Torch Technologies - Torch Technologies

Torch Technologies is an employee-owned system engineering, applied science, modeling & simulation and information technology small business headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Its primary customers are the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) and the Missile Defense Agency, although it has contracts with other DoD agencies including the Navy and the Air Force. Torch has over 600 employee-owners located primarily in Huntsville, AL; Colorado Springs, CO, Albuquerque, NM, and Eglin AFB, FL.

History

Torch Technologies was co-founded in 2002 in Huntsville, AL by Bill Roark and Don Holder. Roark and Holder respectively had 30 and 40 years of experience in Department of Defense research and development programs and other contracts. The company's location was chosen due to proximity to Redstone Arsenal, which serves as headquarters of several large Army organizations such as AMCOM and offices belonging to US Army Aviation. Upon the company's formation, the co-founders began to aggressively recruit a team of senior engineers, and set out to build a reputation for good service and competitive pricing. In 2005, Roark began to take steps that would allow Torch to become employee-owned (via an ESOP), and the company attained 100% employee ownership in 2010. Roark desired employee-ownership and profit sharing because such management styles have been proven to reduce employee attrition rates and increase job satisfaction. In 2008, Torch began bidding as a prime government contractor. Wi th the receipt of four direct award prime task orders on AMCOM Express, the company won more contracts in two weeks in late 2008 than the previous six years of combined government work., In late 2016, Torch completed a $12 million renovation of the two existing buildings it owns in South Huntsville. Torch received economic incentives from the city of Huntsville, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the state of Alabama to keep its headquarters in South Huntsville as opposed to moving to Cummings Research Park in hopes of growing economic activity in the immediate area. Torch has recently (2014-2016) expanded business into several new markets including Aberdeen, MD, Bedford, MA, Honolulu and Kauai.

Projects

• In 2016, Torch was awarded a $62 million MDA Technical, Engineering, Advisory, and Management Support (TEAMS) Test Provisioning advisory and assistance services contract. The contract includes support and provisioning for both Ground Test and flight test.
• In 2013, Torch was awarded with the U.S. Army Apache Technical Software Resource, Modernization, and Fielding Support Task for the AH-64 Apache Helicopter. The project will involve providing the Apache with platform-wide software upgrades, including GUIs and Modeling and simulation.
• In 2014, Torch won a $70 million Engineering Support Division Technical Support task order, which was awarded underneath the AMCOM Express Blanket Purchase Agreement. Torch will provide the Engineering Support Division with lifecycle engineering support for warfighter system calibration, test, measurement and diagnostic equipment. Torch also won a $71 million with the US Army Contracting Command for missile element simulation, which enhances and maintains the Army's current suite of missile modeling simulation, Hardware-in-the-loop simulation and prototype development facilities.
• In 2012, Torch was selected on a $100 million Modeling and Simulations Task Order with the Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center System Simulation and Development Directorate (SSDD.) Modeling and simulation provides a cost effective way for the military to assess performance of its assets and enhance training for the Soldier.
• Torch also supports the Missile Defense Agency with engineering advisory and assistance services, namely acquisition and engineering support.
• In 2013, Torch performed Systems Engineering work for integration of an electronic warfare payload onto an Army UAS.

Awards

• 2016 Torch was one of 25 companies included in the Forbes list of "The Best Small Companies in America"
• #54 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Hot 100 Fastest Growing New Companies in the United States (2006)
• 2007 Small Business of the Year by the Huntsville Chamber of commerce(Technology Category)
• 2005, 2009 Award for Marketplace Ethics by the North Alabama Better Business Bureau
• 2008 Ten Best Companies for Employee Financial Security by The Principal Financial Group
• Inc. 5000 List (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), a compilation of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US
• 2013 Partners in Philanthropy Award by the Community foundation of Huntsville/Madison County
• 2012, 2013 Inc. Magazine’s Hire Power Award, given to private firms that create the most jobs nationally
• 2011 U.S. SBA Region IV Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
• Winner of the 2012 Best Places to Work by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce
• 2012 Innovations in Employee Ownership Award given by the National Center for Employee-Ownership (NCEO)
• 2011 Top Small Company Workplace by Inc. Magazine
• 2008 IT/Technology Business of the Year by the Alabama Information Technology Association
• 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Bill Roark (Torch CEO) selected as Southeast region finalist for the Ernst & Young award
• 2006 AITA Technology Company of the Year by the Alabama Information Technology Association (AITA) (Small Business category finalist)

References

Bibliography

• http://www.inc.com/profile/torch-technologies
• http://www.bbb.org/northern-alabama/business-reviews/technology-services-defense-industry/torch-technologies-in-huntsville-al-900006303
• http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/torch_technologies_in_huntsvil.html
• http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30935926
• http://eastsidepartners.com/entrepreneurs/bill-roark/
• The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew, Management Lessons by Lorin Woolfe
• http://whnt.com/2015/03/19/torch-technologies-to-expand-south-huntsville-campus-bring-more-jobs-to-tennessee-valley/