Dean currently is the Chief Intellectual Property Counsel for 3M’s Enterprise Operations, a role that includes managing 3M’s Global Trade Secret Protection Program. He also is Co-Chair of the IPO International Patent Law & Trade Committee. For seven years, he managed 3M’s International IP Operations, leading a team of 50-60 IP professionals (attorneys, agents, liaisons, analysts, assistants) across up to 15 countries. Earlier, he was Managing IP Counsel for 3M’s Health Care Business, and Electro & Communications Business, after serving as IP Counsel to several different 3M businesses. Dean has experienced most aspects of U.S. and international patent drafting, prosecution, agreements, oppositions, and enforcement. He is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, and holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.