Bill Roark, founder of Starfish Holdings and a longtime leader in Alabama’s defense, real estate and technology sectors, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Business Alabama Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award recognizes business leaders whose careers have had a lasting impact on the state’s economy and communities. Roark was honored alongside Raymond J. Harbert, Dr. Marnix E. Heersink and E. Grace Pilot.
“I am honored to be included among the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients,” Roark said. “From the start, my vision was to build employee-owned companies where people truly share in the success they help create. That shared ownership has been the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished.”
Roark is the founder and executive chairman of Starfish Holdings, the parent company of Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate and Capital LLC, and SIMVANA. He also serves as chief executive officer of Freedom Real Estate and Capital.
Under Roark’s leadership, Torch Technologies gained national recognition as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in America and earned 15 consecutive spots on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. The company was also named the fastest-growing privately held defense contractor in the Southeast region.
In 2024, Roark released the book “Built With Purpose,” which chronicles the first decade of Torch Technologies and its transition to a 100% employee-owned company.
Beyond business, Roark is known for his philanthropic involvement with organizations including the American Heart Association Heart Walk, the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. He was recently inducted into the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership Hall of Fame.
Roark’s family has also been recognized for their charitable work. His wife, Brenda, and daughters, Amy and Kaitlynn, were named Philanthropists of the Year by the North Alabama Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Starfish Holdings operates as an employee-owned S corporation through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan and trust. The company focuses on long-term sustainability, employee financial well-being, community support and customer partnerships.
