7/31/11

Washington Fruit Commission

Denny Hayden has been a commissioner with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission since 1991. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Commission as well as Chairman of Cherry Advisory Committee and member of the Prunus Advisory Council (Cherry plant improvement- varieties and rootstocks).

Denny was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up on a farm north of Pasco, WA where his father grew row crops, hay, small grains, seeds, sugar beets, and asparagus.

He is a graduate of the Washington Agricultural and Forestry Leadership Program, and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University.

After graduation from college, Denny worked in banking industry for about 4 years, then headed back to the farm where he transformed a row crop farm into a diversified tree fruit operation.

Denny is married to Kathy who has been an elementary teacher, principal, and now administrator for the Pasco School District. They have two grown children and one granddaughter. Their son is also an elementary school teacher and their daughter works in human resourses.

In his spare time, Denny enjoys walks with his dog, Bode, snow skiing, golf, travel, plus good wine, good food, and good friends.