During the 139th conference of the Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives association held in Charlotte, Thomas M. Bryant received the honorary life membership award.

The organization's highest honor has only been awarded 51 times since its formation in January 1939. The honorary life membership is presented to those members who have dedicated themselves to the newspaper industry and the association, a news release said.

Bryant called the award a complete surprise.

"I'm honored because I believe I am in there with some real heavyweights and I don't think that I am, but I took it anyway," he said with a laugh.

Bryant served in all capacities with the association, including president in 2005-2006, and his leadership and guidance set an example for all to follow, the news release said.

Bryant joined the association in 1971, when he was advertising director of the Burlington Times-News after graduating from Elon College. He remained in print advertising throughout his career and retired in 2007 as advertising director of The Pilot.

On hand for the occasion were Bryant's wife, Linda, and son, Tom Jr. David Woronoff, publisher of The Pilot, participated in the presentation, as did Frank Daniels Jr., an owner of The Pilot.

Daniels also owned Business North Carolina, where Bryant worked prior to joining The Pilot, as well as the News & Observer of Raleigh.