Hoffman, the sport’s most prolific writer, is the author of three books, with a fourth to be published this year, and of hundreds of articles on the leading personalities – human and equine – in world harness racing. His writing has appeared in publications in Sweden, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Norway, Denmark and New Zealand, and he has been a guest speaker on harness racing in the U.S., Australia, Norway, Sweden and Great Britain.

A guest lecturer at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program for the last 24 years and a member of the board of directors of American Horse Publications for the last 9 years, Hoffman has won numerous writing awards in national competitions, including HTA’s Dan Patch award two years ago "for his immense contributions to the literature of harness racing," and Harness Horsemen International’s Media Award in 1999.

His three books – Castleton Farm, published in 1995; America’s Trotting Classic, which appeared in 2000, and Quest for Excellence, which appeared in 2003 — will be joined by a fourth work to be published later this year.

Hoffman supervises a staff of eight who handle all aspects of the award-winning Hoof Beats, including budgeting, planning, writing, editing, advertising, circulation, and production. He has conceived and implemented many of USTA’s public relations programs outside his duties as executive editor, including award programs, brochures and Internet initiatives. He is active on USTA’s Internet Advisory Committee.

A 1971 cum laude bachelor of science graduate in journalism at Ohio University, Hoffman went to work that fall as publicity director for the fall Grand Circuit meeting at the historic Red Mile in Lexington under Biff Lowry. That was the year of Steady Star’s world record of 1:52 for a mile for Joe O’Brien, the back-to-back miles in 1:54.4 by Albatross for Stanley Dancer, Speedy Crown’s record trotting mile for Howard Beissinger, and the then record sales price of the yearling Good Humor Man. Those events and immortals of the sport would have been enough to set any young enthusiast on a lifetime course in the sport, but Hoffman had started well before that. As a high school and college student, he worked as a groom for two summers at Walnut Hall Farm and two for the great Ohio owner Samuel Huttenbauer. For two years after graduation from college Dean was assistant to the manager of Stoner Creek Stud, Norman Woolworth’s and David Johnston’s great nursery in Paris, KY, and he worked as a summer intern and in the track department of USTA.

For eight years, from 1973 to 1981, Hoffman worked for advertising and public relations companies in Cincinnati and Columbus, winding up as director of public information for investor-owned companies with the Ohio Electric Utility Institute in Columbus. Then, in 1981, he joined USTA to start the brilliant career that has made him an international harness racing celebrity in Europe and Australia.