Stephen Hightower

Chief Technology Officer at Harmar

Winter Park, Florida, United States

About Stephen Hightower

Stephen Hightower is Chief Technology Officer at Harmar. Location: Winter Park, Florida, United States.

I help private equity portfolio companies de-risk operations, professionalize technology, and increase exit multiples. Over the past 15+ years, I have worked inside and alongside private equity-backed companies as CTO, COO, Interim CIO, and operating advisor — stabilizing complex environments, modernizing systems, and aligning technology directly to value creation plans. I specialize in situations where: • Growth has outpaced infrastructure • ERP systems are under-optimized or unstable • Reporting lacks confidence • Cybersecurity threatens valuation • Integration or carve-out risk is high • Sponsors need a credible transformation story for buyers My work has included: Serving as Interim CIO for YETI Coolers post-acquisition, scaling systems and service delivery during hypergrowth Leading technology and operational transformation strategies for PE-backed healthcare, industrial, energy, consumer, and services platforms Building a roadmap that directly supported a successful company sale resulting in a 4X return Designing merger integration and carve-out IT strategies Placing five CIOs and building operating models for sponsor-backed companies Reducing a $10B company’s close cycle from 14 days to 5 days using Lean methodologies Implementing ERP platforms (Epicor, IFS, NetSuite, SAP) aligned to growth strategy Scaling call centers, CRM platforms, and digital engagement systems Leading cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, and governance modernization Today, as CTO of Harmar, I lead enterprise transformation that supports scalable growth, product innovation, and operational discipline in a sponsor-backed environment. I bring a rare combination of: Operating partner mindset Deep ERP & enterprise systems experience Lean Six Sigma execution discipline Cybersecurity governance (CISSP) Project and portfolio rigor (PMP) AI-enabled modernization strategy At exit, buyers don’t pay for technology — they pay for confidence. I help create it.

Skills

  • Operations Management
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Additional experience

  • Managing Director

    Hightower Consulting

    Started January 2011

Education

  • BA, The University of Alabama in Huntsville