Torch Technologies says promotions strengthen leadership team

HUNTSVILLE – To further strengthen its management team, Torch Technologies said it has promoted four people with the promotions effective immediately.

“We look forward to seeing the impact these leaders will make as they take on new challenges and opportunities within Torch,” said Torch President Brad Walker. “These  promotions are part of our ongoing strategy to remain a 100% employee-owned, evergreen, public benefit corporation.” 

The following individuals have been promoted: 

• Brady Porter has been promoted to Senior Vice President, ACE group lead. In this role, he leads a team of over 650 employee-owners in an organization that generates $380 million in annual revenue and spans 11 locations across the U.S. and overseas test ranges. With more than a quarter century in the defense industry, Porter is a technical expert in the architecture, design, and development of enterprise applications  used to assess the performance of the nation’s missile defense system. Many of the systems he designed have supported the performance assessment of every missile defense exercise over the past two decades. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee.
• Amanda Clark has been promoted to Vice President, Enterprise Program Management. In this role, she is responsible for working closely with operating groups executing Torch contracts. Clark plays a critical role in the capture and teaming of business opportunities, which is essential for company growth. She manages a contract portfolio of over $3 billioin for Army, Air Force, and Navy customers. Previously, Clark served as the Program Manager for the EXPRESS Program and as the Torch Executive Chief of Staff, working directly with executive leadership to develop corporate strategic goals and monitor the progress toward completion. She has over 25 years of experience in the Automotive and Defense industries, providing Program Management, Business Development, Product Development, Quality Assurance, and Product Testing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. 
• Bill Koons has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development. In this role, he is responsible for the process of identification, qualification, and capture of all corporate business development opportunities, as well as the generation of qualified pipeline growth necessary to meet or exceed the company’s strategic business plans. He also plans and recommends business development and marketing strategies to achieve maximum customer and market penetration and to drive tactical and strategic growth in multiple markets and locations. Before joining Torch in 2018, Koons held leadership positions at General Atomics, Ducommun, Miltec, Optimization Technologies, and Teledyne Brown Engineering. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University, a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and is PMP certified.  
• Kenneth W. Lones has been promoted to Vice President, Corporate Administration. In this role, he provides leadership and coordination of corporate administration functions including Contracts, Subcontracts, Shipping & Receiving, Purchasing, Security, and Facilities. He previously served as Senior Director, Corporate Administration and Senior Director of Contracts. Prior to joining Torch in 2004, he served as Contracts Manager for Computer Sciences Corp. and  Nichols Research. Lones has more than 30 years of experience in the defense industry, specializing in contract procurement law, export compliance, and corporate administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a B.S. Ed. in social sciences from Athens State University.