Category: KRDA

  • Patton Museum Update

    Patton Museum Update

    After language was added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), plans to close any Army museums—including the Patton Museum of Leadership—have been put on hold. Per the NDAA, if the Army plans to close a museum, officials must now show lawmakers where its exhibits and artifacts will go, where its employees will land, and outreach to local groups who might take over the museum in a public-private partnership.

    We are grateful to our congressional delegation who played a key role in incorporating that language to protect one of our most treasured tourism attractions that also educates future generations of Army leaders.

    On the heels of that news, the Center of Military History mandated reduced hours at the museum. It will open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the first and third Saturdays of each month during the same hours. The museum will remain closed on Sundays, Mondays, federal holidays, and the first Tuesday and second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

    KRDA has shared those changes with our congressional leaders and will remain vigilant in our efforts to advocate for the museum’s long-term viability.

  • Leadership Message – April 2026

    Leadership Message – April 2026

    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.

    Warm regards,

    Brian Kerr
    Board Chair

    Col. (Ret) Lance O’Bryan
    President/CEO

  • Lunch with a Fort Knox Leader

    Lunch with a Fort Knox Leader

    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.

  • KRDA launches capital campaign to fund its mission to promote, protect Fort Knox

    KRDA launches capital campaign to fund its mission to promote, protect Fort Knox

     The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) launched its capital campaign to fund the organization through 2030 during its recent annual meeting of investors. The non-profit, funded through private and public sector investments, is the only organization dedicated to promoting and protecting Fort Knox and growing the defense sector economy in the region.

    Luke Schmidt, a Hardin County native and CEO of L.B. Schmidt and Associates, is co-chairing the KRDA capital campaign with Marilyn Ford, KRDA’s outgoing board chair and City President of Kentucky’s Heartland Region for WesBanco. During the meeting, Schmidt encouraged the assembled investors to continue their support of KRDA.

    According to Schmidt, the campaign’s goal is to secure $2.25 million in pledges to fund five years of operations beginning in 2026. Schmidt spoke of the importance of Fort Knox and having an organization like KRDA, proactively working to protect its tremendous impact on our regional economy.

    “For more than a century, Fort Knox has fueled this region’s economy and helped us weather global economic downturns better than most,” Schmidt said. “Fort Knox’s $1.3 billion in annual payroll and $5.6 billion in annual economic impact are second to none in this region. It is imperative we do all we can as a community to promote it, protect it and grow defense-related business in the region. KRDA has been doing that now for almost a decade with great success.”

    Schmidt pointed to several indicators of success since KRDA was established – most notably that Fort Knox’s annual payroll and annual economic impact have more than doubled.

    In addition, the post has gained several new missions, including V Corps Headquarters, the Command Assessment Program (CAP), and a new three-star headquarters in Recruiting Command. These three missions alone have brought nearly 1,000 new jobs.

    “The KRDA team always credits the leadership of Fort Knox and its dedicated workforce for putting the installation in a position to gain these missions, as they should. But we also know that KRDA’s advocacy, our community’s support, and the region’s overall quality of place make Fort Knox more competitive when these opportunities arise,” said Schmidt. “Competition for new missions is high and KRDA helps make sure we do all we can as a community to position the installation for continued growth.”

    KRDA CEO retired Colonel Lance O’Bryan knows first-hand the importance of community support.  In his last assignment before retirement, O’Bryan was the Fort Knox Garrison Commander. This assignment is comparable to that of a mayor or city manager.

    “This community helps set the installation apart from others,” O’Bryan said. “Whether it’s limiting encroachment, providing career opportunities to military spouses and transitioning service members, or fostering partnerships that are mutually beneficial to the community and the installation, we want to be the very best.”

    O’Bryan also spoke about the potential for another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) or mission changes associated with the new federal administration’s government efficiency efforts. 

    “Because of the installation’s capacity, energy resilience and security, we consider Fort Knox well-suited for growth,” said O’Bryan. “But it’s imperative we have the resources in place to mount a strong advocacy effort in the event the federal government decides to move in this direction. We also regularly share the Fort Knox story with stakeholders and decisionmakers at all levels of government to help keep Fort Knox top of mind. “

    Schmidt called KRDA the go-to community organization for all things Fort Knox, emphasizing that its operations and grassroots funding model serves as a national example for defense community organizations. He also commended KRDA’s strong fiscal oversight.

    “I have served on several boards and can honestly say I have never seen a level of financial stewardship like that of KRDA. They run a lean operation and it’s tremendous what they have accomplished,” said Schmidt. “I had the privilege of chairing their last capital campaign and am proud to co-chair this campaign with Marilyn.”

    During the meeting, O’Bryan also thanked the current board and investors for their support. 

    “Thanks to our investors, we are able to dedicate ourselves fully to our mission each and every day,” he said.

    In closing the annual meeting, Marilyn Ford explained why Wesbanco supports KRDA.

    “Investing in KRDA is an investment in the future of our community,” said Ford. “Their efforts ensure that Fort Knox remains a strong economic engine for our region, creating jobs and driving growth. The return on investment is clear—supporting KRDA means supporting economic stability and opportunity for businesses and families alike.”

    To learn more about investing with KRDA, please email lance@krdastg.wpenginepowered.com or visit krdastg.wpenginepowered.com/invest.

  • MG (Ret) John Tindall named Greater Fort Knox Defense Community Champion

    MG (Ret) John Tindall named Greater Fort Knox Defense Community Champion

    During their annual investor meeting at Elizabethtown Community & Technical College (ECTC) on Wednesday, the Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) honored retired Maj. Gen. John Tindall with the third annual Greater Fort Knox Region Defense Community Champion award from the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). This achievement also means Tindall is nominated to compete for the national award, which will be presented at the ADC National Summit in Washington D.C. this spring.

    “John Tindall has modeled for us what it means to be a community servant and provides the

    highest level of care and support to our military service members. He is incredibly deserving of this recognition,” said KRDA Board Chair Marilyn Ford.

    Tindall, 80, has dedicated his life to serving military families. After returning from service in Vietnam and joining the Army Reserve, he became a prominent business leader in the Greater Fort Knox Region and a champion for organizations improving the quality of life for military families.

    Tindall serves on the Hardin County Water District #1 Board of Commissioners, ensuring critical infrastructure for Fort Knox and surrounding communities, and on the Baptist Health Foundation Hardin Board, which enhances healthcare across the 10-county region Baptist Health Hardin serves, including nearly all specialty care for Fort Knox Soldiers and their families as well as a military veteran population of more than 50,000. He is also Vice Chair/Military for the KRDA Board of Directors, providing critical leadership and insight. 

    As a past member of the former North Hardin Industrial Foundation’s Board of Directors, Tindall helped attract new business to the community which has created quality jobs for military spouses and transitioning service members. He owns Radcliff TV & Appliances, and revitalizes properties for commercial use in the Fort Knox area, providing valuable rental space for area businesses to lease. 

    In 2003, Tindall was instrumental in helping found USA Cares. The organization was initially called Kentuckiana Cares and raised funds for military families through yard sign sales. Now a nationally recognized nonprofit, the organization has assisted over 100,000 military families facing financial crises with millions of dollars in grants. Tindall continues to lead on its Executive Advisory Council, guiding the organization’s growth over two decades.

    “It is an honor to be recognized for this award, just as it has been an honor to serve this incredible community and support the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country,” said Tindall. “I share this recognition with everyone who works tirelessly to make a difference for military families.” 

    Maj. Gen. Hope Rampy, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), was the guest speaker at the KRDA annual investor meeting. She provided an update on HRC’s vital role in caring for Soldiers, Army retirees and their families, providing dedicated support to nearly 9 million military personnel and retirees. 

    “The work we do is about providing readiness to the Army, managing talent and caring for Soldiers, families and veterans,” Maj. Gen. Rampy said. “It was an honor to speak to such an engaged group of community leaders who are deeply invested in the success of Fort Knox and its Soldiers and their families. Opportunities like this allow us to share the incredible work being done at HRC and serve to strengthen the vital partnership between the installation and the surrounding region.”

    The meeting was the first for KRDA President and CEO Col (Ret) Lance O’Bryan, who assumed his role in November. During the meeting, O’Bryan celebrated Fort Knox’s role as a cornerstone of the regional economy and KRDA’s work to proactively promote and protect the installation. Fort Knox’s $1.3 billion in annual payroll provides unmatched spending power in the region, and its over 35,000 annual visitors further buoy local retail, hotel and restaurant sales. O’Bryan also celebrated the opening of Fort Knox’s Digital Air Ground Integration Range (DAGIR), one of only two of its kind in the Army and the only one east of the Mississippi. The DAGIR, along with the installation’s numerous critical missions, further elevates Fort Knox’s strategic importance.

    “The DAGIR is yet another example of Fort Knox’s strategic value to the Department of Defense. It’s advancements like this that further the installation’s contributions to military readiness and our national defense,” said O’Bryan. “KRDA remains committed to ensuring Department of Defense and Congressional leaders know how valuable Fort Knox is. Our continued community support helps keep the installation well positioned for additional growth and continued economic prosperity for our region.”

    Also during the meeting, new board members were introduced, including Lincoln Trail Area Development District Executive Director Daniel London, North South Consulting CEO Krista Stevens and Corey Salsman, Director of Field Operations for Kinetic. Board member Ben LaRue is rolling off the board while retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron and retired Brig. Gen. Jim Iacocca are now emeritus board members. Hardin County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kendra Scott will fill the term for her predecessor, Margy Poorman, who resigned from the Chamber in December. 

    To learn more about KRDA and its leadership, visit krdastg.wpenginepowered.com.

  • Radcliff, KRDA welcomes Kentucky APEX Accelerator to Hargan Building

    Radcliff, KRDA welcomes Kentucky APEX Accelerator to Hargan Building

    Pictured from left to right is Shawn Rogers, procurement consultant and the local representative for Kentucky APEX Accelerator for the Commonwealth, and Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) President and CEO retired Col. Lance O’Bryan inside the Hargen building in Radcliff where the Kentucky APEX Accelerator has co-located with KRDA.

    RADCLIFF, Ky – Radcliff officials announced today that a representative for the Kentucky APEX Accelerator has co-located with the Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) in the city-owned Elmer L. Hargan Building on North Wilson Road. The APEX Accelerator team helps companies pursue local, state, and federal business with the government, including Fort Knox Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC), with services that include but are not limited to contract readiness, compliance, and market research to identify growth opportunities.

    Named for the city’s first mayor, the Hargan family donated the building to the City of Radcliff with the stipulation that it be used for municipal needs as determined by the city government. KRDA relocated offices in 2022 when notified that rent at their former location would more than quadruple.

    Radcliff Mayor J.J. Duvall said when KRDA approached him about the opportunity to co-locate with the Kentucky APEX Accelerator, he knew it was a win-win for Radcliff and the surrounding region.

    “Bringing KRDA and the Kentucky APEX Accelerator under one roof creates a one-stop shop for local companies that want to do business with Fort Knox and other government agencies. It will help our local businesses and our regional economy,” said Duvall.

    The Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation manages the Kentucky APEX Accelerator for the commonwealth, with funding from Kentucky and the U.S. Department of Defense. The local representative for the region is Shawn Rogers. A procurement consultant with nearly 20 years of experience in small business and economic development, Rogers brings expertise in community development financing, business planning, and supporting government contracting efforts.

    “KRDA has been our long-time partner in our work to help local businesses tap into government and defense contracting, and we know that Fort Knox alone awards more than $350 million in federal contracts annually. Therefore, we have a great potential to support local businesses in growing through winning government contracts,” said Nancy Brown, Executive Director of the Kentucky APEX Accelerator. “Since we already regularly share referrals with KDRA, they were the most obvious choice for us in Hardin County,” Brown said.

    “KRDA helps our clients better understand the missions on Fort Knox and where opportunities may exist for them to do business,” said Rogers. “They are an invaluable resource for our clients.”

    KRDA President and CEO retired Col. Lance O’Bryan called the partnership a perfect fit.

    “One of KRDA’s four objectives in maximizing the economic impact of Fort Knox is to grow defense-related business in our region,” said O’Bryan. “When we encounter a company at the nascent stages of pursuing government contracting, the first person with whom we connect them is Shawn. We couldn’t think of a better office mate. We appreciate the mayor’s and the city’s support in maximizing this for the betterment of local businesses, our region, and Fort Knox.”

    This partnership between the Kentucky APEX Accelerator and KRDA underscores their commitment to growing the regional economy by supporting businesses accessing government contracts. To learn more about scheduling appointments, visit www.kyapex.com or www.krdastg.wpenginepowered.com.