initially anticipated.

“I discovered that I was just a hair's breadth away from playing professional golf, but in that sport, even a hair's breadth feels like a couple of miles,” Hugghins stated. 

Growing up in Troup with a father who worked for Texaco, Hugghins had a foundational understanding of the oil and gas industry. After graduating with a degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler, he worked for a chemical company. To his surprise, he enjoyed the work and was also quite good at it. 

Encouraged by this, he convinced his employer to let him lead an expansion project, which landed him in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, in 1980. His ulterior motive was clear: he wanted to find a way to return to school and attend LSU. This goal, however, would take 13 years to achieve.

Along the way, Hugghins went into business for himself, establishing Reliant Technologies, Inc., in 1985, with Hugghins taking the helm as CEO and President. From its humble beginnings, the company started from a small, leased warehouse with Hugghins and his father, who managed the financial records. Despite the modest start, Hugghins’ vision and emphasis on innovation and strategic growth quickly began shaping the company's trajectory. 

Reliant Technologies specializes in performance chemistry, focusing on creating products tailored for specific purposes. Unlike large chemical complexes that produce commodity chemicals sold by specification, Reliant Technologies' products are sold based on their application, finding a niche in drilling fluid additives.

In 1993, at age 40, Hugghins followed his lifelong dream of attending LSU when the university started the Program for Adult Special Students (the PASS program), which featured evening classes.  Hugghins enrolled and took CHEM 1201 and CHEM 1202 with Professor Kelly Runnels. Two semesters in, his passion for chemistry was reignited. 

As a returning student, Hugghins brought a unique perspective to his studies. Balancing his roles as a husband, father of four, and company owner, he navigated his college journey with life experiences that most traditional undergraduate students did not have.

“People would ask, how did you do it? I don't know. I just put one foot in front of the other and did it because not doing it was unthinkable,” Hugghins shared. “It was something I'd wanted to do my whole life, and I knew it was now or never.”

Hugghins fondly recalls special moments at LSU, made even more meaningful by the unique circumstances of his return to college. “I could walk across to the Life Sciences Building, go up to the 5th floor to the lab where my oldest daughter, a pre-med biochemistry major, worked, and have lunch with her,” he reminisced. “I had experiences that not many people could have.”

Hugghins completed his senior research thesis under the guidance of Professor Steve Soper, earning his degree in chemistry in 1997. Recognizing his passion for the practical applications of chemistry and his eagerness to remain in the industrial sector, he decided to continue his educational journey by pursuing a degree in chemical engineering.

“I decided to go down the hill by Tiger Stadium and get an engineering degree to complement my chemistry degree, and so I did.” His hard work paid off, and in 2001, he completed his chemical engineering degree, marking another significant milestone in his academic and professional journey.

Hugghins continues to serve as the CEO and President of Reliant Technologies. What began in a small warehouse in St. Gabriel has since expanded into a thriving enterprise with a new plant in Port Allen, Louisiana. Under his visionary leadership, the company has significantly increased its global market reach and employs several skilled employees, whom Hugghins proudly acknowledges as the cornerstone of Reliant Technologies. 

“It's easy to say ‘find a niche market.’  Not everybody who tries it can find a niche, but we've been very blessed to find ours. One of the main reasons we were able to find it is because of my education,” Hugghins explained.

“ Education is a tool. If you look for opportunities and have the education to understand what you're looking at, you can take advantage of it. ”

Hugghins' ability to identify and capitalize on niche markets has been a critical driver of Reliant Technologies' success. His education provided him with the foundational knowledge and analytical skills necessary to navigate complex business landscapes and spot opportunities that others might overlook. This foresight, coupled with a deep respect for his team and a recognition of their vital role in the company's achievements, has been instrumental in its growth.

Beyond his business endeavors, Hugghins also made significant contributions to his community. In 2011, he ran for the West Baton Rouge Parish Council and was elected. He served for eight years, fostering community development and progress.

Reflecting on his unexpected entry into public service, Hugghins laughed, “People ask ‘How’d you get into politics?’ to which I jokingly respond: ‘bad luck.’ It was actually a great experience, but the old adage about politics being like making sausage is true — it's absolutely better to look at the result.”

Additionally, Hugghins was appointed to the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation Commission, where he served for eight years and eventually became chairman for two and a half years. In this role, he was instrumental in the Commission partnering with The Water Institute to develop sustainable water management practices based on accurate groundwater withdrawal models, as well as to advocate for the conservation of groundwater resources.

Hugghins' journey followed an unconventional order. He started a family and built a successful business before returning to school. His commitment to excellence and growth, combined with perseverance, created a successful career and a fulfilling personal journey. His story exemplifies how dedication and vision can lead to remarkable achievements at any age and in any order, ultimately fulfilling his dream of becoming an LSU alumnus.