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.