News Release Archive

Grayford Payne Named Reclamation's Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Administration and Budget

Media Contact: Kip White, 202-513-0684, cwhite@usbr.gov

For Release: September 15, 2010

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor announced today that he has named Grayford F. Payne as Reclamation's Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Administration and Budget.

As Deputy Commissioner, Payne will oversee agency resources policy formulation, finance, acquisitions, human resources, civil rights, security, safety, law enforcement, dam safety, information technology, and program and budget. He will also serve as Reclamation's Chief Financial Officer.

"Gray's extensive experience in financial management, budget and other administrative issues will be invaluable to Reclamation," said Connor. "I am excited he will be joining our management team and look forward to working with him on the many water issues in the west."

Prior to joining Reclamation Payne served as the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary - Management and Chief Financial Officer in the Department of the Interior Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs. He has been responsible for the planning and execution of the Indian Affairs $4.5 billion annual budget. His organizational responsibilities encompassed all administrative functions to include finance, budget, acquisition, property management, human resources, information technology, homeland security, facilities maintenance and construction, planning, policy and performance, and audit and evaluation. He has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2005 and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary - Management since 2008.

He joined the Department of the Interior in 2002 as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Indian Affairs where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer to include all financial, accounting, budget, procurement and property functions.

Prior to joining Interior he served as an Auditor-in-Charge in the Naval Audit Service from 1986 to 1994 where he was responsible for audit and program reviews of Department of Defense National Security Science and Technology programs. He joined the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 1995 where he served seven years as the Director, Financial Services where he was responsible for the Commission's financial accounting system and its automated revenue billing and collection system.

Payne graduated from George Mason University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He was honored with the Secretary of the Interior's Gold Leadership Award in 2007, Bronze Leadership Award in 2006, and Silver Leadership Award in 2005.

He resides in Annandale, Va., with his wife and four children.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.