2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient James W. Rane ’68

James “Jimmy” William Rane is the founder of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc., one of the leading producers of pressure-treated lumber in the U.S. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small family business into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with operations across 30 states, the District of Columbia and 39 countries. Last October, Rane stepped down as president and CEO of Great Southern Wood Holdings, Inc., the parent company established to oversee a diverse portfolio in building products, manufacturing and logistics. He remains chairman of the board. A native of Abbeville, Ala., Rane earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University and a JD from Cumberland School of Law. He has completed executive programs at Harvard Business School and holds honorary doctorates from Troy University and Samford University. Rane has served on the Auburn University Board of Trustees since 1999 and is president of the Jimmy Rane Foundation, where he works to fund college scholarships for deserving students. Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has provided college scholarships to 830 deserving students who were able to attend the college or university of their choice. His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. He has also been recognized as “Citizen of the Year” by the Alabama Broadcasters Association and named Alumnus of the Year by Marion Military Institute. Most recently, [TD3.1]he was named a 2026 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and he serves on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission established to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He and his wife, Angela, live in Abbeville. Full bio at https://alumni.auburn.edu/alumni-awar... Be sure to subscribe for more Auburn Alumni content! https://www.youtube.com/c/AuburnAlumn... Facebook:   / auburnalumniassociation   Instagram:   / auburnalumni   Twitter:   / aualumniassoc   Auburn Magazine online: http://auburnmagazine.auburn.edu