By Jeff Andrejcik
In a symbolic moment for Northwest Florida’s technology landscape, Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents held an official groundbreaking ceremony for their new headquarters at Freedom Tech Center.
Hundreds of longtime supporters, family and friends gathered just outside the site where the 50,869-square-foot facility—representing decades of perseverance, partnership and purpose—is projected to be finished in October 2026.
“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. “Gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed upon me, my family, fellow co-founders Louis Erickson and Stephen Nixon, our Bit-Wizards and T-Parenters; and gratitude for a community that has believed in us from the very beginning.”
Bit-Wizards, a bootstrap startup specializing in Managed IT Services, was founded in 2000 by Mayfield and Erickson. Over the last 25 years, they weathered multiple economic challenges, scaled in size, and made several moves before becoming a regional staple and an award-winning leader in technology services.
“Each of our four moves carried enormous risk [but] my thinking was simple,” Mayfield said. “We took the risk, put in the work, the late nights, the sacrifices. We built teams, served customers, and created value for others.”
TalkingParents, which launched in 2011, shares that same DNA. It started with Stephen Nixon, who combined his family law experience with Mayfield and Erickson’s software engineering expertise, and the rest became history. Today, the platform is recognized as a leader in co-parenting communication that’s served more than 750,000 families worldwide.
Together, the two companies have just under 100 employees and continue to expand their reach far beyond Florida’s Emerald Coast. Their new headquarters, expected to bring more than 100 additional jobs to Okaloosa County, is the culmination of two local success stories built on grit and teamwork.
“This project shows what happens when local business, government, and community leaders work together,” said Mayfield. “We’re not just creating jobs; we’re creating opportunities and momentum that will keep talent here at home and attract even more to our region.”
Several of the leaders Mayfield acknowledged—like developer Jay Odom, whose team built the Freedom Tech Center, Nathan Sparks, Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC, and Ted Corcoran, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce—took the podium to offer their congratulations and reaffirm the profound impact both companies continue to make in Florida, across the nation, and the world.
From the early days, late nights, and near setbacks to this moment of celebration, Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents credit their growth to the dedication of their employees, the loyalty of their customers, and the faith of a community that has stood beside them every step of the way.
“This building isn’t just concrete and steel,” said Mayfield. “It’s a symbol of what’s possible when faith, courage, and community come together. It represents an opportunity for our employees, stability for their families, and innovation for our customers. It’s a promise that the best is yet to come, for Bit-Wizards, TalkingParents, and Northwest Florida.”
