Ronnie Flippo

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.

Ronnie Flippo
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 5th district
In office
January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991
Preceded byRobert E. Jones, Jr.
Succeeded byBud Cramer
Member of the Alabama Senate
In 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 district
In office
November 4, 1970 – November 6, 1974 [2]
Succeeded byLynn Greer
Personal details
Born
Ronnie Gene Flippo

(1937-08-15) August 15, 1937 [3]
Florence, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of North Alabama
University of Alabama
ProfessionAccountant

Early life and education

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]

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

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]

Political career

State legislature

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

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

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.

References
  1. "Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1975 (Chapter 4, Page 1)". digital.archives.alabama.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  2. "Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1971 (Chapter 4, Page 22)". digital.archives.alabama.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  3. "1940 U.S. Census Ronnie Flippo". ancestry.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  4. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
  5. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
  6. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
  7. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
  8. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
  9. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
  10. Brett Derbes. "Encyclopedia of Alabama".
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