KRDA’s success will shape region / The News-Enterprise

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.