Larry Hayes
St. Catharine College ‘72
Cabinet Secretary for Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear

Larry Hayes, St. Catharine College ‘72, has had a distinguished career in public service and the private sector. He currently serves as Secretary of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet for Governor Steven L. Beshear, the highest appointed position in the executive branch. Most recently, Hayes served as both deputy mayor and secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet in the City of Louisville. He served as the first president of what is now Greater Louisville, Inc. from 1987-1988. In state government, Hayes served as Secretary of the Executive Cabinet and State Budget Director from 1983 through 1987 in the administration of Governor Martha Layne Collins. Prior to that, he was the Executive Assistant to the Kentucky State Senate President for six years.

You might say that you can trace Hayes’ success in public service back to his time in Springfield and at St. Catharine College. He played for one of the first SCC basketball teams and earned his degree from St. Catharine in 1972. He served as Springfield city administrator from 1971 to 1973.

“I’m not a native of Washington County but Springfield is kind of my Kentucky home. They gave me a chance there,” said Hayes.

While at St. Catharine College, Hayes also found a home away from home. “It was a great nurturing environment there. You were treated like a special person.”

Throughout his political journey Hayes has kept an eye on what was happening at his alma mater. “I know that Martha Layne was able to stabilize the situation when a lot of small colleges were struggling,” he said. “And now President Bill Huston (current St. Catharine President) really has things going in the right direction. He is the right guy at the right time and place. He is a great fit for St. Catharine College.”