Hi there! My name is Benjamin Payne, and I'm a communications professional with a public media journalism background, starting a new chapter in the Pacific Northwest.

I most recently served as the Savannah-based reporter for Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), the statewide NPR network for the Peach State, where I covered stories across coastal Georgia. In August 2025, I moved to my wife's hometown of Bellingham, Washington, as she begins an exciting new chapter in her career.

Here are a few stories I'm especially proud of:

Throughout my career, my reporting has consistently centered community voices and amplified stories from underserved populations — from investigating Gullah-Geechee land rights in coastal Georgia to examining civic challenges facing rural communities like Point Roberts, Washington. My work has taken me from barrier islands to town squares, always with a commitment to fact-based, fair reporting that serves the public interest.

I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the most respected names in public media: my reporting has aired on NPR's flagship programs, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition, as well as Marketplace and the Marketplace Morning Report from American Public Media. Beyond reporting, I've participated in on-air fundraising campaigns and moderated high-profile panel discussions, including a conversation on voting rights and election integrity featuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

In 2020, I completed my Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno's Reynolds School of Journalism, where I specialized in news innovation and was recognized as the Reynolds Outstanding Student in Business Journalism.

I'm interested in opportunities that allow me to leverage my storytelling skillset to help mission-driven organizations do their best work. If you'd like to connect, email me at benjaminthomaspayne@gmail.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Thanks for stopping by!