C. R. "Bob" Montgomery papers

Carl R. "Bob" Montgomery was born in Canton, Mississippi on September 2, 1939. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Mississippi State University in 1961 where he was student body president and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1966. That same year he was admitted to the Bar in Mississippi. From 1962 to 1964 he served in the U. S. Army, rising to the rank of Captain. Senator Montgomery is married to the former Margaret Ann Riley and they have four children, Kathleen, Meg, Sarah Elizabeth, and Polly Claire.

In 1967, Senator Montgomery became the founding partner in what is now the Law Firm of Montgomery, McGraw, Collins and Rand. With this firm he specialized in civil litigation, medical malpractice, government relations and health care issues. In 1980, Montgomery was elected to the State Senate and soon after became chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, serving in that post from 1984-1991. He also served on the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Joint Housing Finance Oversight Committee. He resigned from the Legislature in January 1992. He was described by his peers as one of the best speakers in the State Legislature.

During his time in the State Senate, Montgomery was instrumental in passing the Economic Planning and Development Act of 1987 which created a process for developing an economic development plan in Mississippi. He was also instrumental in passing the Mississippi Business Investment Act.

Some of Senator Montgomery's personal and professional affiliations include: Board member of the Public Employees Retirement System, past president of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and was named that body's man of the year in 1976, President of the National MSU Alumni Association, General Council for the MACM (Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi), and membership of the Board of Directors of the MSU Foundation.