Title: Manager of Technical Specifications
Company: Pittsburgh Paints Company
Location: Conway, Pennsylvania, United States
Martin J. Higley, Manager of Technical Specifications at Pittsburgh Paints Company, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in the Construction and Paint Industry.
Mr. Higley’s career is distinguished by more than 25 years of expertise in adhesives, sealants, stains and wood care. Since 2019, he has served as the manager of technical specifications at Pittsburgh Paints Company in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. In this capacity, Mr. Higley ensures that all company specifications remain current with existing products and that each product maintains the appropriate Master Painters Institute certifications across all Construction Specifications Institute categories. He also leads collaborations with independent firms through in-person meetings, phone calls, and online communication to verify that clients employ the proper products for their needs and have accurate specification setups on their online platforms. Mr. Higley’s responsibilities further include conducting training for architect and design teams on effective collaboration methods and maximizing value from their specifications and client interactions.
From 2016 to 2019, Mr. Higley held the role of manager of technical specifications for adhesives and sealants at Pittsburgh Paints Company. During this period, he was recognized as the company’s expert in adhesives, sealants, stains and wood care.
Hired by Pittsburgh Paints Company in 2014, Mr. Higley contributed as a technical adviser. In this position, he conducted numerous training programs across these specialties and established a reputation as an unmatched resource within the organization. Mr. Higley notably served as the lead for Liquid Nails, Flood, and ProLuxe product lines during this time.
Before joining Pittsburgh Paints Company, Mr. Higley ran the paint desk at Lowe’s Companies, Inc., in Monaca, Pennsylvania, from 2010 to 2014. There, he managed customer service operations related to paint products and supported both staff and customers with product knowledge. Mr. Higley’s tenure at Lowe’s came after working as an assistant manager at Sears Holdings Corporation in the Greater Pittsburgh region of Pennsylvania between 2006 and 2010. He first began by stocking paint before advancing to oversee the lawn and garden department, which included paint sales.
In addition to his corporate roles, Mr. Higley served as a graduate-level course adviser for Seton Hall University in New Jersey from 2024 to 2026. In this capacity, he mentored and audited graduate-level courses, sharing his industry knowledge with students preparing for careers in project management and related fields.
Mr. Higley’s academic achievements have played a pivotal role in his professional advancement. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in geology/earth science from Pennsylvania Western University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, in 2004. He then earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in project management, with honors, from Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University in 2013.
A respected leader in his profession, Mr. Higley is the vice chair of the C24 committee on building seals and sealants within the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an international organization that establishes regulations and testing procedures for industry products. He has been involved with ASTM for more than a decade and sits on two additional committees within the organization.
Beyond his professional commitments, Mr. Higley is deeply engaged in civic activities focused on youth development through sports mentorship. He currently manages the booster organization for the local high school wrestling program after previously coaching wrestling from youth through high school levels. Additionally, Mr. Higley coaches his youngest daughter’s softball team and has mentored between 40 and 60 children as a positive role model within youth wrestling circles.
Throughout his career, Mr. Higley has demonstrated exceptional skill in assessing client needs, identifying key products for their use and ensuring that specifications work optimally for each unique situation. His expertise is widely praised within Pittsburgh Paints Company and across the industry for its depth and practical application.
ASTM recognized Mr. Higley for his contributions with an award in 2020. He attributes much of his success to self-motivation, meticulous attention to detail and persistence in seeking complete answers when faced with unfamiliar challenges. Mr. Higley believes that not knowing an answer is not a failure but an opportunity for growth, a principle he actively shares with colleagues and mentees alike.
Looking ahead, Mr. Higley intends to focus on supporting his children as they grow into adulthood while continuing to offer guidance within his established career. He encourages those entering the construction materials field to practice patience, listen attentively to customer needs and approach every question as an opportunity to learn more. Mr. Higley’s journey exemplifies steadfast dedication to professional excellence paired with meaningful community involvement, a legacy built on expertise, perseverance and service to others.
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