Bob Hightower retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2005 after 40 years employment in the Chemical Technology Division and the Nuclear Science and Technology Division, where he held several management and technical positions. He holds a BSChE from Ole Miss, and MS, and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University. He has served as president of the Friends of ORNL Board, the Oak Ridge Art Center Board, and the Clinch River Home Health Board.

Bob is the Past President of CORRE. He is also a member of the Executive Committee, the Planning Committee, the Contractor Contacts Committee, and the Legislative Liaison Committee.