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DIRECTOR, INVESTSWVA; MANAGING PARTNER, COALFIELD STRATEGIES, BRISTOL
DIRECTOR, INVESTSWVA; MANAGING PARTNER, COALFIELD STRATEGIES, BRISTOL
Virginia Business// August 30, 2023//
A Richmond native, Payne is now a full-fledged Southwest Virginian who leads marketing efforts to readapt former coal-mining land into other uses.
Under Payne’s guidance, invoice automation company Paymerang expanded into Big Stone Gap’s downtown coworking space with 50 jobs. Working with Coronado Global Resources, Payne helped the Australian metallurgical coal producer boost operations in Buchanan and Tazewell counties, adding 181 jobs mining coal used in steel production.
A William & Mary and University of Virginia Darden School of Business alumnus, Payne serves on the Darden foundation’s board of trustees and was previously vice rector of W&M.
With partners, he runs Squabble State Farms, a 68-acre property slated to open in 2024 in Bristol featuring an apple orchard and a hard cidery and distillery.
FIRST JOB: I was a Zamboni driver at a Richmond ice rink. I finished each night playing goalie against some good players, including a few from the Richmond Renegades, who always seemed to shoot the puck at my head.
TRAIT(S) I ADMIRE: You’ve got to be genuine. If not, what are you? Be yourself, and people will like you for who you are.
