"I received a great foundation in electrical engineering from Purdue, which I’ve utilized throughout my nearly 30 years in the industry. Looking ahead, there will continue to be a global focus on innovation and our future generation of Purdue graduates will help bring about these innovations."

 

William Payne earned his BSEE from Purdue in 1980, his MSEE from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1981, and a PhD from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1986. Currently he is the vice president of the Networks Advanced Technologies (NAT) organization within Motorola’s Home and Networks Mobility business. In this capacity, Payne oversees development of new broadband technologies and the global standardization efforts for the broadband wireless and cellular industries. Prior to joining Motorola, he spent 16 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

Payne has seven patents awarded and several pending. He is a member of the IEEE and a past member of the Sigma Xi and Eta Kappa Nu Engineering Honoraries. He is also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, pledged at Purdue University, Gamma Rho. His professional career in the telecom equipment industry has spanned nearly 30 years.