Rick Beaman and Ricky Dickson are the 2024 inductees into the Dairy Products Institute of Texas Hall of Fame.

Rick Beaman

Rick Beaman stepped into the role of President at Hiland Dairy in April of 2023, bringing a rich legacy of leadership and expertise in the dairy industry. His career, spanning several decades, is marked by significant contributions to the operational and strategic aspects of dairy processing and distribution. Before his appointment, Beaman played a key role as Hiland’s Vice President/Joint Ventures in expanding Hiland Dairy's reach into Texas, showcasing his dedication to excellence and innovation in the industry.

A Guilford College alumnus, Beaman embarked on his distinguished career with Borden Dairy in 1975, setting the stage for a journey that would see him at the forefront of dairy management and operations. His tenure at Southern Foods as Executive Vice President further honed his skills in navigating the complex dynamics of the dairy industry, preparing him for his role as Chief Operating Officer of the Western Region of Dean Foods. Before joining Hiland Dairy, Beaman demonstrated his leadership prowess as President of LaLa USA in Dallas, Texas, underscoring his ability to steer companies toward success in competitive markets.

Beyond his executive roles, Rick Beaman has made significant contributions to the dairy industry through his involvement with various boards and councils. He currently serves on the MilkPEP board and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, showcasing his dedication to promoting dairy consumption and supporting community sports initiatives. His past board positions with the IDFA, Milk Industry Foundation, McDonald's Dairy Council, American Red Cross, and various retail food organizations reflect his broad impact on both the dairy industry and community well-being.

Beaman is passionate about advancing Hiland Dairy's legacy by investing in product quality, plant improvements, and workforce development. Beaman is committed to delivering high-quality, nutritious dairy products that meet the evolving needs of consumers, underscoring his vision for Hiland Dairy's future.

Ricky Dickson

Ricky Dickson began his career with Blue Bell on January 1, 1981, as a territory manager in Dallas, Texas. In 1982, he moved to Fort Worth to become sales manager and in 1984, was promoted to branch manager in San Antonio. He transferred to Oklahoma City and Tulsa when each of those branches opened.

In 1992, Dickson was named assistant Dallas/Fort Worth division manager. He transferred to Kansas City as branch manager in 1993 and returned to Tulsa later that year. In 1994, he was named Midwest division manager. Four years later, he became general manager of the Broken Arrow plant yet remained involved in sales, particularly with the Wal-Mart account. He was named general sales manager in 2003. In 2010, he was appointed as vice president of sales and marketing and to serve as a director on the Blue Bell Board of Directors. In 2017, he was promoted to president, and in 2019, he was elected CEO and president of the Company. After 43 years of service, Dickson retired from Blue Bell in March of 2024.

Dickson has always been involved in community organizations and continues to do so. While living in Oklahoma, he served two terms on the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He has been a Rotary member since 1990, was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 2009 and is past president of the Rotary Club of Washington County.

Dickson was president of Faith Mission from 2009 - 2022, a local ecumenical Christian-based non-profit organization created to assist the homeless and working poor in the community and has been involved with the organization since 2006. Dickson was chairman of the Dairy Products Institute of Texas board from 2021-2022 and served as Ice Cream Board chair for the International Dairy Food Association in 2021-2023. He was ordained as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in San Antonio in 1987 and was chair of deacons at Central Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas in 2022. Dickson and his wife Anita have five children and eight grandchildren.