Ford

It's a point of pride working for a company with such history.

Also, the turnaround the company made in the past 5 years, and without a bailout, is amazing.

Because it's a private company, it's less "faceless." When a decision is made, one knows there is a person behind it, not a flock of corporate lawyers.

Senior leaders are accessible, always friendly, and often smart.

Almost no growth opportunities. When a supervising position opens, Ford prefers to hire externally rather than to advance internally. A lot of bureaucracy and meaningless paperwork.

Don't wait with a well-deserved raise until a person decides to leave. And don't be afraid to lay out a fool or a sleep-head.