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John Payne

Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer at Sterling Investment Management in Tucson, AZ

Investment adviser registrationUpdated

John Payne is Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Investment Management, LLC, an investment adviser managing $409M, and works from its Tucson, AZ office. John Payne has been registered as an investment adviser representative through Sterling Investment Management since 22 February 2012, has 28 years in the industry across 1 firm and has passed the Series 65.

28
Years in industry
14
Years at firm
1
Adviser firms
1
States registered

From the IAPD record, checked 22 October 2026SEC record

Career

John Payne has been Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Investment Management since September 1995, is a control person of the firm and directly owns 75% or more of it. John Payne holds a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Wyoming.

Sterling Investment Management, LLC is a Tucson, AZ firm with $409M under management, 151 clients and 4 advisers across 2 offices, as of its March 2026 filing.

John Payne is Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Investment Management. He has over 30 years of investment experience, including active portfolio management and the trading of equity, fixed income and derivative securities. Before founding Sterling Investment Management in 1995, he was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for Bank of America, managing its Investment Advisory Group.

  1. – present · 14 years
    Tucson, AZ · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 112923
  2. – · 14 years
    Tucson, AZ · Adviser representative · Firm CRD 112923

Credentials and registrations

Professional designations

Listed by Sterling Investment Management

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Investment adviser representative registrations

John Payne is registered as an investment adviser representative in Arizona, since February 2012.

  • ArizonaSince 22 February 2012

Examinations

Series 6514 December 1995
Name
Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination

Key facts

Full name
John Harman Payne
CRD
2694662
Role
Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer
Office
6262 NORTH SWAN RD., SUITE 210, Tucson, AZ 85718
Registration
Investment adviser registration
In the industry since
December 1997
Disciplinary history
Not yet shown here · SEC record

Common questions

Where does John Payne work?

John Payne has been Managing Partner, Chief Investment Officer of Sterling Investment Management, LLC since September 1995, and is a control person of the firm.

Source: Form ADV, Schedule A, filed 18 March 2026

Is John Payne a financial advisor?

Yes. John Payne has a current investment-adviser registration in Arizona, through Sterling Investment Management since February 2012.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

How many years of experience does John Payne have?

John Payne has 28 years in the financial industry, since December 1997, across 1 adviser firm.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

What exams has John Payne passed?

John Payne passed the Series 65 in December 1995.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

Where did John Payne work before Sterling Investment Management?

Before Sterling Investment Management, John Payne was registered through Sterling Investment Management, Inc., November 1995 to December 2009.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

Where is John Payne based?

John Payne’s registered office is in Tucson, AZ.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

Is John Payne registered with FINRA?

No. John Payne has no current broker registration.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

Is John Payne a CFA charterholder?

Sterling Investment Management lists John Payne with the CFA credential (“Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)”) on its website. CFA Institute confirms certification status.

Source: John Payne biography, sterlinginvestmentmanagement.com

How can I verify John Payne’s record?

Search CRD 2694662 on the SEC’s adviser search (adviserinfo.sec.gov), which publishes John Payne’s full registration record.

Source: IAPD individual record, checked 22 October 2026

Leadership at Sterling Investment Management

Sources

  1. IAPD individual record, CRD 2694662, checked 22 October 2026. Registration status, employment history and examinations.
  2. Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B of Sterling Investment Management, LLC, filed 18 March 2026. Title, control and ownership bands.
  3. Sterling Investment Management team page. Biography, education, credentials, awards.