Ronnie Flippo

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Ronnie Flippo.png

| image_size = 180px

| state1 = Alabama

| district1 = 5th

| term_start1 = January 3, 1977

| term_end1 = January 3, 1991

| predecessor1 = Robert E. Jones Jr.

| successor1 = Bud Cramer

| office2 = Member of the Alabama Senate

| term_start2 = November 6, 1974

| term_end2 = Abt. 1976{{cite web|url=http://digital.archives.alabama.gov/cdm/compoundobject/collection/register/id/639|website=digital.archives.alabama.gov|title=Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1975 (Chapter 4, Page 1)|accessdate=September 13, 2019}}

| predecessor2 = {{dm|date=February 2020}}

| successor2 = {{dm|date=February 2020}}

| state_house3 = Alabama

| district3 = 1st

| term_start3 = November 4, 1970

| term_end3 = November 6, 1974{{cite web|url=http://digital.archives.alabama.gov/cdm/compoundobject/collection/register/id/624|website=digital.archives.alabama.gov|title=Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1971 (Chapter 4, Page 22)|accessdate=September 13, 2019}}

| predecessor3 =

| successor3 = Lynn Greer

| birth_name =Ronnie Gene Flippo

| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|1937|8|15}}{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1940usfedcen&indiv=try&h=65679982|website=ancestry.com|title=1940 U.S. Census Ronnie Flippo|accessdate=September 13, 2019}}

| birth_place = Florence, Alabama, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democrat

| resting_place =

| alma_mater =University of North Alabama
University of Alabama

| profession = Accountant

| religion =

}}

Ronnie Gene Flippo {{IPAc-en|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.

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.{{cite web | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama | author=Brett Derbes}}

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.{{cite web | author=Brett Derbes | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}

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.{{cite web | author=Brett Derbes | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}

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.{{cite web | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | author=Brett Derbes | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}

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.{{cite web | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | author=Brett Derbes | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}

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.{{cite web | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | author=Brett Derbes | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}

Flippo voted for the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987.{{Cite web |title=TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS S 858, ABANDONED SHIPWRECK … -- House Vote #532 -- March 29, 1988 |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/100-1988/h532 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en}} The Act asserts United States title to certain abandoned shipwrecks located on or embedded in submerged lands under state jurisdiction, and transfers title to the respective state, thereby empowering states to manage these cultural and historical resources more efficiently, with the goal of preventing treasure hunters and salvagers from damaging them. President Ronald Reagan signed it into law on April 28, 1988.{{Cite web |title=Laws - Division of Historical Resources - Florida Department of State |url=https://dos.fl.gov/historical/archaeology/underwater/laws/#:~:text=On%2028%20April%201988,%20President,authority%20over%20those%20abandoned%20shipwrecks. |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=dos.fl.gov}}

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 Paul Hubbert.

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.{{cite web | url=https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/ronnie-flippo/ | author=Brett Derbes | title=Encyclopedia of Alabama}}

He currently resides in Florence, Alabama.