When you hear the name Hightower in the context of the American energy sector, your mind probably jumps straight to Stephen Hightower Sr., the man who famously started as a janitor and built an oil empire. But there is a second chapter to this story that is becoming just as influential. Stephen L. Hightower II, the Chief Operating Officer of Hightowers Petroleum Co. (HPC), isn't just "the son of a founder." He is the person responsible for the actual gears turning inside one of North America’s largest independently owned fuel distributors.
Honestly, it’s one thing to inherit a legacy. It is another thing entirely to scale it during a global energy crisis.
While the senior Hightower is the visionary face of the brand, Stephen II is the operational engine. Based out of Middletown, Ohio, he’s the one managing the day-to-day chaos of moving over 250 million gallons of fuel annually. We’re talking about a supply chain that stretches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. If a FedEx truck in Memphis or a GM plant in Michigan has fuel today, there's a good chance Stephen II's team had a hand in the logistics.
Keeping the "Virtual Marketplace" Alive
Most people outside the industry think an oil company is just a bunch of guys with trucks and pumps. That’s not how HPC works. Stephen L. Hightower II has been instrumental in refining what they call the "Virtual Marketplace."
Basically, they don't just own assets; they manage information. As COO, Stephen II oversees a model that leverages technology to find the best fuel prices and the most efficient routes in real-time. It’s a high-stakes game of Tetris played with millions of dollars in liquid energy. Under his watch, the company hasn't just stayed afloat; it has thrived, landing on the Inc. 5000 list with growth rates exceeding 144%.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. The industry is notoriously "old school," yet Stephen II is pushing for a digital-first approach.
The Fifth Fuel and the Green Shift
One of the coolest things Stephen L. Hightower II talks about is "the fifth fuel." He’s gone on record saying that if they want to be in business 100 years from now, they have to innovate. To him, the fifth fuel is energy efficiency.
- Solar applications
- Hydrogen fuel cells
- EV charging infrastructure
He isn't just paying lip service to environmentalism. He’s actively using the profits from the traditional fossil fuel side of the business to fund a pivot into carbon neutrality. You’ve got to respect the honesty there—admitting that the world is changing and instead of fighting the "hockey puck," he’s trying to skate to where it’s going to be.
Why the Cincinnati Regional Chamber Matters
You might have seen his name pop up in 2021 when he was appointed to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber Board of Directors. This wasn't just a "prestige" appointment. Stephen II is a product of the region’s leadership pipelines, specifically the C-Change program.
He’s often mentioned how that program opened his eyes to the fact that a Chamber of Commerce isn't just a place for networking; it’s a leader in regional transformation. He’s used his seat at the table to push for economic inclusion. For Stephen II, it’s about making sure that the "big game" of energy isn't just reserved for the Goliaths of the industry. He wants to see more mid-sized, minority-owned firms getting a real seat at the table.
The Man Behind the Title
If you follow the local news in Middletown, you know Stephen II isn't just stuck in a corporate office. He’s heavily involved in the Robert "Sonny" Hill Jr. Community Center. He grew up in that center. To him, it’s the "anchor" of the city.
He’s been a vocal advocate for the $2.1 million renovation of the center, pushing for things like:
- STEM and gaming labs for kids.
- Learning kitchens to teach life skills.
- Five-star preschool facilities.
It’s rare to find a COO of a multi-million dollar energy firm who is equally concerned with the quality of a local teen center’s gaming room. But that’s the vibe he brings—professional but deeply rooted in where he came from.
The Reality of Being a "Next Gen" Leader
There is a lot of pressure on Stephen L. Hightower II. He is operating in the shadow of a "Living Legend" (his father literally won the Rainbow PUSH Living Legend Award). But the younger Hightower seems to have found his own lane by focusing on operational excellence and strategic alignment.
He’s the guy who translates the big dreams into spreadsheets and delivery schedules. He sits on boards for the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the Fuel Foundation, staying connected to how the world’s most elite CEOs are thinking about the future of logistics.
Actionable Takeaways from the Hightower Playbook
If you’re looking at Stephen L. Hightower II’s career for inspiration, here is the "real talk" version of what he’s doing right:
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- Don't ignore the pivot. Even if your main business is doing great, start funding your "future" version now. For HPC, that means moving from oil to EV and hydrogen.
- Operations are the unsung hero. Vision is great, but someone has to make sure 250 million gallons of fuel actually show up on time. Master the "boring" logistics.
- Invest in your home base. Whether it's the Cincinnati Chamber or a local community center, your influence is only as strong as your roots.
- Advocate for inclusion. Use your position to open doors that were previously locked for smaller players.
Stephen L. Hightower II is proof that you can respect a legacy while completely reinventing the way that legacy functions in a modern world. He isn't just waiting for the future of energy to happen; he’s the one signing the contracts to build it.