Dr. Jeffrey L. Payne joined the Coastal Services Center in December as program manager. As second in command, Payne brings years of experience in administrative and environmental affairs.
Before joining the Center, Payne served as deputy director in NOAA's Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, in Washington, DC, where he helped direct the NOAA strategic plan and provided policy, program development, and budget support to the office of the Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.
From 1991 to 1994, Payne worked for the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President. He served as examiner for the programs and budget of NOAA, including review and
development of agency programs and legislative and regulatory requirements; preparation of formal presidential budget submissions; and coordination and negotiation of issues with interagency, congressional, and non-federal interests.
Payne also served a year on Capitol Hill as a Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow.
Before entering federal service, Payne was a research associate of the Geodynamics Research Institute at Texas A&M University, with interests in marine geophysical processes and field work. He received his Ph.D in oceanography from Texas A&M in 1989, and has authored more than 20 publications.
