GREGORY CELESTAN

Ceo, CELESTAR CORP., TAMPA

Celestar provides a wide range of services to the U.S. government, primarily intelligence and operational support, training and other professional services. Celestan founded it after retiring from the U.S. Army in 2004. He is past chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and has served on numerous boards.

EDUCATION: U.S. Military Academy West Point (BS), University of Washington (MA)

FIRST JOB: I delivered newspapers for the Niagara Gazette in Niagara Falls, N.Y., where I grew up.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I would teach. History has always been a passion of mine. I was accepted into the History Ph.D. program at the University of South Florida and start classes in the fall. I am preparing for my next career.

IMPACT ON A MENTEE: The owner of a business was new to the Tampa region and came to me for some advice on how to grow her business. I “opened the kimono,” and shared with her some of the mistakes that I had made during my first years. She grew her business to a $100-million enterprise and recently sold it. We are still good friends!