John W. Haigis held various local governmental positions in Montague, Massachusetts, before serving in the state legislature and as state treasurer. He later pursued a career in media, obtaining a license for radio station WHAI in 1938. Haigis also dedicated nearly two decades to the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a trustee, during which Haigis Mall was named in his honor.

John W. Haigis's political career reveals a unique blend of local governance and media influence, suggesting a strategy deeply rooted in community engagement. His establishment of radio station WHAI in 1938 indicates an early recognition of the power of media in shaping public opinion, a non-standard approach for his era. Haigis's dedication to local service, evidenced by his multiple town offices in Montague and his long tenure as a trustee at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, underscores a highly localized ideological stance. These actions together hint at a calculated effort to balance regional interests with broader educational advancements.