The wait is finally over. Bill Roark’s book, Built with Purpose: How Our Employee-Owned Business Changed What it Means to Work and Why, officially hit the shelves at Amazon this morning. You can find the book here. The book chronicles local entrepreneur and Torch Technologies Co-Founder Bill Roark realizing his dream of building an employee-owned company whose success benefits everyone who works there—not just the founders.

“This book outlines the struggles we faced and the success we enjoyed as a young company,” said Torch Co-founder and Author Bill Roark. “It is my hope that this will not only be a walk down memory lane for those who were part of the company in the early years, but it will serve as a lasting reminder for all future Torch employees as to how employee ownership has not only been the foundation of our success, but has enabled us to build a unique corporate culture where everyone works for the common good.”

A number of local book signings have already been scheduled including the following:

• May 20, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Yellowhammer Brewery
• May 23, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Harrison Brothers Hardware
• June 4, 5:35 – 6:30 p.m. at Rocket City Trash Pandas

If your group or organization would like to schedule Bill as a speaker or for a book signing, please contact Tammie Dodson at 256-932-6079.

About the Book

The book chronicles the formation and first decade of the history of Torch Technologies. The Torch story validates that there is a better way to build a business—one where everyone is truly engaged and invested in working toward the long-term success of the company—while also keeping generosity as a core value.

About the Author

Bill Roark is the cofounder of Torch Technologies, Inc. (Torch), the founder and CEO of Starfish Holdings. Inc, the parent company of Torch, and the founder of Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC. Bill has also been involved as a business coach and partner in a local brewery. Yellowhammer brews are local favorites.

John Watson

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 3, 2024 – Starfish Holdings (Starfish), the parent company of Torch Technologies (Torch), Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC (Freedom), and SIMVANA today announced that Co-Founder and CEO Bill Roark has stepped down as CEO and has assumed the role of Chairman of the Board. Starfish President John Watson has been promoted to CEO.

Bill Roark

Roark’s move to Chairman of the Board will enable him to dedicate more time to the operations of Freedom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Starfish. Freedom is experiencing rapid growth and has recently announced two new development projects. These include a 54,000 square-foot, Class A office building at Hays Farm, the first of its kind in south Huntsville in the last three decades, and a 105,000 square-foot facility, the first of five buildings, in the Freedom Industrial Park in north Huntsville.

“Long-term succession planning is critical for companies to maintain their growth trajectory, “said Starfish Co-Founder and CEO Bill Roark. “Growth from within is critical to maintaining the special culture we have created across our portfolio of companies. John has done an exceptional job of leading Torch while serving as president of both Starfish and SIMVANA. He is the perfect choice for CEO and will continue the success of Starfish and our portfolio of companies moving forward.”

As CEO of Starfish, Watson will provide strategic leadership and assume day-to-day operations of the company. A key element of his position will be balancing the opportunities and risks for the Employee Stock Ownership Program which serves all the Starfish portfolio companies.

“I am excited to assume the role of CEO for Starfish Holdings,” said Starfish President John Watson. “I look forward to seeking more opportunities where our portfolio companies can work together to provide our customers with even greater value.”

In addition to his new role as CEO of Starfish, Watson will continue to serve as President of SIMVANA. The role of Torch President Brad Walker will remain unchanged. Watson was named President of Starfish in 2023. He has also served as both President and CEO of Torch Technologies since 2018. Prior to this appointment, he held a number of senior leadership roles within the company including President, Vice President of business development, and program manager for the Scalable Simulation Program with the USA AMRDEC.

Watson has nearly four decades of experience in the defense industry spanning many roles in project engineering support, line and program management, and corporate management. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida.