INDIANAPOLIS -- USATF president Stephanie Hightower has been appointed Vice President of North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Athletics Association.

Hightower was unanimously appointed to the position during the latest NACAC Executive Council meeting earlier this month. This is Hightower’s second international post, as she was voted in as an IAAF Council Member in August, receiving the highest number of votes out of all female nominees.

A world indoor and American outdoor record-setter in the women’s indoor hurdles and an Olympian, Hightower was elected president of USA Track & Field in 2008. She has led the federation’s efforts to better serve the sport of athletics internationally, working closely with IAAF leaders as well as colleagues in fellow federations.

As an athlete, she was part of 10 U.S. international teams, and later was U.S. women’s team manager at the 2004 Olympic Games, assistant manager at the 1996 Games and U.S. team leader at the 2005 IAAF World Youth Championships. She was chef de mission at the 2003 IAAF World Championships and head team manager at the 1999 IAAF World Championships.  She has served USATF committees in many capacities, including Athletes Advisory Committee and Women’s Track & Field, where she was chair.