John Spiegel Answers to Professor, President/CEO, and Commanding Officer
John Spiegel has some impressive titles — Piedmont University Associate Theatre Professor and President/CEO of Spiegel Films — but perhaps none more impressive than Commanding Officer in the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF). Spiegel joined the GSDF, similar to the National Guard and referred to as the Georgia State Guard, 15 years ago.
Service is a family tradition. His grandfather, Charles “Cy” Perkins, was an admiral and a hero pilot in the U.S. Navy who earned the Navy Cross for actions during the World War II battle of Midway.
“His plane got all shot up, but he saved his guys,” Spiegel said. He remembers a talk he had with his grandfather about joining the service. The military hero told his grandson: “I served. You don’t have to.”
Spiegel went to Davidson College in North Carolina to earn his undergraduate degree in theatre. He achieved a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He started his teaching career in 2003 and joined Piedmont in 2009.
Two years later, Spiegel enlisted in the State Guard as a private, worked his way up to Staff Sergeant, and soon after completed Officer Candidate School. He is now a captain and commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion 1st Brigade based in Winder. The Georgia State Defense Force is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense. Its members wear uniforms but don’t carry weapons. Spiegel’s unit participates in opposing force exercises and can be a calming presence in tense situations. The unit also provides disaster relief and recovery.
Last September, Spiegel’s unit was sent to Augusta, where Hurricane Helene left significant damage. Soaking rains and 80-100 mph winds caused trees to topple, and more than 8,000 power poles were damaged or destroyed.
“In Augusta, two or three trees would be down in just one section between two power poles. You couldn’t clear just one. You had to clear all three, and some of them pulled the power poles down,” Spiegel said. “We saw one place where an old tree ball had merged into the water line and ripped a water main up out of the ground.”
Members of the Brigade cut trees, removed debris, and unblocked roads. They cleared the way to the four-unit nuclear Plant Vogtle. They distributed food, water, and blankets.
The professor and president/CEO
Theatre productions and military operations have much in common — planning the production/operation, assembling the right team(s), and meeting deadlines on or under budget.
Spiegel’s MFA is in directing. He has taught theatre history, script analysis, and, more recently, design. He also builds sets.
About a decade ago, Spiegel directed a production of Macbeth with a modern take using contemporary weapons. The production included 42 blank guns and a tank Spiegel bought from a British museum that was going out of business.
The tank was parked outside the Swanson Center for Performing Arts. Someone with Netflix saw it and asked Spiegel where he’d rented it.
“I said, ‘Oh, no. I own it.’ And he said, ‘Let’s talk.’ And we did,” Spiegel said. “Coffee and a tea and a dinner, and this, that, and the other, and then all of a sudden, he’s renting things from me, and someone else says, ‘Hey, where did you guys find this guy?’ And there it is.”
“It” is Spiegel Films. Captain/Professor John Spiegel is President and CEO.
“I do rent (weapons) to films, movies and TV. They were on ‘The Walking Dead’ at one point. They’ve been in some Marvel shows. I haven’t been on set. Some friends who do it call and say, ‘Hey, do you have this?’ ‘Yeah, I do.’”
Spiegel Films has great growth potential. Even film companies out of California come calling and could use a hand with weaponry. In fact, an entertainment industry attorney asked Spiegel to look at a packet of information about a recent high-profile shooting. Would he be willing to testify as an expert? Sure, Spiegel told the attorney – for the other side.
Humble Piedmont Professor. Military Commander. Chief Executive. Weapons Expert. John Spiegel is the embodiment of the involved, experienced Piedmont professor who teaches by doing, inspires by succeeding, and leads by example.
