SHORT BIOGRAPHY
A ninth-generation Texan, Congressman Bill Flores was elected in 2010 to join the 112th Congress as a Member of the House of Representatives for the 17th District of Texas. Following his formal education, he used his undergraduate degree in Accounting, an MBA, and licensure as a CPA to advance through progressively higher-impact leadership ranks during his 30-plus year career in finance and energy. During that career, he served as a “C” level officer in the energy business for over 20 years, where he helped create hundreds of well-paying American jobs in private and privately held companies. Prior to retiring from the private sector in late 2009 to run for public office, Bill served as President and CEO of Phoenix Exploration Company, a successful and rapidly growing exploration and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas. In the 114th Congress, Bill was selected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Republican Study Committee, the largest and most impactful caucus in the U.S. Congress. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he has helped facilitate legislation to advance U.S. energy dominance and innovation.
FULL BIOGRAPHY
Bill Flores is a ninth generation Texan, raised in Stratford, a small town in the Texas Panhandle.
While growing up in this agricultural community, he learned the value of hard work, starting at age nine by working cattle with his Dad, followed by having his own paper routes, and working six days per week, 12 hours per day in the ag industry during his middle school and high school years. He became an entrepreneur early in life by starting a small cattle herd at age 12 which ultimately grew into the Rafter O Cattle Company, a partnership with his three brothers which at its peak owned over 500 head of cattle.
He paid his own way through college, graduating with honors from Texas A&M University in 1976 with a BBA in Accounting.
Earned Texas Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) license in 1978
Married a Stratford girl, Gina Bass, in 1978
Graduated from Houston Baptist University with MBA degree in 1985
He and Gina reside in Bryan, Texas, where they are members of Central Baptist Church.
Worked for a “Big 8” accounting firm for a few years, followed by 30 years in the oil & gas business, 20 of which were in “C” level positions for public and private companies; culminating as President and CEO of Phoenix Exploration Company, one of the fastest growing companies in Houston during 2006-2008.
In 2009, frustrated by the destructive legislation coming out of Washington, he retired from the private sector to run for Congress. In November 2010, he beat an incumbent Congressman by the largest margin of victory that election cycle.
In Congress, he serves on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Committee on the Budget; and for the 114th Congress, his House colleagues elected him to serve as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest and most influential caucus in the U.S. Congress.
Current governance positions:
- Vice-Chairman, Houston Baptist University Board of Trustees
- Board of Directors, Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI)
- Board of Directors, Texas A&M Private Enterprise Research Center (PERC)
- External Advisory Board, Texas A&M Energy Institute
Recognitions and Awards:
- 2004 — Texas A&M Mays Business School “Outstanding Alumnus” award
- 2010 — Texas A&M University “Distinguished Alumnus” award
- 2011 — Texas Tech University Ranching Heritage Association “Boss of the Plains” award
- 2012 — Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets “Hall of Honor” recognition
- 2013 — Houston Baptist University “Distinguished Alumnus” award
- Recipient of numerous awards related to Congressional service
Family:
- Spouse — Gina, married 40 years
- Sons — Will and John
- Two precious granddaughters and two grandsons
