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Get to know
John Loughlin
For his service in Iraq, he was awarded the Joint Meritorious Service Medal.
Professionally, John has worked in media for most of his career.
In Rhode Island, he worked for WSBE (now RIPBS) Channel 36, WJAR Channel 10, and WSTG Channel 64.
In 1990, John was hired by NASA as a Public Affairs Officer, initially assigned to the Hubble Space Telescope. After a transfer to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., John worked on the expendable launch vehicle program and numerous Space Shuttle missions.
In January 2013, John was hired as a part-time employee of WPRO and hosted The John Loughlin Show each Saturday until November 2025.
Today, John lives in Tiverton, Rhode Island, with his wife of 39 years, Susan (Brush) Loughlin. He has two daughters and three grandchildren.
Humble RI Beginnings
John grew up in Rhode Island, attending public schools in both Portsmouth and Lincoln,
Rhode Island. He attended both Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode
Island (where he served as a student-firefighter), ultimately graduating from Excelsior
University with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Career Veteran
In 1978, John enlisted in the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Tactical Airlift Group, rising to the rank of Senior Airman. In 1981, he transferred to the Rhode Island Army National Guard and earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the Rhode Island National Guard Officer Candidate School in August 1982.
John is a graduate of the U.S. Army Armor School (Basic and Advanced Course), Army Helicopter Flight School, and Command and General Staff College. He rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant Colonel and retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 2004, though he was recalled to active duty in 2011.
He was mobilized during his military career for tours in Bosnia, Fort Bragg, and Iraq.
A continued passion to serve Rhode Island
In 2000, he returned to Rhode Island as a business development manager for Context Media.
He was elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2004 to represent the
communities of Tiverton, Little Compton, and Portsmouth, where he served three terms before running for U.S. Congress in 2010.
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