Gardner M. Payne
Vice President
State Government Relations
Gardner Payne is a Vice President in the State Government Relations Department. Gardner has worked in the governmental and public affairs arena for the past 12 years, beginning his career in the public information office of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Gardner continued gaining valuable political and communication experience as he transitioned to Assistant Press Secretary for former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt. He later moved to Governor Hunt’s legislative office where he worked on numerous high profile initiatives before the North Carolina General Assembly.
After leaving the public sector, Gardner has served as an attorney and lobbyist for the past six years. During that time, he has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as national nonprofit and trade associations before all branches of North Carolina state government, the North Carolina University Board of Governors and the North Carolina Community College System. He has also represented organizations before local and state governments in South Carolina, Virginia and Alabama. In addition to his lobbying activities, Gardner also specializes in state procurement representation and representing clients during administrative hearings before state agencies and boards and commissions.
Gardner earned a B.A. degree in public relations/communications from North Carolina State University and a juris doctor from the Campbell University School of Law.
Gardner has been involved in North Carolina politics for 14 years during which time he has assisted in fundraising and strategic consulting for numerous judicial, legislative and statewide races.
Education
- North Carolina State University, B.A., Communications, 1994
- Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 2001
Memberships/Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar
- Tenth District Judicial Bar
- North Carolina Young Lobbyist Association
- Institute of Political Leadership, Fellow
- Jim Valvano Kids Klassic, Board of Directors
- SuperKids Foundation, Board of Directors
- North Carolina Big Sweep, Former Board Member
Past Positions
- General Counsel/VP Business Development, Agri-Ethanol Products, LLC, 2006 - 2007
- Finance Director, Bev Perdue Committee, 2003-2005
- Lobbyist/Attorney, Edmisten and Webb, 2003 – 2006
- Vice President Strategic Communications, McGuireWoods Consulting 2001 – 2003
- Legislative Assistant, Office of Governor Jim Hunt, 1999 - 2000
- Assistant Press Secretary, Office of Governor Jim Hunt, 1996 – 1998
- Public Information Officer, North Carolina Department of Transportation, 1995 – 1996
- United Way of Davidson County, Communication Director, 1994
- Contracts & State/Local Procurement
- Economic and Infrastructure Development
- Executive and Legislative Affairs
- Local Government Relations
- Regulatory Solutions
- Strategic Communications & Grassroots
- State Government Relations
- Economic Development
- Education
- Energy
- Information Technology & Telecom
- Land Use & Environmental
- Local Government
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
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