The Walkaround Thank You!

Dennie Ortiz Publisher

2021 we have been waiting for you! Thank you for arriving. As a breed towers are resilient though 2020 tested even some of the toughest of souls. In our Towman of the Year issue we recognize towers that have made an impact in the past year. American Towman salutes the towers who in the face of adversity met unprecedented challenges headon in 2020. Towers went above and beyond the norm to tackle the trials presented by the pandemic and kept on serving and protecting the motoring public. We humbly acknowledge the true grit of the tower and their sense of duty by naming them collectively as Towman of the Year. We take our hats off to you and offer our immense gratitude for your steadfastness during one of the worst crises we have faced as a nation. Unpacking this issue, one item at a time leads us to Brian Riker’s article on an overlooked business segment which can help to expand your business. The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in internet usage and purchases, exponentially more so due to the pandemic. Riker looks into at-home car delivery that falls within the Final Mile Transport business model as a new way to diversify. He challenges towers to be creative when looking for new opportunities … Opportunities such as online Load Boards which he suggests may help to increase your transport work. The next article in this issue is one that every tow boss should read in order to protect your business. This piece on the SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) will help you to understand and comply with this federal law to avoid potentially heavy fines. The author digs deep and details the legal obligations and responsibilities of tow businesses when towing, storing and/or disposing of vehicles owned by active duty military personnel. Knowing that towers love a great recovery, this issue features one so challenging that the headline itself is “Challenging Recovery.” Kurt Wilson walks us through Iowa’s Stockton Towing’s well planned and executed recovery. The casualty was a whopping 30-ton heavy-duty piece of equipment that slid into a lake. The photos captured will not disappoint. Safety is the name of the game in towing and this month’s department focuses on roadside awareness. Randall Resch explains the importance and critical need to keep proper safety practices top-of-mind when working on highways in order to make it home alive. This profession not only spends a lot of time outdoors but also inside their trucks. The interior of one particular masterpiece of a rotator is the highlight of this month’s My Baby. Paddack’s Wrecker and Transport went wild decking out their rig, it’s truly a feast for the eyes. 2020 was an extremely tough year…so 2021 here we come! Happy Safe New Year!

6 • January 2021 | Towman.com

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Randall Resch Terry Abejuela Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Mark Lacek Brian Riker

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor

Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson

Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn. Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass. Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.

American Towman Staff Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. VP of Accounts Customer Service Subscription Manager Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer President

Gina Johnson Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Henri Calitri Patrice Gesner Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Steve Calitri

American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546

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