Ronnie Flippo
Ronnie Flippo | |
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Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromAlabama's5thdistrict | |
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991 | |
Preceded by | Robert E. Jones, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Bud Cramer |
Member of theAlabama Senate | |
In office November 6, 1974 – Abt. 1976[1] | |
Preceded by | [data missing] |
Succeeded by | [data missing] |
Member of theAlabama House of Representatives from the1stdistrict | |
In office November 4, 1970 – November 6, 1974[2] | |
Succeeded by | Lynn Greer |
Personal details | |
Born | Ronnie Gene Flippo August 15, 1937[3] Florence, Alabama,U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Alma mater | University of North Alabama University of Alabama |
Profession | Accountant |
Ronnie Gene Flippo/ˈflɪpoʊ/(born August 15, 1937) is an American politician and accountant who served seven terms as a United StatesCongressmanfromAlabamafrom 1977 to 1991.
Early life and education
[edit]Flippo was born August 15, 1937, inFlorence, Alabama,to Claude Nathaniel Flippo and Esther McAfee. Claude Flippo was killed in a construction accident in 1943.[4]
In 1955 Ronnie graduated fromCoffee High Schoolin Florence. After high school, he began work as an iron worker. In 1958, he married Faye Cooper, with whom he would have six children.[5]
Like his father, Ronnie suffered a significant construction accident, falling 55 feet while working at aTennessee Valley Authoritysteam plant in 1961. He survived, but was hospitalized for more than a year with major injuries.[6]
He then attended theUniversity of North Alabamaand earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. This was followed up by a master's degree in accounting from theUniversity of Alabama.
Early career
[edit]Flippo worked as aCPAafter graduating from college, eventually starting his own accounting firm in 1971. He also taught accounting at UNA prior to running for the state legislature.[7]
Political career
[edit]State legislature
[edit]In 1970, he successfully ran as aDemocratfor a seat in theAlabama House of Representatives.After one term, he gave up his State House seat for a successful run for theAlabama Senate.
Congress
[edit]In 1976, incumbent congressmanRobert E. Jones, Jr.retired, necessitating a special election to fill the vacancy. Flippo won the runoff on November 2, 1976. He developed a reputation as a conservative Democrat, supporting business interests and fiscally conservative budgets. In 1980, he addresses theDemocratic National Convention,speaking about the role of the Democratic Party in the American South.[8]
During his tenure, he was a leader on tax reform issues, as well as the debate on the modernization of the Tennessee Valley Authority. He also led a successful three-year legislative battle to protect 28,000 acres in the Sipsey Wilderness Area within theBankhead National Forest.[9]
He served in the House until 1991, when he retired from his seat to run forGovernor of Alabama.He was defeated in his bid, finishing fourth in a field led by eventual winnerFob James.
Later career
[edit]After leaving politics, Flippo founded a privatemanagement consultingfirm, R.G. Flippo & Associates. He served on several boards and governing bodies, including thePotomac Institute for Policy Studies,the Alabama Commission on Infrastructure, and the University of North Alabama Foundation.[10]
He currently resides in Florence, Alabama.
References
[edit]- ^"Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1975 (Chapter 4, Page 1)".digital.archives.alabama.gov.RetrievedSeptember 13,2019.
- ^"Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1971 (Chapter 4, Page 22)".digital.archives.alabama.gov.RetrievedSeptember 13,2019.
- ^"1940 U.S. Census Ronnie Flippo".ancestry.RetrievedSeptember 13,2019.
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
- ^Brett Derbes."Encyclopedia of Alabama".
External links
[edit]- United States Congress."Ronnie Flippo (id: F000208)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- AppearancesonC-SPAN
- 1937 births
- Living people
- Democratic Party Alabama state senators
- American members of the Churches of Christ
- Democratic Party members of the Alabama House of Representatives
- Politicians from Florence, Alabama
- University of Alabama alumni
- University of North Alabama alumni
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama
- Members of Congress who became lobbyists