Category: The Region

  • Interested in a career as a Business Continuity Professional?

    Interested in a career as a Business Continuity Professional?

    KRDA is excited to share a training opportunity that Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is hosting November 4 – 8th. The DRI seminar course, Business Continuity (BCLE 2000), is FREE to transitioning Soldiers and veterans within 5 years of separation and is ideally suited for officers and senior non-commissioned officers. This training will certify you to work for any Fortune 500 Company to prepare for, respond to and recover from a crisis. Ninety-seven percent of Fortune 100 companies will only hire someone with the Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) certificate which is only offered by DRI International.

    To make reservations and receive further instructions email lukeleonard87@gmail.com or alake@driif.org.

    Download Flyer

  • Fort Knox, ECTC Establish Advanced Manufacturing Training Program

    Source: Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 

    Leaders from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Knox on Tuesday celebrated a new partnership that strengthens civilian career opportunities for soldiers at Fort Knox and across the globe.

    The new Advanced Manufacturing Army Career Skills Program (CSP) gives soldiers a path to train in three areas: computer aided drafting and design, electrical technology and engineering and electronics technology. Each program offers an opportunity to earn industry certificates that lead to in-demand careers. The training is available to soldiers at any duty station who have 180 or fewer days of service remaining.

    ECTC and Fort Knox officials signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday, followed by tours of ECTC advanced manufacturing training facilities.

    “Serving our military members and veterans has always been a top priority for ECTC, and we look forward to helping them prepare for success in the thriving advanced manufacturing field through this new program,” said ECTC President Dr. Juston Pate. “We are very proud to partner with Fort Knox and to create a new talent pipeline for our region’s employers.”

    Fort Knox leaders also touted the partnership between the post and the college.

    “ECTC and Dr. Pate’s partnership with Fort Knox is remarkable,” said Col. Pat Kaune, Fort Knox garrison commander. “I greatly appreciate their dedication and commitment to bringing this program to fruition, which will ultimately help our soldiers long after they’ve taken off the uniform.”

    In addition, the advanced manufacturing CSP presents an opportunity for employers and the broader community, said Knox Regional Development Alliance President and CEO Jim Iacocca.

    “Military talent from across the Army will train at ECTC, and we have a unique opportunity to show them all that the Greater Fort Knox Region has to offer and connect them to local employers who are hiring now.” Iacocca said.

    The advanced manufacturing sector is experiencing tremendous growth in the communities served by ECTC and beyond, creating careers — not just jobs — for workers with the right skills, Pate said.

    “When you pair high-quality advanced manufacturing training with the work ethic and leadership of a U.S. Army Soldier, you develop talent that will not only meet the needs of today’s businesses, but also help those companies grow and create new opportunities,” Pate said.

    Students will train tuition-free through the Work Ready Scholarship. Further, Fort Knox will provide no-cost housing, making the program even more accessible to transitioning soldiers interested in advanced manufacturing careers.

    Soldiers interested in the program should contact Harriet Taylor at The Education Center at Fort Knox at 502-624-8246.

  • 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.

     

  • Ft. Knox Region Celebrates ADC Honor

    Source: Association of Defense Communities 

    Local officials and leaders from Fort Knox, Ky., gathered on the post’s parade field last week to celebrate two events — the Greater Fort Knox region being named to the 2018 class of Great American Defense Communities (GADC) and the post’s centennial. ADC board member Bob Ross presented the community with the GADC banner. At the event, more than 1,500 soldiers and 700 civilians formed the words “Fort Knox,” to commemorate a 1918 photo. See then and now photos in the June 2018 issue of America’s Defense Communities Magazine.

    The Greater Fort Knox region is one of five communities that make up the 2018 class of GADC, a program recognizing the unique contributions made by communities that host military installations to improve quality of life for service members and their families.

     

     

  • 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!

  • Some well-deserved acknowledgments / The News-Enterprise

    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.