By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – Tributes to the late Robert “Bob” Lucky, Ph.D., took precedence at the monthly meeting of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), held via teleconference March 16. Lucky, 86, the agency’s chairman, died March 10 at home.
The longtime Fair Haven resident had directed FMERA’s monthly meetings since assuming the chairman’s role in 2017, frequently explaining details of the fort’s redevelopment and the authority’s actions to voting members and the public.
Oceanport Mayor Jay Coffey, who chaired the meeting, called Lucky “incredibly bright, gracious and a great speaker who always kept his cool. He has been instrumental in guiding the growth of Fort Monmouth. He’s the type of guy I want to be when I grow up.”
A noted engineer, inventor, author, lecturer and more, Lucky’s involvement with Fort Monmouth’s redevelopment began in 2007 when he was appointed chairman of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA), by then Gov. Chris Christie. When FMERPA completed its planning mission and disbanded in 2010, Lucky continued serving as a board member, vice-chairman, and interim chairman with its successor, FMERA.
“Dr. Lucky’s two adult children told me how much pride and respect he had working on FMERPA and FMERA,” Bruce Steadman, FMERA executive director, said. “He appreciated his involvement until the week he passed.”
Gov. Phil Murphy issued the following statement about Lucky: “It is because of pioneers like Robert Lucky that New Jersey became globally recognized as the home of technological innovation and invention. From groundbreaking research at Bell Labs to leading Fort Monmouth’s redevelopment and re-imagination, he dedicated his life to making the impossible possible. With his passing, he leaves huge shoes to be filled, but we will build on his legacy as we seek to fully reclaim the title he helped us grab in the first place, as the world’s home for innovation.”
During the March 16 meeting, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan announced the retirement of Steadman as FMERA executive director; he has held the top staff position since FMERA began. Kara Kopach, FMERA deputy executive director and director of real estate, was named Steadman’s replacement. A successor for Lucky will be appointed by the governor within the next several weeks, officials said.
“Dr. Lucky’s leadership will certainly be missed,” Sullivan said. “Teams have leaders and Bruce has been an extraordinary leader. Thank goodness we have Kara. We will be enormously well served by her. She’s a great person, a great leader and has a passion for Fort Monmouth.”
The night also marked the last meeting for Dave Nuse, a longtime FMERA voting member both as an EDA representative and former FMERA director of real estate development.
“For many years, Dave was FMERA’s greatest resource,” Steadman said. “People know he is honest and straightforward. His relaxed and methodical method of articulating his viewpoint or explaining the context of specific issues resulted in better understanding, reduced tension and frequent agreements.”
A state public servant for 35 years, Nuse traversed New Jersey in the early years of the fort’s redevelopment giving presentations before organizations and the public.
Earlier this year, Kenneth Kloo, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s representative on FMERA, also retired after a lengthy career. Elizabeth Dragon, a DEP assistant commissioner, is the new voting member replacing Kloo.
The retirements were planned before FMERA created – and placed on the market – what amounts to the last of the properties for sale on the 1,126-acre former U.S. Army base. Just over 292 acres were combined into a “Mega Parcel” that is currently out for bid with a submission deadline of June 6. In October, Netflix confirmed it will be among the bidders. An original bid package for the Mega Parcel was terminated and redrawn when another fort property became available; it was added to the Mega Parcel when the developer of that project backed out.
“It’s in the best interest of FMERA the transition between Kara and I move relatively quickly,” Steadman said. “Anyone trying to draw conclusions about the timing is barking up a tree that doesn’t exist. It will be a seamless transition. There isn’t a better replacement for me than Kara. She has the skills and abilities.”
The redevelopment of Fort Monmouth was originally projected to take 20 years. Last year, Lucky noted that the creation and sale of the Mega Parcel would likely result in FMERA completing its mission five years sooner.
Sullivan noted that the estimated build-out value of fort projects underway is over $1 billion, and expected to yield millions in tax revenue for the three towns the fort spans – Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls – as well as Monmouth County. An estimated 1,500 jobs have been created through redevelopment projects so far, with another 1,400 jobs contractually committed. The aim is to replace and exceed the 5,000 civilian jobs lost when the fort closed in 2011.
“The FMERA team’s primary focus has always been to… achieve FMERA’s mission to create an atmosphere in which employers will employ and investors will invest,” said Steadman. “With nearly 40 ongoing or completed projects already reshaping the community, I am extremely proud of FMERA’s accomplishments. It has been my privilege to work with such a motivated, talented, enthusiastic and creative group of individuals in the FMERA team and throughout the EDA.”
Prior to joining FMERA, Steadman, whose father served in World War II and son spent 12 years in Army Special Forces, was the CEO of the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corp. He led the team responsible for the redevelopment of that former U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command Base.
Kopach Brings Life and Work
Experience to New Role
Lifelong Eatontown resident Kara Kopach, 42, whose father and brothers all served in the military, will officially assume the role of FMERA executive director May 1.
The graduate of Monmouth Regional High School and the University of Scranton was a history teacher at Holmdel’s Saint John Vianney High School when she decided to make a career change, attending Seton Hall University School of Law at night while working in logistics management with the Department of Defense on the fort. Her father was also from the area, so Kopach grew up listening to her parents and their friends talk about working on and living near the fort.
She joined the EDA in 2014 as a hearing officer. Since 2015, she has been a member of FMERA’s real estate development team. Her responsibilities have included marketing, development, financial plans, contract negotiations and project management for prospective buyers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
“It’s bittersweet with Bruce leaving and Dr. Lucky’s passing,” Kopach said. “It’s come full circle for me. I’m excited to lead the next stage of this development, and looking forward to seeing the Mega Parcel bids.”
The article originally appeared in the March 24 – 30, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
