KRDA

KRDA honors Retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron for Service to Organization, Community

January 24, 2019 By krda

First Annual meeting of investors highlights KRDA’s efforts, Fort Knox’s positive position

The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) honored retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron at the organization’s first annual meeting of investors today. KRDA board chairman Ray Springsteen called Barron a tremendous leader who was pivotal in the establishment of the organization that is charged with protecting and promoting Fort Knox.

“General Barron’s steadfast leadership in establishing KRDA and as the longtime executive director of the CORE Committee has been instrumental in protecting this region’s most significant economic engine – Fort Knox,” said Springsteen. “Today we take a moment to express our gratitude for General Barron’s contributions to this organization and most importantly to our community.”

In 2016, Barron oversaw the KRDA capital campaign. In 2017, he served as the newly established organization’s interim CEO, leading the search for a permanent senior executive. When the board selected retired Brig. Gen. Jim Iacocca for that position, Barron then served as KRDA’s vice president for army affairs throughout 2018.

Springsteen said in addition to helping the region’s economy continue to prosper, Barron has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to soldiers and their families, always lending his expert counsel to the various community endeavors in support of them.

“I call it an affair of the heart,” said Barron. “I love this community and our soldiers. It has been an honor to serve both.”

Barron said the community’s long-standing support to Fort Knox soldiers and families was why KRDA nominated the region to be designated a 2018 Great American Defense Community (GADC). When the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) selected the Greater Fort Knox Region as one of only five in the nation, Barron said, he couldn’t have been prouder.

“I was thrilled to shine a national spotlight on the region,” said Barron. “A welcoming and supportive community is critical to ensuring military installations retain and grow their missions. I knew this community was among the best in the nation and this recognition confirms that in a big way.”

Barron was part of a delegation of community leaders who attended ADC’s national summit in Washington, D.C. this past summer where the 2018 GADC communities were honored.

Iacocca expressed his appreciation for Barron’s years of service and shared that Barron will continue to serve the organization in a volunteer capacity on the KRDA board of directors.

“Our nation benefited from General Barron’s 38 years of military service, and this region has been the beneficiary of his extraordinary community service for the past 15 years,” said Iacocca. “I was privileged to have General Barron by my side during my first year on the job as we worked to protect and promote Fort Knox and grow defense-related business in our region.”

During the annual meeting, Iacocca also shared highlights of KRDA’s work in 2018 that put Fort Knox in a better position for growth.

He pointed out the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that allows Fort Knox to tout its successful energy resilience efforts and provides $26 million in funding for the digitization of Fort Knox’s Yano Range, the first phase of a $52 million project.

Iacocca worked closely with state and federal officials to add the language about Fort Knox’s energy program.

“Fort Knox’s world-class energy resilience efforts makes it more attractive for growth, most especially for data and cyber security missions,” said Iaccoca. “With the 2018 NDAA, Fort Knox has greater latitude to promote its energy program and KRDA will certainly do so as well.”

Iaccoca thanked the investors for their support to KRDA.

“Your commitment to this work speaks volumes,” said Iacocca. “It sends a strong message to the Department of Defense and our elected leaders that this community takes the future of Fort Knox seriously. I am excited about our continued progress in the coming year.”

Historic Fort Knox Photographs

August 23, 2018 By krda

Thank you to Holiday Inn Express Radcliff – Fort Knox for donating historic Fort Knox photographs. These are the perfect pieces to display in the Knox Regional Development Alliance office!

Iacocca named chair of Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs

August 13, 2018 By krda

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has appointed Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) President and CEO Brig. Gen. (Ret) Jim Iacocca the new board chairman of Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs (KCMA).

KCMA is an independent agency attached to the office of the Governor that advocates for military installations and the related defense economy in Kentucky.

KCMA Executive Director Col. (Ret) Blaine Hedges welcomed the appointment.

“I have seen firsthand retired Brig. Gen. Iacocca’s positive efforts to advocate for Fort Knox,” said Hedges. “I know Kentucky will benefit from his leadership and I look forward to working with him even more in this new role.”

KRDA board chairman and Fort Knox Federal Credit Union President and CEO Ray Springsteen called the voluntary chairmanship role a great complement to Iaccoca’s work for KRDA.

“The position gives Brig. Gen. Iacocca a broader strategic view of the state’s efforts to grow the defense industry and helps to elevate the value of Fort Knox,” said Springsteen. “It’s a win for the state and the Fort Knox region.”

Springsteen said Iacocca’s effective leadership will be an asset to the entire state.

“Within a matter of months on the job, Brig. Gen. Iacocca has gained the respect and admiration of people throughout our region and at the state and federal levels,” Springsteen said.

Iacocca took the reins of KRDA in January, following more than 29 years of service in the U.S. Army including multiple assignments at Fort Knox with U.S. Army Human Resources Command and U.S. Army Recruiting Command.

Iacocca’s distinguished military career also included assignments at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 82^nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command with which he deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He also served at the Pentagon on the staff for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Iacocca called the appointment a great privilege.

“I appreciate Gov. Bevin’s confidence in me,” said Iacocca. “I look forward to serving in this role for the betterment of Kentucky’s defense economy.”

A Message from KRDA President / CEO

January 24, 2018 By krda

With the new year underway, I wanted to express how honored I am to serve as the Knox Regional Development Alliance’s (KRDA) President and CEO. It is a great privilege to serve this community.

This community’s and most especially our investors’ commitment to protecting and growing Fort Knox and defense related business in the region is a testament to the value you place on what is, annually, a $2.5 billion economic engine. I am confident we can achieve even greater economic potential through proactive and deliberate engagement with key influencers, decision makers, businesses and site selectors.

My thanks to Maj. Gen. (R) Bill Barron for not only establishing KRDA operations in 2017, but also doing the important outreach to key stakeholders in the Department of Defense and beyond. I also want to thank our board of directors that provided Bill the support, leadership and time needed to get the organization up and running.

At the board meeting in December, we elected a new slate of officers for 2018:

Ray Springsteen – Chairman
John Tindall – Vice Chairman
Keith Johnson – Treasurer
Beth Avey – Secretary
Terry Bennett – Counsel

I look forward to working with them and the full board to finalize our strategic plan with well-defined goals and objectives against which we can measure our success.

Thank you again for your continued support to KRDA. If you are interested in learning how you or your organization can invest in KRDA and this region’s continued economic prosperity, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm Regards,

Jim Iacocca
BG (R), U.S. Army

KRDA’s success will shape region / The News-Enterprise

January 19, 2018 By krda

Source: The News-Enterprise’s editorial board.

ISSUE: New CEO directing local recruitment efforts

OUR VIEW: Retired general begins vital mission

Retired Brig. Gen. Jim Iacocca quickly put boots to the ground and is off and running as Knox Regional Development Alliance’s new president and chief executive officer.

Iacocca was introduced as KRDA’s selection for the leadership position last October. Since assuming the duties Jan. 2, Iacocca has begun a listening tour through meetings with KRDA investors and key business and community leaders locally and across the region.

Past KRDA board chairman Jim Fugitte touted Iacocca’s strong credentials and prior connection to Fort Knox when announcing his hiring.

“Jim’s experience serving with multiple units on post and his familiarity with our premiere installation made him an especially appealing candidate,” Fugitte said in the news release. “His breadth of experience and understanding of the Army and Department of Defense will prove invaluable.”

Iacocca held several leadership roles on post at Fort Knox including serving as deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command and as former brigade commander for the Army’s 3rd Recruiting Brigade. He also held key leadership assignments at multiple installations including Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Special Operations Command, both in Afghanistan and Iraq, and on the staff for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.

In his new role with KRDA, Iacocca will develop, deploy and direct key strategy and tactics to accomplish the organization’s three-tier priorities of advocating for new missions and retaining those already at Fort Knox; attracting and retaining defense-related business; and developing more public-public and public-private partnerships to support the post’s missions.

With its estimated $2.6 billion economic impact for our multi-county region and escalating competition to attract and retain military missions, these goals are critical to keep Fort Knox at the forefront of the Army and Department of Defense installation plans.

Now that Iacocca is on board, interim KRDA president and CEO Bill Barron steps into the role with the organization as vice president of Army Affairs.

A 24-year active duty veteran, the retired major general deserves praise and appreciation for the many years of dedicated work he has invested in an effort to keep Fort Knox at top of mind among top leaders at the Pentagon and U.S. Army.

Through his efforts steering KRDA preceded by 14 years as executive director of the CORE Committee, Barron leaves a lasting impact in keeping Fort Knox strong in its importance for the Army and region.

Iacocca is congratulated and welcomed as he takes on his new position of leadership. The community looks forward to celebrating his successes. As missions come, expand and thrive on post at Fort Knox, so will economic opportunity outside its gates.

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

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