At LEOAC, we believe it is important for donors and recipients to know the background of our team so you know a little about us.  Links to our biographies are located on the right.

Caree Severson, Executive Director of the Advisory Committee

Caree Severson is a National Grassroots Organizer and actively involved in political campaigns on a national level and in Iowa.

Caree's grassroots involvement began when she was employed in Corporate Customer Service for over 15 years in the Twin Cities. She earned high honors for designing and implementing an award winning "Customer Networking Program." The program is a unique approach of communicating directly between the customer and manufacturing teams, resulting in "a team approach to customer service." Caree received several corporate and divisional company awards for executing this program.

Caree's love for our country and her patriotism earned her a military tribute in 2010. A National Guard friend, Sgt. John Barnedt, Sr. who was stationed in Afghanistan recognized her patriotism by flying a flag in her honor during a combat mission in Afghanistan on Veterans Day and then presenting the flag and a certificate to Caree. The certificate reads "This is to certify that this flag was PROUDLY flown in honor of 'Caree Severson' in Afghanistan during a combat mission on Veterans Day 2010 in a CH-47D Chinook aircraft #232 . The flag flew in the faceof the enemy bearing witness to the unshakeable resolve to eliminate terrorist forces threatening the freedom of the United States and the world." When asked about receiving this recognition, Caree replied, "God bless Sgt John Barnedt Sr. and all of our military for serving our country, and thanks to Sgt. John for thinking of and recognizing me with this flag and certificate that I will cherish always. I am extremely humbled and privileged to be recognized and will fly the flag with the utmost pride on American soil."

Caree's appreciation for our military is evident since she is a proud member of the Iowa State Patriot Guard and has attended several fallen heroes funerals, military deployments and welcome home events. Caree wears a fallen heroes bracelet in honor of SPC. Benjamin Smith KIA 11/2/05. She is carrying on SPC Smith's love for our country by wearing his bracelet. Although Caree had never met SPC Smith, she felt the need to show respect by attending his funeral which was life altering for her to get very involved in politics. She does this by grassroots organizing for political campaigns and has been a leading advocate for release of Border Agents such as Ramos and Compean and now Agent Chito Diaz.

Caree first got involved fighting against illegal immigration when she worked Congressman Tom Tancredo for President campaign in 2009-10. She considers Mr. Tancredo a leader and mentoring the fight against illegal immigration and says Mr. Tancredo has the guts to speak the truth about the devastation that illegal immigration is negatively impacting our country.

"Illegal immigration is not a 'southern border problem' and I am dismayed that politicians don't have the guts to stand up to this problem and actually enforce the current immigration laws. Iowa is fast becoming an illegal alien haven and there is an actual 'Hispanic highway' in Iowa while Spanish signs are fast becoming the norm," states Caree.

As a result of working closely with Congressman Tancredo, Caree learned of Border Agents Ramos and Compean who were incarcerated at the time. Caree was instrumental spearheading the social networking campaign for the release of Border Agents Ramos and Compean earning her place on the Conservative Wall of Pride presented by the Iowa Defense Alliance group. This honor is dedicated to Iowa Conservatives that have been judged by the Iowa Defense Alliance to exhibit extraordinary efforts to further the principles of conservatism and freedom.

"The best feeling in the world was the day I received a very confidential phone call when Agents Ramos and Compean were being released from prison, knowing I couldn't share with anyone since their release had to be kept strictly private. I was thanking my God at that time. Our government officials ought to be held accountable for their horrible injusticefor our open border policy."

Caree is also involved advocating for our 9/11 heroes, specifically Flight 93 memorial. In fact, she is in frequent contact with David Beamer, father of Todd 'Let's Roll' Beamer (9/11 Flight 93 hero).

Caree draws her inspiration from her loyalty to family and friends. Her life's devotion is to contributing her time andenergy into "doing unto others as she would want them to do unto her", and for her "love of personal freedom and liberty."

Caree's work and experience in advancing law enforcement advocacy has earned her an appointment by LEOAC to their Advisory Committee initially as Sr. Advisor. Her hard work on Agent Diaz' case led to her being selected to serve as Executive Director for the committee.

"I vow to advocate for the release of Agent Diaz and I won't stop until he is back home with his wife Diana and children. I look forward to the day he is released, and thank Senator Grassley (IA), Congressman Steve King (IA), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN), and Congressman Canseco (TX) for requesting Agent Diaz's transcripts and vowing to get involved," said Caree. "I look forward to the day I can look Agent Diaz in the eye, shake his hand, and thank him for his service to our country. I look forward to meeting both of them when he is FREE," concluded Caree.

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