Torch Technologies announced the promotions of Sam Burkett to Senior Vice President and Brady Porter to Vice President effective February 1, 2023.

Mr. Sam Burkett

Burkett joined Torch in 2016 and manages the Torch Air Force Weapons Group headquartered in Shalimar, FL, with employee-owners in Albuquerque, NM, Dayton, OH, Boston, MA, Hampton, VA, Las Vegas, NV, Montgomery, AL, and San Antonio, TX.

He has provided over 35 years of technical and management expertise in the field of aerospace and defense, with over 30 of those years at Eglin Air Force Base.

Burkett is currently President of the Gulf Coast NDIA and the Chairman of the Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council. He is a long-term member and has been the Chairman of the Economic Development Council’s Defense Support Initiative (DSI).

Burkett is also a current Board Member for Okaloosa-Walton Career Source, past-President of the Okaloosa/Walton United Way, and past-Vice President of the Gulf Coast Council Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for the EDC, the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Children In Crisis, and the Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council.

Burkett received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Statistics from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from The University of West Florida, a Master of Science in Management from Troy University, and post-graduate studies in Systems Engineering at the University of Florida.

“Mr. Burkett is a distinguished leader supporting a vast array of Air Force programs. He is a tremendous asset to the success of our customers, a leader of our employee-owners, and a servant to the Northwest Florida community. We know his experience and dedication to the mission will continue leading Torch forward,” said Torch President Brad Walker.

Mr. Brady Porter

Porter joined Torch in 2004 and manages the Torch Advanced Concept Engineering (ACE) Group headquartered in Huntsville, AL with employee-owners in multiple locations across the United States. He has over 25 years of experience in the defense industry.

During his tenure at Torch and prior to joining the company, Mr. Porter served in a variety of progressively complex technical and leadership roles. Prior to his promotion, he served as deputy for the Advanced Concept Engineering (ACE) Group which supports a diverse set of customers by providing superior engineering, logistics, operations, test and evaluation, and environmental services and solutions.

The group consists of over 620 Torch employee-owners across four business units focused in the areas of Combat Systems, Strategic Systems, Technology Development, and Space & Joint Operations

“Over the years, Brady has been a dedicated employee-owner who has been an exceptional example of our 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,” said Walker.

As Vice President, Mr. Porter will provide senior leadership to the Torch Advanced Concept Engineering (ACE) Group while focusing additional efforts on Torch’s continued growth.

Mr. Porter earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Huntsville Management Academy (MA-8) and Flagship (L-32) programs.

Mr. Porter has volunteered for a number of community programs and currently serves as a board member for both Torch Helps and the Quatina M. Wolaver Foundation of Hope. He resides in Fayetteville, Tennessee with his wife Suzanne, son Cameron, and daughter Carolyn.