Payne to Head Indiana DWD

The state is looking to the private sector for the next leader of the Department of Workforce Development. Fred Payne, who currently serves as chief administrator for Greensburg-based Honda Manufacturing of Indiana LLC, will take over as DWD commissioner December 12.

Payne will succeed Steve Braun, who resigned in August to run for the 4th Congressional District. Braun is vying to fill the seat that will be vacated by Todd Rokita, who plans to run for Joe Donnelly’s (D-Ind.) U.S. Senate post next year.

He was hired by HMIN in 2008 as an employment and labor issues attorney and has risen to become general counsel, secretary and corporate affairs and administration manager. Payne previously served as managing attorney for the Wessels and Pautsch P.C. Indiana office.