Greenville County Councilman Fred Payne announced last week that he won’t run for re-election when his term ends in December.
Payne has served on the council since 2006. He represents District 28, which includes portions of southern Greenville County.
“For 12 years, I have been privileged to serve Greenville County, valued the opportunity to work with my elected colleagues and represent our wonderful residents, and appreciated the support and responsiveness of the County’s professional staff on all issues, both big and small,” Payne said in a statement.
“I have tried to make good decisions as a civil servant and believe God has great plans for Greenville. I see many opportunities to be active, and I plan to be involved in many new adventures, but after 12 years, it is time for me to step aside as County Council representative for District 28,” he added.
During his time as a councilmember, Payne has served on numerous intergovernmental committees and become a liaison to groups that are directly linked to or affiliated with Greenville County. He currently serves on the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and Public Safety and Human Services Committee.
Before joining Greenville County Council, Payne worked as executive director of institutional advancement at Greenville Technical College. He also spent many years as an executive for schools such as Limestone College and North Greenville University.
Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven said Payne “will be missed among his County Council colleagues.”
“Not one to be discouraged, Fred possesses the most optimistic nature of any person I have ever known,” said Kirven. “As everyone knows, Fred has developed a vision for advanced innovation that will transform mobility and economic development in ways that will solve many of the problems associated with rapid growth and urbanization. Fred believes a breakthrough is right around the corner. We all hope so, too, but we know that Fred will continue to pursue his vision no matter how long it takes.”
In announcing his retirement, Payne said he plans to spend more time with his family and focus on transportation initiatives.
Payne currently serves as a board member for the Carolinas Alliance for Innovation, a nonprofit corporation that advocates for economic development solutions in transportation, infrastructure, engineering, and education.
The group was recently awarded a $4 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to purchase and deploy self-driving taxi shuttles to provide shuttle service to and from employment centers, improving access to transportation for disadvantaged and mobility-impaired residents.
Payne, however, said his “primary concern has been to see who might be able to step up to represent all the people of Greenville and to help continue the positive trends which are on the horizon.”
Two candidates, Republicans Sylvia Lockaby and Dan Tripp, have filed with the state Election Commission to run for the District 28 seat.
Payne said he supports Tripp, a former state House representative who ran the presidential campaigns of Scott Walker and Ted Cruz in South Carolina.
“He has skills and aptitude that will enable him to attract voters and be a wonderful civil servant. I believe that Greenville has a strong choice to help move our County and the Upstate region forward,” Payne said.
