The Southern Conference on Institutional Research was the precursor to the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR). The organization was led by:
- 1973-74: James R. Montgomery, Edith Carter
- 1974-75: Fred Wise, Denise Strenglein
- 1975-76: Robert I. Lewis, Mary Alyce Orahood
- 1976-77: Sandra Sullivan, Jerry J. Baudin
Concurrent with the founding of SAIR in 1977 was the creation of a board of directors, chaired by a new position of SAIR President. Below are the persons who have served as SAIR President, the year they served as President, and their institution at the time.
- 1977-78: Barbara D. Holmes, Fayetteville State University
- 1978-79: Norman O. Uhl, North Carolina Central University
- 1979-80: Suzanne W. Larsen, University of Tennessee
- 1980-81: Larry G. Jones, University of Georgia
- 1981-82: E. Michael Staman, Systems and Computer Technology Corporation
- 1982-83: Gerald W. McLaughlin, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
- 1983-84: Richard D. Howard, North Carolina State University
- 1984-85: Elizabeth F. Fox, University of Alabama - Birmingham
- 1985-86: Linda K. Pratt, North Carolina Central University
- 1986-87: Steve W. Batson, West Virginia State College
- 1987-88: Kay A. Staub, University of Alabama
- 1988-89: Timothy R. Sanford, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1989-90: Mary Sapp, University of Miami
- 1990-91: Brenda H. Rogers, North Carolina Central University
- 1991-92: Tom R. Bohannon, Baylor University
- 1992-93: William R. Fendley Jr., University of Virginia
- 1993-94: James O. Nichols, University of Mississippi
- 1994-95: Karen M. Gentemann, George Mason University
- 1995-96: Deborah Brewton Dailey, University of Alabama - Birmingham
- 1996-97: David B. Fleming, Clemson University
- 1997-98: John M. Kalb, Florida State University
- 1998-99: Glenn W. James, Tennessee Technological University
- 1999-00: Gerard A. Dizinno, St. Mary's University
- 2000-01: Harriott Calhoun, Jefferson State Community College
- 2001-02: Sam Lowther, Auburn University
- 2002-03: Joseph Hoey, Georgia Institute of Technology
- 2003-04: James Purcell, Georgia College & State University
- 2004-05: Ross Griffith, Wake Forest University
- 2005-06: James Eck, Rollins College
- 2006-07: Lorne Kuffel, College of William & Mary
- 2007-08: Sandi Bramblett, Georgia Institute of Technology
- 2008-09: Michelle Hall, Southeastern Louisiana University
- 2009-10: Bernie Braun, Louisiana State University
- 2010-11: Roy D. Ikenberry, Belmont University
- 2011-12: Denise Gardner, University of Georgia
- 2012-13: Kathleen Morley, Baylor University
- 2013-14: Mary Harrington, University of Mississippi
- 2014-15: Sara Gravitt, Wake Forest University
- 2015-16: Cara Mia Braswell, Auburn University at Montgomery
- 2016-17: Lisa Lord, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- 2017-18: Matthew Campbell, Auburn University
- 2018-19: Julie Fulghum, Retired
- 2019-20: Rick Burnette, Florida State University
- 2020-21: Suzanne Simpson, University of Alabama in Huntsville
- 2021-22: Emily Campbell, River Parishes Community College
