KRDA

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

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.

KRDA Capital Campaign Surpasses $2.5 Million Stretch Goal

March 28, 2017 By krda

New board named, search narrows for new CEO

The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today it has surpassed the $2.5 million stretch goal it established for its capital campaign. The money raised will fund the work of the newly established economic development initiative. Eighty-seven investors have pledged $2,573,500 over five years.

“It is great to see the support of private and public sector leaders for what is arguably Kentucky’s greatest economic asset,” said Dennis Johnson, campaign co-chairman and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health. “We have long supported Fort Knox but this takes our commitment to a whole new level.”

Johnson and campaign co-chairman Ray Springsteen, CEO of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, joined community leaders from Hardin, Meade, LaRue, Bullitt, Grayson, Nelson and Jefferson counties to rally support for KRDA.

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

The money raised will fund KRDA’s advocacy, marketing and targeted business attraction activities.

“Fort Knox has a great deal to offer and we need to showcase that,” said retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron, acting CEO of KRDA. “It is home to leading experts in human capital management and has world class ranges, a nationally recognized energy program and capacity for new and expanded missions.”

Barron said that not only can Fort Knox support new missions on post but also can serve as the centerpiece of a business attraction effort off post.

Barron is serving as the acting CEO until the new CEO is hired. Louisville based firm The Oliver Group is conducting the CEO search and has narrowed its candidate list for the KRDA board to consider.

The newly established 26-member board will meet for the first time this week and includes investors from throughout the region.

Springsteen, who will serve on the new board, sees KRDA’s work as invaluable not only in terms of economic development but workforce development, too.

“The people who work at Fort Knox, both military and civilian employees, and their families make our region stronger,” said Springsteen. “Many of them choose to stay once their service is complete. The more opportunities we have for them on and off post, the more likely we can retain them right here.”

A full list of the newly established board is available at growknox.org.

KRDA

New board named, search narrows for new CEO

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