The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 2022.

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Timothy Vines serves as president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, the largest provider of healthcare benefits in Alabama. Of the nearly three million members Blue Cross serves, two million of them are Alabamians. 

During his twenty-eight years with Blue Cross, Vines has held roles of increasing responsibility and has served in his current position since 2018. Under his direction, Vines’ executive leadership team successfully navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring Blue Cross members continued to have access to quality healthcare during a challenging and uncertain period. 

Vines currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. As chair, he leads the governing body that provides strategic guidance and oversight for the organization. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of thirty-five independent, community-based, and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. Vines is also active in other key leadership roles, serving on the Board of Directors of Regions Financial Corporation, and the Board of Trustees for Auburn University and Samford University. He also serves on the boards of the Birmingham Business Alliance, Leadership Birmingham, Business Council of Alabama, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and Prosper. 

Prior to joining Blue Cross, Vines worked for five years in the banking industry for SouthTrust Bank. 
Originally from LaFayette, Alabama, Vines has had a passion for Auburn University since he was young. He graduated from Auburn in 1988 with a degree in finance. During his college tenure, Vines was a student athlete on the baseball team. He attributes his years at Auburn as a major reason for his success.   

Vines and his wife, Antoinette (Toni), have been married for thirty-one years. He strongly supports Toni in her role as the founder of Mercy Deliverance Ministries, an organization that provides access to affordable housing, healthcare, and fresh food in underserved areas. The Vines have three beautiful daughters and two grandchildren. Vines and his family are members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, where he has served as a deacon, choir member, finance committee member, and Sunday School teacher.