Lori Dean is an established business leader with over two decades of first-hand experience working in and leading both family and non-family businesses. She has over 25 years experience involved in all aspects of family business as a second generation leader. She is former Chairperson, CEO and President of Dean Machinery Co., a Caterpillar dealership, where she led 350 people operating in 11 locations covering 45 counties in Missouri and Kansas. Lori directed all strategic and daily functions, including four divisions responsible for selling, renting, supporting, and repairing heavy equipment and engines in the construction, industrial, on-highway, and agriculture markets. She was also involved in a successful family continuity plan. The company sold in 2012.

Family Business Experience

Have been in both Heir and Grantor roles as successor to my father.
Created and participated in our Family Council.
With the help of a consultant, and other tools, worked through many emotional issues with my family which were preventing us from having fruitful business discussions.
With family, created a Continuity Plan to our third generation beyond me.
Created a Family Office for Trust administration functions.
With family, created family Vision, Mission, and Value statements.
With family, created written Family Employment and Compensation Policies.
Worked eight years outside of our family business in the hotel industry.

Former Director and Advisory Director at Bank of Kansas City.
Former Director of Operation Breakthrough, a large non-profit in Kansas City serving at risk children and their families. Successfully spearheaded the Continuity Committee to create and seat leadership beyond the founders.
Served as Co-Trustee for the Associated Equipment Distributors Health and Welfare Trust – a multi-employer health and benefit trust for Kansas City equipment dealers.
Co-Founding Dealer for Cat Auction Services – a company formed by Caterpillar dealers to sell used equipment.
Advisory Director of the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City.
Created a family business relationship coaching process at the Hoffman Institute.
Former Co-Trustee for the Janssen Place Lot Owners Trust.
Speaker and Chair – Women in Leadership Conferences in Dubai, UAE, 2004 and 2007.
Speaker – Family Firm Institute, San Francisco, 2006
Speaker - ALI-ABA, Kansas City, Chicago, and Boston, 2009, 2010 and 2011
Speaker - Family Business Forum in Cannes, France, 2007
Voted into “Women Who Mean Business” by Kansas City Business Journal, 2010.
Named into “Kansas City’s Influential Women” by KC Business Magazine, 2010.