Maj. Gen. Dean Thompson is the Commanding General of the 76th Operational Response Command (ORC), Salt Lake City, UT. In this role, he is responsible for approximately 7,600 Soldiers and civilians disbursed throughout the 48 continental United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 76th ORC is the Army Reserve's Center for Defense Support of Civilian Authorities, providing support to state and local officials, first responders and other federal agencies during emergencies or natural disasters. It also provides augmentation and operational capabilities as directed to Combatant, Unified and Joint Commanders to DoD Agencies and to civilian authorities.
Maj. Gen. Thompson enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1985 obtaining the rank of Sergeant before receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1990. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri State University (MSU) that same year and was designated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He later received a Master of Public Administration degree from MSU and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College.
Maj. Gen. Thompson’s past assignments include Commanding General for the 353d Civil Affairs Command, Staten Island, NY; Deputy Commanding General-Support for the 99th Readiness Division, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ; Chief of Staff for the 350th Civil Affairs Command, Pensacola, FL; Brigade Commander and DCO, 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, TX; Battalion Commander, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, Grand Prairie, TX; Special Operations Forces Operations Officer, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, Norfolk, VA; and other key command and staff positions with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, Belton, MO, and 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard. His operational experiences include assignments in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South and Central America.
Maj. Gen. Thompson is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College Advanced Joint Professional Military Education Course; Army War College; National Defense University Reserve Component National Security Course; Army Command and General Staff College; Army Combined Arms and Services Staff School; Civil Affairs Qualification Course; Psychological Operations Officer Qualification Course; Infantry Officer Advance Course; and Infantry Officer Basic Course. He has numerous awards and decorations commensurate with 40 years of service.
In his civilian occupation, Maj. Gen. Thompson works for City Utilities of Springfield, MO as the Vice President – Chief Economic Development Officer and as the Executive Director of Leaders for Ozarks Region Evolvement. Previous positions held include Director ‐ Water Operations, City Utilities; Bank Director, Springfield, MO; City Administrator, Republic, MO; Paralegal, Springfield, MO; and Congressional Fellow.
Maj. Gen. Thompson grew up in a military family and is the son of a career Army Aviation officer and Vietnam War veteran. His brother retired from the Army and is an OEF-A and OIF veteran. Maj. Gen. Thompson has been married 35 years to Robin Thompson, an elementary school teacher, and they have four children. His daughter Megan is a Librarian, daughter Malise is a NICU Nurse, daughter Molly is a Black Hawk Mechanic and Army veteran, and son Ryan is a Combat Medic currently serving in the Missouri Army National Guard.