Tim Vines, chair of Samford University’s board of trustees, has been named president and chief operating officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Vines who has been with Blue Cross for more than 23 years, will succeed Terry Kellogg as CEO after a transition period in 2018. 

Vines is completing his second year as Samford’s board chair and has served on the board since 2011. 

“In his service at Samford, the leadership style offered by Mr. Vines is a blend of wisdom, competence and humility,” said Samford President Andrew Westmoreland. “He's one of the finest leaders that I have ever known, and we are extremely fortunate to rely on his effective involvement at Samford.” 

As the public announcement was being made on Nov. 10 by Blue Cross, Vines was participating in homecoming weekend activities at Samford and presided over the annual Leadership Forum for members of the university’s board of trustees, board of overseers, advisory boards and other leadership groups. 

During his time at BCBS, Vines has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, senior vice president of health management, senior vice president of business operations, vice president of special claims operations and vice president of health management.

Vines and his wife, Toni, have three children. They are active members at Birmingham’s Shades Mountain Baptist Church, where he is a member of the church’s finance committee and choir, and previously served as a deacon. He also serves on the board of directors for the Alabama region of the American Red Cross and the Better Business Bureau serving south and central Alabama.