For Dean Tubekis, real estate is more than a career: it is a commitment to the community of South Barrington—a legacy that started with his father, Bill LaMack, one of the first agents to work in South Barrington while it was being developed. Dean continues that legacy today as the leader of the Dean Tubekis Team, which has been ranked the top real estate team in South Barrington for many years, and in 2023, was ranked second in Coldwell Banker’s Midwest Region by volume.1

Dean grew up in South Barrington, attending Barrington schools and graduating from Barrington High School. He looked up to his father for his success, as well as his grandfather, who taught him to appreciate music and whom Dean describes as “one of the kindest, most generous men I’ve ever known.” 

With a love and passion for music, Dean played guitar in a heavy metal band while attending William Rainey Harper College for a couple of years, followed by the Musician’s Institute (now the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music) in Hollywood, California. In the end, however, Dean decided not to pursue music as a career, setting his sights on real estate instead. 

“I liked the idea that the amount of work I put into real estate would be commensurate with my compensation,” Dean explains. “I also liked the idea of helping people with one of the biggest decisions of their lives.”

Obtaining his license in 1995, Dean started his career under his father’s tutelage at his brokerage, Countrywood Realty (later ERA Countrywood Realty). “My father was a great mentor,” Dean recalls. “He took the time to explain what a career in real estate would entail to make sure I saw both the good and bad, so I could make a truly informed choice.”

Like many new agents, it took Dean a lot of time, perseverance, and hard work to gain traction in the business. He consistently worked the phones for leads and relied on referrals to get his footing. “My wife and I experienced some lean times at the beginning,” Dean shares. “Once I began to sell homes regularly, I was excited by the potential for growth, and eventually, the ability to put a fantastic team of agents together.”

Dean is incredibly passionate about his team today—the collaboration among everyone on the team, his ability to share his experience with the agents, and the team’s ability to serve the multi-faceted needs of their clients. The Dean Tubekis Team consists of thirteen members: two administrative/marketing professionals and eleven agents.

Culminating in a blend of diverse talents and expertise, each member of the Dean Tubekis Team brings a unique set of skills to the table. From Jackie Speckin's meticulous transaction coordination to Pete Perisin's comprehensive understanding of residential construction and land development, the team covers every angle of real estate service. 

With Team Sales Manager Kristin Pfad’s knowledge of investment properties and real estate law; Tricia Wood's familiarity with equestrian properties and ability to work with commercial clients; Jennifer Haug's empathetic client relations and knack for marketing and event planning; and the multilingual capabilities of agents like Lorena Cardenas, Ariana Contreras Gonzalez, Diana Curmei, and Olesea McConnell ensure that no client need is beyond their collective expertise, whether they speak English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, or Russian. 

In addition, Prince Koikkara’s dedication to excellence, and Mark Bousquet’s “the client is everything” philosophy along with his over twenty years in the industry and love of working with seniors, ensure no stone is left unturned for their clients. Finally, Marketing Coordinator Samantha Tubekis (Dean’s wife) brings over fifteen years of marketing and public relations experience to the team, producing brochures, direct mail, a monthly newsletter, and a host of other marketing endeavors. The team’s synergy not only enhances their service delivery but also fosters an environment of growth and learning for everyone. 

What really sets Dean and his team apart, however, is their profound connection to the Barrington community and their clients. For Dean, real estate is not just about transactions, it's about relationships, understanding client needs, and being there for them through every life stage. This ethos is reflected in the team's work culture and their interactions with clients. All of these things have placed the Dean Tubekis Team in the top fifty Coldwell Banker teams in the US by volume.2

Looking ahead, Dean envisions continued growth, as well as adding motivated agents with a zeal for real estate and a penchant for surpassing client expectations to the team. The goal is not just to expand in numbers, but to also enhance the quality and range of services they offer, ensuring that every client interaction is marked by professionalism, empathy, and unparalleled support.

“We would love to grow our team with agents who are a good fit,” Dean stresses. “We want agents who will work well within the systems we have developed, are serious about growing their careers, and will go above and beyond for clients. I also want agents who can provide encouragement and support to others on the team for their mutual growth.”

“The team dynamic we have created allows agents access to daily coaching and mentoring,” he adds. “Some have become top producers due to their own hard work and the collaborative nature of the team, which I am very proud of.” 

When Dean isn’t working, he and Samantha enjoy spending time with their two adult children, Alex and Deanna, when they can. Dean still enjoys playing guitar (he was in a Kiss cover band for a while), riding his bike, reading, hiking, and watching a good TV show or movie at home. 

At the end of the day, success for Dean is about feeling proud of the life he has created and knowing he’s on the right path with work, family, and friends by always creating a positive impact on others. 

With that intention, Dean offers the following advice to newer agents: “Focus on your clients and on providing the best service possible, not on whether or not you are getting paid. By doing so, you’ll gain momentum and success will come.” Dean is certainly proof of that.

1 2023 Coldwell Banker internal ranking report, “Large Team GCI by State and Region.” The Dean Tubekis Team: #2.

2  2023 Coldwell Banker internal ranking report, “Large Team National AGCI.” The Dean Tubekis Team: #48.