One might expect to find NIACC alumni living throughout the United States, but what about throughout the world? Dean Howell, a Mason City native and 1983 NIACC graduate, has lived abroad since 1994... in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Shanghai (China) and, currently, in Brussels (Belgium).

Howell is the Group Sales and Marketing Director, International Unitary Systems for the Trane Company, a United States-based global supplier of air conditioning equipment and services. He is responsible for sales and marketing activities outside of the United States for residential and light commercial products and has been employed at Trane since graduating from Iowa State University in 1985.

Howell held several sales and sales management positions in Pennsylvania and Maryland before moving overseas.

Experiencing such different cultures may present some difficulties, but Howell takes this in stride. "My wife and I have made a point to enjoy everywhere we have lived - that I think is ‘key’ to successfully dealing with the moves that my career evolution has brought about," he said. Howell and his wife, Janice, who he met while living in Pittsburgh, have two children, Wesley and Madeline.

Shanghai, according to Howell, is where he experienced the greatest culture shock. "It’s incredible how quickly things are changing there since their government decided to open their economy," he said. "We lived in the center of this very lively city with a population of 13 million."

Howell thought Europe was a more accommodating place and better to raise a family. "What is nice about Europe is its compactness, you can easily move from one country to another by car," he said. "It is not unreasonable to go visit another country over the weekend."

Surprisingly, Howell feels there are more similarities than differences in working overseas and working in the United States. "Everywhere I have been there have been basic requirements for success in our business – a winning strategy, value-added products and services, efficient processes, and well-trained and motivated associates," he said.

However, there are a number of differences that Howell has noticed - the differences in culture, means of communication, attitudes and beliefs. "For example, in the United States business culture, we tend to be more direct in our communication which would be seen as too aggressive by a French or Chinese person," he said.

Howell explained that in order to compensate for the differences in culture Trane hires local managers in all foreign markets. "I think it is important to meet them halfway," he said. "They need to understand and respect the business culture and tradition in the United States and vice versa."

Living abroad may present a problem as far as getting back to the states, but Howell and his family have adjusted accordingly. "We do try to get back to Iowa once a year, usually around Christmas time," he said. "Since we do move around so much, I consider home to be wherever my wife and children are."

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