Roark to Continue Board Roles and Serve as Advisor
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 3, 2025 – Starfish Holdings (Starfish), the parent company of Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC, and SIMVANA, today announced that Starfish Founder Bill Roark has announced his retirement effective immediately. Roark will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Starfish Holdings Board of Directors and as a member of the Freedom Real Estate Board of Directors. He will remain as CEO of Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC through a transitionary period. Additionally, he will serve in an advisory/consultant role to promote the continued growth of the Starfish enterprise.
“When Don Holder and I founded Torch Technologies in 2002, the goal was to create an employee-owned company with an approach that would allow the founders to retire without having to sell the company. We have now successfully achieved that goal,” said Starfish Executive Chairman Bill Roark. “This is a significant milestone for any employee-owned company.”
“We have been working toward this turning point for many years said Starfish CEO John Watson. “We have an experienced, stable management team in place at each of the companies that will enable us to move through this transition with no interruption in day-to-day activities.”
“We want to thank Bill for all he has done for each of the companies in the Starfish enterprise. Each of our employee-owners owes a great deal to Bill and Don and their vision for what could be achieved through employee ownership,” said Watson. “We wish Bill nothing but the best as he eases into retirement, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the Starfish Board of Directors and in his new advisory role.”
About Starfish Holdings
Starfish Holdings, Inc. (Starfish) is the parent company of Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC, and SIMVANA. The company is an S corporation owned by the Starfish Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and Trust with a focus on growing the retirement portfolios of the employee-owners of its subsidiaries. Starfish is committed to remaining an Evergreen enterprise through sustainable processes, ensuring employee ownership and financial well-being, supporting community well-being, and enabling customer and partner success, all while operating with integrity. To learn more, visit starfishholdings.com.
