Dean Layton

Dean Layton and his wife Kay have lived on the island 13 years and the past 2.5 years in Leamington. Dean earned a BS degree from the University of Utah in 1973, where he also completed two years in a master’s program, during which time he served on the American Medical Association’s Committee on Unproven Health Practices. He earned an MBA from Washington State University in 1977 with a concentration in Management.  

Dean’s professional career included 40+ years building successful biotech businesses in water quality, food safety, and healthcare areas. After his initial years in major corporations, Procter and Gamble and Becton Dickinson, Dean helped build four startup businesses. The first of those focused on developing medical diagnostic test kits for use in physician offices. The following startup businesses utilized similar technology but applied in the water, food and ag/biotech areas. The water business developed new drinking water and source water methods to detect coliform bacteria, E.coli, algal toxins like microcystins, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. 

Dean collaborated with municipal water companies, state testing labs, and government officials to conduct essential studies to validate and establish new standard methods under the Safe Drinking Water Act. He worked with the USEPA to gain approval for these new methods for testing drinking water which have become the global standard. Dean also worked with the USDA and USFDA to introduce tests for various pathogens in food safety.  

Dean has served on numerous boards including 20 years as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for AEIC (Analytical Excellence thru Industry Collaboration), a biotech industry consortium. He also served on the Board of Directors for Highland Lake Association in Maine, and President of Meadow Hills Association (HOA) in CT. In his other community involvement Dean volunteers with Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity.