Dean Oliver

Dean Oliver, Director of Innovation and Technical Services, has been part of Riceland for more than three decades. He began his career in 1993 as a scheduling coordinator in the packing department, fresh out of college. After interviewing with Mike Brothers, Dean stepped into a role managing production schedules for nearly 90 people. Just a few years later, he was promoted to supervisor of the packing department. In 1997, an opening in Research and Technical Services (R&T) changed the course of his career—Dean became the pilot plant coordinator, then research manager of rice products, before being promoted to his current role in 2013. Today, he has proudly served in the R&T Department for 28 years.

For Dean, Riceland wasn’t just a career choice—it was a natural one. His family has a long history with the company, including his mom, dad, and stepmom, all of whom worked at Riceland. So when Dean returned to Stuttgart after college, joining Riceland felt like the obvious step. “They’ve always been good to my family,” he explains, recalling how confident he felt after his first interview that this was the right place to begin his career.

In his current role, no two days look the same. Dean leads a team whose job is to support Riceland’s many departments and customers. “Sometimes we’re confined to our own four walls, sometimes we’re with the leadership team, and sometimes we’re traveling to customers or plant sites,” he says. The variety keeps the work exciting, and he thrives on the challenges it brings.

When asked what he enjoys most, Dean doesn’t hesitate: “The people.” He values the family-like atmosphere at Riceland, one built on long-lasting relationships and mutual trust. “We don’t see a lot of turnover, and that promotes a family-type environment. We can approach each other about anything and feel comfortable doing it,” he explains.

For Dean, growing good at Riceland is not an individual effort—it’s about his team. “It seems like an individual award, but for me, it’s more of a reflection of this department. I just happen to be the one that got nominated,” he says. He credits the R&T building’s very purpose—helping people—as the reason behind his success. “You could sub my name for any name in this building, and the award would be equally important.”

When it comes to moments he’s most proud of, Dean finds it impossible to pick just one project. Instead, he reflects on the collective achievements that unite people across departments. “I could probably name a dozen different projects, but the common denominator is how a project brings our group and others together to work toward a common goal,” he says.

Dean was both surprised and humbled to be nominated for a Grow Good Award. “It’s a bit overwhelming because there are a lot of people in this company—and even in this department—that deserve it just as much,” he shares. Still, he views it as a meaningful honor. “I think almost everything we do supports Riceland’s mission statement, for the success of the farmers and the company.”

When asked if he had anything he’d like to say to his team or those who nominated him, Dean expressed deep gratitude. “I truly appreciate it, and I hope it honors my whole department,” he says.

We are proud to celebrate Dean Oliver for his decades of dedication, leadership, and innovation at Riceland, and we look forward to watching him and his team continue to grow good together.