In this episode, we interview Bruce Peters to talk about the company's Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program. Bruce shares his background and how he got involved in the program. He discusses the importance of linking innovative ideas with customer needs and the role of different disciplines in project management. Bruce highlights the adv…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Bill Roark about his transition as Starfish Holdings CEO. We also discuss the role he will now play as Chairman of the Board, his upcoming book release in May, and future travel plans across the country.By Torch Technologies

In this episode, we talk with Don Holder Co-Founder of Torch. We discuss his educational background, the discussion with Bill Roark back in 2002 to join Torch, what it’s like now to see Torch continue to grow 20+ years later, and what advice he would give to new and current employee-owners of Torch Technologies.…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Mike O'Melia who has been at Torch Technologies for 19 years now, coming up on 20. We discussed his knowledge of ESOPs before joining Torch, the importance of the term employee-owner , and his challenge to the younger employees just beginning their career at Torch…

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark to discuss Torch’s newest distinction of becoming a Public Benefit Corporation. We discuss the differences between a Public Benefit Corp and a B Corp, how this distinction pairs with being an Evergreen Company, and the commitment Torch has to grow and be profitable for more than 100 years.…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Brenda Conville and Lee Holland of Freedom Real Estate & Capital a sister company to Torch Technologies. We discuss their backgrounds prior to joining Freedom, the exponential growth Freedom has had in a short few years, the ESOP structure that connects Freedom with Torch, and the future goals they both hav…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with John Watson who has been at Torch Technologies since 2009 and who was promoted to CEO in 2018. We discuss his educational background, how he met Bill Roark while at Nichols Research, the initial decision to join Torch, and the future goals he has for Torch moving into 2024 and beyond.…

We sit down with the current Board Chair of Torch Helps, Samantha Blumkin, and the previous two Board Chairs, Maureen Eversmeyer and LaJoy Johns. We discuss their backgrounds at Torch, the mission of Torch Helps, and the future impact they hope Torch Helps has in the community.By Torch Technologies

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Roark Co-Founder of Torch Technologies to discuss the Internal Stock Exchange. We discuss the employee benefit, the importance of having it, and the impact it will have on employee-owners for years to come.By Torch Technologies

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Brad Walker who has been at Torch Technologies since 2006 and who recently got promoted to President of the company in January 2023. We discuss his educational background, how he met Bill Roark while at Nichols Research, the initial decision to join Torch in 2006, and how his day to day has changed since be…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Jim Moore who has been at Torch Technologies for 19 years now, coming up on 20. He currently works in the Shalimar, Florida office at Eglin Air Force Base. We discuss his knowledge of ESOPs prior to joining Torch, the discussion 10 years ago to move to Shalimar Florida to help open that office, and how the …

In this episode, we talk with the lead program control analyst Samantha Blumkin. She helps lead all the program control analysts that support our ACE group here at Torch. During this episode, we discuss what it was like joining Torch back in 2013, her decision to leave Torch for a few months back in 2020 and her passion to educate the younger emplo…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Jim Diehl, who recently retired but was the corporate chief of staff working directly for the president and the program manager for the MDA programs here at Torch Technologies. During this episode, we discuss what it was like joining Torch back in 2009 after almost 30 years of working at Teledyne Brown. We …

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Adam Sampley who helps lead the aircraft survivability team under the tactical systems business unit here at Torch Technologies. During this episode, we discuss what it was like to join Torch 19 years ago directly out of college, the value of the ESOP program to him, what advice he would give to someone fir…

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Clayton Newkirk Senior Director here at Torch Technologies. During this episode, we discuss what it was like joining Torch 20 years ago, the value of the ESOP program to him, what advice he would give to someone first beginning their career here, and what milestones/achievements he would love to see Torch r…

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, to talk a little bit about the Tugboat Institute and their Principle of Pragmatic Innovation. We discuss the mindset he has had over the last 20 years when taking calculated risks and what the biggest calculated risk he has had to make for Torch over the last 20 years and h…

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, to talk a little bit about the Tugboat Institute and their Principle of Profit. We discuss the importance of profit to the survival of Torch specifically in the early years, how Bill was able to balance the desire to increase profits without making it the purpose of Torch, …

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, to talk a little bit about the Tugboat Institute and its Principle of Paced Growth. We discuss some of the long-term strategies put in place for Torch back in 2002, how Bill was able to balance short-term performance with Torch’s long-term goals, how Torch has been so consi…

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark CoFounder of Torch Technologies to talk a little bit about 2022 and some of the goals and milestones that Torch, Freedom Real Estate, & Simvana have been able to achieve across this year, as well as some of the goals we have for the podcast moving forward into 2023. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherev…

In this episode we sit down with Bill Roark to discuss the Tugboat Institute and their Principle of Private which they define as taking advantage of the ability of closely-held private companies to have a longer-term view, greater confidentiality around strategies, and more operating flexibility than public or exit-oriented businesses. We discuss B…

In this episode of The Keeping the Dream Alive Podcast, we talk with Bill Roark, CoFounder of Torch Technologies and Brady Porter, a current employee of Torch. We discuss the general structuring of the ESOP, the impact that the ESOP has had on Brady's life over his 18 years of service and how the overall atmosphere of Torch has been impacted based …

In this episode of The Keeping the Dream Alive Podcast, we talk with Bill Roark CoFounder of Torch Technologies and reminisce over the last 20 years. We discuss the history of Torch, lessons he has learned along the way, & what the future looks like for Torch.By Torch Technologies

In this episode of The Keeping the Dream Alive Podcast we sit down with Bill Roark Co-Founder of Torch Technologies to continue our conversation and discuss The Tugboat Institute and their Third P of People First.By Torch Technologies

In this episode of The Keeping the Dream Alive Podcast we sit down with Bill Roark Co-Founder of Torch Technologies to continue our conversation and discuss The Tugboat Institute and their second P of Perseverance.By Torch Technologies

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Roark Co-founder of Torch Technologies to learn more about their history and one of their newest accomplishments of being recognized as a Certified Evergreen Company. We discuss what it means to be an evergreen company, the principle of purpose within the Tugboat Group, and how it applies to Torch. The Tugboat…