Dean has been in radio for 35 years. He joined KWAT and KIXX in Watertown as a salesperson in 1976 and went on to become general manager in 1980. He served as Vice President and Director of Sorenson Broadcasting Corporation from 1987 until 2002. Dean was Boot Camp Sales Training Director for dozens of radio stations not only in SD but all over the Midwest. Dean is involved in a large number of community organizations, is very active with the Church, and has served on the Jenkins Nursing Home Board of Directors for the past 27 years. Dean won the Tom Brokaw Award in 2011.