Dean’s unwavering work ethic, adaptability, and warm demeanor make him a standout member of the Accurate team in Ely. A Navy veteran and proud grandfather, he shares, “Being hardworking and adaptable is what I’m most proud of. It’s a pleasure to work with such great people.”
Any custodial worker knows they are more than "just" a janitor— and we agree!
At Accurate Building Maintenance, our team members are the backbone of our team and the heartbeat of our purpose: creating clean, healthy, safe communities. They take care of our customers, so we take care of them like family—the best kind! We are so grateful for all they do each day and love to see them grow and succeed.
Our monthly Janitorial Employee Spotlight series features one of our amazing team members, showcasing what it’s like to work in the cleaning industry at Accurate, where we #keepitfun.
This month, we are proud to spotlight Dean Wilson, a dedicated member of the Accurate team in Ely, Nevada. Dean has been an essential part of the janitorial team at White Pine High School for the past 2 years, where his hard work, positive attitude, and attention to detail have made a lasting impact. Known as the “floor guy,” Dean has transformed the school’s linoleum floors, restoring their shine and earning respect and admiration from his coworkers, supervisors, and school staff alike.
During our recent Q&A session, Dean shared how joining Accurate after retirement gave him a new purpose. Encouraged by a friend to apply, he found a role that keeps him active and engaged while allowing him to use his skills to make a difference. As a Navy veteran and former carpenter, long-haul truck driver, and construction and fencing worker, Dean is no stranger to hard work. Outside of work, he treasures spending time with his wife of 42 years, his daughter, and five grandchildren.
At his core, Dean values respect, adaptability, and a strong work ethic—qualities that shine through in everything he does. His dedication to excellence and willingness to lend a hand make him an invaluable part of our team in Ely and a trusted partner to our customer at White Pine High School. Whether it’s restoring floors to their former glory or fostering a positive work environment, Dean’s contributions are felt by everyone around him. Read on to learn more about the inspiring journey and mindset that make Dean a standout member of the Accurate family!
Special thanks and kudos from creator/author Erin Williams (Marketing) to Xavier "Bubba" Anderson, our Ely Area Manager, for his assistance in carrying out this month's article!
WHAT OTHERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT DEAN
Dean’s hard work and dedication made him an easy choice for nomination, according to his supervisor and Accurate's Ely Area Manager, Xavier "Bubba" Anderson.
"Dean is the definition of a hard worker. He’s the guy I can count on to do anything I ask of him without complaint. When he finishes, he’ll always say, ‘Anything else, boss?’ I value Dean, and I hope he knows just how much." -Xavier "Bubba" Anderson, Accurate Area Manager, Ely, Nevada
Dean’s dedication and positive attitude haven’t gone unnoticed by other Accurate crew members in Ely.
"Dean's hard work and dedication to the company are admirable. Without Dean, our floors wouldn't shine the way they do. He shows up on time and does his scheduled work before seeing what everyone else needs help with. Dean keeps work a fun place to be, as he is always smiling or cracking a joke." -Taylor Turner, Accurate Team Member, Ely, Nevada
"Dean is the funniest guy I've ever worked with. He is always working on the floors and knows how to make them shine." -Eric Anderson, Accurate Team Member, Ely, Nevada
Accurate services the custodial contract for White Pine County School District in Ely. Dean helps take care of the high school there. Principal Kenna H. responded enthusiastically to the news of Dean's nomination.
"I am so happy to see Dean get recognition for his hard work. He is a pleasure to work with. He has a welcoming and warm attitude. Dean takes extreme pride in his work and is always willing to help and lend a hand. I am so thankful to have Dean at WPHS and appreciate everything he does to keep our school looking fantastic!" -Kenna H., Vice Principal, White Pine High School (Accurate Customer), Ely, Nevada
Accurate's CEO and Visionary, Alex Finken, knows Dean is an invaluable member of the Accurate team in Ely.
"Dean’s work ethic and life experience bring so much value to our team and to our customer in Ely. His dedication, adaptability, and pride in his work set an incredible example for all of us at Accurate!" -Alex Finken, Accurate CEO/Visionary, Las Vegas
Dean’s contributions don’t just resonate with his local coworkers and customer—they’re also deeply appreciated by the team in Las Vegas.
“Dean makes the White Pine High School floors shine bright like a diamond!” -Dee Perez, Accurate Customer Service Manager, Las Vegas
WHAT DEAN HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE JANITORIAL INDUSTRY AND WORKING AT ACCURATE
What brought you to the janitorial industry? A friend of mine used to be a custodian at the school. When he left the position, he thought of me and brought me in to talk to Bubba. I’m older and have some trouble walking, but part of the job is using the ride-on floor scrubber, so it was a perfect fit for my abilities. This job brought me out of retirement and literally back on my feet by being more active at the right pace.
Dean's work on the ride-on floor scrubber not only brought the school’s floors back to life but also improved his own physical health. The job has been the perfect role for him to stay active and engaged, which Dean credits as improving his life overall as well.
“When I first got to the school, I could barely walk from one end to the other. Now, I do it all night long.” -Dean Wilson (age 78)
What’s the most important career lesson you've learned? You've gotta work. When I was a youngster, I really didn’t understand how important work was. You’ve just got to do it.
What appeals to you about working as a school custodian? The atmosphere at the school is just great to be in. The teachers, faculty, staff, and students are very good to me. They treat me with respect and always say hello and goodbye. Cleaning up messes is not necessarily what I like to do, but I used to work in construction, and there are some parallels. It's satisfying to achieve results. I’m the "floor guy," and there’s a lot of linoleum and some carpet to take care of. When I first started, the linoleum had been hand mopped for years and was gray. Since I’ve been here, it’s turned white again. It’s come along really well.
What keeps you motivated at work?
Well, payday helps, of course. 😉 I was retired for a long time, but I like to have a routine. I was a working man all my life: long-haul truck driver, carpenter, I built houses and fencing. I couldn’t just stop. Now every evening, I leave home for work at 4pm. And, a lot of my family members have a bad habit of coming home and dying soon after retirement. I’m trying to break that trend!
What's your favorite thing about working at Accurate? It's a pleasure to work for Bubba (Ely Area Manager). He's a good man, thoughtful, and a hard worker. My coworker Taylor Turner is always on top of it all and a good worker. There's also a school district employees who's worked here for 20 years who is just a workin' fool— she just works and works! If I'm able to finish up a few minutes early, I'll jump in and help her out a bit. I really respect all the people I work with. I just really like being around all of these people. I also like the fact that when I come to work, people say hi to me. I’m not treated like I'm just somebody who walks around picking up litter. It’s cool.
Which of Accurate's core values resonates most with you, and why? (We Keep Our Word, Opportunity, Respect, Solutions, and Keep It Fun)
RESPECT. We have good leadership on our team. Bubba is respectful to everybody, and everybody on our team treats one another well.
WHAT DEAN SHARED ABOUT HIMSELF
What was your first job? I was a boatswain’s mate on a Navy ship for four years. I spent all four years on the same aircraft carrier, right off the coast of Vietnam—we put the bombs on the aircraft that flew over Hanoi. In fact, we loaded bombs onto aircraft on the USS Oriskany the morning of October 26, 1967, the day John McCain took off and didn’t come back because his plane was shot down.
Author's Note: Accurate Building Maintenance thanks you for your service, Dean!
When he’s not making floors shine, you’ll find Dean enjoying downtime with his wife, daughter, and five grandchildren—who, he says, make being a grandfather “a pain in the neck sometimes, but really cool.”
You’re happiest when ___________.
When she’s happy (my wife)! We've been married 42 years, and we haven’t killed each other yet. 😉
What do you like to do when you're not working? Rest up! I'm 78 years old, so when I get off work, I'm pretty much done. I spend most of the weekends on my butt or walking our dog, Sammy (a miniature Shar-Pei).
What is something unique about you that others would be surprised to find out?
About 35-40 years ago, I worked for Tippi Hedren (The Birds movie star) at her wildlife habitat animal rescue in California. She had lions, tigers, cheetahs, and one elephant during the year I worked there. Movie production companies used to buy big cats, and when they were too old or big to appear in films, they'd bring the animals to her there so they could retire. She also rescued big cats from zoos and circuses.
"It was a cool job. But an African lion did pee on me once, and I broke out in a rash. When I went to the doctor, he said I had shingles." -Dean Wilson describes a bad day on the job at movie star Tippi Hedren's wildlife animal rescue in California
Tippi Hedren (age 94) is best known for her Golden Globe winning role in the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds. Hedren founded the Shambala Preserve near Acton, California, caring for rescued big cats and other wildlife. She's also been involved in many other advocacy and humanitarian relief efforts over the years. Source: britannica.com
Where would you like to travel or vacation?
I'd go back out on the road like when I was trucking. I drove a long-haul truck for 6 years made it to 44 of the 48 mainland states. We've lived in California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Nevada.
What are you most proud of in your life?
Living to be almost 80 years old, I guess. I’ve learned there's a lot of things I can do: building, driving, traveling, my current job. Being adaptable, hardworking, and good at my tasks. I don’t mind getting dirty and hurting myself once in awhile.
I'm also really proud of my grandkids. I've always been around them, and that has been very cool. My daughter lives only a quarter-mile away. One of my older granddaughters actually works at the mine driving a haul truck. My youngest grandchild is in middle school.
What is your #1 pet peeve?
Heel marks on my linoleum [the floors at the school].
If given a chance, who would you be for just one day?
Right now, I’d like to be Santa Claus, because I’ve got five grandkids... the gifts would be covered, and I’d be really popular.
What job did you want to have when you were a kid?
A sailor—and I did it for awhile. My oldest brother was a sailor, and I looked up to him.
If you could see anything achieved in the world, what would you want to see? World peace. The pageant contestants always say that, I guess... but I agree.
Thank you, Dean, for being a highly valued team member and an inspiration! We are so glad you’re part of The Accurate Family.
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