Captain Jose A. Nieves was born in Puerto Rico. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Regents College and a Master of Science degree in Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning. He enlisted in the Navy in 1977 where he served on board the USS CAPODANNO (FF-1092), USS MEREDITH (DD-890), and USS BARRY (DD-933). CAPT Nieves was discharged from the Navy in 1980 and served with a SEABEE unit in the reserves until enlisting in the Coast Guard in 1983. While enlisted, he achieved the rank of Petty Officer First Class (YN1) and served at Support Center New York on Governor's Island and Coast Guard Supply Center Brooklyn prior to attending Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, VA.

Captain Nieves' Coast Guard operational assignments include Deck Watch Officer, CGC THETIS (WMEC 910), Key West, Florida; temporary assignments on board the old Surface Effect Ship CGC SHEARWATER (WSES-3); with the Navy for 6 months on board USS Ashland (LSD-48); and CTU Surface Operations Officer for Operation ABLE MANNER on board CGC CAMPBELL off the coast of Haiti. He served as Operations Officer on board CGC STEADFAST (WMEC 623), Astoria, Oregon where he concurrently served as Operations Officer for the Battle-Rostered Port Security Unit attending Basic Combat training with the U.S. Marine Corps in CAMP PENDLETON and at the Riverine Center of Excellence in CAMP LEJEUNE, later deploying with PSU 311 to South Korea. CAPT Nieves subsequently served as Executive Officer, CGC THETIS (WMEC 910) and Commanding Officer, CGC MOHAWK (WMEC 913), also out of Key West.

Captain Nieves’ staff assignments include: HQ Office of Enlisted Personnel; Chief, Support Services Division, Support Center Elizabeth City, NC; Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue Instructor, International Training Division (ITD), Yorktown, VA. While at ITD, he trained military and civilian law enforcement personnel in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Namibia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Cape Verde, and Tunisia. CAPT Nieves served with the U.S. Navy at Commander, South Atlantic Force (COMSOLANT) and Commander, Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSOUTH), both located at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. As punishment for his fun in the sun, CAPT Nieves returned to Washington, DC serving first with the HQ Office of Law Enforcement and later with the HQ Office of Civil Rights. He was selected to work for the White House Drug Czar as Chief of Staff for the Deputy Director for Supply Reduction, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President where he concurrently served as the Senior Advisor to the United States Interdiction Coordinator (USIC). CAPT Nieves is currently assigned to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as Deputy Director, National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) in Suitland, MD.

CAPT Nieves currently serves as a Nonresident Director of the Navy Mutual Aid Association (NMAA). He has served on the Board of Control for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Fund (CGMA) and on the Commandant's Diversity Advisory Council (DAC).

Captain Nieves' awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medals (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Commandant's Letter of Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous sea service and unit awards. CAPT Nieves has also received the International Narcotics Officer Association Commendation Award and the Director, White House National Drug Control Policy, Distinguished Service Award.