ABOUT US
We deliver strategic communications and technology solutions that highlight your message and drive measurable impact
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We pride ourselves on innovation, strategy & automation for our clients.
At Payne Branding Company, we believe every message deserves to shine. Like a highlighter draws attention to key ideas, our work brings focus and visibility to the campaigns, stories, and organizations that matter most.
With more than 20 years of combined expertise, our firm delivers strategic communications and technology solutions that merge creativity with innovation. We partner with political campaigns, municipalities, educational institutions, federal agencies, and commercial enterprises to strengthen branding, UX/UI design, multimedia, IT, events, and training.
WHO ARE WE
Meet the Team
The Payne Branding team is a collective of creatives, strategists, and technologists
who thrive at the intersection of design, communications, and innovation.
With expertise spanning branding, IT, multimedia, and event management,
we work together to deliver solutions that move organizations forward.
DeVonna Payne
Founder + CEO
DeRone Payne
VP of Operations
Shavonne Winston
Creative Director + Sr. Designer
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Diedra Williams
Marketing Director
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Gerard Charles
Videographer + Editor
FOUNDER + CEO
DeVonna Payne
15+ Years of Experience
DeVonna is a creative director, educator, and founder of Payne Branding Company, a self-certified woman- and minority-owned strategic communications and technology firm. With over 14 years of experience, DeVonna specializes in UX/UI design, accessibility, front-end development, motion graphics, and strategic communications for U.S. federal agencies, educational institutions, municipalities, and mission-driven organizations.
Previously, she has led website redesigns, UX strategy, and creative direction for hybrid events and federal platforms supporting U.S. government agencies such as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Department of Defense, and the Department of State.
DeVonna has also worked for prestigious institutions for a range of servives including Southern New Hampshire University, Howard University, Meharry Medical College, the College of the Holy Cross, and Bryan University. Through Payne Branding Company, she has managed teams, built design systems, and delivered strategic communications solutions that translate complex ideas into meaningful digital experiences.
Currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Information Technology, ’m passionate about advancing human-centered design and mentoring the next generation of creatives while helping organizations highlight their vision and scale with confidence.
VP OF OPERATIONS
DeRone Payne
20+ Years of Experience
With over two decades of experience in senior management, marketing, and creative production, DeRone Payne brings both strategic insight and operational discipline to Payne Branding Company. His background allows him to align business strategy with creative execution, strengthening the company’s position as a trusted partner for clients across industries.
As Vice President of Operations, DeRone is responsible for overseeing daily operations, optimizing processes, and ensuring that projects are delivered with precision and excellence. His leadership style emphasizes efficiency, collaboration, and innovation. He is skilled at streamlining workflows, elevating client experiences, and driving measurable results that support Payne Branding Company’s mission to deliver high-quality digital media and design solutions. By balancing organizational structure with creative vision, he ensures the company consistently exceeds expectations.
In addition to his leadership role, DeRone is an entrepreneur, music producer, and audio engineer with a strong background in creative production. On the technical side, he has provided sound mixing and sound design work for major brands including Beats by Dre, Nike, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, L’Oréal, The King Center, and Essence Festival, helping bring culture-driven campaigns to life through sonic storytelling. He is also signed as a producer and songwriter to Raedio, the music label and audio company founded by Issa Rae, where he actively works in sync licensing, placing his music in TV, film, and advertising.
With years of experience leading teams and managing complex projects, DeRone plays a vital role in shaping both the growth and long-term success of Payne Branding Company. His commitment to excellence, forward-thinking mindset, and strategic approach make him a trusted leader within the company and a key driver of its continued innovation.
ART DIRECTOR + SR. DESIGNER
Shavonne Winston
15+ Years of Experience
Shavonne Winston is a high-performing creative with more than a decade of experience across graphic design, interior design, and digital media. She has led projects in digital design, print production, motion graphics, video editing, e-commerce, and social media marketing, bringing a versatile skill set that allows her to shape cohesive brand experiences from concept to completion. With a background that spans hospitality, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, she is known for blending technical precision with creative storytelling to deliver designs that both inspire and perform.
Over the course of her career, Shavonne has streamlined design processes and delivered solutions for over 100 clients—ranging from interior build-outs to brand identity systems and digital campaigns. She is skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and Vray, tools that allow her to execute with efficiency and excellence. Her ability to elevate client presentations, develop engaging visuals, and optimize user experiences has made her a trusted partner to executives, stakeholders, and creative teams alike.
At Payne Branding Company, Shavonne serves as Art Director & Senior Designer, where she oversees creative direction while remaining deeply involved in design execution. She leads with a collaborative spirit, ensuring every project reflects both the client’s vision and Payne Branding’s standard of excellence. Passionate about building designs that connect people to brands, she continues to drive innovation and deliver impactful creative solutions that move businesses and communities forward.
CYBER SECURITY ENGINEER
Marcus Upton
10+ Years of Experience
Marcus Upton is an IT and cybersecurity professional with over six years of experience in technical support, cloud administration, and security operations. At Payne Branding Company, he leverages his expertise in security risk analysis, vulnerability management, and enterprise support to ensure client systems are safeguarded and optimized for performance.
His responsibilities include conducting vulnerability assessments, managing system compliance, troubleshooting complex IT issues, and leading security-focused initiatives across cloud platforms such as Azure and Intune. Marcus is highly skilled in Active Directory administration, automation through PowerShell scripting, and developing ITIL-aligned processes that improve operational efficiency.
With a background that spans help desk, second-line support, and security operations, Marcus brings a proven ability to bridge user support with advanced cybersecurity practices. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Tennessee State University, along with certifications including Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals and ITIL v4 Foundation. His blend of technical depth and problem-solving ability makes him a trusted resource for Payne Branding’s government, commercial, and educational partners.
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Marketing Director
Deidra Williams
10+ Years of Experience
Deidra Williams is a versatile marketing leader who knows how to grow brands and scale audiences in today’s digital first world. As Marketing Director at Payne Branding Company, she designs and manages campaigns that amplify visibility, build brand loyalty, and deliver measurable growth for commercial enterprises, campaigns, and community driven organizations. She also brings operational insight, ensuring every strategy is executed with efficiency and impact.
Her career spans from corporate to digital platforms. At Google, she built expertise in analytics, operations, and stakeholder communications in a fast paced global environment. She later directed digital marketing for a music YouTube platform that grew to more than 1.5 million subscribers and 10 million monthly views, leading content strategy, partnerships, and performance optimization that transformed audience engagement and drove sustained growth.
Deidra also brings entrepreneurial grit as a co owner of a multimedia studio, where she managed production, client relations, and business development while lending community influence with business strategy. At Payne Branding, she serves as the bridge between marketing innovation and operational execution, helping clients thrive at the intersection of business goals and audience connection.
VIDEOGRAPHER + EDITOR
Gerard Charles
20+ Years of Experience
With more than 15 years of experience in videography, audio engineering, and client engagement. As Videographer and Audio Producer at Payne Branding Company, he specializes in film production, video editing, and audio solutions that help clients tell their stories with clarity, creativity, and impact.
His journey began in 2008 at SAE Institute of Technology–Nashville, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Audio. Trained in recording, mixing, and mastering, Gerard developed the technical foundation that continues to elevate his work in film and multimedia production.
He recently co-owned and operated a multimedia studio for six years, producing video, photography, and live events for high-profile celebrity clients and prestigious commercial brands.
Gerard also served as the film producer for a fast-growing YouTube platform that grew to more than 1.5 million subscribers and 10 million monthly views, where he contributed to production and audiovisual content. His ability to blend creative production with digital platforms like YouTube and Twitch demonstrates his strength in connecting media with measurable audience growth.
At Payne Branding, Gerard combines his expertise in audio, videography, and editing with a client-centered approach, ensuring every project delivers high-quality media that resonates with audiences and strengthens brand visibility.
software developer + AI OPERATOR
Kevvan Young
10+ Years of Experience
Kevvan D. Young is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with more than 10 years of combined experience in military service, software engineering, and AI integration. He gained early coding and systems experience in the Air Force, which led to his transition into software development.
Kevvan is skilled in programming languages (Java, C#, Python, C++, Lua, JavaScript), web development (React, HTML, CSS), cloud computing, and application security. He has earned certifications from Harvard University and freeCodeCamp, including CS50 Computer Science, Python Programming, responsive web design, and data visualization.
He is also pursuing a B.S. in Software Development at Grand Canyon University, where his studies span programming, database design, cloud computing, operating systems, and security—skills that position him to contribute across software engineering, cybersecurity, AI integration, and digital training solutions.
With a passion for gaming and interactive design, Kevvan has created video games and simulations, applying this expertise to learning management systems (LMS) and digital training environments. He combines military discipline with technical innovation to deliver solutions that are scalable, secure, and impactful.
OUR CLIENTS
Strategically designing impactful and innovative solutions that meet user needs and drive measurable results across sectors.
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WHY TEAMS TRUST US
We pride ourselves on innovation, strategy & automation for our clients
Payne Branding Company LLC is a strategic communications and technology firm with more than 20 years of team expertise. By blending creativity with technology, we deliver automation, visibility, and measurable results that move organizations forward.
Our team of specialists and industry experts serves political campaigns, municipalities, educational institutions, federal agencies, and commercial enterprises by scaling their communications, branding, design, IT, events, and training.
GOVERNMENT
EDUCATION
CONTACT
LET'S WORK
We love to connect to discuss upcoming projects, partnerships, or opportunities to collaborate.