[2] Shearer began his career as a broadcast journalist and on-air talent in several Iowa media markets.

While a student at the University of Iowa, he was appointed manager for the university's student radio station KICR / KRUI, and served on the board of directors for the Iowa Broadcast News Association.

Shearer was editor of The Columbus Gazette in Louisa County, Iowa for 20 years.

He joined the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in 2004 as director of emergency programs.

In his current position at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, he served for eight years as national coordinator of the Multi-State Partnership for Security in Agriculture.