Hayes Murray

Audit Manager, Wolf & Co., P.C.; Age 33

Faith plays an important role in Hayes Murray’s life, and he believes that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

“My wife and I have been blessed with good families and two children, and I have an amazing job,” he told BusinessWest. “The people I work for encourage and give me opportunities to volunteer because philanthropy and giving back to the community is ingrained in their mission.”

Murray oversees small teams of auditors at Springfield-based Wolf & Co., was promoted to a position in management four years after he was hired, and is part of the firm’s initiative to expand into New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

He is a member of the company’s philanthropy committee, and organizes and participates in numerous events throughout the year. He mentors four staff accountants and has spent five years as a role model and advisor to students in the Westfield State University Accounting Mentor Program.

Murray is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Mass. Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Young Professional Society of Springfield.

He and his wife Kara are parents to a 4-year-old daughter, Eden, and 2-year-old son, Weston. They are adopting a baby boy at the end of April, and are eager to do so. “We have love in our hearts and room in our home to help a child in need,” he said.

Murray enjoys working with children and teaches Sunday School to ninth- and 10th-graders at Westfield Evangelical Free Church every weekend. “I love working with students at Westfield State and teaching on Sundays. It’s fun to be with kids and develop lasting friendships with them,” he said.

He volunteers monthly at the Open Pantry in Springfield, where he serves lunch to the needy, and has been on the board of Angels Take Flight for two years. “The organization helps children who are moving from foster home to foster home and don’t have any luggage to put their possessions in,” he said. “It’s important for people to step in and advocate on their behalf.”

To that end, he has helped organize fund-raisers for the nonprofit company, as well as preparing its financial statements and filing its tax returns. “I truly believe,” he said, “that we are called on to care for those who can’t care for themselves.”

— Kathleen Mitchell

Photo by Denise Smith Photography