Two homegrown technology companies broke ground Wednesday on a new dual headquarters at Freedom Tech Center, with the owners pledging the project will create more than 100 jobs and solidify the region as a hub for innovation.

• Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their 50,869-square-foot building at 1900 Lewis Turner Blvd., drawing hundreds of community members, local officials and business leaders to celebrate the milestone. 

“Today when I look out at all of you, one word comes to mind: gratitude,” said Vince Mayfield, CEO of both Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents. “I’m filled with sincere gratitude for the many blessings that God has bestowed on me, my family, my fellow co-founders Louis Erickson and Stephen Nixon, our wizards and their families at Bit-Wizards, our T-Parenters and their families at TalkingParents.”

The new building will employ more than 200 people, including more than 100 new positions. The facility will feature a full-building backup generator, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and an employee fitness center.

Mayfield, who co-founded Bit-Wizards in 2000 with Louis Erickson, reflected on the company’s growth through four building moves, starting from a 1,500-square-foot space in Shalimar to the current 25,000-square-foot facility on Ready Avenue in Fort Walton Beach. He recounted difficult times, including a 2012 downturn when “Bit-Wizards was teetering on going out of business.”

• “My thinking was simple: Louis, Stephen and I took the risk. We put in the work, the late nights, the sacrifices, and there were many,” Mayfield said. “We built teams, we served customers, and we created value for others.”

Nathan Sparks, Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC, said the project represents multiple forms of success. 

“Today’s groundbreaking represents success, it represents growth — it represents the success and growth that Vince Mayfield, Louis Erickson, and all of our friends at Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents have achieved over 20 years of doing things the right way,” Sparks said. 

Bit-Wizards, a nationally recognized managed IT and software engineering firm, serves hundreds of clients across the Southeast with a 98% customer retention rate. The company ranks among CRN’s MSP 500 and Florida Trend’s Best Companies to Work For. Client industries include healthcare, legal services, government, defense, construction and higher education.

• TalkingParents, launched in 2011, provides a legal-tech platform that serves more than 500,000 registered users across the country. The platform offers tamper-proof messaging, recorded calls and secure payments for co-parenting.

Developer Jay Odom, whose Jay Odom Group created Freedom Tech Center, called the project “the most homegrown that I’ve ever done.”

“I grew up here,” said Odom. “I went to Edwins Elementary, Shalimar Elementary, Meigs Junior High and Choctaw. I also went to Okaloosa Walton Junior College, which is now Northwest Florida State College. So I consider myself homegrown. And Vince is the same way.”

Freedom Tech Center occupies 52 acres of Eglin Air Force Base land through a long-term ground lease, with a portion of all revenue supporting base missions. At the center sits Freedom Tech Park, a two-acre green space featuring a 200-foot U.S. flag visible from miles away. 

• The development also includes the upcoming Beast Code and Grow With Us Learning Center, along with Zatitude Luxury Apartments, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and future restaurant sites.

Ted Corcoran, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, served as master of ceremonies and spoke about Mayfield’s community impact beyond his business success. Mayfield serves as a current board member of the Chamber and is a past chairman.

“What doesn’t get shared enough about Vince truly is his philanthropy, not just the fact that his business has given over $3 million in money, time and talents to nonprofits in the last 25 years, but Vince is always stepping up to the plate to help other entrepreneurs, professionals, young professionals, students and community members at large financially and as a mentor,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran said he has witnessed Mayfield’s commitment through Chamber activities, noting Mayfield believes in doing business with local vendors even when it costs more and works to ensure people, government and businesses operate with ethics and morality.

• “This building is not just a demonstration of their business growth,” Corcoran said. “It’s a commitment to continue to serve Okaloosa County and Northwest Florida in even bigger ways for the next 25 years. This is proof that big businesses like Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents can start and thrive in this area. It’s a promise to support what’s already here and invest in the future of our community.”

Mayfield thanked state, county and city officials for their support, including Gov. DeSantis, Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners Chairman Paul Mixon, Fort Walton Beach city leaders and Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers. 

“This isn’t just concrete and steel – it’s a symbol of what’s possible when faith, courage and community come together,” Mayfield said. “It represents an opportunity for our employees to have stability with their families and innovate for our customers. It’s a promise that the best is yet to come for Bit-Wizards and Talking Parents in Northwest Florida.”

The ceremony included an invocation by Mel Ponder, president of Northwest Florida State College and featured a reception at Zatitude Luxury Apartments featuring live music by Autumn Poultry and food catered by Sports to Geaux, followed by a fireworks display.