Col. (Ret.) Eric Toler

By Mike MaddoxJuly 8, 2021

2021 Hall of Fame Inductee

University of Kansas (1990)

Throughout his 27 years of service, Col. (R) Eric Toler distinguished himself as Military Intelligence profession and leader. His contributions the nation are truly exemplary.

During Toler’s career he’s served in a wide variety of unique assignments which enabled him to make lasting change within the Military Intelligence Community and the Army. He is a pioneer in the development of Cyberspace Operations Capabilities for the Army and the Department of Defense. He served in key foundational roles within Army Cyber Command and U.S. Cyber Command. His active-duty career culminated as the Commander of NSA – Georgia, shaping the future of Cyber Operations within Fort Gordon, Georgia and beyond.

Retiring as a colonel, he received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Star Medals.

Upon his retirement in 2018, Toler assumed the role as the first Executive Director of the Georgia Cyber Center. The GCC is a truly innovative partnership between public/private partners involving academia, state and federal government, law enforcement, the U.S. Army and the private sector.

Toler led the creation of an ecosystem of collaboration to help solve the state’s and Nation’s most challenging cybersecurity problems. Driving innovation through education, training, research, and practical applications between private and public industries, he ushered in a new era for the City of Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area.

COL Toler’s transformative leadership shaped the future of Cyber within the Department of Defense and aided in the revitalization of the industrial future for the CSRA. His dedicated service to the Nation continues as he leads the engine driving the innovation and industrial change for the Augusta and CSRA landscape. His career of service embodies the highest qualities which we aspire in our Army Officers.

In his role as Executive Director of the Georgia Cyber Center, Toler is responsible for fulfilling the mission of the Georgia Cyber Center, which is to create an ecosystem of collaboration that helps solve our state’s and our nation’s most challenging cybersecurity problems through innovative education, training, research, and practical applications between private and public industries. He works with a multitude of partners from government, academia, and private industry to help develop the professional workforce required to secure the state and the Nation in cyberspace.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about the 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees.