KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to congratulate two former staff members on their recent appointments to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administration.
Terrence L. Hayes served as VFW Communications Director of the Washington Office acting as national spokesperson for the organization on issues ranging from national security and foreign affairs, to the proper care and treatment of veterans, service members and their families. He also piloted and served as the host of the VFW Podcast.
Former VFW staff members Terrence Hayes (left) and Raymond Kelley (right).Prior to his selection as director, Terrence served as a public affairs specialist and emergency response coordinator for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he was responsible for answering all national, regional and local media queries on behalf of Secretary Robert Wilkie. He also served as public affairs advisor to the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from November 2011 to January 2016, serving as the principal public affairs advisor and official spokesperson for the Defense Department’s top enlisted service member.
He now serves as the Press Secretary, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the VA, and remains a VFW Life member.
Raymond C. Kelley served as VFW’s National Legislative Service Director where he was directly responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing the VFW’s national legislative agenda with members of Congress, their staffs and committees, and with other federal departments, agencies and organizations. Under his direction the organization celebrated many achievements for veterans to include many GI Bill enhancements and the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.
Raymond left the VFW in 2017 to serve as the Majority Staff Director for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs acting as the veterans’ portfolio legislative and political advisor to Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.)
He now joins the new administration as the VA Liaison, Veterans Service Organization, and remains a VFW Life member of VFW Post 160.
“Congratulations go out to Terrence and Ray on their remarkable achievements,” said Hal Roesch, VFW national commander. “These gentlemen served the VFW well during their tenures, each putting the best interest of veterans first. I know they’ll have great success in their new roles, and we’re glad to have some familiar faces in the administration.”