Imperial Potentate Michael G. Severe
During the 2011 Imperial Session, held in Denver July 3-7, Michael G. Severe of Erie, Colo., was elected the Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, making him the highest-ranking Shriner in the world. In this role, he serves as President of the Board of Directors for Shriners International and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children®.
Severe is a management consultant in the manufacturing sector. He was a manager of IS at Auto-trol Technology Corporation, division manager for Adolph Coors Company, CTO for EG&G/Kaiser-Hill and Corporate Management Consultant for Titanium Metals Corporation. Severe received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management information science from the University of Northern Colorado.
Severe was raised a Master Mason at the age of 21, progressing onto the York and Scottish Rites and becoming a Shriner at the age of 22. He held various officer positions at Glenwood Lodge #65, AF&AM, and was Past Patron of Erica Chapter # 69 – OES. At El Jebel Shriners, Severe belonged to the Scooter and Motorcycle Units and became president of his unit in 1989. In 1990, he was appointed Outer Guard, progressing to become Potentate of El Jebel Shriners in 1999. During the 1999-2000 Imperial Year, Severe served on the Imperial Strategic Planning and Imperial Fleming-Florence Committees. He has also served as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee.
Severe’s wife, Patty, is employed by St. Joseph Hospital. He has two children, Joe who works as a logger in Idaho, and Lauren who is attending the University of Northern Colorado as an English major; Patty has two grown children, Aaron and Amanda; and two grandchildren, Sydney and Derek.