John Eilers to succeed Rod Braun as COC Executive Director

Effective June 28, 2018, Rod Braun will retire after 31.5 years of service as the Executive Director of COC.  Current COC Associate Director, John Eilers will succeed Braun as the Executive Director.  COC’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors have been preparing for the transition of leadership from Braun to Eilers since the announcement of Braun’s upcoming retirement.

Eilers has been the Associate Director of COC since 2004; he is currently responsible for the daily operations of COC in Pella, Indianola, Oskaloosa, Knoxville and Des Moines.  Eilers is a graduate of the University of Iowa having received a bachelor’s degree in social work.  He also received a master’s degree from Phillips Graduate Seminary in Tulsa, OK.  He has worked with people with developmental disabilities as a social worker, case manager, and administrator. 

“The succession plan has been in place since being approved by the COC Board of Directors in 2005. John is well-qualified to lead COC into the future and has all the skills to build on COC’s 49 years of successful supports for people with disabilities,” Braun added.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational supports and services to more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren, and Polk Counties.