Terrence Hayes

President Joseph R. Biden appointed Terrence Hayes as press secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs January 20, 2021. Terrence is responsible for addressing all national media inquiries and external messaging on behalf of VA Secretary Denis McDonough. He is currently the longest-tenured spokesperson in the Biden-Harris Administration.

 Terrence, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, served in the U.S. Army from 1996 to 2016. During his military service, he earned numerous decorations, most notably the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq from December 2006 to March 2008. He is also an esteemed member of the Army’s Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

 Terrence earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Maryland Global College and his master’s degree in both strategic communication and management from Troy University.