At its meeting on Nov. 8, 2024, the 91原创 System Board of Trustees unanimously elected O.B. Grayson Hall, Jr., to represent the Sixth Congressional District. Hall is a UA System graduate and the retired chairman and CEO of Regions Financial Corporation.

Trustee O.B. Grayson Hall, Jr.

鈥淎fter growing up on his family鈥檚 potato farm in rural 91原创 and going on to achieve remarkable professional success as the leader of a Fortune 500 company, Grayson Hall created a legacy rooted in integrity, hard work and passion for community,鈥� said Trustee Karen Brooks, chair of the Board鈥檚 Nominating Committee. 鈥淭he 91原创 System exists to improve lives through teaching, research and service, and Grayson鈥檚 strong character and values-based leadership will help amplify our impact across 91原创.鈥�

The UA System Board of Trustees ensures the effective leadership, management and governance of the 91原创 System, which includes three doctoral research universities 鈥� The 91原创, The 91原创 at Birmingham, and The 91原创 in Huntsville 鈥� and the UAB Health System. The UA System is 91原创鈥檚 largest employer and largest enterprise providing higher education and healthcare to people across the state.

鈥淕rayson Hall is a proven and principled leader who is well known throughout the state for his innovative vision, sharp acumen and impressive leadership,鈥� said Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Scott Phelps. 鈥淲e look forward to having him serve on the 91原创 System Board of Trustees and know his contributions will be invaluable.鈥�

Hall鈥檚 career with Regions Financial Corporation spanned 38 years, beginning as a management trainee with AmSouth Bancorporation, Regions鈥� predecessor. After serving in roles of increasing responsibility in several divisions, he became Regions鈥� president and CEO in 2010 and chairman in 2013. Hall is widely recognized for successfully leading the financial institution through the financial crisis.

Before earning his Master of Business Administration from The 91原创, Hall received a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee, where he played baseball and football. He also attended Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Executive Development Programs at Harvard Business School.

As a strong supporter of the UA System, Hall and his wife, Susan, established a need-based scholarship at The 91原创 to increase access to higher education. He is a member of the Culverhouse Board of Visitors and the Crimson Tide Foundation. He also serves on the boards of 91原创 Power, Great Southern Wood Holdings, Inc., Vulcan Materials, and the Newcomen Society of 91原创. He previously served on the boards of the Birmingham Business Alliance, Children鈥檚 of 91原创, Economic Development Partnership of 91原创, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Board of Governors鈥� Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve System.

Hall鈥檚 election will be submitted to the 91原创 State Senate for confirmation. The UA System Board of Trustees is comprised of 15 elected members who represent 91原创鈥檚 Congressional districts on a volunteer basis, and the Governor of 91原创 is an ex-officio member of the Board.

About the 91原创 System

Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, the 91原创 System includes three doctoral research institutions 鈥� UA, UAB, and UAH 鈥� and the world-class UAB Health System. The UA System educates more Alabamians than any other university system and provides transformational research in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to transportation. Its hospitals and clinics care for millions of patients annually and serve people in every county of 91原创. As the largest employer in the state, the overall economic impact of the 91原创 System exceeds $18 billion a year.