512 Ligonier Street, Suite C, Latrobe, PA 15650
President
My love for construction began with building tree houses and cabins in the woods. My competitive spirit was evident from an early age through my involvement in sports, which continued in high school and college, where I was a member of the track and field teams.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, I started my career as an Assistant Production Engineer at Dravo Corporation. My engineering background instilled a systematic approach in everything I do.
In my mid-20s, I took the opportunity to start my own business, focusing on upper-end housing and light commercial projects. This hands-on experience was incredibly rewarding and shaped my professional career.
As my family grew, I transitioned to a union construction company, where I held various roles, including production, estimating, project management, supervision, and field layout. Throughout this time, I stayed actively involved in my children’s lives, leading woodworking and nature projects in the 4-H club and cheering them on at various sporting events.
Multitasking and juggling multiple commitments have always been my forte. I’ve always been an action-oriented dreamer, achieving tangible results. While I enjoy occasional vacations on the beach or canoeing down a river, my true passion lies in building, organizing, and challenging the status quo.
Retirement has brought me to the exciting challenge of urban revitalization. I believe in preserving historic buildings to maintain a town’s history and heritage. I envision filling empty storefronts with new businesses and hosting weekly music and events to enliven the community.
I see myself as a seasoned builder with a rebellious spirit, driven by my competitive nature to transform visions into reality and make the world a better place.
The ancient philosophers believed that the 60s and 70s are decades when our bodies experience a resurgence of energy, allowing us to soar like eagles. Join me on this journey, but be prepared for a fast-paced adventure.
Jessica Hightower
Vice President
Jessica Ciotti Hightower is proud to call Latrobe her hometown. A Penn State graduate, she loves running, reading, travelling, volunteering and building a strong community. Her previous work experience includes supporting the FAA, NASA, UK NATS and Google.
This year she has taken on a new role as PTA President, continuing the PTA mission to advocate for the education, health, safety and success of all youth while building strong families and communities.
As Vice President of Prima La Comunità, she will help fulfill its mission to revitalize the community by supporting local businesses and enhancing the overall charm and vibrancy of our streets.
Kevin Hightower
Secretary
Kevin has been advancing technology in the aviation industry for 20+ years, having joined Cirium in 2022 as the Head of Product. Previously, Kevin worked for over 15 years at Lockheed Martin, including the CTO for all Airline, Airport, and Air Traffic Control products. He also has over four years of experience driving innovative products at Google’s drone delivery company, Wing.
Kevin describes himself as a hands-on leader, who is passionate about launching the right products to make the world a radically better.
Michael Ciotti
Treasurer