krda

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) during its annual meeting of investors at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) honored Meade County defense contractor Universal Spartan for making the prestigious Inc. 5000.

KRDA Board Chairman and Abound Credit Union CEO Ray Springsteen lauded Universal Spartan founder and CEO Alejandro “Alex” Ramirez for leading one of the fastest-growing and most successful private companies in the U.S.

“Alex’s leadership in guiding Universal Spartan to this distinction is worthy of celebration,” said Springsteen. “One of KRDA’s goals is to help foster and support defense-related business growth in our region. We’re so glad Alex chose our region to do business.”

Inc. 5000 companies are often where future household names first make their mark.    Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Under Armour and Patagonia are all former Inc. 5000 companies.

“Successful companies like Universal Spartan help make our region a better place to live and work,” said Springsteen. ”We’re proud to see the accomplishments of Alex and Universal Spartan and look forward to continued growth and prosperity.”

The Inc. 5000 list ranks companies with over $2 million in annual sales by overall revenue growth over a three-year period. Ramirez said the company, which specializes in providing tactical, IT, electrical, industrial and medical equipment, has realized more than a 1000% growth in sales since 2017.

Of the 5,000 companies, Universal Spartan ranked 457 in the United States, fourth in Kentucky and number one in the Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Lexington and Cincinnati markets.

Ramirez, a military veteran, founded the company in 2013 after retiring from the Army at Fort Knox. Ramirez says he regularly calls upon the lessons learned from his military service in running the business, particularly lessons in persistence and discipline.

“Learning how to navigate the government procurement process is no easy task. It can seem so overwhelming, but the military taught me to do my research, develop a game plan, stick with it and adapt or adjust as needed,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez said he chose to establish his business here because of the support he had both from his family and the broader community.

“This region provides an unmatched quality of life for me and my family. Just as important is its positive business climate and the community’s supportive nature, especially toward its military veterans,” said Ramirez. “Organizations like KRDA, ECTC, the Kentucky Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the Small Business Development Center and countless businesses and individuals all want to help you succeed. It’s really something special.”

KRDA CEO Jim Iacocca called the accomplishment remarkable but not surprising based on his experience watching Ramirez at work. He said what he finds most special about Ramirez is his desire to give back and help others through his non-profit, the Kentucky Veterans Business Alliance (KVBA).

“Alex, like many veterans, has what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur: perseverance, dedication and an ironclad work ethic. We are so proud that he chose to do business here in the Greater Fort Knox Region,” said Iacocca. “But we are equally, if not more, proud of his commitment to give back and help fellow veteran entrepreneurs through the Kentucky Veterans Business Alliance. It epitomizes the selfless service we are all taught to embody as Soldiers.”

Ramirez said he founded KVBA after attending trade shows with other veteran entrepreneurs.

“I saw we were all in the same boat and could benefit from sharing ideas, advice, resources and best practices,” Ramirez said. “For me, it was a great way to continue to serve and help my fellow veterans.”

Since late 2019, the Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD), in partnership with Fort Knox and the surrounding communities, has led a study to develop a Fort Knox Compatible Use Plan (CUP). The CUP provides a framework for how the installation and surrounding communities can be mutually supportive.

It serves as a critical tool to help limit encroachment and keep Fort Knox, the region’s economic engine, viable and well-positioned for growth. Dubbed Mission Knox, the LTADD team has conducted countless hours of research, analysis and community outreach to produce an incredibly valuable product. KRDA is proud to serve on the Executive Committee and Technical Assistance Committee in support of the CUP.  To see a draft of the plan click here. 

Fort Knox set the standard in energy resilience once again last month as the first installation to ever do an eight-hour black start test. That means the installation went completely off the grid and used no external energy provider to power the installation for eight hours.

Andrew Condia, Kentucky Deputy State Director for Senator Mitch McConnell, was on hand for the test. KRDA worked with Senator McConnell, his staff and the entire Kentucky Congressional Delegation to add language to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act that allowed the installation to use its rich natural resources for its energy program. Condia said this capability helps set Fort Knox apart from other installations and they were proud to lend their support and assistance.

The day after the Fully Operationally Capable celebration, V Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Billy Webb relinquished his responsibilities as the V Corps senior enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris during a change of responsibility ceremony at V Corps headquarters on Nov. 4.

We want to thank Command Sgt. Maj. Webb for his service to V Corps and to the Army, We wish him and his family all the best as he retires after an incredible 31 years of service. We also want to extend a warm welcome to Command Sgt. Maj Harris and his wife Leah as they join the V Corps and the Fort Knox community.

A little less than a year since its activation at Fort Knox, V Corps, the Army’s newest Corps headquarters, is certified as fully operationally capable meaning it’s ready to carry out its mission to command and control Army forces in Europe.

Earlier this month, the Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command Gen. Michael Garrett joined V Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. John Kolasheski and the hundreds of Soldiers assigned V Corps to celebrate this milestone at a special celebration at Fort Knox.