James (Jimmy) Hopson Sanford is the former chairman of the Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the National Cotton Council of America in Memphis, the Economic Developement Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), and a former board director of Alabama Power Company and the EDPA Foundation. As a student, Sanford was Commander of Sigma Nu Fraternity and graduated from Auburn University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and in 1971 with a master of science in economics with his thesis accepted by the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. In 2021, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) awarded him the Doctor of Humanities and Letters.

Jimmy serves the following organizations: Chairperson of HOME Place Farms, Choice Cotton, Alabama Cotton Commission, and Auburn Technology and Research Foundation; President of Autauga Quality Cotton Association and Legends Properties; Former Vice Chairperson of Judson College and the Judson Foundation; and, Director of VCOM. Also as a board director, he serves on a number of not for profit civic and industry organizations.

He was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Governor Robert Bentley and confirmed by the Alabama Senate on March 15, 2012, to represent the 4th District. His first term expired on March 14,2019, and he was reappointed to a second term by Governor Kay Ivey and confirmed by the Alabama Senate on February 3, 2021. His second term will expire on February 2, 2028.

He is married to Dorothy (Dot) Hardage Sanford. They have three Auburn graduated children and (spouses): Susan Jones, Catherine Porter (Walt Porter), Will Sanford (Anne Womack) and three grandchildren (Annabeth Jones (AU Class of 2026), Mack and Hardy Sanford.