Torch Technologies is celebrating an exciting milestone-its 15th anniversary. An early celebration was planned for September 22, 2017 at Torch’s newly renovated headquarters facility and Freedom Center. In conjunction with the 15th anniversary celebration, Torch also hosted a ribbon cutting to commemorate the official grand opening of the Freedom Center, a 12,200 SF conference and meeting facility.
The event began at 3:30 PM in the Freedom Center auditorium with comments from Joe Newberry, Board Chairman of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of Huntsville Tommy Battle, Congressman Mo Brooks, Torch CEO and Co-Founder Bill Roark, and Torch President John Watson. Next, in celebration of Torch’s success over the past 15 years, Torch held a special grant presentation of $15,000 each to representatives from 15 nonprofit organizations. Those charities included: Early Works Museums, Downtown Rescue Mission, HEALS, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Kids to Love, Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County, Boys & Girls Club, Still Serving Veterans, The ARC, the Community Foundation Cap & Gown Fund, Semper Fi Task Force, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, ALS Association of Alabama, and American Red Cross. In addition, Torch Helps, Torch’s 501(c)3 which is completely funded by and governed by Torch employees, awarded this quarter’s grants with a special presentation of $15,000 each to four nonprofit organizations selected by employee-owners. Those nonprofit organizations included: 305 8th Street, Community Free Clinic, New Hope Children’s Clinic, and Corpus Christi Hope House. Lastly, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, Torch’s sister company, awarded a grant of $15,000 to the Community Foundation “256” Fund.
Torch President John Watson said, “As we celebrate our 15th anniversary and we take stock of the accomplishments of the company, we should be proud. I am incredibly proud of the impact our employee-owners have had on our customers, our communities, and the Warfighter. Even as we celebrate the success of our past, we continue to work diligently to address the challenges of the future.”
Torch Technologies, established on October 2, 2002 in Huntsville, Alabama, was founded by Bill Roark and Don Holder. In its first year, Torch had seven employees in Huntsville. Now, with more than 750 employees in 15 locations in ten states, one territory, and one foreign country, Torch is “Lighting the Pathway of Freedom.”
