Two homegrown Fort Walton Beach technology companies, Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents, have officially moved into their new headquarters at Freedom Tech Center.
- The 50,869-square-foot facility follows years of planning and growth for the two companies, which together employ close to 100 professionals and continue to expand.
Bit-Wizards was founded in 2000 by Vince Mayfield and Louis Erickson and grew from a bootstrap startup into an award-winning managed IT services provider serving organizations throughout the region and beyond. TalkingParents, launched in 2011 by Stephen Nixon, Mayfield and Erickson, is a co-parenting communication platform that has supported nearly a million families worldwide, according to the release.
The companies deliver technology services and software solutions for businesses, courts, legal professionals and families, both locally and across the globe.
“This move signifies far more than having a new space to do business,” said Vince Mayfield, CEO of Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents. “It represents the people who invested their time, talent, and trust into something bigger than themselves. We’re incredibly grateful to our employees, customers, partners, community leaders, and families who helped make this possible. Every milestone we’ve achieved has been a team effort, and this new headquarters is a testament to what can happen when people believe in a shared vision and work together to bring it to life.”
The new headquarters increases capacity for expanded operations and gives the companies the space and infrastructure needed for future hiring, staff development and advancements in tech support as they continue to grow.
When construction began, leaders described the project as an example of what can happen when local businesses, government organizations, economic development leaders and community stakeholders work together toward a common goal.
“For more than two decades, we’ve been fortunate to grow alongside this community,” Mayfield said. “This building symbolizes our commitment to innovation, our belief in the potential of this region, and our determination to continue creating opportunities that positively impact our customers, employees, and communities.”
As the teams settle into Freedom Tech Center, both companies remain focused on the same mission that has driven their growth from the beginning: serving others through people-first care and support, delivering technology solutions and building organizations that make a lasting difference.
