Wayne was a 1979 Graduate of Karns High School in Knoxville, TN.  He enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1980 and was honorably discharged in 1984.

He began his career as a Machinist at the Y-12 National Security Complex in 1982 and held the Chief Steward position in the Machinist Local.  In 1990, he transferred to Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Chemical Operator and Chief Steward of the Chemical Operators Local.

In 2012, he was elected as the first VP of the Atomic Trades and Labor Council (ATLC) of ORNL and held that position until retiring in February 2024.