Bill Roark is the founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Starfish Holdings, the parent company of Torch Technologies, Inc. (Torch), one of the nation’s top defense contractors; Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC, a commercial real estate brokerage, development, construction, consulting, and property management company; and SIMVANA, a company specializing in virtual reality training for defense and medical applications. Roark also serves as CEO of Freedom Real Estate & Capital.

Under his leadership, Torch earned national recognition, including being named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in America and appearing 15 consecutive years on the Inc Magazine list of Fastest Growing Private Companies. Torch was also recognized as the No. 1 Fastest Growing Privately Held Defense Contractor in the Southeast Region.

Torch was featured by Forbes on the inaugural list of Americas Best Small Companies. They have received multiple local and National best places to work recognitions. The Principal Financial Group recognized Torch as one of The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security. During his tenure, Torch received multiple business awards, including four Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for outstanding business ethics, and was named the 2007 Small Business of the Year in Technology by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Torch has been a Washington Technology Top 100 Defense contractor for 11 years (2015-2025) and a Bloomberg Top 200 Government contractors for 8 years (2017-2024). A staunch believer in company culture and employee well-being, Roark has prioritized top-tier benefits and working conditions throughout his career.

In May 2024, Roark released Built With Purpose, chronicling the first 10 years of Torch Technologies’ history. The book focuses on Torch’s formation and transition to a 100 percent employee-owned company. Amazon #1 Bestseller examines the fabric and culture of an employee-owned company, highlighting the profound positive impact of employee ownership on business success.

Bill is an avid advocate for employee ownership and mentors numerous companies that are evaluating employee ownership or seeking advice on transitioning to 100% employee ownership. Bill’s philanthropic efforts include the American Heart Association Heart Walk, the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run, and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, among others. Bill has received numerous honors and awards for his philanthropic efforts, most recently being named Philanthropic Businessperson of the Year by Madison Visionary Partners. Additionally, 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.