BIOGRAPHY

Robert Wesley (Wes) Hayes, Jr. was born on December 19, 1952, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the son of Robert W. Hayes and Wilbur Kirkland Hayes. He graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1971. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1975. While at West Point he was elected President of the Class of 1975 and served as a Battalion Commander. In 1983, Wes graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While in Law School he was elected President of the Student Bar Association, served on the South Carolina Law Review, and was a member of the Order of the Coif. He is a partner in the law firm of Harrelson, Hayes and Guyton. Wes married Sarah Mellon (Sally) Shurley on January 8, 1977. Sally and Wes have three children: Robert Wesley (Wes) Hayes, III, James Creighton (Creighton) Hayes, and Margaret Mellon (Margaret) Hayes. The family currently resides at 1486 Cureton Drive, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29732. Wes currently serves on the boards of the following: South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont, Guardian Fidelity Mortgage Corporation, Westminster Towers, and the York County Chapter of the American Red Cross.　 He is an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill. He was Chairman of the York District Boy Scouts of America from 1985-1991, and Chairman of the Rock Hill United Way Campaign in 1992. Wes is a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis, Elks, Gideons, Christian Legal Society, National Lawyers Association, and state and county Bar Associations. His military service includes service as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg from 1976-1980 and service as a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1980-2005 where he held the rank of Colonel. He is a master parachutist, a ranger and recipient of the Legion of Merit Award. Wes served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1985-1991. He has served as a member of the South Carolina Senate since 1991, and is a member of the Republican Party.

He has received the following awards:

South Carolina Jaycees Outstanding Young American Award in 1992

"The Compleat Lawyer Award" from the USC School of Law Alumni Association in 1996.

Friend of Vocational Education Award from the South Carolina Vocational Education Directors in 1993

Silver Beaver Award from the Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1994,

Home Rule Award from the South Carolina Association of Counties in 1995

Legislator of the Year from the South Carolina Cable Television Association in 1998

Legislator of the Year from the South Carolina Pharmacy Association in 1999

South Carolina Primary Health Care Association Legislator of the Year 2002

Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the SC Public Health Association in 2003

S. C Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Friend of Education Award for 2003

York Chapter, American Red Cross, Volunteer of the Year 2004

Legislative and Public Award, SC Dietetic Association, 2006

2006 Legislator of the Year in the State Senate, The Behavioral Health Services Association of South Carolina

2006 Mental Illness Champion by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.　

2006 Conservation Champion, Conservation Voters of S. C.

2006 Public Servant of the Year, State Chamber of Commerce

Legislator of the Year, The Adult Education Director's Division of the SC Association of School Administrators

2007 Co-Legislator of the Year, SC MESA

SC School Boards Association, Champion for Public Education Award, 2008