Torch Technologies is pleased to announce the promotion of Sam Burkett to Senior Vice President effective February 1, 2023. 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.

Brad Walker, Torch President, stated, “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.”

Burkett is the senior leader of the Torch Air Force Weapons Group. He 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.

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. Burkett 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 has published numerous technical papers/reports and has received numerous awards for excellence throughout his technical career.