Pierce, Dodson join Starfish Holdings management team

HUNTSVILLE – Starfish Holdings has expanded its management team with Joe Pierce and Tammie Dodson coming on board.

Starfish is the parent company of Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate, and SIMVANA.

Pierce was named chief information officer and Dodson is director of communications. They 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 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.” 

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 Corp., 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. 

“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 Roark. “Joe and Tammie will help us take Starfish to the next level and are essential to achieving these goals.”