Dean began his calling career in 1979 at the age of fourteen. During the early 1980s, he started a teen club in Rochester, MN and later was the club caller for the Wykoff Squares. Early in his career, he called in the Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Arizona area. After relocating to the east coast and flying for an airline, Dean called and taught square dancing in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and was the club caller for the Frederick County Promenaders. An owner/producer for Arrowhead Recording, Dean has also recorded on Peak Recordings and Gold Rush. Now, Dean is the president of the Southern Arizona Callers and Cuers Association (SACCA). Currently, Dean calls for Saddlebrooke Squares in Tucson, Arizona.