Biography of Ohio State Parks Chief, David Payne
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David Payne, chief of Ohio State Parks, has served in a variety of government management roles during his career.

He has served most recently as director of Special Projects for the Auditor of State and director of Boards and Commissions and of Constituent Affairs for the Office of Governor.

David lists among his interests hiking, camping and ice fishing and he is proud of having participated in 13 Winter Hikes at Hocking Hills State Park with his wife Karen. They have two daughters.

David is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Among his other positions, David served as director of the State and Local Government Commission, director of Field Services of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, director of the Wisconsin Senate Republican Caucus, and district director for a southern Ohio congressman. He is a past member of the State Board of Examiners of Nursing Homes.


David Payne
Ohio State Parks Chief