Dean is a retired financial executive who spent most of his career at GE Capital Corporation, after earning his CPA with a public accounting firm. He graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University. Dean has been on the board of Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield for the past 7 years, and is currently Board Chair and President. He recently completed a 6-year term on the board of the Ridgefield Library, with the last 2 years as Board Chair. He is also a board member and Treasurer of New England Auto Museum. He and his wife have resided in Ridgefield, CT since 2001.