HUNTSVILLE — Two senior level executives at Torch Technologies are celebrating the new year with prestigious promotions.
Starfish Holdings, the parent company of Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, and Asteroidea has promoted Torch CEO John Watson to president of Starfish Holdings. He will continue to serve as CEO of Torch Technologies, while assuming the new role of Starfish president.
“Over the years, we have diligently planned and laid out the paths for the company to grow to include long-term succession planning,” said Bill Roark, cofounder and CEO of Starfish. “I am thankful to have John’s experience, leadership, and support as we work toward continued growth as a successful 100% employee-owned Evergreen ESOP company.
“There is a lot to be excited about, and we all have a part in our success as employee-owners.”
Subsequently, as Watson moves toward more full-time involvement with Starfish and its its subsidiaries, Brad Walker has been promoted to president and will assume daily executive duties for the company.
“The Board of Directors has always incentivized growth from within and its importance to maintaining what makes us so special, our culture,” said Watson. “Over the years, Brad has been a long-term employee-owner who has embraced and promoted the Torch culture and our core values.
“He is well versed in the technical and business principles that continue to make Torch successful for our customer mission, employee-owners, and communities.”
Watson has served as president and CEO, as well as serving on the Torch Board of Directors. Prior to that, Watson served as Torch vice president of Business Development and Program Manager for the Scalable Simulation Program with the USA AMRDEC.
Prior to joining Torch, Watson served as the director for New Product Development for Dynetics, where he led corporate business development efforts in hardware development, Air Force, and technology programs.
Watson serves on the board for the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Employee-Owned S Corporations of America Association.
Walker has more than 35 years of experience providing services support and solutions development for DoD programs. He has expertise in ballistic missile defense programs, the development of advanced instrumentation for warhead testing, and the development of advanced algorithms for sensor and command and control applications.
He recently served as vice president of the Advanced Concept Engineering Group at Torch Technologies, which included four business units spanning Combat Systems, Strategic Systems, Space & Joint Operations, and Technology Development.
Prior to joining Torch, Walker held leadership positions at Computer Sciences Corp. and Nichols Research.
