Eight Inducted Into Towing Hall of Fame
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., September 28, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Eight towing industry leaders this month were inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in a special ceremony held in Chattanooga, the birthplace of the towing and recovery industry.
Each year the towing hall of fame honors deserving men and women who have advanced the professionalism of the towing and recovery industry through their work and leadership both inside and outside of the industry.
It's always a joy to get to know each of the inductees better, and an honor to be president when such great people are inducted.
Bill Gratzianna, President, International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum
"This year's inductees are truly worthy of the highest honor we can bestow on a person in the towing industry," says Bill Gratzianna, president of the towing museum. "It's always a joy to get to know each of the inductees better, and an honor to be president when such great people are inducted."
The Class of 2018 includes, in alphabetical order:
- Michael Aspesi of Ted's of Fayville Inc., Southborough, MA, which has been in the transportation industry for over 85 years, starting with one tow truck.
- Scott Burrows of Burrows Wrecker Service, Pendleton, KY, a towing company in business for over 100 years or since the start of the towing and recovery industry. Burrows is the fourth-generation family member to run the company.
- John Coldwell of the Institute of Vehicle Recovery, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, an organization that aims to reduce roadside fatalities and injuries through training and safety procedures. He also works for towing equipment maker Boniface Engineering Ltd., Thetford, England.
- Rene Fortin of the New Hampshire Towing Association, Manchester, NH, a group organized by and for towing operators 46 years ago. Fortin has served as president of the organization for more than 40 years.
- Danny Horton of Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Manassas, VA, a towing and recovery truck and equipment dealer, and a former tow company owner.
- Cynthia Martineau of the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), Washington, D.C., the national voice of the towing and recovery industry founded in 1979. Martineau was a tow company owner and for 15 years also served as executive director of the Statewide Towing Association of Massachusetts.
- Glenn Neal of Vacaville Tow Inc., Vacaville, CA, a provider of heavy-duty and roadside towing and cargo services established in 1994. Neal also is president of Truck Body Sales Inc., Sacramento, Calif.
- Geri Roskopf of Roskopf's Towing and Service, Menomonee Falls, WI, in business since 1984. In addition, Roskopf writes a blog about towing and recovery for Tow Times magazine.
The induction ceremony was held at the Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga, part of a week of special events and activities hosted by the towing museum each year. Chattanooga gave birth to the towing and recovery industry when Ernest Holmes invented the first tow truck by fastening various parts to his 1913 Cadillac.
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About the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum:
The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, founded 23 years ago in Chattanooga, TN, showcases the history of the towing and recovery industry. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly advanced the industry throughout their careers.
Source: International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum
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