A Legacy of Leadership: Insights from Dean Bott Before His Retirement
After 53 years in the printing industry, and spending the last nine years as Thysse's GM and President, Dean Bott is preparing to close the chapter on a storied career. As he reflects on his journey, Dean shares not only the wisdom forged over decades of dedication but also the values and philosophies that have shaped his leadership at Thysse.
But getting Dean to sit down for this interview wasn’t easy. Kevin Dorsey, Thysse’s Director of Marketing, had to employ a bit of persistence and persuasion. “Dean’s not one to sing his own praises,” Kevin says. “It’s fitting, though, that as he wraps up his incredible career, we take a moment to celebrate his insights and the impact he’s had.”
From Corporate Hustle to Family Values
Dean’s career spans both corporate and family-owned environments, but his time at Thysse stands out.
“Some of my previous places of employment were more about the business of making money, but Jason [Thysse, CEO and owner] is about the business of making great print. And if we do that consistently, the money follows,” Dean notes. This philosophy resonates deeply, underscoring the importance of pride and purpose over mere profit.
At Thysse, the family-owned structure extends beyond ownership—it’s embedded in the culture. “Family transcends ownership,” Dean explains. “It applies to us as a group of people working together. The pride we take in our work, whether it’s the quality of service we provide or the way we care for each other, defines what makes this environment so unique.”
Hiring with Purpose
Dean takes pride in helping shape the team at Thysse—one of his proudest contributions during his tenure. “We’re very dutiful and careful in our hiring process,” he explains. “It’s not just about skills—that can be a huge mistake. We’re hiring for culture, compatibility, and collaboration.”
Dean believes this approach has been critical to Thysse’s success. “The collection of people we’ve been able to bring together is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my career. The synergy in this building is remarkable, and it shows in the work we produce for our clients.”
Looking Around the Bend
One area of printing that excites Dean is the growing role and impact of personalization. “Variable data allows every printed piece to be different and unique. It’s not just about creating a product—it’s about crafting a message that resonates directly with the individual receiving it.”
Dean believes this approach is where the future of print marketing lies. “The best campaigns aren’t one-size-fits-all. The use of data to create targeted, meaningful connections is where the biggest opportunity exists—across all industries. Tailoring pricing, visuals, messages, and offers to the specific individual that receives them transforms print into a communication tool that’s many times more powerful than the static alternative. This reality is why Thysse has made all the investments it has into variable data print.”
It’s clear Dean is thinking about legacy and the next chapters at Thysse just as much as he’s considering his own next steps in retirement. “I’m incredibly optimistic about the path Thysse is on. Operationally and as a team—I think it’s going to be a gratifying, fun, and exciting ride. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have played a significant part in positioning Thysse where it is.”
Big Stuff: Facility Branding and Wide-Format Graphics
Dean has a special passion for the biggest solutions Thysse produces, particularly Facility Branding, which he describes as the “intersection of architectural design, interior design, and graphic design.”
“It’s about more than creating a great brochure or postcard,” Dean explains. “It’s about walking into a physical space and envisioning how it can truly represent a brand. Our creative team at Thysse goes beyond the blueprint to craft environments that resonate with users and embody an organization’s identity—and express, actually impart, that experience on the people who enter those spaces. It’s just this whole other magical universe, and I love it.”
Wide-Format Graphics and Facility Branding often overlap, though their focus differs slightly. Facility Branding encompasses design, production, and installation, while Wide Format primarily focuses on manufacturing and complex shipping logistics. Dean points out, “The impact of a major project in a single location, like an arena or new office building, is easy to understand. There’s that wow factor. But facilitating experiences in hundreds of unique retail locations is equally impactful—and logistically, more complex. The team’s ability to do both at the incredibly high standards these projects demand is pretty amazing—and rare.”
Leadership and Legacy
When Kevin asks Dean what he’ll miss most about Thysse, his answer is immediate: “The people.”
Dean takes pride in the mentorship he’s been able to provide during his time at Thysse. “I’ve been fortunate to share my experiences with the younger generation here, helping them grow in their roles. It’s rewarding to see how they take that knowledge and apply it in ways that push us all forward.”
Dean also emphasizes the importance of collective success. “The better we do as an organization, the more we can invest in our team, our technology, and our future. Pride in our craft isn’t just personal—it’s collective.”
Parting Wisdom
As the interview wraps up, Kevin asks Dean what advice he would offer to anyone starting in the printing industry—or any field. His response is characteristically thoughtful:
“Never underestimate the importance of craftsmanship. Whether it’s in printing or any other field, the commitment to doing things right is what sets you apart. Technology will evolve, but the human touch—the pride, the care, and the attention to detail—will always matter.”
Dean Bott’s impact at Thysse—and on the printing industry as a whole—will continue to be felt long after his retirement. His reflections serve as a reminder that even in an age of rapid innovation, timeless values like craftsmanship, pride, and teamwork remain the true hallmarks of success.
