DBU Honored Paul and Charla Vinyard at Eleventh Annual Tom Landry Dinner

Dallas, TX – Dallas Baptist University honored Paul and Charla Vinyard, owners of Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, Bubba’s Cooks Country, and Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes, during the eleventh annual Tom Landry Leadership Award Dinner on Saturday, April 1, 2017, on the DBU campus. The annual event recognizes the lasting legacy of one of North Texas’ most famous citizens, Tom Landry, with more than 400 guests in attendance at this year’s dinner.

The honorary chair for the dinner was Alicia Landry, wife of former Dallas Cowboys coach, the late Tom Landry, and Mark Wells, Executive Vice President of Independent Bank, served as dinner chair.

Wells welcomed the guests in attendance and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the Honorable Ron Simmons, DBU Alumnus and Texas State Representative. Dr. Greg Ammons, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Garland, provided the evening’s invocation.

Upon transitioning to the DBU Pilgrim Chapel after dinner, guests enjoyed a musical medley performed by the DBU Grand Chorus under the direction of Dr. Stephen Holcomb, Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music.

Jeff Johnson, Vice President for Advancement, opened the program with a word of welcome and gratitude to all in attendance and went on to introduce Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President, who took a moment to offer remarks about the Vinyards and the wonderful work they are doing through their businesses.

After Dr. Wright’s remarks, Fred Moses, former Tom Landry Leadership Award recipient and President of Telecom Electric Supply Company, shared a few scripture verses with those gathered.

Following Moses, Wells returned to formally introduce the Vinyards and present a special video tribute in their honor, after which they took the podium to share their words of gratitude, paying mention to their family and friends who have helped encourage and challenge them along the way.

Following remarks from the Vinyards, Dr. Gary Cook, DBU Chancellor, gave the benediction from a prayer of St. Patrick, and was followed by Dr. Bob Brooks, Dean of the DBU Graduate School of Ministry, who closed the evening by leading the group in the singing of “God Bless America.”

Paul Vinyard holds a BBA in Management from Texas Tech University. After serving as the president of El Chico, Paul began his own business, which has grown into three restaurants, with Babe’s expanding to multiple locations across the metroplex. At this point in his life Paul feels, while the business may be his vocation, it is not his “calling.” Instead, he believes that pouring his Christian beliefs and his heart for Jesus into the lives of his 1,400 employees and suppliers is the “highest and best use” of the time God gives him here on earth.

Charla Hawkes Vinyard from Arlington, Texas, has a BBA in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington and completed her graduate work at Texas Christian University. While she currently holds a Texas Real Estate license with Ebby Halliday Realtors Alumni Group, Charla’s most cherished role, beyond being married to Paul, is being “DeeDee” to their twelve grandchildren.

Beyond their support for Dallas Baptist University, Paul and Charla are involved in a number of mission organizations that include Mission Metroplex, where they serve on the board; Time to Revive/Revive Texas, where Paul serves on the finance committee; First Liberty Institute; Embrace Grace; Life Outreach International; Solutions of North Texas; Texas Right to Life; and Mercury One.

Past recipients of the Tom Landry Leadership Award include: Dr. Jim Denison (2016), Dr. Bill Tolar (2015), Gil Stricklin (2014), Tillie Burgin (2013), Fred Moses (2012), Wayne Stevenson (2011), Dr. Jeff Warren (2010), Mike Simpson (2009), Dr. Jack Graham (2008), and Congressman Sam Johnson (2007).