Dr. Tipps served in the United States Air Force as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. from 1970 to 1972. He established in private practice in Chattanooga in 1972. He is affiliated with most of the major hospitals in the area.

Dr. Tipps is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Chattanooga Area Dental Society, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, American Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association and International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Tipps also serves on the Advisory Board of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.