Business founder. Seasoned diplomat. Crisis response expert. Negotiator. Global communicator. Marine Corps combat veteran. Navy officer. Spanish speaker. Husband. Dad. Deacon. Friend.

There are a lot of titles to describe Dana Deree, but some he is proudest of include husband, father, adoptive dad, volunteer, and church deacon. Dana has had a career defined by service and family. Despite experiencing childhood poverty, Dana has excelled in military, business, and diplomatic leadership. Now he is ready to put that experience to work for his neighbors in Washington County, Arkansas.

As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and Navy Reserve (in two different stints), Dana saw combat during the Persian Gulf War as a Marine machine gunner and later served as a Navy officer. In between, he taught government and history at the historic Little Rock Central High School.

Dana joined the diplomatic corps of the U.S. State Department and rose to the highest ranks. However, after his time abroad, Dana couldn’t dismiss the calling of his home state. Moving home to Fayetteville, Arkansas, he founded Arkansas Global Connect, a successful business that serves the needs of companies based in Arkansas and around the country.

Dana lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Stephanie, who is a social worker. Their youngest son, a 2025 graduate of Fayetteville High School, plans to join the military in the near future. The Derees have two older sons, one of whom is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Arkansas and the other is a mental health therapist. You will often find the Derees exploring beautiful Washington County with their German Shepherd, Emy. You will often find the Derees exploring beautiful Washington County with their German Shepherd, Emy.