E. Gray Payne, Chair

E. Gray Payne, Major General, USMC (Retired), has had distinguished careers in both the military and in the private sector.

His Marine Corps experience included eight commands, ranging in size from the Company level (approximately 200 persons) to a Marine Logistics Group consisting of over 9,600 Marines and Sailors.  He also served as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Mobilization Command and the Marine Logistics Command. Staff experience ranged from the Brigade level to Assistant Deputy Commandant for Facilities, where he was responsible for 28 installations and an annual budget exceeding $5.5 billion.  In this position, he was responsible for conservation and environmental issues throughout the Marine Corps.

His experience in the private sector includes eighteen years as a management consultant working with over two hundred and fifty clients in the areas of financial management, operational improvement, organizational development, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions.  Positions held include Director of Marketing, Division Head, COO, CFO, President and CEO of various companies ranging in size from $2.5 million to $100 million in annual revenue. He is a former Chairman of the Board of the Marine Corps Association and Foundation and currently serves as a Director on the Boards of BK Technologies, FG Financial Group, and VetCV.

General Payne received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from North Carolina State University and a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.