Where are you from and what did you study in school?
Dean: I live in a small town outside of Muskegon, MI. Still on the same property as I grew up on next to my Mom that I take care of now.
I was always into Cars, Motorcycles and Mechanics so I of course took shop classes and tech school for automotive repair, Also took maintenance classes for an Apprenticeship program at my previous employment
What do you like to do in your free time?
Dean: I try to keep busy and active, so I like spending time building and enjoying my back yard, Racing dirt track cars, Building things, driving my 66 Dodge Polara but mostly my wife and I love spending our weekends on our boat at the marina.
What jobs did you have before working with UE Systems?
Dean: I’ve been at UE Systems for almost 13 years (7 years as a Level 1 Certification Instructor and the past 6 years as a Regional Manager for the Great Lakes area but prior to that I was a Maintenance Tech for 15years at Herman Miller Inc (furniture manufacturing) In those 15 years I was a user of UE Systems equipment and had an amazing program with Leaks, Electrical & Mechanical (motors and bearings)
What was your first impression of the maintenance & reliability community?
Dean: Mind-boggling with all the different technologies and resources out there, also how much knowledge most of the Maint techs have to keep a plant up and running.
What has surprised you the most about what you could do with ultrasound technology?
Dean: Well of course at first it was leak detection but being able to monitor motors and bearings was very interesting to me, I believe that lead me to have a great program at Herman Miller. And the fact that I was able to find emissions/vacuum leaks on automobile engines is always a bonus.
If you could snap your fingers together and become an expert in something, what would it be?
Dean: Winning the Lotto!!
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be and why?
Dean: My Dad, I miss that Ornery ol’ timer !!
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
Dean: Well I don’t know about the best advice but one that sticks with me and I use it in my own shop a lot of times when working on projects “Just do something, even if it’s wrong” Sometimes I get stumped, not know what I should do next or overthink it, so I refer to that advice. I guess one of the best way to learn is to do something wrong the first time and learn from it !
Do you have any movie or TV show recommendations?
Dean: I really don’t watch too much television but I do like a few of the car restoration shows (not gas monkey, ugh), Animal Kingdom, YellowStone, Curse of Oak Island (12years and still no dang treasure, @%#$&!…..)
What is the most important thing you have learned while working with UE Systems?
Dean: Responsibility…. We are given a big responsibility to take care of our Regions & Customers, UE Systems puts a lot of trust into us to make it our own and be successful!
