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Fort Knox alliance CEO looks to establish, grow group / The News-Enterprise

January 3, 2018 By krda

Source: Katherine Knott, The News-Enterprise

The first permanent leader of the Knox Regional Development Alliance officially went to work Tuesday.

Retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca said in his first year, he’s excited about establishing the alliance as the first point of contact when businesses want to reach out and do business on Fort Knox and the greater Knox area.

Iacocca was named president and CEO of KDRA in October after a 10-month search.

Retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron has served as interim president since the alliance started at the end of 2016. The alliance works to sell the Department of Defense, businesses and organizations on the value of Fort Knox and the surrounding community.

Iacocca said he sees the alliance as a connector, integrator and facilitator. He said a key function of KDRA is to connect the right people.

Since its founding, the alliance has had three stated goals: Protect existing missions and advocate for new ones; increase defense spending in the region; and develop public-private partnerships.

Iacocca said he’s come up with objectives the board is overlooking now. He said those objectives will serve as his marching orders.

Iacocca said he wanted to lead the alliance because the job offered an opportunity to stay connected with Fort Knox and the community outside the gate.

During his U.S. Army career, Iacocca served twice at Fort Knox. His last assignment was as adjutant general of the Army, a position he held at U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

He said during his assignments at Fort Knox, he came to appreciate the installation and the surrounding community.

“I’m excited to be here just because of the support of the people, the community and Fort Knox,” he said.

For Iacocca, Fort Knox is an unrecognized jewel in the Army from training areas to energy independence.

During his pitch about the area, he said he highlights the capabilities and capacity of Fort Knox, such as buildable land and training areas. He said those are assets that attract units to Fort Knox.

Iacocca said based on what is at Fort Knox, if there was another round of base realignment and closures, the post would fare well.

“The connection Fort Knox has with the community off post is unique,” he said.

During his first year at the alliance, Fort Knox will mark its 100th anniversary. Iacocca said he wants to highlight how the communities outside the gate have changed over the years.

Overall, Iacocca said he looks forward to the alliance growing into the role of being able to help the community and Fort Knox.

Katherine Knott can be reached at 270-505-1747 or kknott@thenewsenterprise.com

Some well-deserved acknowledgments / The News-Enterprise

December 5, 2017 By krda

Source: The News-Enterprise’s editorial board.

In order to fully appreciate something’s value, an appraisal is sometimes required.

Just as that’s true of a diamond or precious gem, it’s similar true of community contributions. Today, let’s review three recent assessments of gems within our community.

• This region was one of five communities that made up the 2018 class of Great American Defense Communities, an initiative through the Association of Defense Communities.

In its third year, this program recognizes military communities and regions that help improve the quality of life for service members and their families. Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on community building and integration, support and collaboration, educational and employment opportunities and family support, according to the release.

Based on that criteria, this area should become a permanent fixture on the list.

The Knox Regional Development Alliance nominated the region for the award.

“The words ‘military friendly’ are not a cliché here,” said James Iacocca, a retired brigadier general who is the incoming CEO of KRDA. “That’s why so many military families like mine have chosen to stay in Central Kentucky when they leave the service.”

• In support of the previous point, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College recently was named one of the best two-year institutions for veterans by Military Times.

The national publication annually compiles a ranking of the best colleges for veterans and military-connected students. ECTC ranked 10th out of the 34 two-year colleges on Military Times Best: Colleges. Western Kentucky University was ranked 21st out of the 140 four-year colleges.

Monica Gallego, director of the Veteran Center for Excellence at ECTC, said it was the first time the college has made the list.

“It shows the work we’ve done is paying off and I’m proud of the recognition,” Gallego said.

The center, which opened two years ago thanks in part to a U.S. Department of Education grant, has good reasons to be proud. It offers services for veterans and military-connected students, including peer mentoring, application assistance and career counseling.

• Similarly, the Kentucky Farm Bureau recognized three local farm families at its annual convention last weekend, who are doing superior work in our midst.

Richard Preston of Glendale and Lisa Robards of Summit were finalists for Farmer of the Year, while Nicholas and Bethany Hardesty of Meade County were one of three nominees statewide for Outstanding Young Farm Family, While the local nominees did not receive the top state prize, their achievements were significant and well worth recognition.

The Kentucky Farm Bureau annual honors ag achievers, including categories for distinguished service, agriculture literacy and top county chapters. It is means to ensure that praiseworthy achievements are recognized properly.

Fort Knox Region Named 2018 ‘Great American Defense Community’

November 29, 2017 By krda

RADCLIFF, Ky.— The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today that the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) has named the Greater Fort Knox Region to the 2018 class of Great American Defense Communities. Chosen through a competitive nominating process, the region is one of only five communities across the country to receive the designation for its support to military families.

In nominating the Greater Fort Knox region, KRDA touted its wide array of services and innovative programs that set the region apart from hundreds of other defense communities across the country.

“We know this region is second to none in its support to Soldiers, military veterans and their families,” said retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron, interim CEO of KRDA. “We couldn’t be prouder that the ADC has recognized that, too.”

KRDA showcased innovative partnerships, programs and events that demonstrated the region’s support including the Where Opportunity Knox initiative that connects transitioning service members with employment opportunities in the region.

Barron also said the decades long partnership between Fort Knox and Hardin Memorial Health was highlighted as especially valuable given Fort Knox’s Ireland Army Community Hospital transition to a clinic this year.

Community events specially designed for military service members, veterans, retirees and their families like the annual Hooray for Heroes were also featured in the application.

Barron said the region’s commitment to Soldiers and their families goes beyond admiration and reverence.

“In many ways, it is because we are them and they are us,” said Barron. “We are one community. We worship together. Our kids attend the same schools and play on the same athletic fields. We attend the same community festivals and serve in the same civic organizations. We barbeque at each other’s homes.”

Incoming CEO Retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca expressed his excitement of designation.

“This is a testament to the people of this region,” said Iacocca. “The words ‘military friendly’ are not a cliché here. That’s why so many military families like mine have chosen to stay in Central Kentucky when they leave the service.”

Iacocca, who will start as KRDA CEO on Jan. 2, served in several assignments at Fort Knox including most recently the former Adjutant General of the Army, a position he held at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox.

Iacocca added that the establishment of KRDA following a successful $2.5 million capital campaign is yet another great example of the region’s commitment to the installation and the Soldiers who serve there.

Representatives from KRDA and the community will be recognized at an ADC forum in February and prominently featured the ADC National Summit in June. KRDA will also work with ADC to coordinate local celebrations and activities.

Fort Knox general discusses post’s future at Chamber / The News-Enterprise

November 9, 2017 By krda

Source: Katherine Knott, The News-Enterprise

Since Maj. Gen. Christopher Hughes assumed the job as commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox, he said he’s often been asked if the Armor Center is coming back.

He said those he spoke to believe the post has lost its purpose with the departure of the armor command.

“But I don’t see it that way,” Hughes said Wednesday at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s November luncheon. “What Fort Knox has been given is a tremendous opportunity.”

Hughes updated chamber members about new medical facilities and museum renovations at the post.

With Veterans Day approaching, Hughes first took a moment to thank the military veterans in the audience. Saturday is Veterans Day.

He said those who served in the military have enabled the American way of life.

“What really sets our veterans apart from so many great leaders in this nation is that veterans are willing to risk everything they have, everything they own, everything they believe in to protect a document, an idea, the U.S. Constitution,” he said.

Hughes’ speech to the chamber comes amid various projects on post.

Fort Knox will have a groundbreaking at 10 a.m. Thursday for a new Ireland Army Health Clinic, Hughes said. The new facility will be more than 101,000-square feet and include state-of-the-art technology.

Recently, the General George Patton Museum closed for renovations. Hughes said the museum falls under Cadet Command’s purview, so he decided to invest $4.8 million into the museum to improve the visitor experience.

Renovations to the museum include a new roof and roof facade, replacing glass and metal in the atrium and opening access to the museum from U.S. 31W.

Hughes said when the museum reopens, it will feature new exhibits about Patton and Fort Knox, and an ROTC Hall of Fame.

“Believe it or not, the Patton Museum has never displayed the history of Fort Knox,” he said. “We’re finding history tucked away in closets across the entire post.”

Hughes said the post is marking its centennial next year and asked the community to celebrate with them.

“It’s amazing to think what’s happened with our community and this installation in the last century, but what I find more exciting and interesting is to think about what is yet to come,” he said.

Katherine Knott can be reached at 270-505-1747 or kknott@thenewsenterprise.com.

Retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca Named First KRDA President / CEO

October 26, 2017 By krda

RADCLIFF, Ky.—The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced the selection of retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca as the organization’s first President / Chief Executive Officer. Iacocca is the former Adjutant General of the Army, a position he held at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox.

Iacocca will officially start as CEO on Jan. 2, 2018. Until that time, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron will continue to serve as the interim President/CEO.

Iacocca’s Army career included multiple assignments at Fort Knox. In addition to his assignment at Human Resources Command, he is the former Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Recruiting Command and the former Brigade Commander for the Army’s 3rd Recruiting Brigade.

“Jim’s experience serving with multiple units on post and his familiarity with our premiere installation made him an especially appealing candidate,” said Jim Fugitte, KRDA board chairman.

In addition to his experience at Fort Knox, Iacocca served at multiple installations including Fort Bragg, N.C. with the 82^nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command deploying to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He also served at the Pentagon on the staff for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“His breadth of experience and understanding of the Army and Department of Defense will prove invaluable,” Fugitte said.

Originally from Pennsylvania, when Iacocca returned to Fort Knox in 2013, he and his wife, Sandy, decided this would be where they would stay when he retired. The couple then purchased a home in Fisherville, Ky, a suburb of Louisville.

“We love Kentucky and are vested in this community,” said Iacocca. “I am honored the board selected me to lead KRDA.”

Barron said Iacocca is a well-known and highly respected senior Army leader who will lend his expertise and leadership to take the KRDA economic development initiative to a new level.

KRDA’s economic development initiative centers on three priorities:

Priority 1: Advocating for new missions and retaining existing missions at Fort Knox

Priority 2: Attracting and retaining defense-related business

Priority 3: Developing more public-public and public-private partnerships

Barron said during the ten-month search period for a new executive, KRDA has been actively working on those three priorities.

“We have made several visits to U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Headquarters, the Pentagon and Capitol Hill to make sure senior military leaders and congressional leaders understand the value of Fort Knox,” said Barron.

Barron added that he has represented KRDA at the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) conferences as well as the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting.

“We have a great story to tell in Fort Knox and the community,” said Barron. “Now we also have an exceptional leader to carry KRDA’s mission forward. I look forward to working with Jim during the transition.”

People to know in economic development: Bill Barron

June 16, 2017 By krda

Source: Louisville Business First

Bill Barron
Interim president/CEO, Knox Regional Development Alliance Inc. (KRDA)

Years in current job: 14

Years in economic development: 14

Tell us about the biggest economic development win for your agency.

The Knox Regional Development Alliance is a newly established organization with a mission to promote Fort Knox as a premiere military installation that is ideal for new Department of Defense missions and a catalyst for business development off-post. It replaces an earlier organization known as the CORE Committee in existence since 1991. Our successful 2016 capital campaign has been our biggest win. In eight short months, private- and public-sector leaders committed $2.5 million over the next five years.

What can the region do better to market our area for economic development?

KRDA will undertake a proactive integrated marketing effort to showcase Fort Knox and the surrounding region. We want to make sure leaders at the Pentagon know and understand what a valuable installation they have and how it is well suited for growth. Fort Knox’s capacity for growth, world-class ranges, training areas and fully instrumented airfield are among the many aspects we will tout. We will also market to public- and private-sector leaders who are looking for business development opportunities and unique workforce development partnerships. Fort Knox has been our region’s best kept secret for too long.

What are some benefits and drawbacks of public-private partnerships?

Research shows that public-private partnerships are often more cost-effective and result in a higher return on investment. KRDA wants to broker these conversations with our Army partners at Fort Knox and consider all that is possible. From energy independence to cyber security to talent and leadership development, Fort Knox is leading the way. It behooves us to leverage this incredible source of knowledge that is right here in our backyard to the benefit of Fort Knox and our region, not to mention more broadly all tax payers and our military.

What’s the most useful tool in your toolkit to encourage economic development?

Our greatest economic development tool is Fort Knox. An installation of this caliber, with the assets it has cannot be overlooked. In years past we have had a marginally funded effort with a part-time staff but with a well-funded full time operation dedicated to this work, we are confident that we can attract new missions and new business opportunities for the Region. Finding the right leader for KRDA is also critical to our success. An executive search is underway with support from the Oliver Group. We are considering several exceptional candidates to lead KRDA.

What areas of the city are ripe for economic development?

The low cost of doing business makes our region an ideal location for defense contractors to grow their presence and be in proximity to a premiere military installation. Fort Knox lets over $250 million in federal contracts annually. Only a small percentage of those are awarded to local businesses. KRDA wants to change that by helping local businesses navigate the world of federal contracting. Fort Knox is synonymous with innovation, whether it is energy independence, human capital management or big data. KRDA will serve as a conduit for entrepreneurs seeking opportunities related to the innovative work happening at Fort Knox.

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