Stephen L. Hightower

Stephen L. Hightower grew up helping with his family's janitorial company in Middletown, Ohio. As a teenager, he managed cleaning crews and began negotiating contracts, an early education in pricing, payroll and the daily requirements of serving customers.

Hightower attended Wright State University from 1974 to 1978, studying management and communication. In a university interview, he credited speaking competitions with helping him explain ideas and build business relationships. The profile identifies his family as longtime African American residents of Middletown. In 2017, the university announced that CNBC would feature him on its Blue Collar Millionaires series.

His move into petroleum took more than confidence. In 1982, he won a statewide Ohio contract to supply fuel for state vehicles, taking over work BP had held for thirty-two years, and the companies then partnered on the business. He prepared the winning bid with local supplier Don Lykins. A later BP contract to transport jet fuel helped the operation expand.

Hightowers Petroleum dates its founding to 1982, apart from the family's earlier business. The company buys and distributes fuel for commercial customers, occupying the place in the supply chain between fuel producers and the organizations that need dependable deliveries for their operations.

Preparing for electronic purchasing became another important step. Wright State's profile describes Hightower adapting the company as automotive and utility customers moved procurement from paper to digital systems. A relationship with utility company Cinergy helped extend its reach. By 2022, Realm reported a national distribution business and a management team that included Stephen Hightower II as chief operating officer, with roles kept distinct between father and son.

The business also organized a local relief effort in 2019. According to its account, Hightower, employees and Kroger worked together to distribute food, hygiene products and other supplies after Dayton-area tornadoes. The company remains based in Middletown, where the family's janitorial work began.