Some people might argue that hope is not tangible. Chris Payne is not one of those people.
Payne, who owns MIRC Construction and Cimco Incorporated, has made an entire career out of building hope. On the surface, it looks like healthcare construction – emergency rooms, surgical centers, and specialty care buildings to name a few. But for Payne, it’s more than buildings. It’s more than money. It’s giving people in the most difficult times of their lives, a place for hope and healing.
He’s been there. He understands. When his daughter Cailey, 23, was just 18 months old, she had an emergency issue with a portion of her intestine. After some testing to eliminate other possibilities, Cailey was transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital where Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a pediatric surgeon, sprung into action and performed an emergency surgery to fix the problem. Then Cailey spent a week in the PICU under the care f Dr. Eduardo Pino.
“You just feel helpless,” Payne said. “And all these people step in heroically, and they didn’t know her. I found out later that Dr. Beaver was supposed to have left for vacation that night and she canceled it to take care of Cailey because she was afraid that any further transport would cause it to rupture. I mean that type of care, compassion and love is my why.”
Payne, a Point Pleasant native and Marshall graduate, has been a regular supporter of Marshall Health Network, notably Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, since then, as well as other area entities such as the Ronald McDonald House where he serves on the Board of Directors. Cailey is a 2025 graduate of St. Mary’s School of Nursing, now works as a pediatric float nurse at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital and spends much of her time in the PICU.
It’s having that experience, knowing others deserve the same care and access, and believing he has a responsibility to help others that have driven Payne’s desire to help by sponsoring fundraising events, being a member of the Medallion Society, and donating time and resources.
“God blesses us, so we do what we can to bless others,” he said. “He has blessed me financially and spiritually, and I’ve tried to take advantage of opportunities to help when they have been presented.”
Payne credits his wife Megan and children Catherine, Cason, and Cailey, as his biggest inspirations but added it’s fulfilling to know he is helping to support places of hope and causes bigger than himself. It’s how he can help save lives.
He encourages others to follow their hearts and find ways to help others flourish. “The greatest reward is when you are in a position to help and then can see how others are helped,” he said.
He sees that often through his relationships with the Marshall Health Network family. Payne said his business partner, Adam Samples, along with friendships made through MHN with people like Tim Martin, Melanie Akers, Ken Jackson, Justin Turner, David Sheils, Todd Booten, Shawn Bastin and Les Ray have inspired him.
“Their mission is my mission,” he said. “We are working together for the betterment of our region.”
