PAUL KRUSE RETIRING AS PRESIDENT OF BLUE BELL

  

Paul Kruse is retiring as President of Blue Bell Creameries and as the Chairman on its Board of Directors.

Kruse began working at Blue Bell in 1986 and was elected CEO and President of the company in 2004. He will remain on the board.

“We are grateful to Paul for his 30 years of dedicated service to the company and for his strong leadership,” board member John Barnhill said.

The Blue Bell Creameries Board of Directors announced today that Jim Kruse has been named Chairman of the Board and Ricky Dickson has been promoted to President of Blue Bell Creameries. Greg Bridges has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Plant Operations. These changes are effective immediately.

Jim Kruse, the son of former Blue Bell President Howard Kruse, currently serves as the President of Bank of Brenham. Previously, Jim served as the Controller and Vice President of Information Technology at Blue Bell. After 20 years at Blue Bell, Jim became the Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis of Industry Bancshares in Industry, Texas, and then the Executive Vice President of Investments and Business Development at Bank of Brenham.

“I am honored to step into the position of Chairman of the Board, and look forward to continuing to serve the company and our employees and working together to provide the best ice cream in the country,” Jim Kruse said.

Dickson has worked at Blue Bell for 36 years. Before being named President, he served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing where he oversaw planning, implementing sales and marketing programs for Blue Bell, and designed future growth strategies. Dickson previously served as General Sales Manager, General Manager of the Blue Bell production facility in Broken Arrow, Okla., Midwest Division Manager, and Branch Manager.

“I am honored by the Board’s confidence in me and humbled by the opportunity to lead this great company after a man who I admire and respect, Paul Kruse,” Dickson said. “Blue Bell is indeed the best ice cream in the country, and we have the best employees in the country, too. I look forward to working with them to continue bringing our great ice cream to consumers.”