Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) Commissioner Jeff Newton has appointed Chris Phillips to serve as the department’s new District I Manager, overseeing veterans service offices across 17 counties in northern Alabama.

In this role, Mr. Phillips will ensure each county office in District I has the appropriate personnel coverage and will uphold standards related to workplace conduct, policies, and performance. In coordination with the Director of Field Operations, he will also be responsible for training and retraining employees on departmental procedures, rules, and the quality control of claims processing.

“Chris has earned the respect of both his colleagues and the veterans he serves through his steady leadership and unwavering dedication to Alabama’s veteran community,” said Commissioner Newton. “He brings valuable experience, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to ensuring veterans and their families receive the support they deserve. I look forward to seeing the continued impact he will make as District Manager and the positive influence he will have across the region.”

Mr. Phillips, who retired from the U.S. Navy in 2019 as a Petty Officer First Class, joined the ADVA in 2021 as the Fayette, Pickens, and Lamar County Veterans Service Officer. He was recently named the Veterans Advocate of the Year for 2025. In the Navy, he was in the field of Aviation and served aboard the USS Porter, USS Kennedy, USS Enterprise, and USS Bataan. He served with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) from 2010-13 and the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) from 2013-16, where he earned his Master Training Specialist designation.

ADVA has 64 Veterans Service Offices statewide, assisting veterans and their families in filing claims and accessing federal, state, and local benefits they have earned through military service. District I oversees Veterans Service Offices in Blount, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lamar, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Winston, and Walker counties.

Mr. Phillips will assume his new role as District I Manager on June 1.