Biography
Rick W. Allen was elected to represent Georgia’s 12th District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014. Prior to his election to Congress, Rick spent his career starting and building his own business from the ground up. At the age of 25, he founded the construction company R.W. Allen & Associates, which has enhanced economic development in Georgia and created thousands of jobs in the Augusta and Athens communities for 50 years.
As a conservative, small businessman, Rick knows firsthand what it takes to live within a budget, make payroll and successfully grow a business. His extensive business background guides his commitment to promoting policies that allow the private sector to thrive and fighting against regulatory burdens the federal government is placing on the backs of business owners.
Rick is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, one of the oldest standing committees of the House of Representatives with broad jurisdiction over such issues as health care, energy policy, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. Rick is also a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which focuses on strengthening our nation’s schools and expanding opportunities for Americans in the modern workplace.
The son of a farmer, Rick is proud to have served on the House Committee on Agriculture for eight years, working as an advocate for farmers in Washington and shaping legislation to bolster Georgia’s number one industry.
Rick graduated from Auburn University’s School of Architecture and Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction. He and his wife, Robin, have been married for over 50 years and reside in Augusta. Together, they raised four children and are the proud grandparents of fourteen grandchildren and great grandparents to one great grandchild.
In addition to being a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Rick is an active member of Trinity on the Hill Global Methodist Church. He is also involved in a number of different business and civic organizations in his community and has earned a reputation as a principled business leader. In 2008, he received the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award and took part in the first class of Leadership Augusta in 1980. In 2011, Rick was also inducted into the CSRA Business Hall of Fame.
Members of the House are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing the interests of their constituents, and providing oversight of the executive branch. Key powers include drafting bills, serving on committees, approving the federal budget, and voting on matters of national policy, including declarations of war and presidential impeachments.