FORT LEE, Va. (July 30, 2015) -- The 23rd Quartermaster Brigade said farewell to one senior leader and welcomed another during a change of command ceremony Wednesday on Seay Field near Mifflin Hall.

Col. Tamatha A. Patterson replaced Col. Mary Beth Taylor, while Brig. Gen. Ronald Kirkland, the 53rd Quartermaster General, officiated the ceremony.

Kirkland thanked Taylor and her family for their service during the last two years.

"Today, we pay tribute to Col. Taylor and her family for their tremendous contributions and their enduring commitment to Soldiers, civilians and families in this community," he said. "There are many lasting contributions that Col. Taylor has made over the last 24 months while commanding the largest and most diverse training brigade in all of TRADOC.

"Not only has Col. Taylor done all the things the Army expects her to do as a senior commander, but she's done them extremely well," continued Kirkland. "So, Mary Beth, from me to you, I want to personally thank you for the positive command climate you've built. (It sits) on the foundation of values, ethics-based leadership, trust and teamwork. You set professional standards for all within your command to follow. You made sound decisions regardless of difficulty, and you always supported the chain of command."

Taylor recognized her staff, the cadre and the warriors under her command during her speech and thanked them for their efforts.

"I wondered two years ago how I was going to successfully get through two years of brigade command," she said. "It's a little bit intimidating, but it is only through the grace of God and his guiding hands, a faithful family, and an amazing team, that we have succeeded.

"Thank you to the Dragon Brigade team," said Taylor. "You are truly a remarkable group of selfless leaders. I could not have asked for better command teams, staff, executive officers or command sergeants major."

Taylor's next assignment is to serve as an analyst for the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy.

Patterson is no stranger to the Quartermaster community and Fort Lee, said Kirkland. She previously served as the 262nd QM Battalion executive officer, 23rd QM Bde. operations officer, the QM Officer Basic Course chief and the CASCOM deputy inspector general.

"As we bid farewell to one great commander, we welcome another proven leader to the Dragon Brigade and QM team," said Kirkland. "She is known as a no-nonsense professional who leads by outstanding personal example. She comes to us with a superb resume and an outstanding reputation. Tamatha, I know the brigade will continue to grow under your leadership."

Patterson thanked her friends, family and fellow Soldiers for making the trek to show support in her position. She also thanked CASCOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons and Kirkland for giving her an opportunity to serve as the brigade commander.

"The world today continues to change and make our national security environment uncertain," she said. "This fact highlights the importance of the mission of this brigade. Ensuring our warriors are competent and confident in their abilities to do their duty once they arrive at their first assignment is at the forefront of my mind.

"There is no place I would rather be than right here, right now, serving as a member among the best officers, noncommissioned officers, Department of the Army Civilians and warriors in this Army," Patterson said.