As a recent graduate from the R.B. Annis School of Engineering at the University of Indianapolis, Payton has transitioned into working full-time as a project engineer for Citizens Energy Group. With a fresh perspective on the utility industry, he continually seeks opportunities to apply the technical and project management skills he developed at UIndy. As a previous student athlete, Payton believes in hard work and grit in and out of the workplace. His goal as a motivated young individual is to not only grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally, but to also empower fellow leaders of the Indianapolis community in the process. Understanding that there is always room for personal development, Payton is continually excited to see what the future holds and how he can achieve his next goal.
The 1828 Leadership Project, presented by Citizens Energy Group, is a civic leadership tract for Indy’s young leaders with the goal of fostering intentional relationships with a cross-sector of Indianapolis’ thought leaders and decision makers. Payton is a part of 1828’s Class XI . Learn more about him below.
How do you spend your days? For example, you can tell us about your career, side hustle or exercise routine whatever you want to share. We’re ready to listen.
During the week, I spend most of my time working as an engineer for Citizens. I split my time at work between water distribution projects, working on the DigIndy tunnel, and with student-collaboration projects through Citizens’ Partnership for Excellence in Research & Learning (PERL) program. When I am not working, I enjoy my time playing competitive disc golf, exploring the city on a bike or walking, and experimenting with new local restaurants.
Great! Where are you from? What made you choose to move here?
I am originally from Rockford, an amazing city in northern central Illinois! I first discovered Indy on my recruiting trip for college springboard diving. UIndy is a huge school for swimming & diving in division II and neighbors other major diving programs such as Purdue, IU, IUPUI, and the Natatorium, where Olympic trials are held. I remember the first time visiting the city and absolutely falling in love with the buzz of activity, the opportunities available, and community culture I could experience in the few days I visited.After college and my internship with Citizens, I knew I wanted to stay in Indy to remain close to my college network, to continue my career with Citizens, and because I am a huge fan of the Midwest climate and culture.
You’re off the clock, there are no expectations. What are you doing?
Since my senior year of diving was cut short due to COVID, I was eager to fill my athletic appetite with other competitive activities after college athletics. Since graduation, I have been heavily invested in competitive disc golf and have loved being involved in the Indy and Hamilton disc golf communities. When I am off the clock, you can almost always find me out on the course with some fellow players! With over two thousand members in both the Indy and Hamilton County clubs, there are lots of players to get to know, develop relationships with, and experience nature on the course with. Since March of 2020, I have participated over 30 tournaments across the Midwest, ran leagues and community fundraising events, and even landed a couple of sponsors for myself! I am a strong proponent of finding an activity outside of work to be passionate about to keep everyday exciting!
When thinking about the future of Indianapolis, what are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years and why?
Since my first 4 years in Indianapolis were mostly confined to a “college bubble” and the city was shut down due to COVID-19 in the last year, there is a lot I still have to look forward to exploring within the city. Since graduating, I have begun to discover restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and artistic monuments. In the next 5 years, I am so excited to continue to explore these sites that give Indy so much character.In the next 5 years, I am excited to expand my networks in the utility industry, as a professional in the city, and within the disc golf community. What makes Indy so special is the people, so I cannot wait to maintain meaningful relationships in each sector of my life.
Are there any local causes that you support? What are they and how might others learn more or get involved?
The three main local organizations I am involved in are Indy Athletes in Action, Traders Point Christian Church, and the Indy Disc Golf Club. Athletes in Action (AIA) is a faith-based organization that works with college and young athletes to combine faith and competitive sports. Indy AIA’s main focus is impacting students from UIndy, Butler, IUPUI, and Marion University. I have helped as a student and as a volunteer to grow Indy AIA. To learn more, others can visit IndyAIA’s Instagram @IndyAIA. I am also involved at Traders Point Christian Church! Traders Point’s mission is to remove unnecessary barriers that keep people from a relationship with Jesus. I have been attending Traders Point for just over 3 years and love to spread support for the church whenever possible. More about Traders Point can be found at TPCC.org/about. Lastly, the Indy Disc Golf Club (IDGC) is the leading disc golf club in the central Indiana area. As I mentioned earlier, I have attended board meetings, lead club events, and been a top contributor to the club. The club can always use more financial & volunteer support to help run local tournaments and grow the sport in Indy. For more about IDGC, please join their Facebook group “Indy Disc Golf Club – IDGC.”
You have a day off and you’re in Indianapolis. Share the agenda for your perfect Indy day.
My perfect day in Indy starts with breakfast at Milktooth! Since it’s typically pretty filling, I would love to follow it up with a walk or bike ride on the cultural trail and canal. For lunch, I would stop by Fresca on the canal for a quick flatbread pizza and refreshing gelato dessert. For the next activity, I would enjoy a round of disc golf at Brookside Park. At this point, I’m sure I’d be exhausted and could use a sit-down dinner at Bru Burger. The day could end with a final activity at Subzero Ice cream.A couple of honorable mentions for some of my favorite coffee shops that I wouldn’t be able to fit into the schedule go to Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company and a new and trendy Coffee shop: Parlor Public House.
Indianapolis is a sprawling county, what’s your favorite part about our city?
Although the progressive culture and impressive infrastructure are some of my favorite parts of the city, I would have to say the people are what make Indy so unique. The city seems to value relationships that cultivate teamwork, empathy, and inclusion. While there are still long strides needed for equity, I am so proud to be a part of a city that values the welfare of all its citizens. In my relationships at work, professionally, in the various organizations I am a part of, and in athletics, I have found that the best leaders promote the welfare of the team and make sure meaningful relationships are a non-negotiable part of the culture.
If you were a superhero what would be your special trait?
As an ex-college athlete and current sponsored athlete, I would wish for my superhero power to be having perfect control over motor functions. Being able to have perfect muscle memory and hand-eye coordination would help not only in sports but prevent future injuries as well!
You’re hosting an Indy-themed dinner party. What three guests are you inviting?
Assuming this question is open to anybody with Indy influence, there are a few people I would love to sit down and share a dinner with! To start, I would bring my girlfriend, Alix, to share the experience of meeting the other guest with me! Next, I would bring Danica Patrick, the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing. Danica actually graduated from the same high school as me in Illinois and has been a part of Indianapolis history with her performances in the Indy 500! I would be interested to hear about her journey and how she maintains her performance mindset at such a highly competitive level. Lastly, I’d love to bring Adam Driver, who plays in a number of excellent movies and attended University of Indianapolis in 2005. Each of these guests would bring their own twist and perspective to the dinner party conversation. I am always interested in learning about the journeys of others who share commonalities with me, but are different in other ways.
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I am sure it would get old, but I would choose Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen! That song just sets the tone for a great mood and day!
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
“The challenger” – Not only do I love challenging processes, traditions, and ways “things have always been done”, but I find I get most passionate and excited when there is a big challenge I am faced with. Similar to the competitive energy I developed in sports, when I get tasked with a challenge, it becomes easy for me to dump all of my resources into improvement and development. I love striving towards my maximum potential and love overcoming the challenges I am faced with on that journey. For enneagram and/or Myer Briggs fans, I would consider myself an enneagram 8 or ENTJ.
How do you define success?
To me, success is putting forth your best effort to develop your passions and simultaneously empower and positively influence the communities around you.
