Ricky Dickson Former President & CEO of Blue Bell Creameries Episode 289
Ricky Dickson is the former President and CEO of Blue Bell Creameries, one of America’s most beloved ice cream brands. After 43 years with the company, Ricky's leadership legacy is steeped in faith, humility, and an unwavering commitment to people and product integrity. From a young territory manager trying to conquer a new market to leading the company through one of its biggest crises, Ricky’s story is a testament to servant leadership and doing business the right way—one scoop at a time.
In this episode, Brad sits down with Ricky for a rich and honest conversation about faith, leadership, crisis, and of course… ice cream. Ricky reflects on his early days as a track runner and business student, shares the remarkable story of how a college paper led to a four-decade career at Blue Bell, and opens up about the company’s darkest hour—when a pathogen was discovered in the product and Blue Bell had to shut down all operations. Through it all, Ricky’s story is full of wisdom, warmth, and integrity. His commitment to people, product quality, and transparency has shaped not just a brand, but a culture.
“Once you compromise on quality, what’s to stop you from compromising again?” – Ricky Dickson
“Go humble, but go confident—and know that you are influencing those around you, whether you realize it or not.” – Ricky Dickson
“We are in the people business. Both on the producing side and the enjoying side.” – Ricky Dickson
This Week on The Wow Factor:
Ricky’s upbringing in San Antonio, Texas, and the Christian foundation laid by his parents
How a college paper on Blue Bell led to his first job—and ultimately a 43-year career
The values that shaped Blue Bell’s culture and why people stayed with the company for decades
What makes ice cream “premium”—a behind-the-scenes look at overrun, butterfat, and flavor design
Why Blue Bell refused to shrink its carton size or skimp on ingredients—even when costs surged
A leadership masterclass in how to love people well, even when it's time for them to move on
The 2015 pathogen crisis: how it started, how Blue Bell responded, and how God showed up in the storm
Rebuilding trust with customers, employees, and regulators—and doing it without compromising values
The surprising legal “letter” from a law firm begging for the return of a discontinued flavor
Ricky Dickson’s Word of Wisdom:
Dream big. The day you stop dreaming is the day you start dying—and the day you find a God-given dream is the day you truly start living. Whether you're starting something new or leading a company, do it with humility, confidence, and gratitude. You're influencing people with how you live, not just what you say.
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