Music has always been part of Dean Howard’s life.
One of the youngest of 14 children and born into a family of musicians, Dean grew up surrounded by different sounds, personalities, and perspectives. That hasn’t changed much. Walk past his office today and you never know what you might hear: Olivia Dean, Devo, Bread, Smashing Pumpkins, or something completely different.
His taste in music is eclectic, and in many ways, so is his career. Dean has worn a lot of hats over the years, but every stop has shared a common rhythm: connecting people.
An Arizona native, Dean grew up just 15 minutes from Alcorn’s Phoenix office. He entered college intending to become an architect while working in takeoffs and estimating after his uncle introduced him to construction. But as layoffs repeatedly interrupted his path, Dean realized it might be time to change the tune.
He switched his major to Business Management and graduated from Arizona State University. From there, his career took him into politics and public service, first as a legislative liaison for the County Supervisors Association of Arizona, then as Chief of Staff for Phoenix City Council District 1, and later into economic development with the City of Goodyear.
Each new opportunity added another layer to Dean’s understanding of Arizona and, more importantly, its people.
As a principal with Policy Development Group, he advised public- and private-sector clients on government relations, procurement, public policy, and stakeholder engagement, including work surrounding the PHX Sky Train. He later joined Rosendin Electric, where he helped expand the company’s reach into data centers, aviation, transportation, healthcare, and commercial markets.
Through it all, Dean discovered that his greatest strength wasn’t chasing the next project. It was finding people who could make something great happen.
“I don’t chase projects. I chase people.”
That philosophy brought him to Alcorn, where he now serves as Director of Business Development for the Arizona team. He brings more than 20 years of experience and deep connections throughout the state to facilitate Alcorn’s continued growth.
For Dean, though, getting in the door is only the beginning. Like a great band, success takes everyone playing their part. He wants to surround himself with strong teams, roll up his sleeves, and help wherever needed. He’s a problem solver who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, even if that means taking out the garbage (ask him about this story).
Outside of work, music remains part of the soundtrack. Dean plays guitar, collects vinyl, and shares his love of live music with his three kids, and eventually his grandchild. When he isn’t at a concert, you might find him hiking, off-roading, traveling Arizona in his RV, or embracing his self-described “geek” side through astrophotography.
After a career built on asking the right questions, Dean saw something familiar in Alcorn: honesty, hard work, and a culture centered on people.
“I see a team who is willing to put in the time and effort to grow the right way,” he said.
Music has taught Dean that different notes, instruments, and personalities can come together to create something bigger. His career has followed much the same melody.
Bring the right people together. Listen. Find the rhythm. And build something worth hearing about.
