E. Marie Hayes was first sworn into office on February 1, 2013, to fill an unexpired term on then called Freeholder Board, and was later re-elected in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. Surrogate Hayes was the the Vice-Director of the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners, a title she began in 2023 until the time she became the Surrogate. She is the Past President of the New Jersey Association of Counties and the Past President of the Southern New Jersey Commissioners Association. 

In the late 1970’s, Surrogate Hayes was hired by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office as an Investigator. During the majority of her career, she was assigned to Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Investigations. Surrogate Hayes rose through the ranks being promoted to Sergeant of Detectives, Lieutenant of Detectives and retiring as Captain of Detectives in 2009. She also served as the Vice President of PBA Local 59. She also served as president for two terms to the Mid-Atlantic Association of Women in Law Enforcement (MAAWLE), an organization of Policewomen serving the east coast. 

Surrogate Hayes received her Associate Degree from Atlantic Cape Community College, where she also was an Adjunct Professor teaching Criminal Investigation. She received a Bachelor Degree in Human Services, with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Thomas Edison University and is a 1996 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. 

Surrogate Hayes received the Woman of Wonder award in 2016 and the prestigious Boy Scouts of America Woman of Achievement Award in 2018. She was honored by Atlantic Cape Community College as one of the Alumni of the Year in 2019 and was asked to be the commencement speaker at the 2019 graduation ceremony. In June of 2019, she received an award from Women United Power of the Purse. In 2021, Surrogate Hayes received Commissioner of the Year from the New Jersey Association of County Commissioners. In October, Surrogate Hayes will be receiving Woman of the Year Award from the NJGOP, who will be honoring Women County Elected Leaders. 

Surrogate Hayes is active in the community where she resides with her husband Lloyd of 43 years. They have a grown daughter Danielle, a grown son Henry Lloyd, a son-in-law Vince, six grandchildren, and they remember their daughter Megan who has passed. She is also the proud sister of 4 brothers all Veterans having served in the Navy, Air Force and Army. Her husband Lloyd is also a Navy veteran.