M . Eugene Moor, Jr., better known as Gene Moor, showed early in life that he was going to be a leader and had a strong desire for excellence. He became an Eagle Scout, a rank that only four percent of all Boy Scouts attain. And he did it at age 14.
Mr. Moor was born in Birmingham and attended Ramsay High School, where he was elected senior class president. After graduating from Ramsay, Mr. Moor enrolled at Auburn University. But World War II began, and Mr. Moor left Auburn in 1942 to serve as a pilot in the Army Air Corps until 1945. After the war, he returned to Auburn to finish his studies and graduated with a degree in industrial management in 194 7. After graduating from Auburn, Mr. Moor spent three years working in Alabama’s coal industry until 1950 when he began his legendary banking career at First National Bank of Birmingham which later became AmSouth Bank.
Mr. Moor began as a check sorter, but soon showed his affinity for the banking industry and quickly worked his way through the banking ranks. During the mid-1950s, Mr. Moor served as an assistant cashier, commercial loan department manager, and branch manager. In 1956, he graduated from the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Mr. Moor was promoted to assistant vice president in 1957, vice president in 1959, and senior vice president in 1967. In 1968, Mr. Moor was named executive vice president and served in this position until he was named president in 1972. Mr. Moor served as president until 1978 when he was named vice chairman of the board for AmSouth Bank.
Mr. Moor demonstrated unsurpassed dedication to banking and his customers. That dedication was evident when he landed one of the bank’s largest new accounts after hobbling through New York in a snowstorm on a broken leg to visit the prospective client.
While he was with First National, the bank changed its name to AmSouth and grew from a single Birmingham branch system serving Jefferson County, to a bank with regional influence. AmSouth currently has more than 600 branches in six states.
Mr. Moor retired in 1988, but because of his knowledge, ability, and leadership, AmSouth asked him to assist in the transition of recently acquired banks in North Florida. Mr. Moor graciously agreed and was elected vice-chairman of the board for AmSouth of Florida. Mr. Moor returned to retirement from the banking business for good in 1991. However, Mr. Moor has remained very active in civic organizations, the community, and business efforts.
Mr. Moor currently serves as chairman of the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, a position he has held since 1968, after serving on the company’s board for four years. He has played a critical role in Blue Cross’ growth and success and helped increase the company’s membership from less than one million members to 3.6 million. In 2001, Blue Cross recognized Mr. Moor’s service by dedicating its new corporate headquarters to him, naming it the M.E. Moor, Jr. Corporate Center.
Mr. Moor has served as a board member for a number of area businesses, including Alabama By-Products Corporation, Matthews Electric Supply Company, and Engel Mortgage Company. He also served as the president of the Alabama Bankers Association.
Mr. Moor has been involved in a number of civic and philanthropic causes in many leadership positions. He was instrumental in helping Blue Cross establish the Alabama Child Caring Foundation (ACCF), a nonprofit organization that provides medical coverage for disadvantaged and uninsured Alabama children. Since its inception in 1987, the program has served over 50,000 children.
Mr. Moor has served as the United Appeal (now United Way) co-chairman and chairman, president of the Community Chest, corporate chairman of the United Negro College Fund, and treasurer of the Girl Scout Board and Y.M.C.A. In addition, he has served as chairman of the Birmingham Post Office Postal Customers Council and finance chairman CHM, Heart Fund, as well as on The Salvation Army Advisory Board, Boy Scouts Board of Directors, Birmingham Downtown Improvement Association, Birmingham Centennial Corporation, and Downtown Action Committee. Additionally, Mr. Moor dedicated his time to the Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Operation New Birmingham, The Newcomen Society, The Redstone Club, and Rotary Club of Birmingham.
In a lifetime filled with achievement, if you ask Mr. Moor, he would probably say his greatest successes in life include his wife of 61 years, Anne, and his four children and nine grandchildren.
