Denny Altes

Robert Dennis Altes, known as Denny Altes (born May 12, 1948) is a former state representative for Arkansas House District 76. A Republican, he is also the former Minority Leader of the Arkansas Senate. From 1999 to 2003, he served previously in the state House from District 14.

Denny Altes
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 76th district
In office January 10, 2011 – January 2015
Preceded by	Frank Glidewell
Succeeded by	Mathew Pitsch
Member of the Arkansas Senate from the 13th district
In office January 13, 2003 – January 10, 2011
Preceded by	Gunnar Delay
Succeeded by	Jake Files
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the 14th district
In office January 11, 1999 – January 13, 2003
Preceded by	W.L. “Mac” McGehee
Succeeded by	Kevin Penix
Personal details
Born	(1948-05-12) May 12, 1948 Houston, Texas, USA
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan Altes
Children	Bobby and Ana Altes
Residence	Fort Smith, Arkansas
Alma mater	Arkansas Tech University University of Arkansas University of Mississippi
Profession	Businessman
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1966–1970
Rank	Military Police
Unit	Panmunjon

Early life and education

Altes was the first graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas before attending Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. In college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Panmunjom, Korea, where he served in the military police. Upon his return he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and later attended graduate school at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He is a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

Career

In 1974, Altes founded Altes Company and Environmental Systems, of which he was the president. From 1982 until 2007, he was president and CEO of Resourect Recycling Inc., which merged with Fibresource, Inc., in 1991.

Before the start of his legislative career, Altes was a justice of the peace for the Sebastian County Quorum Court, equivalent to county commission in other states. In January 1999, he won a special election to serve the remainder of the term of former State Representative W. K. "Mac" McGehee's term in the Arkansas House. In 2000, he sought re-election unopposed for House District 14.

In 2002, Altes ran for the vacated District 13 Senate seat and was re-elected in 2006. In the 86th General Assembly, he served as Senate Minority Leader and Assistant President Pro Tempore.

Altes served on a number of committees in the Arkansas General Assembly. Altes was the chairman of the Joint Performance Review committee and also served on the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) – Senate, Joint Budget Committee, Joint Revenue & Tax – Senate Rules committee, Senate Transportation, and Technology committee and the Insurance and Commerce committee during his time in the Senate. The Arkansas Chapter of American Family Association gave him an 80% evaluation in 2005.

Personal life

He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Bobby and Ana, and six grandchildren, Cole, Caroline, Andrew, Madelyn, Gabriel, and Dallas. Representative Altes and his wife are members of First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, where he serves as a deacon.