History
Stuart Dean Company History
While Stuart Dean is currently made up of nearly 400 skilled technicians, supervisors, salespeople, and managers, the company had its start in the 1930’s with a sole entrepreneur.
1893
Stuart Dean’s Founder, Edward Joseph Degan, is born in New York City
1932
Ed meets with a representative of the Dupont Corporation at the site of the construction of the Empire State Building. Dupont had recently developed the first clear synthetic lacquer coating. Shortly after this meeting, Ed and his financial partner, Calvin Perry, formed the idea of creating a new company, a firm that would specialize in applying the new Dupont product to architectural metals to prevent corrosion.
They decide to name the company “Stuart Dean” after their mothers’ maiden names, Ed switching to the more American spelling “Stuart” and away from the original Irish spelling “Stewart”. Shortly after the founding, Ed bought the balance of the business from Calvin Perry, becoming sole owner. Stuart Dean is incorporated as a business in the State of New York.
The company opens its first office on 23rd Street in Manhattan.
1939
Stuart Dean receives its first big commission cleaning and maintaining the “New Soviet Man” in front of the Russian Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City.
1954
At the age of 60, Ed suffers a massive stroke and dies. Eugene Degan, his eldest surviving son (Edward III was killed in combat during WWII) succeeds him as CEO.
1956
Marble restoration services are added to core services.
1962
The office grows and is relocated from 54th Street and 6th Avenue to 366 10th Avenue (now part of Hudson Yards). Stuart Dean offers facade restoration services
1964
Office opens in Los Angeles, California, first office outside of New York.
1968
Chicago office opens.
1972
Boston office opens.
1975
Philadelphia office opens.
1980
Jack Degan succeeds Gene as CEO.
1985
Crews complete the company’s first international jobs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
1986
Miami office opens.
1987
Washington, D.C. and Phoenix, Arizona offices open.
1989
San Francisco, California office opens.
1991
Atlanta, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio offices open.
1992
Orange County, California office opens.
1995
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office opens.
1996
Wood restoration is added as a core service offering. Charlotte, North Carolina and Cleveland, Ohio offices open.
1997
Dallas, Texas office opens.
1998
Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri offices open.
1999
San Diego, California office opens.
2000
Richmond office opens. Glass polishing and escalator cleaning is added to service offerings.
2001
National Accounts division is created to service businesses with multiple properties, stores or restaurants.
National Facade group is created to market and project-manage facade restoration services.
2002
James Degan takes the reins as CEO.
First international office opens in Toronto, Canada.
2005
Corporate headquarters moves from 366 Tenth Avenue to 450 7th Avenue in New York City.
Long Island City, NY office opens.
Houston office opens.
2006
Stuart Dean University (training center) opens in Cleveland, Ohio. Nashville, Tennessee office opens.
2008
Stuart Dean actively pursues green product solutions for architectural maintenance and restoration.
PURETi products added as a service offering.
Glass Restoration service expanded and Grout Solutions added to suite of services.
2009
Marcoat® Thermo Setting Grout solutions for Commercial Kitchens added to suite of services.
2010
Stuart Dean partners with APP ™, a European based company, and introduces a sustainable surface protection called Surface Guard™
2011
Mark Parrish installed as CEO.
2012
Stuart Dean proudly celebrates its 80th anniversary.
2015
James Degan retakes the reins as CEO.
2017
Stuart Dean partners with Bright Technologies of East Kingston, New Hampshire to provide Chandelier and Decorative Fixture Cleaning services.
2018
Bruce Hallett takes the reins as CEO upon the retirement of James Degan.
2019
Stuart Dean enters a strategic partnership with Mid America Metals to provide service to the Southeast United States.
2020
Robert Cook named Interim President & CEO
2020
Chris Hughes appointed President & CEO