Thomas S. (Tom) Payne, III is a native of Washington North Carolina. He graduated from Barton College in 1974 with a BA in Social Studies. Upon graduation from college, Tom worked as a Probation//Parole Officer for 8 years.

Tom was elected Clerk of Superior Court for Beaufort County in 1982. He served six (6) consecutive terms making his tenure the longest in the county's history.  Tom served as President of the North Carolina Association of Clerks of Superior Court, Chairman of the Courts Rules of Recordkeeping, a member of the State Criminal Justice Information Network Board and the North Carolina Criminal Partnership Board.  On his
retirement he was awarded the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

He has been active in many community activities. Tom served as President of the Washington Jaycees and received the Jaycees Distinguished Services Award. He also served in the North Carolina National Guard for 20 years and received the North Carolina Distinguished Service Metal.

Tom became a Rotarian in 1982 and is a past president and charter member of the Washington Noon Rotary Club. He served as District Governor for Rotary International District 7720 for 2002- 2003. He is currently serving as a Gift Advisor for the Rotary Foundation for Zone 33. Tom is a Paul
Harris Fellow, a member of the Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society member as well as a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation. In 2005 he received the
Rotary Foundations Citation for Meritorious Service.