Payton joined KoonsCo in 2024 and serves as Director. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he graduated with a B.S.B.A. in Finance, focusing on Financial Management and Investments. However, he likes to say he "majored in duck hunting and minored in finance."

Before joining KoonsCo., Payton explored various passions, including entrepreneurship and cooking. While earning his college degree, he formed a land holdings company, MJ Phillips Holdings Ltd., to honor his late grandmother, Mary Jo Phillips. This company, based in Denton County, collaborates with multinational energy companies like Exxon-Mobil and BP to extract oil and natural gas from the area.

As the demands of MJ Phillips Holdings Ltd. lessened, Payton sought to pursue another passion: cooking. He joined the team at The Meat Shop in Dallas, Texas, where he worked as a cook, refining his culinary skills and gaining valuable experience in restaurant operations.

Payton currently resides in Dallas with his wife, Kaki, and their dog, Bee.

Email: Payton@KoonsCo.com