Bill Flores

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 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 39 years
Sons — Will and John
Two precious granddaughters and a grandson