After graduating in 1974, Hightower became a senior associate and manager at the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. He stayed at McKinsey for four years. Next Hightower spent three years at General Electric, running a lighting affiliate based in Mexico. In 1981, he became a vice president at the toy company Mattel, before joining Russell Reynolds Associates three years later as an executive director.

Walt Disney Co.

After two years at the executive consulting firm, Hightower joined Disney where he presided over consumer products in Europe and Asia. Hightower ran the international consumer line for eight years, increasing Disney's retail sales from $650 million to $4.5 billion. In 1995, the head of Disney's television unit, Richard Frank, resigned. Disney's CEO Michael Eisner named Hightower to replace Frank. Hightower's selection confused investors since Hightower had no television experience. The experiment didn't last long. A year after taking over Disney's television division, Hightower stepped down.

Harvard Professor

After leaving Disney, Hightower became a full-time professor of management at Harvard's business school. Hightower taught at Harvard for four years before deciding to rejoin the business sector. In 2000, Europe Online Networks, a private broadband interactive entertainment company based in Luxembourg, named Hightower as its chief executive. Hightower would only stay for two years before retiring.

Despite continuing to serve on corporate boards, like Domino's Pizza and Accenture, Hightower kept a low-profile after announcing his retirement.

In July 2009, President Barack Obama named Hightower as the number-two man at the Commerce Department, making him one of the highest ranking Obama officials with extensive business experience.

Hightower left the Commerce Department in July 2010.

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