John Hayes

John Hayes, the son of a successful small town merchant, graduated from the University of Jefferson's presitigous school of business in 1969. After a few years working entry-level jobs for several companies, he was selected for a junior executive position in the consumer electronics division of the Confederation's largest firm, Confederated Enterprises.

Hayes quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the consumer electronics division's National Sales Manager in 1979 and its Senior Manager in 1983. In 1984, he was named Vice President of the CE's new computer division. Junior manager Thomas Caine quickly became Hayes' protégé after he joined the division. During his time in the computer division, Hayes invested heavily in the company and other computer firms, many of which were later acquired by CE. As a result of his prudent investments and acquisitions, Hayes quickly became a significant shareholder in CE.

In 1993, Hayes was named President of CE. A year later, Hayes' twenty-year marriage ended in a messy divorce. Hayes did not allow the personal setback to disrupt his rise within CE and went on to be named CEO in 1995. Hayes gave up the title President in 1998 when he became Chairman of the Board. By late 2001, Hayes had also emerged as the largest single stockholder in CE.

Hayes is widely believed to have been the main backer of Thomas Caine's surprise presidential campaign in 2004. Hayes is widely believed to be a member of the Knootian Order of the Invisible Hand.