Stellar, a fully integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services worldwide, has promoted two of its senior leaders. Mike Santarone has been named the firm’s new CEO, while Brian Kappele has been tabbed president/COO.
Santarone first joined Stellar as a field engineer in 1986, overseeing the Epping Forest mansion renovation and residential development project. He was made division vice president of the Food & Beverage group in 2000, was promoted to executive vice president in 2005 and became Stellar’s third president in 2012.
Santarone received his bachelor’s degree from the Rinker School of Building Construction at the University of Florida, then earned his MBA from Jacksonville University while working at Stellar.
Kappele began his career at the company as an intern in its Food & Beverage division in the summer of 1997. After graduating from UF’s Rinker School of Building Construction in 1998, he accepted a full-time position as an on-site assistant project manager, taking on various roles and responsibilities throughout the first 10 years of his career. Kappele was promoted to division vice president in 2011 and became executive vice president in 2017.
Ron Foster, Jr. will continue in his role as chairman, providing executive oversight to the leadership team. The announcements come as Stellar concludes a successful fiscal year 2019.