Ronnie Gene Flippo/ˈflɪpoʊ/ (born August 15, 1937) is an American politician and accountant who served seven terms as a United States Congressman from Alabama from 1977 to 1991.
Flippo was born August 15, 1937, in Florence, Alabama, to Claude Nathaniel Flippo and Esther McAfee. Claude Flippo was killed in a construction accident in 1943.[4]
In 1955 Ronnie graduated from Coffee High School in 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 a Tennessee Valley Authority steam plant in 1961. He survived, but was hospitalized for more than a year with major injuries.[6]
Flippo worked as a CPA after 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]
In 1976, incumbent congressman Robert 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 the Democratic 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 the Bankhead National Forest.[9]
He served in the House until 1991, when he retired from his seat to run for Governor of Alabama. He was defeated in his bid, finishing fourth in a field led by eventual winner Fob James.
Later careeredit
After leaving politics, Flippo founded a private management consulting firm, R.G. Flippo & Associates. He served on several boards and governing bodies, including the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, the Alabama Commission on Infrastructure, and the University of North Alabama Foundation.[10]
He currently resides in Florence, Alabama.
Referencesedit
^"Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1975 (Chapter 4, Page 1)". digital.archives.alabama.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
^"Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1971 (Chapter 4, Page 22)". digital.archives.alabama.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
^"1940 U.S. Census Ronnie Flippo". ancestry.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
ronnie, flippo, ronnie, gene, flippo, born, august, 1937, american, politician, accountant, served, seven, terms, united, states, congressman, from, alabama, from, 1977, 1991, member, house, representatives, from, alabama, districtin, office, january, 1977, ja. Ronnie Gene Flippo ˈ f l ɪ p oʊ born August 15 1937 is an American politician and accountant who served seven terms as a United States Congressman from Alabama from 1977 to 1991 Ronnie FlippoMember of the U S House of Representatives from Alabama s 5th districtIn office January 3 1977 January 3 1991Preceded byRobert E Jones Jr Succeeded byBud CramerMember of the Alabama SenateIn office November 6 1974 Abt 1976 1 Preceded by data missing Succeeded by data missing Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 1st districtIn office November 4 1970 November 6 1974 2 Succeeded byLynn GreerPersonal detailsBornRonnie Gene Flippo 1937 08 15 August 15 1937 age 86 3 Florence Alabama U S Political partyDemocraticAlma materUniversity of North Alabama University of AlabamaProfessionAccountant Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Early career 3 Political career 3 1 State legislature 3 2 Congress 4 Later career 5 References 6 External linksEarly life and education editFlippo was born August 15 1937 in Florence Alabama to Claude Nathaniel Flippo and Esther McAfee Claude Flippo was killed in a construction accident in 1943 4 In 1955 Ronnie graduated from Coffee High School in 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 a Tennessee Valley Authority steam plant in 1961 He survived but was hospitalized for more than a year with major injuries 6 He then attended the University of North Alabama and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting This was followed up by a master s degree in accounting from the University of Alabama Early career editFlippo worked as a CPA after 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 editState legislature edit In 1970 he successfully ran as a Democrat for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives After one term he gave up his State House seat for a successful run for the Alabama Senate Congress edit In 1976 incumbent congressman Robert 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 the Democratic 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 the Bankhead National Forest 9 He served in the House until 1991 when he retired from his seat to run for Governor of Alabama He was defeated in his bid finishing fourth in a field led by eventual winner Fob James Later career editAfter leaving politics Flippo founded a private management consulting firm R G Flippo amp Associates He served on several boards and governing bodies including the Potomac 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 Retrieved September 13 2019 Alabama Official and Statistical Register 1971 Chapter 4 Page 22 digital archives alabama gov Retrieved September 13 2019 1940 U S Census Ronnie Flippo ancestry com Retrieved September 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 editUnited States Congress Ronnie Flippo id F000208 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Appearances on C SPANU S House of RepresentativesPreceded byRobert E Jones Jr Member of the U S House of Representatives from Alabama s 5th congressional district1977 1991 Succeeded byBud CramerU S order of precedence ceremonial Preceded byJudy Biggertas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United Statesas Former US Representative Succeeded byBeryl Anthony Jr as Former US Representative Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ronnie Flippo amp oldid 1194669532, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
