About HPC Board of Directors

HPC Board of Directors

Hightowers Petroleum has continued to experience rapid growth over the past five years. A focus on sustainability and the desire to strengthen governance has led to management’s decision to appoint a new Board of Directors. This board brings extensive diversified knowledge that strengthens the mission of Hightowers Petroleum Co. as we continue to grow. The board effectively addresses the increased demands for environmental consciousness, quality and competitiveness.

Stephen L. Hightower, Founder, President and CEO of Hightowers Petroleum Co. Steve Hightower, a serial entrepreneur, has developed HPC to become one of the premier marketers of gasoline and diesel fuels in America. Using technology and his experience working in the family business since grade school, Steve has created a national foot print (including Mexico and Canada) selling to fortune 100/500 corporations while developing international markets since the early eighties. Appointed to the “National Petroleum Council” by Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu, and the Board of Directors of SIGMA, (Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers Association) among others…

Stephen L. Hightower II, joined the family business, Hightowers Petroleum Co., in 2009 after working in Electoral Politics for more than a decade. He brings a passion for community, business and politics to the third generation company.






Carmine Falcone, at time of retirement, held a number of senior positions at Shell (both domestically and internationally); VP-Corporate Planning and Exec VP-Oil Products in Canada; VP-Manufacturing, Supply and Distribution in Europe and VP-Manufacturing and Supply in the USA.





David E. Kinnan, at time of retirement on June 1, 2006, was Associate General Counsel and Legal Director, Shell E&P Western Hemisphere (North and South America).







Daragh L. Porter joined Ashland Inc. in 1977 as an accountant. Upon her retirement in 2007, as Vice-President of Finance and Treasurer, she had responsibility for global treasury and insurance functions, investor relations and trust investments.






Nathaniel Miles is a Corporate Executive for Eli Lilly and Company, one of the nation’s top pharmaceutical firms. In his current position with the “Fortune 500” corporate giant, Nate is responsible for oversight and management of all state government relations, public affairs and external relations activities in his multi-state region.




Randy Velarde, a 30-year veteran of the petrochemical industry, is the founder and president of The Plaza Group, an international minority-owned refining and petrochemical marketing business headquartered in Houston, TX.