Col. Erin Eike assumed Garrison command Aug. 1 from outgoing commander Col. Brian Cozine in a change of command ceremony, marking the formal transfer of authority to the organization’s first female commander.
Davis Tindoll, director of the Installation Management Command-Sustainment, called Cozine “a gifted leader” whose team, under his leadership, reached some impressive milestones. In welcoming Eike to the installation of some 40,000 military, civilian and contract personnel, he said: “I believ
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e she’s ready for this task of managing a small city in Alabama.”
“The Army does not train its officers to be Garrison commanders, but it does develop leaders –
leaders who are capable, who are innovative, who are motivated to handle the complex challenges of this type of command. Col. Brian Cozine has met that criteria,” said Tindoll, the reviewing officer at the event Bob Jones Auditorium.
“Brian has proved himself a gifted leader. In today’s uncertain environment, where others saw a challenge, he saw opportunity.”
Cozine’s dedication and actions have significantly contributed to the Army’s priorities of people, readiness and modernization and, under his command, his team achieved some impressive milestones that have had a positive impact on the Arsenal and the greater Redstone community, Tindoll said.
“He quickly learned the nuances of Garrison operations and managed appropriated and non-appropriated funding to the tune of more than $360 million and a service contract portfolio totaling over $1 billion,” he said.
Tindoll recognized Cozine’s wife, Stacey, and the Cozines’ sons, Matthew and Jackson. He also welcomed Eike’s husband, Col. Loren Todd, her mother, Gail; sisters Allison, Shana and Meghan; and her father and stepmother, Larry and Nancy.
Tindoll thanked Redstone Arsenal’s Senior Commander Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan for his support to the Installation Management Command and to Soldiers, families, civilians and retirees.
“(Cozine) took the senior commander’s No. 1 priority of force protection to heart, and we on the installation are all the better and safer for it. Brian made the security of the installation a priority by embracing innovative thinking and implementing creative planning to revamp an existing project that saved taxpayers $1.2 million while simultaneously closing a known vulnerability on the perimeter of the installation.”
Tindoll noted that outside the installation, Cozine was committed to enhancing and strengthening partnerships with the surrounding communities and showcasing Redstone’s direct annual economic impact that exceeds $36 billion.
Other accomplishments include establishing the first intergovernmental support agreement with the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University that led to multiple highly qualified new hires for Public Works, Public Affairs and Equal Opportunity and expanding an existing utilities partnership with the City of Huntsville, resulting in more than $500,000 in annual utility cost savings.
“As the largest employer in the Huntsville area, support for the Soldiers, civilians, contractors and family members was part of Brian’s day-to-day mission to maintain excellence by ensuring quality of life programs were executed across the spectrum of operations for the Redstone community,” he said.
Cozine was instrumental in restructuring the installation’s Child and Youth Services inspections programs, resulting in a rating as the top performer in Army higher headquarters inspections for ID-S, according to Tindoll.
“The legacy that he will leave behind is the people he touched, he trained, he mentored, making Redstone Arsenal an innovative, modernized Federal Center of Excellence supporting all stakeholder commands.”
Cozine received a standing ovation after Tindoll’s remarks.
Tindoll said that Eike brings “extensive experience to the position,” serving as “an S6, a G6, a J6 and every level within the Army.” Her most recent assignment was as the chief of the Requirements Division in the J6 Command, Control, Communications and Computers Cyber, at the Pentagon.
“Erin, I’m certain that you’ll build on the successes of your predecessors. The challenges are many but I’m confident you’ll bring great energy and excellence to this installation.”
Tindoll also addressed the Garrison team, saying, “I’m proud of your accomplishments. I realize each of you work hard to deliver extraordinary services to our warriors and mission partners who live and work here on the installation. And I personally want to thank you.”
Cozine will now serve as the deputy director of the Installation Management Command-Sustainment Directorate.
“We’ve had a really great time here,” Cozine said, “and it’s been a blessing to be here and to work with everybody.” He said he and his wife, Stacey, agree that “this is one of our best times we’ve ever had.”
During his remarks, Cozine thanked his family and God, Garrison directors, division chiefs and workforce, his command team, post tenants and Team Redstone community partners and also praised Tindoll and Mohan for their support.
“Erin, we do truly believe you’re the right person to be leading the Garrison to future successes,” he said. “Best of luck and congratulations.”
Eike took the podium to make her first statements as the Garrison commander, thanking Tindoll and Mohan for their continuous support of the service members, civilians and families of Redstone Arsenal.
“Well over a year ago, Col. Cozine contacted me to offer congratulations,” she said. “Since that introduction, he and Stacey have welcomed Loren and me, bringing us up to date on the command and the Redstone community.”
She thanked her husband and other family members and friends, including those at the Air War College, for their support.
Eike praised the Garrison team for its service, dedication and continued commitment to the mission.
“At the heart of what you do is taking care of people and there’s no more noble pursuit than that. I’m proud to be part of this incredible team and I’m excited for the journey ahead.”
Strengthening community partnerships is a core value of Redstone, she said, and “I’m eager to work toward that mutual success by fostering and nurturing these relationships.
“No doubt challenges will arise, and we’ll face them with innovation, creativity and a collaborative spirit because at Redstone achieving the impossible is just a matter of time.”
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