Knox Regional Development Alliance
Just like Soldiers did 100 years ago, the greater Fort Knox community is gathering on Tuesday, May 22 from 1 PM – 4 PM to spell out F-O-R-T-K-N-O-X.
Interested in participating in this once-every 100 years event? Signups are now open through April 27 and capped at 2,500 civilians, so act fast.
Sign up here!
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
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.
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
Source: The News-Enterprise’s editorial board.
In order to fully appreciate something’s value, an appraisal is sometimes required.
Just as that’s true of a diamond or precious gem, it’s similar true of community contributions. Today, let’s review three recent assessments of gems within our community.
• This region was one of five communities that made up the 2018 class of Great American Defense Communities, an initiative through the Association of Defense Communities.
In its third year, this program recognizes military communities and regions that help improve the quality of life for service members and their families. Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on community building and integration, support and collaboration, educational and employment opportunities and family support, according to the release.
Based on that criteria, this area should become a permanent fixture on the list.
The Knox Regional Development Alliance nominated the region for the award.
“The words ‘military friendly’ are not a cliché here,” said James Iacocca, a retired brigadier general who is the incoming CEO of KRDA. “That’s why so many military families like mine have chosen to stay in Central Kentucky when they leave the service.”
• In support of the previous point, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College recently was named one of the best two-year institutions for veterans by Military Times.
The national publication annually compiles a ranking of the best colleges for veterans and military-connected students. ECTC ranked 10th out of the 34 two-year colleges on Military Times Best: Colleges. Western Kentucky University was ranked 21st out of the 140 four-year colleges.
Monica Gallego, director of the Veteran Center for Excellence at ECTC, said it was the first time the college has made the list.
“It shows the work we’ve done is paying off and I’m proud of the recognition,” Gallego said.
The center, which opened two years ago thanks in part to a U.S. Department of Education grant, has good reasons to be proud. It offers services for veterans and military-connected students, including peer mentoring, application assistance and career counseling.
• Similarly, the Kentucky Farm Bureau recognized three local farm families at its annual convention last weekend, who are doing superior work in our midst.
Richard Preston of Glendale and Lisa Robards of Summit were finalists for Farmer of the Year, while Nicholas and Bethany Hardesty of Meade County were one of three nominees statewide for Outstanding Young Farm Family, While the local nominees did not receive the top state prize, their achievements were significant and well worth recognition.
The Kentucky Farm Bureau annual honors ag achievers, including categories for distinguished service, agriculture literacy and top county chapters. It is means to ensure that praiseworthy achievements are recognized properly.
RADCLIFF, Ky.— The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today that the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) has named the Greater Fort Knox Region to the 2018 class of Great American Defense Communities. Chosen through a competitive nominating process, the region is one of only five communities across the country to receive the designation for its support to military families.
In nominating the Greater Fort Knox region, KRDA touted its wide array of services and innovative programs that set the region apart from hundreds of other defense communities across the country.
“We know this region is second to none in its support to Soldiers, military veterans and their families,” said retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron, interim CEO of KRDA. “We couldn’t be prouder that the ADC has recognized that, too.”
KRDA showcased innovative partnerships, programs and events that demonstrated the region’s support including the Where Opportunity Knox initiative that connects transitioning service members with employment opportunities in the region.
Barron also said the decades long partnership between Fort Knox and Hardin Memorial Health was highlighted as especially valuable given Fort Knox’s Ireland Army Community Hospital transition to a clinic this year.
Community events specially designed for military service members, veterans, retirees and their families like the annual Hooray for Heroes were also featured in the application.
Barron said the region’s commitment to Soldiers and their families goes beyond admiration and reverence.
“In many ways, it is because we are them and they are us,” said Barron. “We are one community. We worship together. Our kids attend the same schools and play on the same athletic fields. We attend the same community festivals and serve in the same civic organizations. We barbeque at each other’s homes.”
Incoming CEO Retiring Brig. Gen. James Iacocca expressed his excitement of designation.
“This is a testament to the people of this region,” said Iacocca. “The words ‘military friendly’ are not a cliché here. That’s why so many military families like mine have chosen to stay in Central Kentucky when they leave the service.”
Iacocca, who will start as KRDA CEO on Jan. 2, served in several assignments at Fort Knox including most recently the former Adjutant General of the Army, a position he held at U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox.
Iacocca added that the establishment of KRDA following a successful $2.5 million capital campaign is yet another great example of the region’s commitment to the installation and the Soldiers who serve there.
Representatives from KRDA and the community will be recognized at an ADC forum in February and prominently featured the ADC National Summit in June. KRDA will also work with ADC to coordinate local celebrations and activities.
