Robert A. Hayes
President, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Hayes Development Company
Robert Hayes brings decades of leadership experience across banking, manufacturing, and real estate development. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by strategic vision, hands-on execution, and a commitment to building long-term value for businesses and communities alike.
Education
-
Economics and Management
-
Entrepreneurs’ Organization
-
Economics and Management
-
Entrepreneurs’ Organization
From Finance to Fortune 500
Robert began his career in manufacturing, serving as Plant Manager for Active Industries Inc., a national electrical engineering firm. His leadership played a pivotal role in the company’s acquisition by a Fortune 500 corporation—an early milestone that set the tone for his career.
Transitioning to finance, Robert founded a New York State Licensed Mortgage Bank, later acquired by Wilber National Bank. As Regional President, he oversaw Commercial and Retail Lending, branch operations, and strategic initiatives throughout the Albany Capital District Region.
Leading Development in Saratoga County
As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Hayes Development Company, Robert has led the development of over 500,000 square feet of commercial real estate in Saratoga County. His portfolio includes professional office space, flex-warehouse buildings, and multifamily communities—many located near GLOBALFOUNDRIES, one of the region’s most important economic hubs.
In 2021, Robert completed one of his most ambitious projects: The Lofts at Saratoga BLVD, a 278-unit, townhouse-style apartment community in the heart of Saratoga County.
Education & Entrepreneurial Growth
Robert is a graduate of the University of Rochester with degrees in Economics and Management. He further sharpened his business acumen through the MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program (EO EMP), a prestigious executive program offered through Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
Recognition & Community Impact
His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Capital District Business Review’s “40 Under Forty” and Saratoga’s “20 Entrepreneurs Under 40” awards.
He has served on the Board of Directors for the Albany chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, where he’s been a member for over 12 years, and held leadership roles including:
- President and Treasurer, Mortgage Bankers Association Board of Directors
- President, Oak Ridge Homeowners Association
- Treasurer, Saratoga Volleyball Club (501c3)
- Committee Member, Saratoga Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Albany 50 Group – a peer group of senior executives from the Capital Region’s leading companies
Life in Saratoga Springs
Robert resides in Saratoga Springs, NY with his wife Brittany Hayes, a CPA, and their two children. He remains deeply committed to community involvement and forward-thinking development throughout the region.