Dean founded DJR Architecture in 1985 in the Phillips Neighborhood with an emphasis on affordable housing and community development. Dean continues to evolve the firm into a broad based provider of architectural services while still playing an active role in the development of the Phillips neighborhood. This includes the Phillips Community Aquatic Center, East Phillips Community Center, the Bii Di Gain Dash Anwebi Elder housing and many others.

Dean has also been involved in the revitalization of several commercial streets in the Twin Cities and in the emerging oilfields of North Dakota.