Honored Leader: Celeste Ford, Founder and CEO
Company Name: Stellar Solutions
Location: Palo Alto, Calif.
Nature of Business: Aerospace engineering services.
Founded: 1995
Revenue: $6-10 million
Growth Rate (2002): 8 percent
Number of Employees: 61
Average Tenure: 3.3 years
Key Workplace Traits and Programs:
Ford on leadership: "People are a critical resource. Treat them fairly and empower them to have high impact both within your company and with your customers.
"Customers are the life blood of your company. Provide solutions to their critical needs and make them heroes. Offer a total solution that goes beyond their expectations and enables them to succeed with their mission."