As a 30 year law enforcement professional, Maier has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service to the State of Ohio. Maier followed in the footsteps of his late father Johnnie Maier Sr., a former city police officer, when he chose to enter the field of law enforcement in his native Stark County serving as an auxiliary police officer with Lawrence Township Police and as a Police Patrolman for the Village of Hartville. In November 1982 Maier was selected to attend the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in Columbus, Ohio and upon completion in March of 1983 he was assigned to the Wooster Post.

In 1990, Maier transferred to the Massillon District Headquarters. While assigned to the Massillon Post Maier received the Superintendent’s Proficiency Award in Auto Larceny Investigation in 1991and 1992. He also received a certificate of recognition in his life saving efforts while investigating a serious traffic crash in Tuscarawas Township.  Maier was selected in 1991 by his peers as the Post Trooper of the Year and he was also awarded the 1991 District and State Trooper of the year award.

In 1993 Maier was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to the Cambridge Patrol Post. He also earned the auto larceny Ace Award for making five on the spot apprehensions for auto larceny. He transferred to the New Philadelphia Post in 1996 where he served until his promotion to Lieutenant and assignment as the Post Commander at the Steubenville Post in 1998.

While Post Commander at the Steubenville Post, Maier continued his effort in promoting highway safety through community involvement and cooperation which earned him a state award from MADD for his active community involvement and educational programs.

In July of 2002 Maier was promoted to the rank of Staff Lieutenant and reassigned to the Massillon District Headquarters as the Assistant District Commander.  He attended the University of Louisville Kentucky and completed the Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute.

In August of 2004 Maier was promoted to the rank of Captain and reassigned to the Jackson District Headquarters in Jackson, Ohio. He earned the Highway Patrol Health and Physical Fitness award in 2000, 2002 and 2004 and earned a 20 year safe driving award. 
He served nearly 25 years with the agency before completing his tenure as Commander of the Patrol’s Jackson District in 2007.

In May 2007, Maier joined the Department of Public Safety as Assistant Director. With his extensive background in law enforcement administration and operations support as well as a strong commitment to community involvement and cooperation, Maier was appointed to one of the largest agencies in the state to help the Department build collaborative relationships with local, state and federal partners to promote statewide highway safety and public safety goals and initiatives. In his leadership role, Maier directed day-to-day agency operations and advised the Director, Governor’s Office and staff on issues relating to the Department, concentrating on the Emergency Medical Service, Criminal Justice Services, Ohio Investigative Unit and Governor’s Highway Safety Office.

As assistant director of the Department of Public Safety, Maier was appointed by Governor Strickland to lead the first significant effort to crack down on prescription drug abuse. He served as the interim director of the agency in 2010 and assisted in the administrations transition. He served as the Chairman of the State’s Interoperable Executive Committee and is a special deputy with the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.

George is a 1978 Washington High School graduate and he lives in Massillon with his wife Misty. He has three adult children George II, Johnnie H. and Michael P. Maier, and three grandsons.  He has always been active in the communities where he has been assigned and is extremely proud to call Massillon his home.

Following in their grandfather’s footsteps, two of Maier’s three sons also work in law enforcement. Johnnie H. Maier serves as a state trooper and Michael P. Maier is a Massillon police officer.