Keeping The Dream Alive

Welcome to The Keeping the Dream Alive Podcast brought to you by Torch Technologies. In this podcast, you will learn all about all things Torch from its history to its culture, employee ownership, commitment to the warfighter, our community involvement, and so much more.

Episode 26: SIMVANA with Darryl Trousdale

Darrell Trousdale, the project manager of the Advanced VIZLAB at Torch Technology, discusses the journey of SIMVANA and its impact in various fields. SIMVANA, a part of the Advanced VIZLAB, was initially developed for virtual training capabilities in the defense industry. However, it has expanded to other areas such as anesthesiology and nursing onboarding. SIMVANA offers a training platform with virtual lessons and simulations that can be accessed globally. The software is continuously updat...

05-15
13:20

Episode 25: The IRAD Program with Bruce Peters

In this episode, we interview Bruce Peters to talk about the company's Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program. Bruce shares his background and how he got involved in the program. He discusses the importance of linking innovative ideas with customer needs and the role of different disciplines in project management. Brucehighlights the advantages of Torch's ESOP structure and how it allows for long-term investments in solving difficult problems. The episode concludes with a discussion...

05-01
21:59

Episode 24: New Starfish CEO with Bill Roark

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Bill Roark about his transition as Starfish Holdings CEO. We also discuss the role he will now play as Chairman of the Board, his upcoming book release in May, and future travel plans across the country.

04-10
11:19

Episode 23: Co-Founder of Torch Technologies with Don Holder

In this episode, we talk with Don Holder Co-Founder of Torch. We discuss his educational background, the discussion with Bill Roark back in 2002 to join Torch, what it’s like now to see Torch continue to grow 20+ years later, and what advice he would give to new and current employee-owners of Torch Technologies.

01-24
18:58

Episode 22: Employee Spotlight with Mike O'Melia

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Mike O'Melia who has been at Torch Technologies for 19 years now, coming up on 20. We discussed his knowledge of ESOPs before joining Torch, the importance of the term employee-owner , and his challenge to the younger employees just beginning their career at Torch    

01-04
15:23

Episode 21: Public Benefit Corporation with Bill Roark

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark to discuss Torch’s newest distinction of becoming a Public Benefit Corporation. We discuss the differences between a Public Benefit Corp and a B Corp, how this distinction pairs with being an Evergreen Company, and the commitment Torch has to grow and be profitable for more than 100 years.

12-06
11:30

Episode 20: Freedom Real Estate with Brenda Conville & Lee Holland

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Brenda Conville and Lee Holland of Freedom Real Estate & Capital a sister company to Torch Technologies. We discuss their backgrounds prior to joining Freedom, the exponential growth Freedom has had in a short few years, the ESOP structure that connects Freedom with Torch, and the future goals they both have for Freedom moving into 2024 and beyond.

10-25
21:53

Episode 19: CEO of Torch Technologies with John Watson

In this episode, we sit down to talk with John Watson who has been at Torch Technologies since 2009 and who was promoted to CEO in 2018. We discuss his educational background, how he met Bill Roark while at Nichols Research, the initial decision to join Torch, and the future goals he has for Torch moving into 2024 and beyond.

10-11
19:26

Episode 18: Torch Helps with Maureen Eversmeyer, LaJoy Johns, & Samantha Blumkin

We sit down with the current Board Chair of Torch Helps, Samantha Blumkin, and the previous two Board Chairs, Maureen Eversmeyer and LaJoy Johns. We discuss their backgrounds at Torch, the mission of Torch Helps, and the future impact they hope Torch Helps has in the community.

09-27
17:24

Episode 17: Internal Stock Exchange with Bill Roark

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Roark Co-Founder of Torch Technologies to discuss the Internal Stock Exchange. We discuss the employee benefit, the importance of having it, and the impact it will have on employee-owners for years to come.

09-13
10:00

Episode 16: President of Torch Technologies with Brad Walker

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Brad Walker who has been at Torch Technologies since 2006 and who recently got promoted to President of the company in January 2023. We discuss his educational background, how he met Bill Roark while at Nichols Research, the initial decision to join Torch in 2006, and how his day to day has changed since becoming President. 

08-30
23:51

Episode 15: Employee Spotlight with Jim Moore

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Jim Moore who has been at Torch Technologies for 19 years now, coming up on 20. He currently works in the Shalimar, Florida office at Eglin Air Force Base. We discuss his knowledge of ESOPs prior to joining Torch, the discussion 10 years ago to move to Shalimar Florida to help open that office, and how the company culture ultimately led his wife to also join Torch  five years ago.

07-05
14:26

Episode 14: Employee Spotlight with Samantha Blumkin

In this episode, we talk with the lead program control analyst Samantha Blumkin. She helps lead all the program control analysts that support our ACE group here at Torch. During this episode, we discuss what it was like joining Torch back in 2013, her decision to leave Torch for a few months back in 2020 and her passion to educate the younger employees about things she wishes she would've known when she first started. https://torchtechnologies.com

06-14
19:46

Episode 13: Employee Spotlight with Jim Diehl

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Jim Diehl, who recently retired but was the corporate chief of staff working directly for the president and the program manager for the MDA programs here at Torch Technologies. During this episode, we discuss what it was like joining Torch back in 2009 after almost 30 years of working at Teledyne Brown. We also discuss how the culture at Torch differed from his previous work experiences. and the value that the ESOP was to him as an employee, and also ...

05-31
25:49

Episode 12: Employee Spotlight with Adam Sampley

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Adam Sampley who helps lead the aircraft survivability team under the tactical systems business unit here at Torch Technologies. During this episode, we discuss what it was like to join Torch 19 years ago directly out of college, the value of the ESOP program to him, what advice he would give to someone first beginning their career here, and what he believes separates Torch from other companies.

04-26
14:26

Episode 11: Employee Spotlight with Clayton Newkirk

In this episode, we sit down to talk with Clayton Newkirk Senior Director here at Torch Technologies. During this episode, we discuss what it was like joining Torch 20 years ago, the value of the ESOP program to him, what advice he would give to someone first beginning their career here, and what milestones/achievements he would love to see Torch receive in the near future.

04-06
12:57

Episode 10: Principle of Pragmatic Innovation

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, to talk a little bit about the Tugboat Institute and their Principle of Pragmatic Innovation. We discuss the mindset he has had over the last 20 years when taking calculated risks and what the biggest calculated risk he has had to make for Torch over the last 20 years and how he approached that decision. 

03-16
11:59

Episode 9: Principle of Profit

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, to talk a little bit about the Tugboat Institute and their Principle of Profit. We discuss the importance of profit to the survival of Torch specifically in the early years, how Bill was able to balance the desire to increase profits without making it the purpose of Torch, and how the true value of profit is what you deliver to the customer and how Torch has been able to deliver exceptional value over the last 20 year...

03-02
08:51

Episode 8: Principle of Paced Growth

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, to talk a little bit about the Tugboat Institute and its Principle of Paced Growth. We discuss some of the long-term strategies put in place for Torch back in 2002, how Bill was able to balance short-term performance with Torch’s long-term goals, how Torch has been so consistent year to year over the last 20 years, and how we hope to continue this momentum moving forward.

02-09
12:32

Episode 7: What's Ahead for 2023

In this episode, we talk with Bill Roark CoFounder of Torch Technologies to talk a little bit about 2022 and some of the goals and milestones that Torch, Freedom Real Estate, & Simvana have been able to achieve across this year, as well as some of the goals we have for the podcast moving forward into 2023. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen. 

12-09
18:03

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