Laurence
J. “Larry” Payne has 35 years of experience in public service, education and
not-for-profit and religious leadership. Larry is recognized from City Hall to
the White House with city, State and National leaders actively seek out his
counsel in leadership, diversity, management, organization design, and
strategic planning.
Larry
is President of The Educational Excellence Resource Group LLC. An education, training, and consulting firm
based in Houston.
Larry
recently served as President and CEO of Houston Habitat for Humanity -
America’s leader in the building of affordable housing for underprivileged
families. During his tenure he increased home production threefold and personally
secured an endowment from Oprah Winfrey for 65 houses known as Angel Lane
Subdivision for Katrina families.
Larry’s
career in public service includes notable positions at the city, state and
congressional levels. As District
Director for Congressman Mickey Leland, he managed the congressman’s
Texas-based programs, pre and post-election. Recognized in national circles,
Larry was asked by Congressman Chris Bell to serve as his District Director.
Larry oversaw all operations for the 25th Congressional District
with oversight of offices in Houston, Pasadena and Baytown.
Prior
to serving representatives from Congress, Larry established himself at the city
level where he served as Executive Advisor and Consultant to Houston Mayor Lee
Brown on issues of diversity, education and community initiatives. In addition,
Larry served as Houston’s Deputy City Controller under George Greanias and
Directed Houston City Council Agenda for Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire.
Larry's
love to serve extends into leadership roles within the Roman Catholic Church;
including Executive Director of the Office of Social Development for the ArchDiocese
of Minneapolis / St. Paul, Vicar of Urban Affairs for the Diocese of
Belleville, Illinois, and Director of Community Relations for the ArchDiocese
of Galveston-Houston. Larry was honored as the recipient of the Knights of St.
Peter Claver Justice Award, a National Award given to select individuals who
exemplify outstanding community service.
Larry
was selected by his alma mater The University of St. Thomas as their Alumni of
the Year for 2007, due in part of his great dedication and commitment to
community service.
Larry’s
background demonstrates his passion for educational issues. Larry served as the
former President of the Greater Houston Coalition for Educational Excellence
and alliance of the Greater Houston Partnership and as the Adjunct Director of
Community, Institutional, and Governmental Relations for the Institute for
Urban Public Education at the University of Houston. In addition, Larry's was a
consultant for William H. Sadler Publishers, Inc. in New York as an advisor on
multicultural urban education issues.
Securing
the City of Houston's place in history Larry helped bring the 1991 and 2002
National NAACP Conventions to Houston where he served as General Chairman with over
12,000 and 17,000 in attendees respectively from around the country.
Outspoken
on education and social justice issues, Larry brought his interest to the
public with a weekly TV show "Dialogue Houston" where he deals with challenges
of leadership and the changing demographics in the Greater Houston area.
Larry's show airs on Houston Community College (HCC-TV). With the popularity of his TV show, Larry
added “Interchange,” a weekly radio show on KPFT-FM (90.1) to his mix of
programs he hosts to serve the public interest.
Larry's actively participates in the
following community organizations: The American Leadership Forum; The Institute
for Spirituality and Health; The Greater Houston Women’s Foundation; Houston
Works; Children At Risk; The National Conference for Community and Justice;
NAACP; Interfaith Ministries; Community Health Charities; Leadership Houston;
Rice University; Center for Houston’s Future; Teach for America; The University
of St. Thomas; The United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast; Education Foundation of
Harris County; Greater Houston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Catholic
Charities; and SER-Niños Public Charter School.
Laurence
J. “Larry” Payne has 35 years of experience in public service, education and
not-for-profit and religious leadership. Larry is recognized from City Hall to
the White House with city, State and National leaders actively seek out his
counsel in leadership, diversity, management, organization design, and
strategic planning.
Larry
is President of The Educational Excellence Resource Group LLC. An education, training, and consulting firm
based in Houston.
Larry
recently served as President and CEO of Houston Habitat for Humanity -
America’s leader in the building of affordable housing for underprivileged
families. During his tenure he increased home production threefold and personally
secured an endowment from Oprah Winfrey for 65 houses known as Angel Lane
Subdivision for Katrina families.
Larry’s
career in public service includes notable positions at the city, state and
congressional levels. As District
Director for Congressman Mickey Leland, he managed the congressman’s
Texas-based programs, pre and post-election. Recognized in national circles,
Larry was asked by Congressman Chris Bell to serve as his District Director.
Larry oversaw all operations for the 25th Congressional District
with oversight of offices in Houston, Pasadena and Baytown.
Prior
to serving representatives from Congress, Larry established himself at the city
level where he served as Executive Advisor and Consultant to Houston Mayor Lee
Brown on issues of diversity, education and community initiatives. In addition,
Larry served as Houston’s Deputy City Controller under George Greanias and
Directed Houston City Council Agenda for Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire.
Larry's
love to serve extends into leadership roles within the Roman Catholic Church;
including Executive Director of the Office of Social Development for the ArchDiocese
of Minneapolis / St. Paul, Vicar of Urban Affairs for the Diocese of
Belleville, Illinois, and Director of Community Relations for the ArchDiocese
of Galveston-Houston. Larry was honored as the recipient of the Knights of St.
Peter Claver Justice Award, a National Award given to select individuals who
exemplify outstanding community service.
Larry
was selected by his alma mater The University of St. Thomas as their Alumni of
the Year for 2007, due in part of his great dedication and commitment to
community service.
Larry’s
background demonstrates his passion for educational issues. Larry served as the
former President of the Greater Houston Coalition for Educational Excellence
and alliance of the Greater Houston Partnership and as the Adjunct Director of
Community, Institutional, and Governmental Relations for the Institute for
Urban Public Education at the University of Houston. In addition, Larry's was a
consultant for William H. Sadler Publishers, Inc. in New York as an advisor on
multicultural urban education issues.
Securing
the City of Houston's place in history Larry helped bring the 1991 and 2002
National NAACP Conventions to Houston where he served as General Chairman with over
12,000 and 17,000 in attendees respectively from around the country.
Outspoken
on education and social justice issues, Larry brought his interest to the
public with a weekly TV show "Dialogue Houston" where he deals with challenges
of leadership and the changing demographics in the Greater Houston area.
Larry's show airs on Houston Community College (HCC-TV). With the popularity of his TV show, Larry
added “Interchange,” a weekly radio show on KPFT-FM (90.1) to his mix of
programs he hosts to serve the public interest.
Larry's actively participates in the
following community organizations: The American Leadership Forum; The Institute
for Spirituality and Health; The Greater Houston Women’s Foundation; Houston
Works; Children At Risk; The National Conference for Community and Justice;
NAACP; Interfaith Ministries; Community Health Charities; Leadership Houston;
Rice University; Center for Houston’s Future; Teach for America; The University
of St. Thomas; The United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast; Education Foundation of
Harris County; Greater Houston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Catholic
Charities; and SER-Niños Public Charter School.
