Stellar Employee Spotlight: Tad Hartwig

02.04.26

For the past 22 years, Tad Hartwig has been a valued member of the Stellar team. His career reflects both a commitment to continuous growth and a dedication to serving others — at work and in his community.

Tad began his Stellar journey in truck assembly, where he built a strong foundation in the company’s products and processes. Driven by a desire to expand his knowledge, he later moved into Inside Sales, where he gained a deeper understanding of customer needs and product applications. Today, Tad serves as a Quality Engineer in Garner, helping ensure Stellar products consistently meet the highest standards.

That same sense of responsibility extends beyond his role at Stellar. For the past 15 years, Tad has been an active member of the Garner Fire Department, joining in October 2010. Inspired by his brother’s involvement in fire rescue, Tad decided to follow in his footsteps and serve his community.

“I wanted to help the community and make an impact,” he says.

Through countless hours of training, Tad worked his way up to the rank of Captain. When asked what he finds most rewarding about being a firefighter, he points to the “sense of volunteerism and being part of my community.” He takes pride in representing the department both in and out of uniform.

“My role has also shaped my outlook on life,” Tad explains. “It humbles you — anything can change in an instant. It teaches you the value of life and helps you appreciate things a lot more.”

Through his dedication at Stellar and his service as a firefighter, Tad exemplifies what it means to make a difference at work and in the community. For fellow Stellar employee-owners who may be considering a role in fire rescue or other first responder services, he offers encouragement and support.

“We’re like a family at the fire department,” he says. “I’d love to show anyone around and talk about what we do. It’s an incredible way to give back.”

“Stellar has been incredibly supportive of employee-owners who volunteer with local fire departments and EMS services. A lot of these organizations are understaffed, and having people willing to step up makes a real difference. If you’ve ever thought about serving your community, I’d encourage you to reach out to your local department and see how you can help.”

At Stellar and in his community, Tad leads by example. His dedication is a powerful reminder that impact doesn’t stop at the workday.

Learn more about a career at Stellar.