He served as president of Eastern Air Lines and Rolls-Royce North America and was chairman of the board of trustees of Columbia University.
[4] After graduation, Higginbottom enrolled in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in World War II, earning a Bronze Star Medal.
[2] After the war, Higginbottom worked for Trans World Airlines, becoming senior vice president of engineering and maintenance.
As chief executive, he was responsible for enlarging the airlines' engine service center as well as its business operations during the early 70s.
[2] Higginbottom retired to Miami, where he remained active in the business world, serving as director of HEICO from 1989 until his death in 2016.