The newly named Veteran Services officer for Granville County is a familiar face taking on a new role. Albert “A.J.” Spiess was Veteran Services technician for the past year and becomes the department director to assist local veterans and their families access state and federal programs and resources.
“After a rewarding year working with Granville Veterans, I am humbled and honored to be chosen as Granville County’s new Veteran Services Officer,” said Spiess. “I feel so privileged to serve our veterans and their families. This work, along with my previous volunteer experience with the DAV, is truly my calling. I look forward to continuing to work with Granville’s veterans and help guide them to access all the services and programs they deserve.”
Spiess is retired from the U.S. Navy. The Georgia native served 26 years and rose to the rank of Senior Chief Master at Arms (Military Police). He served on six ships – USS Butte, USS Simpson, USS Briscoe, USS Truman, USS Harpers Ferry, and USS Wasp – as a deck seaman and signalman before reaching the rank of senior chief Master at Arms.
He has an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He and his wife Corie have one child, Brooke, who is currently attending nursing school.
He has experience conducting trainings in a variety of topics ranging from anti-terrorism to senior master training instructor at the Navy Police Academy, where he oversaw major curriculum changes and provided instruction to students of varying levels of experience..
In addition to his professional experience, Spiess previously volunteered with the Disabled American Veterans, serving as chapter veteran services officer to help veterans and their families obtain benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other government agencies.
“The Veterans Affairs Committee is really pleased that A.J. has been chosen to lead the Veterans Services Office,” said Committee Chair Charles Miller. “As veteran services technician, he demonstrated his commitment to serving the needs of the veterans in our community. We are confident he is the right person to guide this department into the future.”
The Granville County Veterans Services Office is located at 141 Williamsboro St., Oxford and Creedmoor City Hall (111 Masonic Street, Creedmoor). The current office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Oxford and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Creedmoor. To learn more about the services and programs offered, visit
https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/veterans-services/ or call 919.693.1484.