AACC & Verizon Presents: "Celebrating Diversity and Unity: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders"

Join us at the July Exchange Networking Event featuring Stephen Hightower, CEO of Hightowers Petroleum. Stephen will share his journey from startup to industry leader, discuss sustainable business practices, and provide insights on leadership, innovation, and community engagement. Learn about navigating economic challenges, empowering minority-owned businesses, and leveraging strategic partnerships. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and network with fellow entrepreneurs. Along with hearing from Mr. Hightower, you will have early access to our new member Almost V'Gan Lounge before their grand opening on July 25th, you don't want to miss it!


About the Speaker:  
Stephen L. Hightower President and CEO of Hightowers Petroleum Co. (HPC) has performed more than 1.7 billion over the past 5 years providing energy solutions. A self-made entrepreneur since 1979, Mr. Hightower grew his Ohio Nationwide-based wholesale fuel distribution company into an International energy solutions enterprise covering the entire energy value chain, from petroleum supply to energy solutions. Mr. Hightower’s blue-chip customer base includes, Duke Energy, General Motors Corporation, The Kroger Company, Fed Ex, SCANNA, Ford Motor Company UPS, Honda, Con-Edison, Nissan, ATT, United Rentals, JLL Dominion Transportation, PEPCO Utility, and State of Ohio amongst others.

Mr. Hightower has extensive skills in developing and operating business enterprises, managing Global Supply Chains and rapid growth strategies while navigating governmental and regulatory approvals.
 
Today Steve has penetrated the Upstream Markets and is delivering crude oil and marketing LNG globally.
 
As President and Chairman of HP Energy, an energy development company that engage engineering and technology to reduce energy consumption and to create alternative power to Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Waste to Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Solar applications. Hightower has been active in the development of clean power generation in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a recent focus on South Africa waste-to-energy projects.
 
Hightower serves at the pleasure of former Presidents Barack Obama and was re-confirmed by President Trump with two appointments; the Department of Interior’s, National Park Foundation and Department of Energy’s National Petroleum Council. Those appointments are continued under President Trump.
 
Hightower is the recipient of many awards, most recently the 2021 NMSDC MBE of the Year and 2019 Black Enterprise Magazine’s Industrial/Service Company of the Year, as well as the 2018 Rainbow PUSH Living Legend Award and 2019 Duke Energy Supplier of the year award.
 
Hightower was also involved with Power Africa, an initiative by Former President Barack Obama to increase the electrification on the continent of Africa and served in two trade missions with the US Department of Commerce and US Department of Transportation Secretaries, to Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Mozambique.

The Exchange: A business networking program that occurs on the third Thursday of each month. Each Exchange session features a guest speaker who can provide valuable information on issues affecting small businesses or provide resources and opportunities for small businesses. Networking for minority owned businesses is extremely important to draw support and grow. Free drink ticket and food provided. Sponsored by Verizon through the Digital Horizons Program!