News

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.

CORE Committee stands down, makes way for new organization

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Knox Regional Development Alliance (KRDA) announced today it has surpassed the $2 million mark in its capital campaign to fund the work of the newly established economic development initiative. Sixty-seven investors have pledged $2,100,000 over five years.

“We’re incredibly pleased with this progress,” said Dennis Johnson, campaign co-chairman and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health. “Business and community leaders understand that to protect and grow Fort Knox and the region’s economy, we all need to invest.”

Johnson pointed to additional private businesses and local communities that stepped forward since the public kickoff to fund KRDA, including Scotty’s Contracting and Stone.

“Fort Knox is a cornerstone of this region’s economy,” said Jim Scott, Scotty’s Contracting and Stone CEO. “It’s key to the success of our business here and that’s why we’re investing for now and in the future.”

In October, Johnson and campaign co-chairman Ray Springsteen, CEO of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, joined private and public sector leaders from Hardin, Meade, LaRue, Bullitt and Jefferson counties to publically kickoff the campaign. At the kickoff, KRDA had commitments of $1.5 million.

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. The establishment of KRDA is the result of a merger of the CORE Committee, Inc and the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s One Knox Council.

“While the CORE Committee has long advocated for missions at Fort Knox, KRDA will take this effort to a new level,” said Springsteen.

Springsteen also noted KRDA’s expanded scope that includes a focused defense-related business attraction effort.

The 30-member board of the CORE Committee recently authorized the members of its executive committee to oversee all administrative elements of the organization’s transition to the Knox Regional Development Alliance.

Executive Committee members include Ray Springsteen, Brad Richardson, Keith Johnson, retired Maj. Gen. John Tindall, Jim Fugitte and the former executive director of the CORE Committee, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Barron.

Barron will continue to serve in a board role with KRDA.

CORE Committee board chairman Jim Fugitte spoke of Barron’s tireless work leading the CORE Committee for the past 13 years.

“Bill has been a tremendous force in the preservation and stability of Fort Knox,” said Fugitte. “There aren’t words to adequately characterize his impact. This community, this region is eternally grateful for his leadership and we’re so glad he will continue to serve on the KRDA board.”

KRDA has retained the services of the Oliver Group, a Louisville-based consulting firm, to oversee the search process for the CEO of KRDA. A job description is available at growknox.org.

Atlanta-based POWER 10 Capital Campaign Operations will continue overseeing the fundraising effort and is confident the $2.5 million goal will be attained in early 2017.