Longtime District 28 resident and Republican President of Mauldin 6 Precinct.

Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Greenville Technical College, Retired 12-31-06.

Managing Director GTF McAlister LLC and GTF Student Housing LLC.

Former President of Limestone College, Vice President for Development at North Greenville College, Director of ITT Technical Institute-Greenville, and Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern College

Over 40 years of successful business experience including effective budget administration; raising over $24 million for technical education at GTC; managing a productive staff and working cooperatively with government officials and other groups.

Graduate of Ware Shoals High School, the University of South Carolina (BS & MA) and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (MRE) with doctoral work completed (all but dissertation) at University of Georgia.

Honorary doctorate (LLD) from Lincoln Memorial University.

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Consultant.

Board Member of the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina and Oakwood Services International, and former Board Member of Rolling Green Village CCRC.

Member, Simpsonville and Mauldin Chambers of Commerce.

Served on Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, 2006.

Member, Greenville County Economic Development Corporation, 2007.

Graduate of Leadership Greenville and Leadership Greer.

Member, First Baptist Church of Simpsonville and Teacher of Fellowship Sunday School Class.

Husband of Kay Martin Payne since 1963.

Father of Lt. Col. John F. Payne, Cpt. Mark C. Payne, and Janet E. Payne.

Grandfather of Jackson, Emily, Caroline, Jess and Grant.

Councilor Payne was elected in November 2006 to represent District 28. He is Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and also serves on the Public Works, Planning & Development Committee.

Mr. Payne has written several editorial opinions in the local newspaper regarding the TECH system and Public Transportation.