Payton’s interest in engineering stems from his upbringing in Steamboat Springs with a father who is a general contractor. Payton began working in construction during high school and continued throughout college, gaining exposure to all aspects of the building process. While he was extremely interested in architecture, it was the structural elements of buildings that captivated him the most. Payton started off studying mechanical engineering in college in Montana but he eventually returned to the University of Colorado to pursue his true passion of Architectural Engineering.

While most of his experience and interest lies in residential construction and design, Payton strives to improve his skills in all aspects of design, no matter the project. His time working as both a construction laborer and an intern in structural design have provided him a valuable base to begin a career in structural engineering.