Keeping The Dream Alive
Welcome to The Keeping the Dream Alive Podcast brought to you by Torch Technologies. In this podcast, you will learn all about all things Torch from its history to its culture, employee ownership, commitment to the warfighter, our community involvement, and so much more.
Episodes
32 episodes
Episode 32: The Future of Freedom Real Estate with Brenda Conville & Lee Holland
In this episode we sit down with Lee Holland and Brenda Conville to discuss Freedom Real Estate's evolution from a property management and leasing subsidiary of Torch Technologies to a full-service real estate firm. Now offeringbrokerage, c...
•
20:52
Episode 31: Freedom Real Estate Anniversary with Bill Roark
In this episode we sit down with Bill Roark, CEO of Freedom Real Estate, to discuss the company's origins and its impact on Huntsville's growth. Initially created as a subsidiary of Torch to generate better returns than the company's cash reser...
•
13:51
Episode 29: TIPC with Corey Chandler
Corey Chandler discusses the Technology Integration and Prototyping Center (TIPC) at Torch Technologies. TIPC is a unique capability that supports rapid prototyping and solutions development for the government. It was opened in 2019 and provide...
•
10:14
Episode 28: Adoption Assistance Program with Cathy McDonald & John Watson
In this podcast episode, Cathy McDonald and John Watson discuss Torch Technologies' Adoption Assistance Program, introduced during its shift to a public benefit corporation. They outline the program's straightforward structure and substantial r...
•
9:25
Episode 27: Built with Purpose with Bill Roark
Bill Roark, co-founder of Torch Technologies, delves into his recent book, Built with Purpose. This work chronicles the formative years and history of Torch Technologies, a company with a two-decade legacy. Roark shares insights into the book's...
•
12:28
Episode 26: SIMVANA with Darryl Trousdale
Darrell Trousdale, the project manager of the Advanced VIZLAB at Torch Technology, discusses the journey of SIMVANA and its impact in various fields. SIMVANA, a part of the Advanced VIZLAB, was initially developed for virtual training capabilit...
•
13:20
Episode 25: The IRAD Program with Bruce Peters
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...
•
21:59
Episode 24: New Starfish CEO with Bill Roark
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...
•
11:19
Episode 23: Co-Founder of Torch Technologies with Don Holder
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...
•
18:58
Episode 22: Employee Spotlight with Mike O'Melia
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...
•
15:23
Episode 21: Public Benefit Corporation with Bill Roark
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 C...
•
11:30
Episode 20: Freedom Real Estate with Brenda Conville & Lee Holland
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...
•
21:53
Episode 19: CEO of Torch Technologies with John Watson
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 decisio...
•
19:26
Episode 18: Torch Helps with Maureen Eversmeyer, LaJoy Johns, & Samantha Blumkin
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...
•
17:24
Episode 17: Internal Stock Exchange with Bill Roark
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...
•
10:00
Episode 16: President of Torch Technologies with Brad Walker
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...
•
23:51
Episode 15: Employee Spotlight with Jim Moore
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 joi...
•
14:26
Episode 14: Employee Spotlight with Samantha Blumkin
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 20...
•
19:46
Episode 13: Employee Spotlight with Jim Diehl
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 d...
•
25:49
Episode 12: Employee Spotlight with Adam Sampley
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 a...
•
14:26
Episode 11: Employee Spotlight with Clayton Newkirk
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 t...
•
12:57
Episode 10: Principle of Pragmatic Innovation
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 calcu...
•
11:59