ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (August 3, 2015) -- The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command's (ATEC) Army Evaluation Center (AEC), welcomed its new Director, James C. Cooke, during a change of responsibility ceremony July 30 at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
ATEC's commanding general, Maj. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, presided over the ceremony and the transition of leadership from AEC outgoing director, David Jimenez, to Cooke.
During his remarks, Karbler explained his thoughts on the leadership qualities Army professionals should embody over the course of their careers.
"Leadership is a function of both competence and character," said Karbler as he shared his thoughts on leadership and the importance of adhering to the Army's values and ethics. "You can't have one [competence] without the other [character]. That's why we are so blessed to have both Dave Jimenez and Jim Cooke here."
A little different from most change of responsibility ceremonies, the ATEC family will benefit from the leadership of both civilian senior leaders. Since January, Jimenez has worn two hats, one as the ATEC executive technical director and deputy and the other as AEC director.
Karbler lauded Jimenez for the professional expertise he has been recognized for across the Department of Defense.
With 29 years of expertise in the research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition, production engineering and sustainment mission areas, Jimenez has helped shape the future test and evaluation mission and community.
Karbler also praised Jimenez for his accomplishments during his tenure at AEC and said he looked forward to his continued contributions at ATEC headquarters.
"Dave's work with the ATEC System Team (AST) has really helped in our developmental and operational testing, exercises and fielded assessments so we can help inform the big decisions the Army has to make for programs as they move along," said Karbler.
Karbler commended Jimenez's foresight to know what was needed to position the command to support the Army of tomorrow and expressed his confidence in Cooke's ability to continue down the path of progress and achievement in support of the Army's modernization efforts.
Karbler thanked both Jimenez and his wife, Ida, for their support and the impact they made on the AEC team over the past five years.
During his remarks, Jimenez reflected on his time with ATEC and noted the workforce's commitment to provide selfless service to one of the toughest missions the Army has.
"It's been a privilege to lead the Army Evaluation Center," said Jimenez. "Over the years, the AEC mission and the scope of what AEC has been called to do has transformed significantly. It has kept up with the ever-changing technological landscape of the Army and the transformation never ends. I've been fortunate to have a front row seat, seeing it all."
As he handed over the reins to Cooke, Jimenez wished him the best and shared his secret to success during his tenure at AEC. "It's not about the pretty building, it's not about the facilities, it's all about the people… and you've got the best," Jimenez said.
Cooke joined the AEC team after serving as the assistant deputy under secretary of the Army for Test and Evaluation, where he provided oversight of all the test and evaluation capabilities for major army acquisition category I and II programs, as well as for all Department of Defense chemical and biological defense program activities.
Cooke served as the integrator and primary agent for the Secretary of the Army to coordinate test and evaluation positions on issues and reports with other military departments, the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff and Congress.
Among a host of other responsibilities, he also provided oversight over DOD's test and evaluation enterprise, test ranges, the Army test and evaluation strategic plan, regulations and policies, and the resources to execute the mission.
Both Jimenez and Karbler expressed their confidence in the breath of Cooke's knowledge and experience as he takes on his new responsibility as AEC director.
"Jim brings a wealth of experience he will be able to share with the ATEC family," said Karbler. "Jim has 42 years of service from the time he graduated from West Point in 1973 as an infantry officer and then as a trusted professional when he became an Army civilian in 1997. We are really excited to have him on board."
Cooke's experience in both military and civilian leadership positions have served him well on his numerous Army and Joint staff assignments. In addition, his years as a former military evaluator equipped him with a complete understanding of the AEC mission.
During his remarks Cooke thanked his wife, Lynnette, for her continuous support over the years and through the multiple assignments at home and abroad.
"Lynnette, they say behind every successful guy is the successful wife and in my case, that's true," said Cooke. "So thank you for that honey."
Cooke expressed how genuinely impressed he was with the work Jimenez had done with the command during his time at ATEC and how deeply humbled he was to have been given leadership over a team as great as AEC.
"It's [ATEC workforce] passionate in its mission for service to our Warfighters and to our nation and I pledge to you that I will continue to maintain those core values and high standards. Truth in Testing!"
Related Links:
The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
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