Bill Flores
Bill Flores is a ninth generation Texan, raised in Stratford, a small town in the Texas Panhandle. He serves the 17th Congressional District of Texas.
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. Flores earned his Texas Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) license in 1978 and graduated from Houston Baptist University with MBA degree in 1985.
In 1978, Flores married a Stratford girl, Gina Bass. He and Gina reside in Bryan, Texas, where they are members of Central Baptist Church.
Flores 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. He was 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 House Veterans' Affairs Committee. In 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