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15-20 years

Recently named as one of Mississippi's 50 most influential people, Hayes Dent got his first paycheck in politics and government in 1978 at the age of 16. Since then, he's worked in and managed dozens of political campaigns, led state and federal agencies, worked for two United States Presidents and three Mississippi governors.

After earning a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Mississippi, he joined the United States Army and served in the first Gulf War. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by President George H.W. Bush.

Today, he is the president of Hayes Dent Public Strategies, a public affairs and public relations firm he founded in 2004. His reputation is backed by political and governmental successes earned on regional, statewide, and national platforms. His access to key decisions-makers and voices of influence at all levels of public and private services eclipses the reach of virtually all colleagues in his field. The strategic advice and counsel he offers is considered second to none.

Dent is from Yazoo City, where he lives with his wife, Carolyn Hutcheson Dent. They have three children: Hayes III, Margaret, and Kinkead. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City where he serves on the Board of Deacons.