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.