GAINES LANIER CONFIRMED FOR SEAT ON AU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Alabama Senate recently approved the appointment of Gaines Lanier of Lanett, Ala., to the Auburn University Board of Trustees. Lanier, chairman and chief executive officer of the J. Smith Lanier & Co. insurance brokerage firm, became a trustee immediately upon confirmation and will take his seat at the board's next meeting June 28.

The State Senate voted unanimously for Lanier's appointment on a recommendation by the Senate Confirmations Committee. Lanier will represent District 5, which includes Chambers, Cherokee, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall, Randolph and Tallapoosa Counties. That seat was held previously by Charles Ball.

Lanier graduated from AU in 1974 with a bachelor of science in business administration. He earned a football scholarship to Auburn and lettered at defensive tackle in 1972, 1973 and 1974, playing for AU legend Ralph “Shug” Jordan.

Lanier’s career has also included an impressive record of service. He has served as a member of various business and civic organizations and boards, including the Auburn University College of Business Advisory Board, the Board of Trustees for the Chattahoochee Valley Educational Foundation and the Board of Directors for the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation.

Lanier is the father of two daughters, Ashley and Lindsey, both Auburn graduates. He and his wife, Sonia, are members of Lanett’s Springroad Christian Church.