Mike Woods

Mike started in the dairy business in 1974 at Midwest Farms in Texarkana, TX. His first job was in maintenance where he learned how every piece of equipment in the dairy worked. He learned the process of ordering ice cream, ancillary products like sour cream, cottage cheese, etc and raw milk. He learned as much as possible about quality control and the lab and became the liaison between the health department and the operation. Promotions followed and he held the position of Plant Manager when he left Midwest.

Mike started with Foremost Dairy in Dallas, TX in 1983 as a supervisor. He continued his "on-the-job" training and once again served as the liaison between the health department and the operation. He was challenged to get their newly acquired ice cream plant in Fort Worth up and running. Promotions followed and he ended up running the operation as Co-Plant Manager.

The next stop was with Borden Dairy in Madison Heights, Ml. He started his career with Borden as a Superintendent. He gained much of his extensive knowledge of machinery and equipment at this "mega-plant". He also learned the process of making cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt. Following a promotion to General Superintendent he took over responsibility for the vault. He also continued to serve as liaison between the health department and the operation. He negotiated a five- year labor agreement with the union the longest agreement ever achieved by Borden. 1990 saw Mike in St. Louis, MO as General Manager of a bottled water plant. He revamped the operation doubling the water filling capacity and the number blow molds. He also tripled the production of "belly wash" (Kool-Aid).

Mike returned "home" to Texas in 1993 as Plant Manager with Borden in Tyler, TX. That tenure was short-lived as Borden transferred him to their Dallas plant. Working with the City of Dallas, he received their annual "Blue Thumb Award" for BOD reductions seven different times. He also received his SOF certification. Mike continued to work with the health department and made a lifelong friend in Rabi Shaw as he worked to ensure kosher products from the farm to the store. Extensive growth in the operation occurred over his 18 years of service with the addition of a new vault and a new warehouse. The filling floor was re-designed and five new fillers were added. PET was also added for quarts, pints, and half-pints. The Red Diamond Tea brand flourished. One of the biggest changes was the upgraded digitalization of all controls and processes. New bagging and de-bagging equipment was installed in the blow mold operation and the case room evolved from floor-chain drive to pallets. During his years in Dallas, Mike served as president of the Dallas Fort Worth Dairy Society. He received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career including Dairyman of the Year in 2007.

Mike joined HEB in San Antonio, TX in 2011. He doesn't even remember his title, but his responsibilities included managing the fluid milk production, the bottled water operation, cultured products, UHT, and Greek yogurt. He was the first partner to receive the bottled and vending water operations certification from the Texas Dept of Health. Numerous upgrades and improvements were made to the facility during his tenure. HEB tasked Mike with training up and coming plant managers and he loved sharing his extensive knowledge with anxious, young partners. He thrived as a mentor and teacher and received the Harvey Mabry Excellence in Management Award.

In January of 2018, Mike received the biggest promotion of his career to become a full-time poppa, house husband, and honey doer! He often advises people to never retire because the honey do list never ends. The phone still rings with requests for advice, consultations, and questions. He enjoys catching up with these former colleagues, but continues to find satisfaction and fulfillment in his new career.

Murry Bain

Murray Bain was born and raised in Ontario Canada.

He attended Fanshawe College in London Ontario majoring in Music and Recording Engineering. After graduating he moved to the Niagara region of Ontario where he helped build the first Digital recording studio in North America. After working in the recording business for a few years he switched careers moving into a more stable manufacturing industry.

Murray has been working in the Dairy Packaging Industry with Stanpac for almost 40 years. He has served as Vice President of Marketing since 1990. He honed his marketing skills by attending the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University in London Ontario.

He is married to his wife Beverley, has 2 grown daughters, plus Bev's daughter.

He has served DPI of Texas as a Longhorn member and through various roles including President.

He has just finished his term as President of the Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators, is currently Chair of the Board at a local Hospice and serves as Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Mark Patranella

Mark Alan Patranella was born and raised in Bryan Texas and graduated from Texas A & M University in May, 1982, with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He began at Blue Bell Creameries in May, 1982, as Purchasing Agent and was named Manager of Purchasing and Receiving in February, 1993. (35 yrs at Blue Bell).

Mark is Past President and member of Brenham Noon Lions Club, Past President of Brenham Gun and Rod Club, and Past President of Washington County A&M Club.

Past Secretary - Washington County Chamber of Commerce Blue Blazers
Past Director - Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Past President/Coach - Washington County Little League
Past Officer - Brenham High School Athletic Booster Club
Past Board Member - First Baptist Church School

2012 he was inducted into Tyrus Timm Honor Registry of Former Students, Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University.

Mark and wife Debbie have been married 36 years. Their Son and Daughter in Law are Mason and Kaci Patranella, Grandson is Kyle.

Mark’s Hobbies are Hunting, fishing, and following Aggie Sports. He also enjoys spending time on the family farm in Brazos County.

Mark is a longtime Active member of Dairy Products Institute of Texas, (About 25 years), serving as past Chairman and as a Board member since 1995-1996 and I know he attended DPI outings prior to that.

David Jones

David grew up on a dairy in Franklinton, Louisiana. After graduating from LSU he began a career in the dairy industry working for Dairymen Inc. He held various positions with DI in Louisiana and North Carolina until the merger with Mid-Am when he relocated to Kansas City.

He moved to Texas in 98' when Mid-Am and AMPI merged with two other regional cooperatives to form Dairy Farmers of America. As Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer he gave oversight to both the Southwest and for a short period the Mountain regions of DFA.

During his tenure here he was instrumental in creating the Greater Southwest Agency, served on the Board of Southwest Cheese, and facilitated the expansion of balancing plants and transportation equipment as production in the area tripled in volume. He retired at the end of last year.

David has been Chairman of DPI and on the Board of Directors since 1998.

He and his wife, Melinda have moved to North Carolina where they can be close to their two daughters and five grandchildren.

Chuck Riley

Chuck was born in Plainview, Tx in 1949. The family relocated to Irving, Tx. in 1955 where he attended school grades 1-12. Graduating from Texas A & M University in 1971 with a BS Degree in Animal Science and completing 4 years in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant as a Chemical Officer and stationed and served at Ft. McClellan, Al., and Ft. Sill, OK.

Chuck married Sherry Sandlin and raised two children, Matt and Deborah, both adults living in DFW area.

He begin his working career with Armour Foods in Quality Assurance and Production Management. He then joined Frito-Lay, Inc. and worked for 5 years in the Semi-Work Division of R&D Group managing all Quality Assurance activities at the 3 plants in this Division.

Setting his sights on sales to the Food Processing Industry, he was hired by BASF Wyandotte (Later becoming Diversey-Wyandotte Chemical Specialties Company). He worked for DW 11 years covering Texas and 6 other states as Territory Mgr., District Sales Mgr., and Regional Sales Mgr.

Chuck joined Waukesha Cherry Burrell Process Equipment Company and for 10 years was District Sales Manager covering Tx., Ok., Ar., & Mo. Waukesha was purchased by SPX and he took an early retirement package and briefly worked with a Waukesha Distributor in DFW area, before joining Chr. Hansen, Inc. supplying cultures, enzymes, natural colors and dairy flavors to the Dairy Processing Industry for 10 yrs.

Chuck has 2 wonderful Granddaughters, Chloe, who is almost 6 yrs. old and Riley, who is 4. They both attend Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco, TX. Chuck says, “Chloe and Riley are the joy of my live.”

Chuck was offered a job at Harvill Industries in Dallas 18 months ago where he wanted to go back to his 1st love of Food Processing Equipment Sales. He hopes he has left in him one more successful sales territory to build.

He loves the Sales Process, building trust with clients and prospects and providing equipment solutions to help them provide high-quality products to their customers at the best price unit they can achieve.

Chuck says, As Willie Nelson says, “Woke up this morning, still not dead.” Hope to continue as many future mornings as possible.

DAIRY PRODUCTS INSTITUTE OF TEXAS

HALL OF FAME

N. Dale Finch, Connie Tipton, and Marvin Carr are the 2016 inductees into the Dairy Products Institute of Texas Hall of Fame.

N. Dale Finch

Dale’s career began in the Dairy Industry at Texas Tech in 1961 under the teaching of Dr. Willingham, Dr. Peeples and Max Miller and finished with Dairy Foods of America working with David Jones in 2002.  After Texas Tech, he went to Michigan State University and graduated with a Master of Science under Dr. Stine. Other men that helped with his degree were Dr. Harmon, Dr. Trout, Bob Bradley and Lee Blakely. 

Earl Collins of Bell Dairy had purchased Creamland Dairies just before Dale graduated from MSU and he worked there with James Collins.  In 1978 Dean Foods purchased the Southwest companies of Bell, Creamland, Price’s and Baskin Robbins Southwest. He was moved to Dean Foods Corporate in Chicago in 1984 and became Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the dairy companies throughout the United States and Baskin Robbins Southwest and Northern BR companies.  Ken Douglas and Howard Dean were at that time CEO and President respectively. After Dean he worked for Mike Cameron of Seattle, Washington. Then Hugh Preston of Preston Milk of Burkburnet asked him to partner with him and Dale brought Jim Graham into the organization as President.  Joe Gore and David Beane hired Dale as President to work with Mickey Williams, General Manager, of Pure Milk in Waco.

Dale has said numerous times “There have been so many wonderful people that were invaluably instrumental in his 41 year career that he wishes he could name every last one.”

He and his wife Mary of 55 years have retired to the Finch Family Farm that was started by his great grandparents where they raise registered polled Herefords.

Connie Tipton

Connie Tipton has been a senior executive of The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) for nearly 35 years and was named President and CEO in January 2004. She joined the organization staff in 1981. During her tenure, Connie has led successful legislative campaigns to lessen government involvement in regulations that reduce dairy product marketability. She also assisted in passing legislation to create the famous "milk mustache" campaign and helped to launch such well-known programs as the Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party.

Connie also has served on numerous committees and boards related to agriculture and trade policy with special emphasis on dairy and sugar policies. Her leadership at IDFA, as well as within other organizations representing food, agriculture, business political activity, manufacturing and the Capitol Hill community, has enhanced IDFA’s strong position for representing its members before Congress and administrative agencies, and bolstered the role that IDFA plays in the trade association community.

During her long career serving the dairy foods industry, Connie has been recognized for her achievements in many areas. In 2015, she was awarded the George Washington Spirit Award, which celebrates individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, for her contributions to her profession and community. In 2014, the Bryce Harlow Foundation honored Connie by selecting her to receive its Business-Government Relations Award. In 2009, Connie was named Association Executive of the Year by Association Trends magazine, and in 2002, she was identified by two Capitol Hill publications as one of the top trade association lobbyists in Washington.

Originally from Ohio, Connie studied journalism at Ohio State University before moving to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where she has resided for more than 40 years.

Marvin Carr

Marvin has worked 47 years in the Dairy Industry, 16 years of these were in Ice Cream and Milk Processing and 31 years in Engineering, Sales and Installation.

His journey started in 1969 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He entered into a training program with Carnation Company. Within 18 months, he was promoted to Ice Cream Plant Manager. In 1974 - he was transferred to Tulsa, Oklahoma as Plant Manager of the Ice Cream Department. In 1978 - he was transferred to Oakland, California as Ice Cream Plant Manager.

Marvin worked with Southland Corporation from 1979 to 1985. He was Ice Cream Plant Manager in Miami, Florida at Velda Farms – Milk Plant Manager in Winter Haven, Florida at Velda Farms and then Milk Plant Manger at Velda Farms in Miami, Florida. Marvin was transferred to Specialty Products in McKinney, Texas as Plant Manager and was later promoted to Operations Manager.

In 1985 Marvin left the processing side and entered into engineering and installation. He worked for Alloy Equipment as Process Engineer until 1987.

Marvin started working at APV Crepaco in Irving, Texas. He spent 10 years as Process Engineer in Dairy Processing and Ammonia Refrigeration.

In 1997 Marvin moved to Crouch Engineering as Senior Process Engineer. In 2005 he was promoted to Vice President of Engineering. Marvin is currently managing Crouch Supply Co, Inc and Crouch Engineering.

Marvin has been involved in the Texas Longhorns, TAMFES and DPI. He is a past President of the Texas Longhorns. Marvin has been married to his wife Corliss for 48 years. They have two children, son Gary Carr and wife Edi, daughter Tracy McCown and husband Ron McCown. They have five grandchildren, Shiloh, Chelsi, Garett, Sheldon and Nathan.

Marvin serves as a Deacon in his Church.

His hobbies are fishing, camping, and spending time with his family.