New executives address key areas to position company
for future success
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 27, 2024 – Starfish Holdings (Starfish), the parent company
of Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate, and SIMVANA today announced the
appointment of Joe Pierce as Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Tammie Dodson as
Director of Communications. Pierce and Dodson join Starfish Co-founder and CEO Bill
Roark and President John Watson on the executive team.
“As the companies within the Starfish portfolio continue to grow, so do the needs of
Starfish. These roles are key to enabling Starfish to fulfill its purpose of growing the
retirement portfolios of the employee-owners of our subsidiaries,” said Starfish
President John Watson. “We are excited to welcome Joe and Tammie to the Starfish
team. They bring the experience, knowledge, and dedication required to help us take
Starfish to the next level.”
“As a benefit corporation and Certified Evergreen™ company, Starfish has committed to
make a positive impact on society and make 100 percent employee-ownership
sustainable for the next 100 years,” said Bill Roark, CEO, Starfish Holdings. “Joe and
Tammie will help us take Starfish to the next level and are essential to achieving these
goals.”
Pierce brings approximately 35 years of experience with companies supporting
Department of Defense programs, including McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, Lockheed
Martin, Teledyne Brown Engineering, and Teledyne Technologies. He joins Starfish
from Teledyne Technologies, where he served as senior director of strategic realization
and was responsible for ensuring that the implementation of technology was aligned
with business strategy. Pierce holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Technology from Murray State University.
In his role as CIO, Pierce will lead the technology strategy and drive innovation and
digital transformation across the Starfish multi-company enterprise consisting of both
defense and commercial companies. He will be responsible for overseeing all aspects
of information technology (IT) operations, including infrastructure, systems, applications,
and cybersecurity in a multi-member holding company structure.
Dodson brings over 30 years of experience to Starfish. Previously, she has led
communications activities for organizations, including Nichols Research Corporation,
the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Huntsville, and most
recently, Adtran, where she served as senior manager of corporate communications. In
this role, she was responsible for addressing the communication needs of both internal
and external stakeholders. Dodson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The
University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications
Management from Purdue University.
As director of communications, Dodson will lead communications for Starfish and its
portfolio of companies. She will oversee all aspects of internal and external
communications across all platforms and develop marketing and communication
campaigns for the commercial companies in the Starfish portfolio.
