About
Dean
Your startup or small business needs marketing leadership, but you're not ready to bring on a full-time CMO. A fractional CMO could be the answer. The key is finding one who brings the right experience: Most fractional CMOs live in two worlds. They're either seasoned corporate marketers who've never sweated a payroll,
or they're scrappy entrepreneurs who lack the sophisticated marketing expertise your business needs to scale.
Dean has built and sold multiple businesses—from a tech startup that landed Comcast as a partner to novelty apparel stores to marketing agencies. He combines Fortune 500 marketing firepower with a founder's gut for what drives revenue. Most importantly, he understands that your marketing spend isn't just
a budget line item—it's your capital, your runway, your future.
He’s an OG—doing fractional CMO work for 12+ years, before it was even a thing. While others are just getting started, Dean’s already been driving real growth for over a decade.
At Leo Burnett USA, Dean managed nearly a billion in spend and earned an Effie Award — advertising's most rigorous recognition of effectiveness — for a consumer electronics campaign that delivered exceptional business results. The Effie is the industry's standard for marketing that works, evaluated through a demanding process by senior marketing professionals focused purely on measurable impact and business outcomes.
What Clients Say
“
Dean has brought strategy, focus, and cadence to our marketing efforts, significantly contributing to our business growth.
Peter Billmeyer, Co-Founder and CEO
Bespoke Commercial Real Estate
“
Dean did an excellent job of transforming our brand image,
our marketing program, and most importantly – our sales.
Paul White, President, Kinter
“
Dean is the only Marketing Director I’ve ever worked with that truly understands the connection between marketing and sales.
Greg Gehrke, President, Gehrke Water Services
01
Success
at a glance
Bespoke
CRE Brand Transformation
Challenge
Needed to differentiate in a crowded commercial real estate market.
Solution
Developed comprehensive brand platform "Way Better Than a Broker"
with new website, identity system, marketing collateral and event materials.
Outcome
Achieved business expansion and a transformed brand image,
solidifying category leadership.
Here's how Dean's unique approach drives real business growth:
02
Success
at a glance
Kinter
Brand Development & Growth
Challenge
Marketing limitations hindering growth potential.
Solution
Formulated a master brand narrative -"Solved,"
and executed targeted strategies.
Outcome
Enhanced brand image, resulting in increased sales growth
and strengthened market position.
Challenge
Distinguished practice needed a brand platform to match their
market-leading expertise and deepen community connection.
Solution
Created core brand narrative "Boosting Confidence" and deployed comprehensive identity system.
Outcome
Solidified position as McHenry County's premier orthodontics practice
while strengthening emotional connection with patients.
Conlon Thompson Orthodontics Brand Transformation
03
Success
at a glance
Partners
Book a 30-minute strategy discussion with Dean
Your marketing isn't delivering the results you need. You know it, your team knows it,
and your board knows it. Every week without strong marketing leadership is a week
of missed opportunities. Dean combines sophisticated marketing expertise
with entrepreneurial instinct to drive measurable growth for businesses like yours.
Stop waiting. Get the CMO your business needs now.
"Dean can be difficult at times but means well and ultimately does a great job.”
- Linda Pedersen, Dean's Mom