Gaines Lanier was initially confirmed by the Alabama Senate as a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees in 2007. His term will end on April 22, 2021. Lanier graduated from Auburn University 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 legendary football coach, Ralph "Shug" Jordan. 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 has two daughters, Ashley and Lindsey, both Auburn graduates. He and his wife, Sonia, live in Lanett, Ala.