Dean is the Chair of OPERA - the Office for the Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance, a group of 13 Pacific nations responsible for regulating national electricity systems under the challenges of affordability, climate change and transition to renewable energy sources. He is also Chief Economist for the Cook Islands with responsibilities for economic reform and energy matters. He has had deep experience in electricity having worked in the Pacific, Australasia, South East Asia and Europe across commercial, regulatory and public sectors.