When Elizabeth Hightower was selling advertising space for recruitment magazines in the late 1980s, she asked her clients if she could handle all their advertising needs. They said yes.

In 1990, she established Hightower Agency, a full-service advertising agency specializing in truck driver recruitment. Today, the company is known as “America’s leader in truck driver recruiting.” The firm integrates marketing plans, including advertising in newspapers and trade publications, public relations and creative concepts including branding and Web pages while providing clients with the lowest rates and best packages.

In 1996, Elizabeth’s brother, Eddie Hightower, with a background in sales and a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from Ole Miss, joined the family-owned firm and serves as president and CEO.

“The company is a remarkable example of stability in a volatile industry impacted by rising fuel costs and subject to government regulation,” said Eddie Hightower. “From the beginning, we’ve been able to operate debt-free while cultivating steady growth. Sales have more than doubled over the past eight years — we simply get more and more clients each year though our creative and accurate work — and continue to remain within eight figures year after year.

“Hightower’s graphic designers won the 2002 PIAS (Printing Industry Association of the South) Graphic Design award and consistently raise the bar in concept and design to maximize each client’s position in the media,” said Hightower.

“Our sales team works closely with both the clients and the media to interpret and organize the most cost-effective and productive advertising strategy available,” he said. “The placement department manages a database of over 3,500 newspapers to process ads with 99% accuracy. And when needed, our accounting staff provides our clients with a customized billing procedure adaptable to their organization.”

“Today, the demand for drivers exceeds supply, and Hightower’s greatest challenge is to continue to successfully recruit students and drivers along with owner operators in a stressed career environment.”

“The trucking industry drives the world and we have found our niche,” said Hightower. “It’s our goal to find those drivers for our clients and get them on the road again.”

The Ridgeland-based advertising agency employs 30 people, and has offices in Atlanta and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“In my business, I have the opportunity to work with some of the most creative, talented and intelligent people in the industry,” said Hightower, who is known around the office as simply, “Mr. Eddie.” “Each member of our team brings insight and experience integral to the success of the company. Our people truly make the difference.”

Hightower plans to continue to provide transportation companies with the best advertising support in the industry and is committed to controlling clients’ advertising costs while maintaining the highest quality of service. The firm’s performance, experience and stability will continue to help their clients nationwide reach their recruiting goals.

“With over 75 years of combined experience and virtually no staff turnover, our only business has been recruitment advertising since 1990,” said Hightower. “Our future plans are to grow in market share among the top 100 transportation companies and to continue to be the industry leader in driver recruitment. It’s our goal to make sure our advertising reaches the greatest number of drivers with the least amount of costs.”