MAPEI says it has strengthened its technical services department with the addition of Leigh Hightower as the Technical Services Manager for the United States. He will focus on MAPEI’s floor covering installation systems, providing technical expertise and guiding the staff of experts who deal with customer concerns about installing wood, carpet, resilients, tile and stone.

Hightower’s experience includes more than 30 years in the flooring industry, working as an installer as well as for manufacturers of tile and stone installation systems. He has held positions in sales, technical service, sales management and business development. Most recently, Hightower served as the Director of Business Development with Texas Cement Products, Inc. His prior experience included nine years with Custom Building Products and thirteen years with C-Cure Chemical Company.

Additionally, Hightower has served related trade organizations, such as: the Materials & Methods Standards Association, as president (2005-2010); the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Technical Committee Member (since 1978); and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Handbook Committee Member (since 1990). He was honored as the NTCA Man of the Year in 1992 and received the NTCA Ring of Honor in 2008.

“Leigh will add considerable bench strength to the Technical Services Department and we feel very fortunate to have someone of his caliber in this critical role,” Di Geso said. “He will collaborate with our Canadian Technical Services Manager, Pierre Hebert, giving MAPEI a technical team that will play an important role in moving our company forward.”