Gov. Cooper Reappoints Smith Anderson’s David Hayden to N.C. Military Affairs Commission for the Fourth Time

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has reappointed Smith Anderson attorney Col. (Ret.) David Hayden to his fourth term as a commissioner on the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission (NCMAC). His two-year term became effective July 1, 2023.

David has served on the commission since 2018 and now serves as its vice-chair. He also sits on the NCMAC Executive Steering Group and chairs its Economic Development Committee. His Smith Anderson colleague Kirk Warner also serves on the commission.

The NCMAC provides advice, counsel and recommendations to the Governor, the N.C. General Assembly, the Secretary of Commerce and other state agencies on initiatives, programs and legislation that will continue and increase the role that N.C.’s military installations, the National Guard and Reserves play in America’s defense strategy and the economic health and vitality of the State. It executes recommendations through the action of four committees: Base Sustainability & Community Affairs; Quality of Life; Economic Development and Legislative Affairs.

The commission also recommends actions to protect the existing military infrastructure in North Carolina, maintain a high quality of life for military members and their families and promote new military missions and economic opportunities for North Carolina and its citizens.

David was both an Engineer and Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps Officer in the United States Army during a 29-year active military career. Highlights include 12 years in airborne assignments at Fort Bragg, NC; engineer company commander; criminal law professor and department head at the U.S. Army JAG School; senior litigation attorney and branch chief for the U.S. Army Litigation Division; deployment to Afghanistan as the senior legal advisor to the theater commander in 2002-2003; and senior legal advisor to NORAD and the United States Northern Command.

David has extensive experience in government contracting, corporate investigations (internal and government) and employment law and advises companies and their directors and officers on corporate governance matters and other general corporate and business matters.