5/4/04

Dina Kanellos, 334/844-2203

RAINER IS 2004 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS IN AU BUSINESS SCHOOL

AUBURN -- Jamie Rainer of Birmingham, who had a 35-year career with SouthTrust Corp., has been named the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus by the Auburn University College of Business.

The award, presented annually, recognizes an AU business alumnus who has made significant contributions to business and industry as well as to Auburn. It is the highest honor granted by the College of Business.

:"Jamie Rainer's success in the banking world is a source of pride for the College of Business and Auburn University," said John Jahera, interim dean of the College of Business. "He is most deserving of this recognition and our College of Business is very appreciative of his many efforts on our behalf."

Rainer graduated from Auburn University in 1965 and followed a family tradition into banking. He had a 35-year career with SouthTrust, where he was chief credit officer and executive vice president until his retirement in 2000. During his tenure, the company became one of the largest banks in the Southeast, with a reputation of impeccable credit quality.

Rainer is now president of Superior Gas, Inc., a family business in Roanoke, Ala., and co-owned by him and his sister. The company is the 34th largest propane gas retailer in the nation.

In addition to his involvement with civic and social affairs in Birmingham, Rainer is active in service to AU.

He is a member and former chairman of the College of Business Advisory Council, chairman of the Auburn Athletics Advisory Council's Development Committee and a member of the AU President's Council in Birmingham.

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CONTACT: Jahera, 334/844-4030.