Lisha Adams, Army Materiel Command executive deputy to the commanding general, presents Brian Toland, AMC command counsel, with the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Excellence from American University School of Public Affairs.
Lisha Adams, Army Materiel Command executive deputy to the commanding general, presents Brian Toland, AMC command counsel, with the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Excellence from American University School of Public Affairs. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The American University School of Public Affairs recognized Army Materiel Command’s senior legal advisor for his commitment and contributions to public service.

Brian Toland, AMC command counsel, received the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Excellence from American University, Nov. 18 in a virtual ceremony.

“I want to thank the American University School of Public Affairs for this distinguished award and for being recognized along with such talented public servants and executive leaders,” said Toland who was nominated by Lisha Adams, AMC executive deputy to the commanding general. “I didn’t know, so the notification was a complete shock. I feel honored that Ms. Adams recommended me.”

Toland has nearly 33 years of providing legal counsel to Army leadership, both in uniform and as an Army Civilian.

“I was trying to decide what I wanted to do,” said Toland about joining the Army. “I knew I didn’t want to go into the corporate world, I wanted something that would align with public service.”

Toland leads a legal staff of attorneys and paralegals at AMC headquarters who provide legal advice and business counsel to the AMC commanding general, the headquarters staff element and AMC elements around the globe.

“People follow his lead because he sets the highest standards and he models an extraordinary work ethic balanced with a genuine concern for the welfare of his subordinates,” said Adams. “He empowers his employees and enables them to succeed through training, one-on-one mentoring, and providing opportunities for growth.”

Toland, himself, said the recognition was a testament to the hard work of the more than 400 worldwide legal staff within AMC.

“In the end, we all want to do something meaningful with our lives, something we can be proud of and that makes a difference and benefits the public good,” he said. “Public service has afforded me that opportunity over the past 33 years, and I am grateful that I have had such good fortune and humbled to be recognized with this award.”

As an American University certified executive coach, Toland has formally coached or informally mentored several individuals.

“He is an inspirational role model for employees throughout AMC, to include general officers and senior executives,” said Adams. “No one is more deserving.”