Dean Lail was recognized as the Randolph County Citizen of the Year, a top honor presented by the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce at its annual meeting and awards ceremony. It recognizes individuals who consistently demonstrate civic leadership, professional excellence, and a deep commitment to the growth and enhancement of the Randolph County community.
Lail credited the mayor of Seagrove, David Fernandez, Patrick O'hara, YMCA director and Senator Dave Craven, prior year recipient, as part of the recent team effort to enhance southern Randolph County. 
Dean leads the Historic Lucks Cannery Advisory board which has been working diligently since 2018 renovating a large, delapidated factory into a community and economic development center with public and private, local, state and federal funding totaling over $3 Million. 
Dean Lail is president and CEO of Sapona Plastics with two locations in Asheboro and Seagrove.  Sapona has pledged support over 5 years to the Randolph Rises capital fundraising campaign and strategic initiative launched by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) in early 2023. This award comes a only a few years after Sapona received the Industry of the Year award in 2023 and company VP Sandra Lail received the Athena award in the same year.
It was noted in the awards presentation by master of ceremonies Patrick Osteen (Rhonoleap Artistic Director) that Dean attended NC State and UNC-G with a masters in business and undergrad degree in engineering.  He is active with Central Methodist Church in Asheboro and is a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club.  It was noted that he also provides rhythmic service as a drummer with several local musical groups.  Dean responded that "there are many people that deserve this recognition, many of whom are in attendance" at the award ceremony or that he has had an opportunity to work with.
The Lail family has established a deep legacy of service in the community starting with the 1989 Randolph County Citizen of the Year award received by Dean's father Jack C. Lail. Dean's daughter Kathryn Baker also recently completed the Leadership Randolph program with the chamber leading a project in Seagrove to create an indoor pickleball facility at the Lucks Cannery, under the guidance of chamber president and CEO Adam Death. 
Dean credits his working relationship with Kay Lail, "Wife of the Year" in his opinion, for the opportunity to serve together as a team.  Dean and Kay Lail most recently chaired the United Way Uwharrie Society fund raising campaign.  
The Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Asheboro and Randolph County, North Carolina, a premier place to live, work, and conduct business. Originally formed in 1926 and headquartered in downtown Asheboro, the Chamber currently serves more than 600 members.