Alabama Senate confirms Auburn University trustee to replace Secretary Austin

The Alabama Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed Tim Vines as an at-large member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees to fulfill the unexpired term of Lloyd Austin, who resigned in January after he was tapped as the nation’s Secretary of Defense. 

Vines is the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, where he began working in 1994. He rose through the management ranks at Blue Cross until he was elected to his present position in 2018. The LaFayette native graduated from the Harbert College of Business in 1988 with a degree in finance. Vines was also a member of the Auburn baseball team.

“In addition to his business and management credentials, the Trustee Selection Committee nominated Tim Vines for the position because of his dedication to Auburn University and its students,” said Wayne Smith, who serves as board president pro tem. 

Vines gives an annual scholarship to the Harbert College of Business. He is an Auburn Alumni Association lifetime member, a member of the James E. Foy Loyalty Society and the 1856 Society. The Birmingham Auburn Club awarded Vines its 2019 Distinguished Auburn Alumnus Award. He also served as the 2018 Auburn University summer commencement speaker, where he encouraged graduates to “Serve well by serving others. In life or in your chosen profession, ask what you can do to help others … Whatever you do, make sure you do it with excellence.”

The selection committee was composed of Auburn Trustees Wayne Smith and James Pratt and two members of the Auburn Alumni Association’s board of directors, Regenia Sanders and Van Henley, as well as Gov. Kay Ivey.

Vines will complete the last three of Austin’s seven-year term, which will expire on Feb. 8, 2024.