Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Dean, CD, AdeC

Commanding Officer

2021-pres

LCol Dean joined the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay as an Infantry Officer over 28 years ago.  Upon completion of his post-secondary education LCol Dean returned to the Toronto area when he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and transferred into the 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA as an Artillery Officer.   

In January 1997 LCol Dean started to work full time for the Canadian Armed Forces as the Recruiting Officer at the 7th Toronto Regiment.  After having lead a successful recruiting drive, LCol Dean was employed by the Area Training Center in Meaford as a Qualification Level 3 – Gunnery Course Officer.  While serving in Meaford, LCol Dean was approached by Land Force Central Area Headquarters and offered the position of Aide de Camp to the Commander of Land Force Central Area.  He served as Aide de Camp from September 1997 to September 2001 looking after the needs of 4 Regular Force Commanders and 3 Primary Reserve Deputy Commanders.  LCol Dean was awarded the Land Force Central Area Commander’s Commendation for outstanding dedication and loyalty while working as the Area Commander’s Aide.  During his time as Aide, LCol Dean had the privilege of accompanying the Commander of Land Force Central Area over to Bosnia as part of a Command Team visit to SFOR.  LCol Dean worked in a number of staff positions at Land Force Central Area Headquarters, in 2008 he was selected for the appointment of Deputy Commanding Officer of the Area Headquarters.  During his time as Deputy Commanding Officer, LCol Dean was employed as a key player in administrating the restructure of the Headquarters workforce establishment.  In addition to this task he was responsible for managing the Headquarters Annual Budget, tracking the hiring of all full time Reserve Force personnel, and managing the employment of the civilian workforce in the Area Headquarters.  After successfully restructuring the Headquarters workforce, LCol Dean was transferred to the G1 Branch in 4^th Canadian Division Headquarters where he was employed as a Senior Human Resources Manager working on command succession planning, senior level promotions, strategic intake planning for the Reserve Force, and administration of Provincial level grievances for the Army in the Province of Ontario.  In 2014, LCol Dean was appointed the Range Training Area Management Officer in 4^th Canadian Division and was responsible for the overall safety, maintenance, development and environmental sustainability of the ranges and training facilities across the Province of Ontario.  On 1 April 2016 he was asked to support the stand-up of a new Unit called Real Property Operations Unit Ontario, where he was employed as the Adjutant.  LCol Dean was awarded Soldier of the Year by the CO of Real Property Operations Unit (Ontario) for the work he completed in support of the stand-up of this new unit.  LCol Dean has recently started employment with the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Centre in Toronto where he is serving as a Senior Transition Advisor with the Federal Public Service assisting veterans moving from active service to retirement.

LCol Dean has been volunteering with 7^th Toronto Regiment for over 26 years.  He has held every officer appointment in the Regiment and was recently promoted to his current rank where he is serving as Commanding Officer of the Regiment.  LCol Dean is also employed as an Honourary Aide de Camp to The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, where he was presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for support to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  LCol Dean is a Past Master of David T. Campbell Lodge #706 in Freemasonry, serving as Master from 2017 – 2018, he holds the rank of Knight in the Order of St. George and is an Honorary Colonel in the Order of Kentucky Colonels.  LCol Dean’s hobbies include riding his motorcycle, working on his classic sports car, small engine repairs, karate (Brown Belt), golfing, boating, and attending sporting events.  He is happily married and has 2 children.

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