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Pamela Payton, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, has lived in the Washington, DC area for approximately 20 years. Ms. Payton graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree; and the University of Georgia with a Master of Social Work Degree.

Upon completion of her formal education, and after a short career as a Social Worker in the non-profit sector, she transitioned into a career with the Federal government. She began her HR career as a Staffing and Employee Relations Specialist and as a Labor Relations Officer, where she served on the negotiating team for several Union contracts.

During Ms. Payton's Federal Government service, she developed a passion for Human Resource Management, in particular Employee Relations and Learning and Development.

Prior to joining the Federal Transit Administration, where she currently works, Pamela has worked with several organizations within the Federal Government, including

bullet US Air Force,
bullet Securities and Exchange Commission,
bullet US Customs Service, and
bullet Walter Reed Army Medical Center

As FTA’s Team Leader for Learning and Development and Employee Relations, Ms. Payton exhibits strong technical expertise and professionalism as she interacts with Agency Supervisors, Managers, and Executives. In spite of sparse staffing on her Team, and limited fiscal resources, Ms. Payton has managed the Federal Transit Administration Learning and Development Program, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program and four major initiatives of the Human Resources Human Capital Plan. The PMF Program in particular was a main focus in the recruitment efforts related to the FTA Workforce/Succession Plan, developed to address knowledge management and skills gaps. Ms. Payton has served as the single point of contact in the recruitment and hiring of 15 PMFs.

She continues to provide customized learning and development opportunities for the FTA workforce and maintains a constant curriculum of on-going training opportunities. She manages the Employee Assistance Program, the FTA Drug Program, and Employee Relations training agency-wide and in some instances, personally facilitates the sessions or collaborates with a senior member of her Team. Ms. Payton facilitates an open exchange of ideas, and creates an environment in which individuals are equally respected and recognized for their perspectives and contributions.

Ms. Payton was recently participated in the USDA Graduate School Executive Potential Program, which was a yearlong competency-based leadership program designed to develop senior-level public service employees into more effective leaders. As part of the program she interviewed and shadowed members of the Senior Executive Service, and read numerous books on leadership topics. She also participated in a 60 day developmental assignments, and as a member of a diverse Action Learning Team, conducted a public service project.

Outside of the FTA, Ms. Payton is a very active volunteer in the Washington DC community - - focusing on the arts, education, and underprivileged children. She volunteers in a wide variety of community organizations and efforts, including The Continental Societies, the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Ms. Payton was also recently selected for the Docent training program with the Smithsonian Museum of African Art. She also works extensively on her own, outside of formal organizations, to make a difference in the lives of many young people. She and her husband Emanuel also enjoy international travel and mentoring young college students. She recently established a need based Endowed Scholarship at her alma mater.