Curt D. Jones
Founder & President
Dippin' Dots, Inc.
Inventor, entrepreneur and microbiologist are but a few of the titles that apply to the man who guides one of the fastest growing and most innovative companies in America.
Curt Jones was raised on a farm near Grand Chain, Illinois. As a young boy, he began to sew the seeds of entrepreneurial and scientific thinking. Some of this early endeavors included including radio repair, broom making (using his grandfather's original equipment), raising livestock and hay and straw distribution. Curt grew up the "All American Boy". He was a star baseball and basketball player for Century High School in Pulaski County, Illinois. He was active in school academic activities. And, he married his high school sweetheart, Kay (Eastwood).
After high school, Curt attended Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Illinois, and later earned both a Bachelor of Arts (1981) and Masters Degree (1986) in Microbiology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois.
Between 1983 and 1986, Curt worked as an Instructor/Researcher for Southeastern Illinois College's Ethanol Production program. In addition to teaching students about the process of ethanol production, he conducted research related to carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization and other bi-products related to the ethanol production process. Curt taught at the College's campus inside (yes inside) the Shawnee Correctional Facility. The correctional facility operated an actual ethanol production plant, with inmates producing some 500,000 gallons of ethanol annually.
It was during 1987, while researching various freezing techniques for the large scale commercial preservation of bacteria and enzymes that Curt developed the idea behind what later became Dippin' Dots® Ice Cream. By utilizing liquid nitrogen in a quick-freeze process, a unique, high quality ice cream novelty was born!
Leading his young company through "hands on" work in all facets of the operation (marketing, research, production, and delivery) Curt and other members of his family launched the product that revolutionized the ice cream industry. Today, Dippin' Dots products are distributed throughout the United States and in a number of international markets. In October of 2002, in conjunction with the Licensee for that region, Dippin' Dots' first international manufacturing facility was opened in South Korea.
In recognition of his efforts, Curt was selected Entrepreneur of the Year in 1994 for the Kentucky/Southern Indiana Region in the retail/wholesale category, and that same year was inducted as a Lifetime Member into the Entrepreneur of the Year Society. The company's rapid growth was recognized in 1996 and 1997 earning spots on the prestigious Inc Magazine's "Inc. 500"list of the top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. With the establishment of Dippin' Dots Franchising, Inc. in 2000, the company has also taken industry honors almost every year. The franchise company was named the top new franchising opportunity of 2002 by Entrepreneur Magazine and has ranked on the magazine's Franchise 500 list from 2002 through 2005.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dippin' Dots, Curt continues to lead the company into new areas of growth and innovation. His latest venture even includes the opening of his own Dippin' Dots retail stores in his current hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. Once and always the entrepreneur, Curt's business interests have diversified into what seem to be an extension of his natural talents and interests. His business ventures now include start-up companies in the fields of medical software, ethanol fuel production, and the entertainment industry (music and film production)...
Ulrich Medical Concepts (UMC) was conceived in 1999 by Dr. Dennis Ulrich for the purpose of developing a paperless medical records system that would facilitate the transfer of critical patient information to where it is needed, immediately. Curt, a long-time personal friend of Dr. Ulrich, was invited to become a major partner/owner in the business. UMC most recently expanded into the area of electronic revenue collection for medical facilities. The company is located in Paducah, Kentucky in offices shared by Dippin' Dots National Sales and Dippin' Dots Franchising.
Amylase Entertainment provides a "seeding environment" (as the term Amylase suggests) for artists, songwriters and filmmakers. Up and coming country music artist, Gary Nichols, is one name that will no doubt be associated with Amylase Entertainment. Gary's debut single receives frequent airplay on radio, XM Radio, CMT (Country Music Television) and his tour schedule often has him paired with some of country's biggest acts. Amylase continues to break new ground in screenwriting and film-making. Their first project, "Adrenaline", will be known as one of the very first "One Take" films. The choreography and spontaneity of a movie shot in, literally one take will no doubt create excitement in the film industry. Amylase was founded in 2005 and operates from Curt's "Music Row" office building in Nashville, Tennessee.
MOR Energy pulls from Curt's long-time interest in alternative fuel production. As lead investor, Curt will oversee MOR Energy's production and, especially, the company's research and development. Plans are for the plant to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol annually. The $90 million dollar plant will be located in Pulaski County, Illinois.
Curt currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Kay, and their daughter Tracey. Together, they recently formed the Dippin' Dots Foundation...a charitable organization currently focused on providing educational opportunities and community enhancement in Southernmost Illinois. Curt is a Distinguished Alumni of Southern Illinois University and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Ice Cream Association.