Torch Technologies

Torch Technologies was co-founded in 2002 in Huntsville, AL by Bill Roark and Don Holder. Roark and Holder respectively had 30 and 40 years of experience in the Department of Defense research and development programs and other contracts.[http://eastsidepartners.com/entrepreneurs/bill-roark/ Entrepreneur Stories: Bill Roark] The company's location was chosen due to its proximity to Redstone Arsenal, which serves as headquarters of several large Army organizations such as AMCOM and offices belonging to US Army Aviation.{{cite web |url=https://www.peoavn.army.mil/SitePages/Home2.aspx |title=PEO Aviation - Home2 |accessdate=2014-06-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705011956/https://www.peoavn.army.mil/SitePages/Home2.aspx |archivedate=2014-07-05 }} Upon the company's formation, the co-founders began to aggressively recruit a team of senior engineers, and set out to build a reputation for good service and competitive pricing. In 2005, Roark began to take steps that allowed Torch to become employee-owned (via an ESOP), and the company attained 100% employee ownership in 2010.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/1210-AB32-054.pdf |title=Definition of Fiduciary Proposed Rule |access-date=2014-07-02 |archive-date=2015-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215938/http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/1210-AB32-054.pdf |url-status=dead }} Roark desired employee-ownership and profit sharing because such management styles have been proven to reduce employee attrition rates and increase job satisfaction.The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew, Management Lessons In 2008, Torch began bidding as a prime government contractor. With the receipt of four direct award prime task orders on AMCOM Express, the company won more contracts in two weeks in late 2008 than the previous six years of combined government work. In late 2016, Torch completed a $12 million renovation of the two existing buildings it owns in South Huntsville.{{Cite web|url=http://whnt.com/2015/03/19/torch-technologies-to-expand-south-huntsville-campus-bring-more-jobs-to-tennessee-valley/|title = Torch Technologies to expand south Huntsville campus, create 150 new jobs|date = 20 March 2015}} Torch received economic incentives from the city of Huntsville, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the state of Alabama to keep its headquarters in south Huntsville as opposed to moving to Cummings Research Park in hopes of growing economic activity in the immediate area. Torch has since had two more major expansions in south Huntsville, with the (2017) completion of a conference center called the Freedom Center{{Cite web|url=https://www.enr.com/articles/41600-freedom-center-lifts-huntsville-revitalization-hopes/|title = Freedom Center Lifts Huntsville Revitalization Hopes}} and the (2019) completion of the Technology Integration & Prototyping Center.{{Cite web | url=https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Turner-Construction-finishes-Torch-Technologies-Technology-Integration-and-Prototyping-Center-work-511197262.html/ | title=Turner Construction finishes Torch Technologies’ Technology Integration and Prototyping Center work | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612224445/https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/Turner-Construction-finishes-Torch-Technologies-Technology-Integration-and-Prototyping-Center-work-511197262.html/ | archive-date=2019-06-12}} While Torch is headquartered in Huntsville, with eight technical offices located throughout the United States, they have employee-owners located in several additional markets, including California; Ohio, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Kwajalein, and Egypt.

Weapon System Performance Analysis to include sensors/seekers, aerodynamics, guidance and control, target discrimination, endgame performance, and command and control; Modeling and Simulation with emphasis primarily on high-fidelity level simulations including all digital simulations, Software-in-the-Loop (SWIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulations; Information Technology such as distributed simulations/data management, visualization techniques, high performance computers, and network integration; Manned and Unmanned Aviation; Test & Evaluation (T&E); and Advanced Technology Research and Development including development, testing, and implementation of innovative algorithms and software.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/company/company-profile|title=Company Profile|last=|first=|date= April 27, 2020|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=April 27, 2020}}

• 2016-2021 [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/consulting/2021 Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services] by [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/ Great Place to Work]{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-named-one-of-the-2021-best-workplaces-in-consulting-and-professional-services-by-great-place-to-work-for-sixth-consecutive-year|title=Torch Named One of the Country's Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services for Sixth Consecutive Year|last=|first=|date=April 23, 2021|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}}
• 2021 and 2018 ESOP Company of the Year{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-technologies-named-esop-company-of-the-year-for-second-time|title=Torch Named ESOP Company of the Year for Second Time|last=|first=|date=April 13, 2021|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}} by the New South Chapter of The ESOP Association
• 2006-2020 [https://www.inc.com/inc5000 Inc 5000 List] by [https://www.inc.com/ Inc. magazine]{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-makes-inc-5000-list-for-14th-consecutive-year|title=Torch Makes Inc. 5000 List for 14th Consecutive Year|last=|first=|date=August 12, 2020|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}}
• 2020 [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/parents/2020 Best Workplaces for Parents] by [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/ Great Place to Work]{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-named-one-of-the-2020-best-workplaces-for-parents-by-great-place-to-work|title=Torch Named One of the 2020 Best Workplaces for Parents by Great Place to Work®|last=|first=|date=December 2, 2020|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}}
• 2020 and 2018 [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/millennials/2020 Best Workplaces for Millennials] by [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/ Great Place to Work]{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-named-one-of-the-2020-best-workplaces-for-millennials-by-great-place-to-work-and-fortune|title=Torch Named One of the 2020 Best Workplaces for Millennials by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE|last=|first=|date=August 6, 2020|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}}
• 2015-2020 Washington Technology [https://washingtontechnology.com/toplists/top-100-lists/2020.aspx "Top 100 Government Contractors"] List{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-makes-washington-technology-top-100-government-contractors-list-for-sixth-year|title=Torch Makes Washington Technology "Top 100 Government Contractors" List for Sixth Year|last=|first=|date=September 30, 2020|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}}
• 2017-2020 Bloomberg Government [https://about.bgov.com/bgov200/ "Top 200" List] List{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-makes-bloomberg-government-top-200-list-for-4th-year|title=Torch Makes Bloomberg Government "Top 200" List for 4th Year|last=|first=|date=June 24, 2020|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=May 3, 2021}}
• 2017-2019 [https://www.entrepreneur.com/360 Entrepreneur 360 List] by Entrepreneur magazine "Entrepreneur 360 List"{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-technologies-named-to-entrepreneur-360-list-for-third-consecutive-year|title=Torch Technologies Named to Entrepreneur 360 List for Third Consecutive Year|last=|first=|date=October 1, 2019|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=April 27, 2020}}
• 2016-2018 [http://fortune.com/best-medium-workplaces/ Best Small and Medium Workplaces] by [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/ Great Place to Work] and [http://fortune.com/ FORTUNE]
• 2018 [https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/millennials/2018 2018 Best Workplaces for Millennials] by [https://www.greatplacetowork.com Great Place to Work] and [http://fortune.com/ FORTUNE]{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchtechnologies.com/torch-named-one-of-the-best-workplaces-for-millennials-by-great-place-to-work-and-fortune|title=Torch Named One of the Best Workplaces for Millennials by Great Place to Work® and FORTUNE|last=|first=|date=June 26, 2018|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=July 9, 2018}}
• Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Firm by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, North Alabama Section{{Cite web|url=https://torchtechnologies.com/news/asme-names-torch-outstanding-mechanical-engineering-firm/|title=ASME Names Torch Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Firm|last=|first=|date=February 23, 2018|website=Torch Technologies|access-date=Jun 28, 2024}}
• 2016 Torch was one of 25 companies included in the Forbes list of "The Best Small Companies in America"{{Cite web|url = https://www.forbes.com/companies/torch-technologies/|title = Torch Technologies on the Forbes America's Best Small Companies List|website = Forbes|access-date = 2016-03-11}}
• 2015-2018 [http://harbert.auburn.edu/entrepreneurship-summit/large-company-rankings.php "Top Tiger"] Award of the fastest-growing companies founded, owned, or led by Auburn University alumni
• 2013 Partners in Philanthropy Award by the Community foundation of Huntsville/Madison County{{Cite web | url=http://www.torchtechnologies.com/about+us/corporate+recognition | title=Torch's Corporate Recognition | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012135447/http://www.torchtechnologies.com/about+us/corporate+recognition | archive-date=2017-10-12}}
• 2012, 2013 Inc. Magazine's Hire Power Award, given to private firms that create the most jobs nationally
• 2012 Innovations in Employee Ownership Award given by the National Center for Employee-Ownership (NCEO)
• Winner of the 2012 Best Places to Work by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce
• 2011 U.S. SBA Region IV Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
• 2011 Top Small Company Workplace by Inc. Magazine
• 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Bill Roark (Torch CEO) selected as Southeast region finalist for the Ernst & Young award
• 2008 Ten Best Companies for Employee Financial Security by The Principal Financial Group
• 2008, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018 [http://hsvchamber.org/congratulations-to-the-2018-best-places-to-work-winners/ “Best Places to Work in Huntsville/Madison County"]{{Cite web|url=http://hsvchamber.org/congratulations-to-the-2018-best-places-to-work-winners/|title=Congratulations to the 2018 Best Places to Work Winners!|last=|first=|date=April 10, 2018|website=Huntsville Madison County Chamber|access-date=July 9, 2018}}
• 2008 IT/Technology Business of the Year by the Alabama Information Technology Association
• 2007 Small Business of the Year by the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce(Technology Category){{Cite web | author=Berry, Lucy | url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2013/06/huntsville-based_torch_technol.html | title=Huntsville-based Torch Technologies named Small Business Contractor of the Year | website=www.al.com | date=2013-06-12}}
• 2006 AITA Technology Company of the Year by the Alabama Information Technology Association (AITA) (Small Business category finalist)
• 2006 #54 in Entrepreneur Magazine's Hot 100 Fastest Growing New Companies in the United States
• 2005, 2009, and 2015 Award for Marketplace Ethics by the North Alabama Better Business Bureau

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.inc.com/profile/torch-technologies Company Profile - Torch Technologies]
• {{Cite web | url=http://www.bbb.org/northern-alabama/business-reviews/technology-services-defense-industry/torch-technologies-in-huntsville-al-900006303 | title=Torch Technologies, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623030020/http://www.bbb.org/northern-alabama/business-reviews/technology-services-defense-industry/torch-technologies-in-huntsville-al-900006303 | archive-date=2017-06-23 | website=www.bbb.org}}
• {{Cite web | url=http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/torch_technologies_in_huntsvil.html | title=Torch Technologies in Huntsville wins nearly $71 million contract for missile element simulations | website=www.al.com}}
• {{Cite web | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140627212803/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30935926 | title=Company Overview of Torch Technologies, Inc. | url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30935926 | archive-date=2014-06-27}}
• [https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Leadership-Matthew-Management-Contemporary/dp/0814434916/ref=la_B001KHRE88_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409781000&sr=1-1 The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew, Management Lessons by Lorin Woolfe]
• {{Cite web | url=http://whnt.com/2015/03/19/torch-technologies-to-expand-south-huntsville-campus-bring-more-jobs-to-tennessee-valley/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226122939/https://whnt.com/news/huntsville/torch-technologies-to-expand-south-huntsville-campus-bring-more-jobs-to-tennessee-valley/ | archive-date=2021-02-26 | title=Torch Technologies to expand south Huntsville campus, create 150 new jobs}}

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Category:2002 establishments in Alabama

Category:Companies based in Huntsville, Alabama

Category:Technology companies established in 2002