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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

General Council, Hayes Development Company

Bob Hayes is an experienced attorney with over 35 years of legal practice, representing clients across the commercial, banking, and financial sectors. His clientele ranges from early-stage startups and incubator-backed ventures to billion-dollar, publicly traded corporations. Bob has also served as general counsel and special counsel to several banks and mortgage banking institutions, providing strategic legal oversight and guidance.

He is admitted to practice before the New York State Courts, the Federal District Court, the United States Tax Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Beyond his legal work, Bob is an accomplished entrepreneur. He founded and operated a national electrical engineering and manufacturing company, scaling the business to multiple facilities across the United States. His leadership and vision led to its successful acquisition by a Fortune 500 company — a milestone that underscores his business acumen and operational expertise.

Bob’s influence extends into regional economic development. As Chairman of the Board for the Luther Forest Technology Park Corporation, he worked closely with New York’s governor’s office and the state senate majority leader. His responsibilities included negotiating land acquisitions, overseeing the administration of several hundred million dollars in state and federal grants, and managing the installation of significant infrastructure. His leadership helped transform the site into the home of GlobalFoundries, a major high-tech employer in the region.

Bob has contributed his expertise to numerous boards — both corporate and volunteer — including:

• President, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation
• Director, Welbourne and Purdy
• Director, Home Funding Finders Inc. (Mortgage Banker)
• Advisory Board Member, Chase Manhattan Bank
• Director, Provantage Funding Inc. (Mortgage Bank)
• Director, Ebeling & Associates (Computer Programming)
• Director, Polyset Company
• President, Cannon Point Condominiums
• President, The Lake George Club

These roles reflect Bob’s broad insight into finance, real estate, technology, and community leadership.

Bob served in the United States Army Reserve, where he attained the rank of Captain.