On the heels of a successful visit to Washington D.C., we kicked off 2026 with our annual investor meeting and as you can see from this newsletter, we haven’t stopped since. We always look for opportunities to showcase Fort Knox and the Greater Fort Knox region. Arming our partners and community leaders with knowledge and first-hand experiences is important too, because they also serve as ambassadors and advocates for Fort Knox.
Seeing the commitment to our military families with places like the Active Heroes Retreat Center reinforces just how special the Greater Fort Knox Region is. Never was it more evident than when one of our own, Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, was recently laid to rest. The tremendous outpouring of support our community showed for this hometown hero and his family demonstrated the deep appreciation we all have for Soldiers and their families.
As summer approaches, thousands of college ROTC cadets will come to Fort Knox for Cadet Summer Training, the Army’s largest training event. It is not lost on us that these future Army officers may soon be in harm’s way leading Soldiers like Staff Sgt Pennington. It is a privilege to serve a community that is committed to keeping Fort Knox strong and doing all we can to support our military.
In March, KDRA had the privilege of hosting Brigadier General Adam Smith as our guest speaker at our Lunch with a Fort Knox Leader Speakers Series. BG Smith is the 64th Adjutant General of the Army (TAG). The Adjutant General Directorate (TAGD) of U.S. Army Human Resources Command provides a vast array of personnel support and services to the 1.1 million Soldiers in the Army (Active, Guard and Reserve).
Smith praised the 547 members of TAG workforce – military and civilian employees most of whom are at Fort Knox providing dedicated service to Soldiers, their families and our nation’s veterans.
It’s always great to learn about the various missions at Fort Knox and the impact they have across the Army. Thanks to everyone who joined us and thank you to BG Smith for taking time out of his schedule to speak to us.
During their annual meeting at the Colvin Community Center in Radcliff on Wednesday, the Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) honored the late Radcliff-based real estate professional, small business owner, community leader and Fort Knox advocate Pam Featherstone with the fourth annual Greater Fort Knox Region Defense Community Champion award from the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). This achievement also means Featherstone is nominated to receive the national award, which will be presented at the ADC National Summit in Washington D.C. this spring.
Featherstone was a longtime community leader whose professional life was defined by service, collaboration and a dedication to military families who call the Greater Fort Knox region home. A small business owner, Realtor and City of Radcliff Planning and Zoning commissioner, Featherstone consistently leveraged her roles to strengthen quality of life in the Fort Knox area and protect the long-term viability of the installation.
KRDA worked closely with Featherstone through her leadership with the Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR), where she became a critical partner in advancing the Fort Knox Compatible Use Plan. In late 2022, Featherstone helped convene discussions between KRDA, Fort Knox leadership and real estate professionals to address the need for clearer disclosures for homebuyers purchasing property near the installation, ensuring buyers understood the realities of living near a major military training environment, including live-fire exercises, low-flying aircraft and the addition of the new Digital Air Ground Integration Range (DAGIR).
Understanding that informed buyers help prevent complaints that could limit training and threaten military readiness, Featherstone worked with association leadership and legal counsel to incorporate new disclosure language into standard real estate contracts. After nearly 18 months, the language was approved, directly supporting Fort Knox’s training mission and long-term sustainability.
Featherstone’s dedication to Fort Knox extended far beyond this single effort. For more than three decades as a Realtor, she helped military families buy and sell homes while ensuring they felt welcomed, supported and connected to the community. Alongside her late husband, Marvin, a veteran, she owned and operated small businesses designed to improve quality of life for families in the Fort Knox area, including a furniture store, skating rink and youth-focused dance hall.
Featherstone was also instrumental in developing the HKAR leadership program. In partnership with KRDA, she helped establish “Fort Knox Day” as part of the program, recognizing that realtors are often a military family’s first point of contact and serve as ambassadors for the community.
Tragically, Featherstone passed away last year following a car accident just before she was set to accompany leadership program participants on a visit to DAGIR, which she had worked tirelessly to protect.
“KRDA, Fort Knox and the Greater Fort Knox Region lost an extraordinary partner and champion in Pam Featherstone,” said KRDA Board Chair Brian Kerr. “Pam’s leadership and compassion offer a lasting model for defense communities nationwide, demonstrating how strong relationships, practical solutions and dedicated local leadership can protect military missions while strengthening the communities that surround them.”
Representatives from HKAR were on hand to accept the award in Featherstone’s memory, including Amy Duvall, Tara Wilson and Robin Cole. They were all visibly moved by the recognition of their friend and mentor.
“Pam meant so much to all of us,” said Duvall. “She loved this community and most especially Fort Knox. This award will be prominently displayed at the new HKAR offices in Elizabethtown.”
Brig. Gen. Charlone Stallworth, Deputy Commanding General for Operations, U.S. Army Recruiting Division (USARD), served as the guest speaker at the annual meeting. She shared an update on the Army’s nationwide recruiting efforts to man both the Active Army and the U.S. Army Reserve, emphasizing the critical role recruiting plays in maintaining national security and military readiness.
Headquartered at Fort Knox, USARD provides command, control and staff support to the recruiting force of more than 12,000.
“I appreciate the opportunity to join you and share updates on the important work of the U.S. Army Recruiting Division,” Brig. Gen. Stallworth said. “Strong partnerships with organizations like KRDA help ensure our communities understand the mission and remain connected to the Soldiers and families we serve.”
Following Brig. Gen. Stallworth’s remarks, KRDA President/CEO Col (Ret) Lance O’Bryan recapped the organization’s work to protect and promote Fort Knox in 2025. He highlighted a recent trip to Washington, D.C. in which a distinguished group of regional leaders joined KRDA staff to meet with officials at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.
Discussions revolved around why Fort Knox is ideally suited for mission growth, highlighting the outcome of a recent cost-benefit analysis, which showcased what sets the Greater Fort Knox Region apart from other defense communities.
“We know community quality of life plays a key role in stationing decisions. Whether it’s childcare, housing or utility costs, taxes, transportation infrastructure or access to healthcare, our region provides the best and most affordable option compared to countless others,” said O’Bryan. “We were proud to share that story with key decision-makers in Washington; and, to have a group of community leaders from all different sectors spoke volumes about how much this region values and supports Fort Knox.”
In 2026, O’Bryan looks to build upon these recent efforts with continued advocacy for mission growth on post as well as defense sector economic development off post.
O’Bryan thanked the assembled group for their ongoing support.
“Thanks to all of you, we are able to do this work and be completely mission-focused. It is a privilege to serve this community and Fort Knox,” he said.
O’Bryan specifically recognized the service of departing KRDA board members Keith Johnson, John Tindall and Jim Fugitte.
“Without their work and commitment to Fort Knox, there wouldn’t be a KRDA,” O’Bryan said.
O’Bryan also took the time to introduce and welcome KRDA’s newest board members: Phillip Kemp of Scotty’s Contracting; Jenny Geist, representing the HKAR; and Keri Anne Smialek, who will fill the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Fort Knox Chapter’s ex officio board seat.
This is the second of two blogs highlighting Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA)’s trip to Washington D.C. with a delegation of local leaders to highlight the value of Fort Knox to our region.
Day 2 of KRDA’s trip to Washington D.C. saw our regional delegation head to Capitol Hill for a series of meetings with Senator Mitch McConnell’s staff, Congressman Hal Rogers’s team, and a meeting with Congressman Brett Guthrie in what is called the “Board of Education” conference room in the Capitol. A self-proclaimed history buff, Guthrie shared how the room, constructed during the 1857 expansion of the Capitol building, was known to host many an evening poker games including one when then-Vice President Harry Truman learned that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) had passed away, and he had consequently become President of the United States.
In each of our meetings, we discussed critical Fiscal Year 26 and 27 budget needs for Fort Knox as well as the Elizabethtown Regional Airport (Addington Field) expansion. We also shared details of our meetings at the Pentagon, including the cost benefit analysis of our region compared to other defense communities. Given Congressman Guthrie’s role as chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, our group also reinforced the importance of Fort Knox energy program upgrades.
We ended the visit to Capitol Hill with a special treat – a visit with Elizabethtown High School graduate and Army Veteran Chase Kerr who works for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. We are so proud of the work this young man is doing on behalf of our nation’s veterans. Chase also knew the perfect spot to take pictures of the Capitol and escorted us there.
As we head home, we leave Washington D.C. with great pride in our military, gratitude for the steadfast support we receive from our congressional leaders and most especially appreciation for a group of community leaders who took the time to join us and reinforce how important Fort Knox is to our region.
Greater Fort Knox Region Delegation:
Brian Kerr
Daniel London
Ed Delaney
Jeff Gregory
Jennifer Swope
JJ Duvall
Keith Taul
Kendra Scott
Mike Carroll
Nathan Denne
Pam Ogden
Rob Ramey
Selena Hudson
In promoting and protecting Fort Knox, KRDA is always telling the story of Fort Knox and the Greater Fort Knox Region to influencers and stakeholders at all levels. This week includes a visit to Washington D.C. with stops at the Pentagon and Capitol Hill, but we didn’t come alone. We are fortunate to have a delegation from our region joining us – elected leaders, business leaders, defense contractors, key community partners and KRDA board members who are committed to seeing Fort Knox and the surrounding region grow and thrive.
Their voices and unique perspectives will best help us tell the story of Fort Knox and its value to the region.Today’s agenda took us to the Pentagon. First stop – a meeting with the Honorable Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations Energy and Environment, and members of his team. Our delegation shared details of a Cost Benefit Analysis of the Greater Fort Knox Region that quantitatively demonstrates what sets our community apart from other military
communities. The discussion also highlighted Fort Knox’s energy program including key investments and upgrades that could raise the bar even higher on what is already the best energy program in the Army.
After a quick tour of the Pentagon, the group then met with Mr. Patrick O’Brien, Director of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Mr. O’Brien and his staff provide valuable technical assistance and funding that enhances support and cooperation between military installations and local communities. That includes funding for compatible use planning that the Lincoln Trail Area Development District leads as well as the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) that could aid in the Elizabethtown Regional Airport (Addington Field) expansion.
In each of these meetings, our hosts expressed how impressed they were by the broad cross section of regional leaders in attendance and their demonstrated support to Fort Knox. We couldn’t agree more. There are no better ambassadors than the people who play a critical role in making our region such a great place to live, work and raise a family. We are grateful for their support and leadership. Stay tuned for an update from tomorrow’s visit to Capitol Hill.
Greater Fort Knox Region Delegation:
Brian Kerr
Daniel London
Ed Delaney
Jeff Gregory
Jennifer Swope
JJ Duvall
Keith Taul
Kendra Scott
Mike Carroll
Nathan Denne
Pam Ogden
Rob Ramey
Selena Hudson
When the 2025 government shutdown ended, the Knox Regional Development Alliance cancelled its Fort Knox Workforce Resource and Financial Assistance Fair, originally scheduled for November 18 at the Phillips Grove Event Center.
More than 20 resource providers from across The Greater Fort Knox Region had registered to participate. This Resource Guide features each provider and a brief description of their services. While we are hopeful that we will not face another shutdown in the future, we still wanted to make this guide available to the Fort Knox workforce and their families.
Thank you again to the organizations and businesses that stepped up to provide support.
