Alec Taylor is a 1975 magna cum laude graduate of Furman and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt School of Law in 1978.

From 1978-1998, Alec practiced law at Miller & Martin in Chattanooga, Tennessee, concentrating his practice on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. In 1998, Alec left the practice of law to become President and Chief Operating Officer of Chattem, Inc., a publicly-traded consumer products company also based in Chattanooga.

In 2005, Alec left Chattem to become Chairman and CEO of FGX International based in Smithfield, Rhode Island. FGX is the world's largest seller of reading glasses and sunglasses, principally under the Foster Grant® brand name. He retired as chairman and CEO in June 2014.

Alec is a director of Barr Brands International, Rayware Group, Delta Apparel, and Benihana Restaurants, Inc. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law.

Alec and his wife, Susan, have five children and eleven grandchildren and currently reside in Charleston, South Carolina.