Born and raised in Monterey, California, Dean had close ties to golf. After college, he spent 10 years working for a major golf manufacturer, where he met his wife, Christine. The company took him to San Jose, Carlsbad, Folsom, and Los Gatos, CA. With young children then, and many miles on the road each day, travel got to be a bit much. Being a lifelong investor and having friends in the financial industry, he was encouraged to change careers. In 2000, he started work for a nationwide brokerage firm where he stayed for the next 24 years. 

In 2005, Dean and his family moved to Southern Oregon, where his wife Christine grew up. They enjoyed (and still partake in) so many of the activities Oregon had to offer: golf, fly fishing, boating in the summer, and many days spent on Mt. Ashland in the winter.  

For several years, Dean referred business to Cutler. He has always valued the deep relationships Cutler builds with their clients and an investment philosophy that matched his own. In early 2025, discussions to change the scenery began, and on June 17th, his new direction started with Cutler.  

At its core, Dean feels that the financial industry is built on trust and communication. He works with his clients to build plans and investment strategies that manage short term needs with long term goals. A good plan is one that can adapt to life and whatever direction it takes you, and so “control the controllables” is one of Dean’s favorite quotes.