Lunch with a Fort Knox Leader
News
Assocation of Defense Communities National Summit
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) national summit provided an important opportunity to exchange information and hear directly from national defense leaders such as U.S. Sen. James Inhofe and Secretary of the Army Mark Esper. An audience member asked what the attendees could do for the Army and Secretary Esper responded to hire military spouses. The good news is that KRDA and Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs (KCMA) have been working on several programs to increase spouse employment around Fort Knox and across the Commonwealth. In fact, Kentucky is one of just a handful of states that do offer reciprocity of licensure for various skills for military spouses.
Additionally, the Secretary commented that when they look at resourcing various military posts they consider the quality of life for the whole family which consists of education, employment opportunities, medical care and housing – the Greater Fort Knox Region is in great shape on all these accounts and getting better. In fact, the Secretary sent a letter to Gov. Matt Bevin thanking him for the Commonwealth’s efforts in making the quality of life and spouse employment a priority and passing legislation to make improvements to these areas.
Another big concern about basing of forces is the impact of climate change. The region is very fortunate that Fort Knox is a leader in energy resilience. KRDA worked with our congressional delegation to be able to discuss Fort Knox’s energy resilience (this required the resolution of issues between the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior). The Army publicly recognized Fort Knox during an open forum at an ADC conference. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability (DASA, E&S) Jack Surash complimented Fort Knox on its program and former Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, Kathleen Hammock also discussed Fort Knox’s PEER (Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal) certification. KRDA President Brig. Gen. (Ret) Jim Iacocca had the opportunity to talk with both of them during the summit.
KRDA Names New Vice President
The Knox Regional Development Alliance recently announced the selection of local entrepreneur and 
Army veteran Beth Avey as its vice president. KRDA CEO retired Brig. Gen. Jim Iacocca called Avey uniquely suited for the position given her military experience and her longstanding relationships in the community.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Beth in her role at Heartland Communications and have seen firsthand what she brings to the table,” said Iacocca. “Beth’s expertise will be an incredible asset as KRDA works to promote Fort Knox and the surrounding region. Having her on the KRDA team will allow us to take our work to a new level.”
Established in 2016, KRDA’s mission is to protect and promote Fort Knox to increase its economic impact.
Avey said she has a great affinity for KRDA’s work. An Army assignment to Fort Knox first brought her to the region 20 years ago. She moved away from 2002 – 2005 when her Army career ultimately took her to the Pentagon.
“When the opportunity to return to the Fort Knox region came, we jumped at it. It seemed like the perfect place to grow roots and raise a family,” said Avey.
Avey added that the marketing business she co-founded got its start with the One Knox initiative which helped the region prepare for and benefit from the growth at Fort Knox because of the 2005 BRAC.
Avey said in a way it’s all come full circle, and she couldn’t be more excited.
She called her departure from the Heartland Communications Consultants bittersweet, but said she leaves knowing the talented team is under great leadership with Kenny Rambo as CEO and Stephanie Wetzel as a managing partner.
“We’ve had this succession plan ready for when the time is right. The firm is in a great place, and I have a great opportunity to continue to make a positive difference for this region,” said Avey.
KRDA board chairman and Fort Knox Federal Credit Union CEO Ray Springsteen called Avey’s selection ideal.
“Beth has essentially been telling the story of Fort Knox and our region for more than a decade,” said Springsteen. “She and Brig. Gen. Iacocca will make a great team.”
Avey will start with KRDA on Aug. 1.
Fort Knox Region Builds Replica Vietnam War Memorial to Honor Fallen Servicemembers
The following article was featured on Association of Defense Communities website on May 22 as part of a Memorial Day Weekend tribute.
——
The Greater Fort Knox Region, Ky., a 2018 Great American Defense Community, has a long history of exemplary support to soldiers and families stationed at the famed installation as well as the thousands of veterans and military retirees who call the region home. That includes the region’s Vietnam veterans.
After the traveling Vietnam Memorial wall visited the area, the community decided it wasn’t enough. They raised more than $600,000 to install an 80% scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.
The memorial opened in April 2018, and draws veterans from surrounding states, said Jim Iacocca, president and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance.
“So not only are we serving our region’s veterans but thousands more,” Iacocca said.
This story material was submitted by the Greater Fort Knox Region. It is being published by On Base as a remembrance for Memorial Day this Monday, May 27. More on the replica memorial is in the upcoming issue of “America’s Defense Communities” magazine, which will be available at ADC’s 2019 Defense Communities National Summit in Washington June 10-12.
Fort Knox Housing – Best Practices in Collaboration and Partnerships
Below is Ret. Brig. General James Iacocca’s response to an April 2 article published in military.com by Ret. Lt. Gen. Spoehr.
Miltary.com published Ret. Brig Gen. Iacocca’s response on May 15
————
On 2 April 2019, Military.com published an article by LTG(R) Spoehr on bad decisions leading to privatized military housing challenges. LTG(R) Spoehr made a statement about Fort Knox housing after the departure of 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (3/1); and while factually correct it does not mention how the post and the privatized housing managers, Knox Hills, worked together to ensure housing remained viable on Fort Knox. I would like to share that story.
The Knox Hills housing occupancy rate was around 95.5% when the 3/1 was stationed at Fort Knox. After their colors were cased in April 2014 and the families began to depart, the occupancy rate dropped and eventually bottomed out at 69.13%
However, by judicious use of what is called the waterfall, a process that allows the privatized housing owner to offer homes to retirees, GS employees and even citizens without any military affiliation (as long as they pass the background check), the team at Knox Hills was able to maintain viability in the on-post housing. By May 2017, three years after hitting 69% occupancy, the team was able to increase that rate to 88%, and by September 2017 it had reached 94.62%. Much of this occupancy was helped by the stationing of 1st Theater Sustainment Command to Fort Knox. Today, the occupancy rate is at 96.4% – better than when 3/1 was stationed at Fort Knox.
There were some dark and scary days for Knox Hills after the departure of 3/1. According to Knox Hills, they were greatly concerned about remaining solvent. But through a team approach with the post and careful use of the waterfall they survived and are doing very well today. And while housing will never be perfect, Fort Knox is NOT beleaguered with the pest, mold and lead paint issues that some posts are dealing with now.
I am in agreement with LTG(R) Spoehr’s article on privatized housing; however, I think it is important to know the rest of the story of how Fort Knox managed and overcame the challenges by the 3/1 departure.
If you are in the area, come by and visit Fort Knox and view one of the most well-maintained Army bases in the world.
Community Town Hall
