On January 6, 2006, the Tennessee Supreme Court appointed Calvin Craig Fitzhugh to serve a three-year term as a Board member for the Board of Professional Responsibility. Mr. Fitzhugh replaces outgoing Board member Mark L. Hayes who served from January 1, 2000 to December, 2005.

Calvin Craig Fitzhugh is chairman and CEO of the Bank of Ripley (Tenn.) and represents Tennessee’s 82nd legislative district as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. As Chairman of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee, Fitzhugh leads analysis and approval of the State of Tennessee’s $25 billion annual budget.

First elected to the House in 1994, Fitzhugh has been recognized in recent years for introducing innovative budgeting practices and bringing refreshing order to the State’s budget process. Known for strong financial acumen and fiscal conservatism, Fitzhugh led legislative change to reform the state’s antiquated budget processes to include strategic planning and performance-based budgeting, creating competition for appropriations in Tennessee state government.

In private business, Fitzhugh has served as the senior executive of the Bank of Ripley since 1992. Under Fitzhugh’s leadership The Bank of Ripley has been hailed by the banking industry for its strategic initiatives, advanced technological applications and customer service programs that have earned it six State Quality Awards. The bank has grown to four locations in West Tennessee.

Born in Brownsville, Tenn., in 1950, Fitzhugh was raised in Ripley. He became the first member of his family to attend college, selecting the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he earned an undergraduate degree in banking and finance in 1972 and his law degree in 1975.

Fitzhugh served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976-1980 as a Captain in The Judge Advocate General Corp. and served an additional 8 years as a Major in the Air Force Reserve.

He engaged in the general practice of law as a partner in the firm of Caldwell & Fitzhugh until 1992 when he became president of the Bank of Ripley.

Fitzhugh is active in business, youth and civic activities in Ripley. Through the Bank of Ripley, he created a grant program that has provided more than $200,000 to supplement classroom resources for teachers in Lauderdale County.

Fitzhugh has been married for 32 years to Lauderdale County native Pam Fitzhugh, who works with hearing impaired children in the community. The Fitzhughs have two children, Elizabeth, a first grade teacher at Ripley Primary School, and Tom, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

The Board of Professional Responsibility is fortunate to have Mr. Fitzhugh as its newest member.