In this episode, we sit down with Julia Watkins, Director of HR at Torch Technologies, to discuss the company’s expanded benefits offerings. Julia shares her career path at Torch and explains why the company expanded its previous adoption assistance program into a comprehensive Family Building Program.

Discover how employee feedback directly shaped this initiative to include financial support for IVF, fertility treatments, surrogacy, and adoption—expenses typically not covered by standard medical insurance. Julia also introduces Torch’s updated paid parental leave benefit, offering up to 40 hours of leave for new parents, whether through birth, adoption, or foster care placement.

Tune in to learn how Torch Technologies continues to listen to its employee-owners and adapt its workplace benefits to support employees at every stage of life.

Torch Technologies
https://torchtechnologies.com/

https://www.instagram.com/torchtechnologiesinc/

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https://www.facebook.com/TorchTechnologiesInc/

In this episode of Keeping the Dream Alive, Chris Finley and Stephan Stidfole return to the podcast to share the story behind the You're Not Alone (YANA) campaign and why its mission has become so important to the North Alabama community.

They discuss how YANA began as a grassroots effort between local defense industry partners and has grown into an annual event dedicated to supporting veterans through Still Serving Veterans. The conversation highlights the importance of preventive support for veterans, the challenges many face after military service, and how organizations across the region are working together to make a meaningful impact.

The episode also provides details about this year's YANA Night at Toyota Field on August 7, including how individuals and businesses can attend, sponsor the event, and help fill the stands in support of local veterans.

Whether you're a veteran, work alongside those who have served, or simply want to support an important cause, this conversation is a reminder that no one should have to face life's challenges alone.

https://ssv.org/event/you-are-not-alone-yana-trash-pandas-baseball-game/

Torch Technologies
https://torchtechnologies.com/

https://www.instagram.com/torchtechnologiesinc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/torch-technologies-inc./posts/?feedView=all

https://www.facebook.com/TorchTechnologiesInc/

In this episode of Keeping the Dream Alive, we sit down with Elizabeth Phoumavong of Torch Technologies to explore the work of the Employee Morale and Welfare Committee (EMWC). Elizabeth shares how the EMWC helps sustain Torch’s family-focused culture by organizing events ranging from company picnics and Christmas parties to ice cream socials, fall festivals, and community donation drives. She explains how the committee has evolved as Torch has grown, how employees across the company—including field offices—stay engaged, and why volunteer participation is such a defining part of Torch’s culture. We also discuss how new and longtime employees can get connected, find upcoming events, and get involved through committees and subcommittees.

Torch Technologies
https://torchtechnologies.com/

https://www.instagram.com/torchtechnologiesinc/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/torch-technologies-inc./posts/?feedView=all

https://www.facebook.com/TorchTechnologiesInc/