ELIZABETHTOWN Ky. — The Knox Regional Development Alliance announced Thursday the selection of local entrepreneur and Army veteran Beth Avey as its vice president of operations.
Established in 2016, KRDA is a private-public regional alliance focused on protecting and promoting Fort Knox to increase its economic impact. KRDA is a merger of the CORE Committee, INC and One Knox. KRDA advocates for new missions and to retain existing missions at Fort Knox, to attract and retain defense-related business and develop more public-public and public-private partnerships.
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.”
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 2002–05 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,” Avey said.
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. 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,” said Avey. “The firm is in a great place, and I have a great opportunity to continue to make a positive difference for this region.”
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.
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