Dean served as United States ambassador to Haiti from 2001-03, and subsequently served with North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Italy until his retirement and relocation to Damariscotta, Maine, in 2008. He served on the Konbit Sante Board of Directors from 2009-16. As a member of the U.S Foreign Service, Dean has served in various capacities in Mozambique, Dublin, Paris, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Brussels. Dean graduated from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1970. He received a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1972, and a Certificate of Studies from the National School of Administration in Paris, France, in 1981.