What started with an adventurouse college term paper opened the door to an amazing forty three year career. As I step into the next phase of life, I’ve been inspired to share some of the highlights of my journey as well some of the faith building struggles. All by living life, one scoop at a time.   I wanted to also share that one can find peace in the middle of the storm,by placing their faith and trust in God. Hopefully this book will bring enjoyment, laughter, and hope in difficult times, by looking up instead of within for peace that passes all understanding. I feel like there’s not a better time than now to recap some of these incredible moments. 

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Few things bring us to our knees as quickly as fear, but sometimes, that’s exactly where we need to be.

Today, it’s easy to get stuck in the constant news cycle of fear that leaves us feeling paralyzed and holds us back from achieving our potential. But in One Scoop at a Time, Ricky Dickson, President and CEO of Blue Bell Creameries, reminds us that when we stop letting fear dictate our lives and start letting faith call the shots, we’re capable of becoming not only better leaders, but better people.

How do we face our fears and move forward in spite of them? How do we find the courage to trust God?

Sharing stories of faith, family, and success over his forty-three years at Blue Bell Creameries, Ricky invites you into an intimate look at his relationship with God as he navigated challenges and sought growth both in his personal life and as a leader. Lighthearted and filled with Ricky’s humor and wisdom, grab your ice cream as Ricky shares his journey from fear to faith, One Scoop at a Time.

About the Author

Ricky Dickson, retired CEO and President of Blue Bell Creameries, graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in marketing and journalism. He began his career with Blue Bell in 1981 as a territory manager in Dallas. He transferred to the Fort Worth branch in 1982 and became sales manager. In 1984, he was promoted to San Antonio branch manager. He transferred to Oklahoma City and then to Tulsa when each of those branches opened.

In 1992, Ricky 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. He was named Midwest division manager in 1994. Four years later, he became general manager of the Broken Arrow plant but continued to stay involved in sales, particularly with the Walmart account. Ricky was named general sales manager in 2003 and moved to Brenham. In 2010, he was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing and was also appointed to serve as a director on the Blue Bell Board of Directors.

In 2017, he was promoted to company president, and in 2019, he was elected CEO and president of Blue Bell Creameries. In 2024, Ricky received the International Dairy Foods Association Laureate Award for his significant, prolonged contributions to the development and growth of dairy. He was also inducted into the Dairy Products Institute of Texas Hall of Fame.

  • “Simply...this is a story that needs to be heard. One of courage, one of loyalty, one of leadership and most importantly one of faith. Ricky Dickson’s four decade plus professional journey to the CEO chair of one of America’s most beloved brands in itself would be noteworthy but to ascend into leadership just as the company faced its most critical moment, that is a story only explained through a lens of faith and shared by Ricky in a profound way in One Scoop at a Time!”

    Doug McNamee, President, Field & Stream, Former President of Magnolia

  • “One Scoop at a Time is a marvelous title for a book that tells the story of the tremendous growth of one of America’s most beloved ice cream companies. And, it is the story of a man who became a great success himself along with the remarkable success of the Blue Bell brand. Ricky Dickson used his gift of communication in writing One Scoop at a Time to capture one’s attention and ‘keep it.’ His writing style is conversational. His stories are easily relatable. His recorded remembrances of his journey from boyhood to successful executive are compelling and easily relatable to every reader. I found One Scoop at a Time easy to read and hard to put down. I would recommend you get a big bowl of BLUE BELL’S COOKIES AND CREAM, a comfortable chair, and treat yourself to the exciting story recorded here.”

    Nick Garland, Retired Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

  • “Prepare to be inspired and empowered! Ricky's book is a compelling blend of authenticity, leadership principles, and heartfelt wisdom. With refreshing honesty, he tackles life's challenges head-on, guiding readers toward a path of joy and purpose. Whether you're a leader, an entrepreneur pursuing a dream, a Christian seeking to make a difference in the workplace, a parent navigating the journey of parenthood, or simply someone seeking guidance in everyday life, this book is for you. Thank you, Ricky, for your transparency and for sharing a book that adds value to the lives of all who read it!”

    Pastor Brian Mills at Together We Church

  • “I had the privilege to work with Ricky for over 25 years. His ability to tell a story is only surpassed by his love for Christ. He is a walking example of how a Christian should conduct themselves and I am happy that this book will allow others to enjoy his stories, and the lessons that accompany them, as we all continue learning how to build faith from our fears.”

    Jimmy Lawhorn, President, Blue Bell Creameries

  • "How can you be CEO of a multimillion dollar company, oversee hundreds of co-workers in multiple states, survive storms corporately & personally — and still love God, trust His Word, & honor His Son? Ricky Dickson’s story will amaze you, challenge you & dare you to believe for more. He is a Joseph, a Daniel in our day — a lover of God placed in a completely secular environment. And he’s been my friend for almost 40 years."

    Dr. David Walker, Senior Pastor, Alamo City Church

  • “Ricky Dickson has written a book so full of goodness that, if you could turn it into a new Blue Bell flavor, it would become an instant bestseller. I had the privilege of serving as Ricky’s pastor for several years as he led Blue Bell. The powerful and poignant stories he shares in this book reflect the man I know–full of joy and humility. Just like a half gallon of Blue Bell should be enjoyed one scoop at a time, this book should be enjoyed one chapter at a time as you reflect on how God has designed you to live for Jesus. Taste this book and see that the Lord is good!”

    Phillip Bethancourt, Lead Pastor, Central Church, College Station, TX

  • “I worked with Ricky Dickson for years, and I’ve seen his leadership and integrity in action. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share that would be useful in the ice cream industry or life in general.”

    Doug Martin, Blue Bell General Counsel and Vice President of Compliance

  • “Ricky Dickson offers us all an inspiring and encouraging story that I have found hard to put down. One Scoop at a Time is marked with deep faith and practical instruction that will help all readers navigate their good days...and their hard days. This is welcome wisdom from a top-level CEO. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Pick it up and start reading!"

    Dr. Heath A. Thomas, President, Oklahoma Baptist University;

    Associate Fellow, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge, UK

  • "One Scoop at a Time is a refreshing, home-spun read that offers a peek behind the curtain of the brand and the culture that is Blue Bell. Ricky Dickson has such a gift for communication, that his stories of faith, family, trials and triumphs transport the reader to a place where the American dream and biblical values still prevail. Ricky has beautifully crafted a book that illustrates how leadership is best demonstrated on our knees and how his own rise to the top, kept him in that posture of prayer. Like your favorite Blue Bell flavor, this delightful book keeps you wanting just a little bit more!"

    —H. Edwin Young Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church Houston