The Bill Roark Award (YPOY)

This award is given to a professional that is age 35 or under in the Huntsville area that has provided outstanding service to the technical community, provided leadership in his or her technical area, made an impact as a volunteer to the community, and is a member of a HATS technical society.

Bill Roark is the co-founder of Torch Technologies, Inc., and the co-founder and CEO of Starfish Holdings, parent company of Torch Technologies, with more than 30 years of Department of Defense-related experience. Under Bill’s leadership, Torch has been recognized for many national and local awards to include One of the Best Workplaces for Millennials by Great Place to Work® and Fortune. Bill’s commitment to young professionals is second to none. Bill has provided support and leadership to many local STEM and Young professional organizations to include:

• • CAP & Gown Project
• • Village of Promise
• • Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) program
• • Society of Torch Emerging Professionals (STEPs)
• • Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Connect Program
• • Health Establishments at Local Schools (HEALs)
• • Mentoring of several young entrepreneurs

Years ago, as a young professional, Bill worked his way up as a scientist as he began his career at Nichols Research Corporation and he exemplifies the standard we strive for with our current young professionals in the Huntsville Community.

Bill Roark Award Criteria

The Bill Roark Award will be given to the YPOY from among the current year's group of nominees (nominated by their respective Member Organizations) – someone that stands out as one who has stood above their peers by providing exemplary leadership to the North Alabama technical community. This involvement and leadership shall have been impactful and inspirational.

1. S/he has retained membership in the Professional Organization that is a Member of HATS. S/he must be 35 years old or younger to qualify for the YPOY Award.

2. S/he has demonstrated excellence in some professional (e.g., technical, managerial, or community) work or activity that is concerned with broad and beneficial technical, scientific, social, or economic consequences. This excellence shall be exemplified in his/her workplace, Professional Organization in which they are a participant member of, and/or volunteer efforts in the community.

3. S/he has exhibited an extraordinary dedication, creativity, or leadership in that work or activity that results in excellent contributions to the technical and economic development of the City of Huntsville and the surrounding areas (activities such as education, mentorship, training, knowledge transfer, STEM initiatives, etc.). S/he has exemplified the dedication and importance of our young professional demographic to the community.

Previous YPOY Roark Winners