Philanthropy & Networking

As executive director of The Networking Group (TNG) & commissioner of Keshet Buddy Baseball, Dean expands his reach as a difference maker for local business people and special needs children and their families worldwide.

Philanthropy & Networking

As executive director of The Networking Group (TNG) & commissioner of Keshet Buddy Baseball, Dean expands his reach as a difference maker for local business people and special needs children and their families worldwide.

Philanthropy & Networking

As executive director of The Networking Group (TNG) & commissioner of Keshet Buddy Baseball, Dean expands his reach as a difference maker for local business people and special needs children and their families worldwide.

Master Connecter, Difference Maker, & Relationship Builder

Known as a master connector, Dean is a passionate relationship builder who understands the value of referral marketing and the power of a quality introduction. He brings pay-it-forward leadership to monthly TNG meetings, creating a forum through which members can organically build their networks, exchange ideas, and cultivate new business opportunities. Through his love of baseball and his unrelenting desire to positively impact the lives of special needs children, he pursues his life purpose in directing the Keshet Buddy Baseball program, a noncompetitive recreational league he founded, while deepening his involvement in volunteerism and philanthropy.

Master Connecter, Difference Maker, & Relationship Builder

Known as a master connector, Dean is a passionate relationship builder who understands the value of referral marketing and the power of a quality introduction. He brings pay-it-forward leadership to monthly TNG meetings, creating a forum through which members can organically build their networks, exchange ideas, and cultivate new business opportunities. Through his love of baseball and his unrelenting desire to positively impact the lives of special needs children, he pursues his life purpose in directing the Keshet Buddy Baseball program, a noncompetitive recreational league he founded, while deepening his involvement in volunteerism and philanthropy.

Education

  • Northern Illinois University (1974-1978)
  • Niles North High School (1970-1974)
  • American College
    • Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) (1993)
    • Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) (1991)

Top Skills

  • Non-Profits
  • Disability Insurance
  • Selling

Publications

  • Nine Estate Planning Tips for Children with Special Needs

Honors & Awards

  • Bill Reid Community Service Award
  • Distinguished Alumni Award
  • Teach & Inspire Award
  • Guardian of Hope

The Networking Group

The Networking Group (TNG) is a Northbrook, Illinois based organization of business owners, professional service providers, and entrepreneurs who subscribe to a “giver’s gain” approach to networking. The group, which was founded in 1992 at a delicatessen on Chicago’s North Shore, has grown to over 100 members in noncompetitive fields who support each other through peer advisory, referrals, and camaraderie. Dean is a Founder and Executive Director since 1992 of Chicago’s premier networking group.

In his role as facilitator, Founder, and Executive Director, Dean presides over monthly meetings that explore how members can make a difference in the lives of their clients and colleagues as well as in the communities they serve. Additionally, each meeting spotlights a different local charity for which donations from TNG members are collected and graciously gifted.
Dean Klassman is one of the most giving and unselfish individuals I have ever met. I have know Dean and...
Dean Klassman is one of the most giving and unselfish individuals I have ever met. I have know Dean and we have been personal friends for approximately 40 years. When he started the Buddy Baseball Program for children with special needs, he also became my hero. Dean has worked tirelessly to build this organization for one reason, to help the kids. Dean has also recruited his entire family to be apart of his organziation. I am honored to call Dean Klassman a friend of mine.

Corey Schiff

Dean Klassman is a great man and advocate for special needs kids. My son has been in Buddy Baseball for...
Dean Klassman is a great man and advocate for special needs kids. My son has been in Buddy Baseball for a number of years. He has worked tirelessly to support this program. In fact, he and his entire family. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Michael Jimmerson

My son Noah spent many happy days on the baseball field, directed by Coach Dean at Keshet Buddy Baseball. Dean's...
My son Noah spent many happy days on the baseball field, directed by Coach Dean at Keshet Buddy Baseball. Dean's warmth, love of children and phenomenal organizational skills have made him the perfect Commissioner and League Director of Keshet Buddy Baseball. What started out as a very small program has exploded to serve, from what I am hearing, almost 100 children! In addition, Coach Dean does a fantastic job of recruiting buddies and training them. Coach Dean Klassman has provided dozens of children with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball in a safe and protected environment. He has enabled the children to participate in the game to the best of their ability and to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their participation, while allowing family members the opportunity to be proud spectators. Thanks, Coach Dean!

Ellen Bronfeld

Dean Klassman is the consummate go-giver! As co-founder and President at The Networking Group (TNG), Dean has led by example....
Dean Klassman is the consummate go-giver! As co-founder and President at The Networking Group (TNG), Dean has led by example. He continuously seeks methods and models that will be of benefit to the membership. Dean sets the standard and raises the bar for professional networking activities - consistently stressing the need to Pay it Forward and to give first. As group leader, he shines! As a networker - he excels! As a professional - he is a great role model! If you are not currently working with Dean Klassman, get to know him through me or another TNG colleague.

Sharon (M.) Weinstein, MS, RN, CRNI-R®, CSP®,CVP, FACW, FAAN

Leadership. Strength. Energy. Focus. Interaction. Giving. Hilarious. Those are 7 words that immediately come to mind when I think of...
Leadership. Strength. Energy. Focus. Interaction. Giving. Hilarious. Those are 7 words that immediately come to mind when I think of Dean Klassman. Through Dean's Networking Group, I have had the opportunity to share with, and learn from, dozens of great Chicagoland business people; not the least of which being Dean himself. Through his selfless networking, to his leadership in North Shore Keshet Buddy Baseball; Dean just has an innate desire and ability to help people. And this attitude rubs off on the people around him. A big, warm personality that brings a human touch to his clients, partners, friends, and associates. AND, he can just CRACK YOU UP as well. Always a plus! I wholeheartedly recommend Dean and his company Klassman Financial.

Mark Ingraham

I have had the pleasure of knowing Dean for more than 10 years. I have been a member of his...
I have had the pleasure of knowing Dean for more than 10 years. I have been a member of his networking group and I consider him to be a colleague and trusted advisor. Dean is a true professional; dedicated to helping everyone around him achieve the highest level of success. His tireless efforts in leading The Networking Group (TNG) have made a significant impact on my career and the businesses of many many others.

Darrell Katz

Dean is the ultimate connector and giver. Not only is he a great connector of people, but his knowledge of...
Dean is the ultimate connector and giver. Not only is he a great connector of people, but his knowledge of long-term-care insurance, its benefits, and all the different aspects makes Dean the man to go to for LTC. I know he also does group health and other employee benefits, but I never needed those services. The people I have sent to him have always commented on the great service Dean provides along with an education on the products. You will never meet a more giving individual than Dean. He is a true gem and a wonderful gentleman.

Sharan Tash

Dean is a person authentically committed to helping others and to making a difference in their lives. Whether he's acting...
Dean is a person authentically committed to helping others and to making a difference in their lives. Whether he's acting in his professional capacities, his networking organizarion capacities or his altruistic charitible capacities, Dean is 150% oriented to "being there for others." While some only "talk the talk", Dean Klassman not only "walks the walk" but leads the way.

Holly Kahan

Regardless of where you search, you will not find anyone who is more disciplined, more dedicated and more determined than...
Regardless of where you search, you will not find anyone who is more disciplined, more dedicated and more determined than Dean Klassman. Dean has a passion for helping others that overflows. Getting to know Dean over the past eight years has truly been one of the joys of my professional career. It is without hesitation and with great respect that I recommend Dean Klassman.

Steve Schermerhorn

Dean is the Insurance Guy and financial consultant that always gets a good night's sleep! His business ethics and style...
Dean is the Insurance Guy and financial consultant that always gets a good night's sleep! His business ethics and style is to always do what's best for his clients at all times no matter what. He tells me that he knows when he acts in the best interest of his clients he will always sleep well every night. I am always honored to work with Dean knowing as a team we are resting well!

Ronald Cohen, LTCP,DIA,DIF

Dean has gone above and beyond working hard to get me the best value I could get on my life...
Dean has gone above and beyond working hard to get me the best value I could get on my life insurance. I trust Dean completely and would recommend him to everybody I know. I when I think of "The Best" I associate that with Dean Klassman.

Scott Schmaren

As a friend of 25 years and a client of 25 years, nobody I know works harder for his clients....
As a friend of 25 years and a client of 25 years, nobody I know works harder for his clients. The answer is never no. It is always “let me figure out a way to fit your needs.” Dean is always representing your interests 24/7 no matter what help you need. He has done an incredible job for me with respect to disability, long-term care, health, and life insurance. Dean is a straight shooter and is honest and caring. That is why his clients have been with him for so long. He never stops working for them. Best in the business.

Rob Feldgreber

As a client of Dean's for over 20 years, I have been impressed with his expertise and advice relative to...
As a client of Dean's for over 20 years, I have been impressed with his expertise and advice relative to insurance and financial service matters. More importantly, Dean has a very strong client orientation that places the needs and objectives of his clients above all else. I would consider Dean's approach quite unique in that regard, as he genuinely embraces the concept that putting clients first is the key to cultivating long term business relationships. I would highly recommend Dean Klassman and his services.

John (Jack) Romeo

I have used Dean when I have needed life insurance. He did a tremendous analysis of my needs and explained...
I have used Dean when I have needed life insurance. He did a tremendous analysis of my needs and explained it in a simple, easy to understand way. He is truly an expert in his field. I would recommend him to any one that has life, disability or health needs. Furthermore, Dean is a master "Connector" and "Giver" - he is an expert that can many times steer you to a person that can help you and your business. Dean gets my highest recommendation!

Kevin Green, CFP®, CIMA®

Dean goes the extra mile for his clients and makes reccommendations that truly take into account what is best for...
Dean goes the extra mile for his clients and makes reccommendations that truly take into account what is best for them. He is always watching for new products that might be a fit and is a joy to work with. He has the highest integrity and gives back to the community through his non-profit work. I highly recommend Dean to anyone looking for Life or Disability insurance along with other financial and planning needs. He delivers results and is truly a partner you can trust and one that will look out for your best interest.

Douglas E. Eckrote, MBA

Dean is a highly knowledgeable advisor who makes the process of buying insurance easy. He clearly knows his stuff and...
Dean is a highly knowledgeable advisor who makes the process of buying insurance easy. He clearly knows his stuff and can make the best recommendation since he asks the right questions to provide custom solutions. I would highly recommend Dean.

Jody Williamson

Dean is first and foremost an expert in his field. He knows insurance backwards and forwards. But what really sets...
Dean is first and foremost an expert in his field. He knows insurance backwards and forwards. But what really sets Dean apart from all others is his emphasis on making a difference for his clients. While extremely successful, Dean never forgets that his primary objective is to satisfy the needs of others. His integrity is impeccable. Whether you need something as simple as term life insurance or as complex as estate planning with insurance as a component of your plan, you will be well-served by working with Dean Klassman.

Bruce Graham

Out of an abundance of caution, my physician tested my heart to ensure I was fit enough to run the...
Out of an abundance of caution, my physician tested my heart to ensure I was fit enough to run the Chicago Marathon. Unbeknown to us at the time, performing the test on a man in his mid-thirties would later disqualify me for life insurance. Unable to secure a policy at first, Dean worked tirelessly with me and the carriers over the course of nine months to educate them that the test was only done as a precautionary measure, not because I was sick. In the end Dean was able to secure a policy for the coverage I needed, with a financially secure company at a competitive rate. Dean was persistent, creative and a pleasure to work with; I will certainly use him again for any of my insurance needs.

Rafi Arbel

It is really easy to recommend a person like Dean. Dean not only is an expert in his field but...
It is really easy to recommend a person like Dean. Dean not only is an expert in his field but Dean's integrity makes it very easy to understand why he is as successful as he is. Dean worked extremely hard to find the right policy at the right price for me. Dean took no shortcuts and took the time to explain every option. Dean's ability to communicate made purchasing insurance not only easy but painless. I would recommend Dean to anyone who needs an insurance expert!

Steve Lewis

In an industry where many agents offer the same products, Dean Klassman stands out as a true expert and "takes...
In an industry where many agents offer the same products, Dean Klassman stands out as a true expert and "takes the pain" out of buying. I recommend Dean without hesitation for all corporate and personal life, health, disability and long term care requirements. He takes a personal interest in all of his clients at puts their needs ahead of any personal motivation that he may have

Richard Hochschild

Dean is a rare bird in this world especially in the insurance industry. He is honest and with great integrity....
Dean is a rare bird in this world especially in the insurance industry. He is honest and with great integrity. He serves his clients with the highest level of service, stands up for them against the insurance companies when they mess up, and is constantly giving back to the community. An incredible guy everyone will eventually know - described once as a force of nature.

Christopher Turley

Buddy Baseball

Dean has been a Founder, Commissioner, and Coach since 2002, of Buddy Baseball, a national philanthropic organization that is being introduced around the world including Los Angeles, Toronto, and Jerusalem. Expansion of the program is now under consideration in The United Kingdom, South Africa, and New South Wales, Australia.

This work is significant to Dean who provides an outlet through which children with developmental disabilities can experience the thrill and unbridled enjoyment of playing baseball. He derives untold joy and satisfaction through the deeply emotional connections he makes with his special need ballplayers. Often the communication is nonverbal and driven by human instinct alone. Dean currently coaches Buddy Baseball as part of the Buffalo Grove Recreational Association (BGRA), meeting with his ballplayers three times per week in a season that runs from the end of April to the end of June.

The Road to Prosperity Starts Here