Cornerstone, a leading bipartisan, employee-owned, government relations and public affairs firm with federal and state reach, announced the addition of Jeremy Payne as a principal in the firm’s Augusta office. He brings to the Cornerstone team nearly a decade of policy and government relations work throughout the state.

Before joining Cornerstone, Payne served as the executive director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association. In this role, he led the local and statewide energy policy debate by engaging the Maine Legislature, the Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies. He successfully advocated for a predictable investment climate to support new and existing renewable generation. As the renewable energy industry’s chief lobbyist and spokesperson, Payne developed strategic plans to help guide the association in its advocacy efforts, according to a news release from the Augusta firm.

“I am very excited to join the growing Cornerstone team in Maine,” Payne said. “The team of bipartisan professionals we have built will be able to deliver high-quality results inside the State House and beyond for our clients.”

Throughout his time at the Maine Renewable Energy Association, Payne simultaneously served as a senior project manager for Bernstein Shur, focused on state and federal advocacy efforts across many different clients with Maine-based footprints including but not limited to aquaculture, energy, transportation and health care.

Prior to these roles, Payne served as a government affairs director for the Maine Association of Realtors, working closely with more than 5,000 members to ensure federal and state legislation benefited Maine homebuyers and home sellers. He started his career serving as the director of external affairs for the former governor of Maine, U.S. Sen. Angus S. King Jr.

“We couldn’t be happier to have someone with in-depth policy experience and extensive relationships at the Capitol and around the state as Jeremy does,” said Cornerstone Managing Director Campbell Kaufman. “Our clients will be well-served with his addition.”

Payne joins Mike Cuzzi and Matt Marks in the Augusta office.