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

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) member, and Senior Consultant / Founder of Omega Associates LLC, a firm that specializes in institutional economic impact studies and financial development.

Retired Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Greenville Technical College, 31 Dec 06 and Retired Managing Director GTF McAlister LLC and GTF Student Housing LLC, 30 Sep 08.

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.

Vice Chair of the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina, Board member of 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-present.

Graduate of Leadership Greenville and Leadership Greer.

Member and Deacon, First Baptist Church of Simpsonville, Teacher of Fellowship Sunday School Class, and participant in mission trips to New Orleans, Alaska, Virginia, and Ethiopia.

Husband of Kay Martin Payne since 1963.

Father of retired Lt. Col. Dr. John F. Payne, Major Mark C. Payne, and Janet E. Payne.

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

Councilor Payne was elected in November 2006 to represent District 28. He is in his second 2-year term as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations and Administration Committee and as a member of the Public Works, Planning & Development Committee.

Mr. Payne has written several letters and editorial opinions in the local newspapers regarding issues such as, Comprehensive Planning, the TECH system, Public Transportation, Community Crime Watch groups, and Public Water. He has made numerous presentations to churches, civic clubs and community organizations.