Dean Phinazee is currently the board chair of the Dougherty County board of education. He was first elected in 2014.

Dean is retired. He is minister of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He used to be a 5th grade math and reading teacher in the Dougherty County School System. He used to teach at Calhoun County Schools and Albany State University. He was the director of the child development and staff training project at Albany State.

Dean has a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Albany State University, a master's degree in elementary education from Georgia State University, a specialist in education degree from Albany State, and a doctorate in religion from Bethany Divinity College and Seminary. He and his wife, Brenda, attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church.