James Payne joins Bechtel

Telecommunications executive James Payne has joined Bechtel Systems and Infrastructure as president of its new federal telecom sector.

Payne will be running Federal Telecoms, a new division in Bechtel’s government business organization. It joins the company’s three other market sectors – Energy and Environment, Defense and Space, and one focusing on North American civil infrastructure.

Payne is formerly senior vice president of Qwest Communications International, where he was general manager for Qwest’s operations in the federal government market. He also held management positions at GTE and Sprint.

Payne, 54, said he’s most proud of his record in the telecom arena as being “on time and below budget.” He said he would be focusing on increasing the company's federal telecom business.

"We're delighted to have someone of Jim's caliber take the helm of Federal Telecoms," said company president Tom Hash said. "Jim will provide us with world-class leadership as we continue to focus on Bechtel's growing federal telecommunications market potential."