Stellar Named One of 904 Magazine’s ‘Companies with Heart’ for Fourth Time

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 1, 2018) – Stellar, a fully integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services worldwide, has again been named one of 904 Magazine’s “Companies with Heart.” Stellar also received the designation in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

904 Magazine’s “Companies with Heart” award program recognizes local businesses that give their most valuable resources — their employees — the time and opportunities to improve the quality of life in Northeast Florida.

In 2017, Stellar’s charitable arm, The Stellar Foundation, donated time, money and resources to more than 60 charitable organizations.

“We believe it’s not only our duty, but a privilege, to give back to the communities where we live and work,” said Mike Santarone, Stellar President & COO. “We want our employees to be proud of the company they work for, and their unparalleled devotion to philanthropy makes us proud they’re working for us.”

This past year, Stellar awarded an $8,000 grant to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch in Palatka, Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides a wholesome home environment for at-risk young men. The grant allowed the camp to purchase a van to transport the boys throughout the ranch. Stellar also donated an additional $2,500 to the ranch through a Christmas card campaign.

One of Stellar’s most notable programs is The Stellar Academy of Engineering at Nease High School, which provides students with a foundation of skills, knowledge and experience in engineering through coursework, guest lectures and course-specific field trips. The program’s enrollment has more than quadrupled in the past decade, with 290 students enrolled in the 2016–2017 school year. Enrollment is expected to grow to 390 students for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year.

In 2017, Stellar employees raised $7,200 from the Believe in the Jeans initiative that allows donating employees to wear jeans for a day. With Stellar’s matching donations, this effort raised nearly $14,400 for First Coast No More Homeless Pets, the Jacksonville Zoo, Food Brings Hope and Volunteers in Medicine.

Stellar’s other philanthropic initiatives included donating 40 baskets of Thanksgiving meals to local families in need through Community Hospice, sponsoring the Sam Kouvaris Dreams Come True Golf Tournament and partnering with Flagler Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital, St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

About Stellar
Stellar is a fully integrated design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm that provides the industry’s most comprehensive range of self-performed services, including planning, design, preconstruction, construction, refrigeration, mechanical and utility, building envelope, and total operations and maintenance services. More than 750 Stellar employees worldwide create award-winning food processing plants, refrigerated warehouses, distribution centers, commercial buildings and military facilities.In addition to its Jacksonville, Florida, headquarters, Stellar operates nearly 50 support locations and offices throughout the United States, China and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company also serves Central and South America, Europe and India. For more information, visit www.stellar.net.