GRANVILLE COUNTY VETEARNS SERVICES: A familiar face has been tapped as Granville County’s new Veteran  Services Officer. Albert “A.J.” Spiess takes on this new role after serving as Veteran Services Technician for the  past year. The Veteran Services Officer serves as the department’s director whose mission is to assist local  Veterans and their families with navigating the complex processes to access programs and resources at the state  and federal level. 

Originally from Lula, Georgia, Spiess is a retired Veteran of the U.S. Navy. He began his twenty-six years of  service after enlisting in Gainesville, Georgia and eventually rose to the rank of Senior Chief Master at Arms  (Military Police). Spiess served on six ships (USS Butte, USS Simpson, USS Briscoe, USS Truman, USS Harpers  Ferry, and USS Wasp). Before reaching the rank of Senior Chief Master at Arms, Spiess also served as Deck  Seaman and Signalman. 

Spiess also has extensive experience serving as Anti-Terrorism Officer/Physical Security Officer conducing anti terrorism training, Department Leading Chief Petty Officer/Lead Investigator where he investigated larcenies,  assaults, suicides, and other security violations, and Senior Master Training Instructor at the Navy Police  Academy overseeing major curriculum changes and teaching students at all levels of experience. 

In addition to his professional experience, Spiess previously volunteered with the Disabled American Veterans  (DAV), serving as Chapter Veteran Services Officer where he aided veterans and their families in obtaining  benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other government agencies. 

Spiess also holds an associate’s 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. Spiess began his tenure with Granville County as Veteran Services Technician in July 2022 and most  recently served as Interim Veteran Services Officer. 

“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.” 

“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 Street, 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 to 5:00 p.m. in Creedmoor. To learn more about the  services and programs offered, visit the Granville County website  

(https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/veterans-services/) or call 919-693-1484.