American Towman Magazine - July 2018

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Protecting Evidence-Holds Mucky Recovery Wins Donnie Danger!! Clandestine Drug Labs Tow Industry Week @ Towman.com

AmericanTowman.com

Cover: Casey Alvis (from left) with Dorian and Ryan Pantusa of Pantusa’s Towing in San Antonio, Texas.

FEATURE CONTENTS

28

From the Ground Up Ryan and Dorian Pantusa have grown their company from nothing to multiple trucks and staff in two short years.

by Brendan Dooley

38

Departments The Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .82 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Vulcan Resets Vulcan for Mucky Recovery This 2017 Donnie-winning job in Wisconsin featured some unique circumstances.

by Josh Wedel

51

30th Annual AT Expo Time to get psyched up for the 2018 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Maryland. Prep for all the events here!

72

Spirit Ride Needs Your Help Supporting the Ride helps support a cause that helps towers working the white line.

by D.J. Harrington

Getting ‘Out of Danger’

by Brendan Dooley

In late May, I hap- Jobs,’ I met many such people. … pened upon a Face“We all became intimately familiar book post from TV with all the basic protocol—lock-out/tagp e r s o n a l i t y / c h a m - out, confined space, fall hazards, respirapion-of-the-working- tory precautions, PPE, the endless man Mike Rowe about checklists, etc., etc.” workplace safety. He had Then there was a death in a factory recently been in a debate with CNN’s where they were shooting an episode.

Tucker Carlson and said he “may “In the break room, where I was told have questioned the primacy of of the accident, a large banner said, ‘We ‘Safety First,’ and suggested that Care About Your Safety!’ That got me many well-intended safety protocols thinking about things like unintended were actually putting employees in consequences, and the dangers of condanger. I may have fusing compliance with also said the greatreal safety. … est hazard on any “If companies and job site is complaSafety Professionals tell cency, and that us over and over that being ‘in compliour safety is their priance’ has nothing to ority, wouldn’t that do with being ‘out tend to make us feel of danger.’ ” safer? And wouldn’t that in turn, prompt us This idea really to take more risk, therecaught my attention fore making us … less as it applies to safety safe? … in this industry; it also “Complacency is reminded me of my For Mike Rowe’s full response letter on the real enemy. … time in the Navy and ‘Safety Third,’ go to ishn.com and Workers need to underthe military’s own search for “Mike Rowe.” stand that being ‘in Safety First protocols.

(To make a long story short, while doing compliance’ is not the same as being ‘out Preventive Maintenance on the anchor of danger.’ ” So, after reading through all Rowe’s chain housing and emergency brake, we were compliant taking all the required comments on safety in the workplace steps, but still put a hole in the ship. We and watching the debate with Carlson, I were fortunate that only the hull was couldn’t help but relate it back to towing and especially the struggle with inattenhurt.)

Rowe posted a link to an earlier mis- tive drivers while working the white sive he’d sent to “Industrial Safety & line. As the Spirit Ride crisscrosses the Hygiene News” in which he’d ques- country to raise awareness of the Move tioned “the wisdom of ‘Safety First,’ and Over laws, I think “Safety Third” serves posited maybe it should be “Safety as a good reminder that we will never be able to legislate conscientious drivers or Third.” As he said: “I have never understood the point a completely safe work zone.

These are steps, along with lighting, of ranking virtues and values in order of their importance. If Safety is First, what signage and anything else, towards being is Second? Or Fifth? Or Ninth? In the Boy safer, but no matter what laws, lights and Scouts, we used to say ‘Safety Always,’ signs are in place—as long as there is which made a lot more sense to me. traffic—towers will never be out of danSafety Third became my default reply ger out there.

Please keep you head on a swivel whenever someone acted as though my Safety was their responsibility. On ‘Dirty and stay guarded out there.

6 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

First On The Scene!

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke Randall Resch Terry Abejuela Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Emily Oz Mark Lacek

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor On Screen Editor Repo Run 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 Ann Marie Nitti Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Jimmy Santos Toni Vanderhorst Henri Calitri Patrice Gesner William Burwell Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Steve Calitri

Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec.

VP of Accounts General Manager Publisher’s Assistant Customer Service Subscription Manager TIW Media Director Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer President

American Towman Media Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 E-mail: Publisher: dortiz@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com Editor: bdooley@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com AT’S Website: americantowman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2018 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. Subscription: Single Copy: $10 1 yr: $60 – 2 yrs: $110 International: $75 & $135 All material published through American Towman Media (AT), to include American Towman Magazine, iTowman.com and TowIndustryWeek.com, including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, AT accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear. AT does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. AT does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of content, warranties or claims made or implied by its advertisers. The views expressed are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT. The act of mailing or delivering a letter, email or article to AT shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. AT reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted. No part of the magazine or websites may be reproduced without prior written consent of AT.

Black Ice Cited in Coady Fatal Prosecutors dropped charges against a Lawrence, Massachusetts, woman charged after towman Daniel Coady was killed on I-495 in Andover.

A prosecutor said Shiina Dionne tested negative for alcohol and drugs after the accident; state police radio transmissions from that night indicated there was a “black ice” condition present. Those were among the reasons the assistant district attorney said the case would not be prosecuted during a recent hearing.

Coady was loading a vehicle onto his tow truck in the breakdown lane when a 2007 Pontiac G6 hit an unoccupied BMW that was also in the breakdown lane, according to state police. The Pontiac then struck the left side of the tow truck and Coady.

He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Source: eagletribune.com.

Tower Awarded $260K in Lawsuit

Greg’s Towing has towed for Riverdale Park, Maryland, for 30 years, including its police department. That ended two years ago when Mike Ashkar bought the towing company.

“Things defiantly changed,” Ashkar said. “There was no communication. It seemed like they didn’t want me around at all.”

According to a lawsuit filed by Ashkar, Riverdale Park started using a different tow company. The lawsuit claims city employees started badmouthing the company, but the town disputes it. The town also disagreed with the assertion of discrimination in selecting to do business with a different firm.

A jury recently sided with Greg’s Towing, awarding Ashkar $260,000.

Source: wjla.com.

8 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

N. J. Towman Struck, Killed on Interstate A towman died recently after being struck by a car while he attempted to clear the scene of an accident on I-287 in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Towman Nicholas Coble, 24, was standing behind his truck and was in the process of readying a car to be towed when he was hit by a Chevy sedan. After the car hit Coble, it was then hit by a box truck, state police said.

Coble was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevy suffered minor injuries.

Coble leaves behind fiancee Crystal Ramos and three young children. Ramos’ uncle set up a GoFundMe account to help the family.

Sources: nj.com, patch.com.

Towman Nicholas Coble and family.

Texas Towman

Dies after Being Hit on Dark Road Police in League City, Texas, are investigating a recent fatal crash that killed a tow operator on FM 646 and Avenue G. Police said the crash happened around 4:30 a.m. when the operator was Towman Paul Taylor Jr. died after being struck on a dark responding to a stretch of road in Texas. abc13.com image. crash.

Taylor drove for Taylor Towing.

As towman Paul Taylor Jr., 26, was loading a disabled vehicle onto Police said that stretch of road is his wrecker, another driver crashed dark and the driver may not have into the scene and killed him. The seen the tow truck. As of press time, driver of the second vehicle was alcohol was not suspected to have taken to the hospital with non-life played a role in the accident.

Source: abc13.com. threatening injuries.

… I won’t quit until the changes are made …

Tow Company Sues Student A student in Provo, Utah, is facing a $500,000 lawsuit filed by University Parking Enforcement, a towing company.

Carl Prince claims his legal battle with UPE started in an unmarked parking spot. Prince sued the towing company. UPE refunded his parking ticket, but Prince still took them to court and won. UPE is now suing him for defamation.

“This case is about a young man who received a full refund because of a technical error in a statute,” said UPE’s attorney, Justin Heideman. “(He) decided that wasn’t enough, so he sued. He got paid, then he decided it wasn’t enough, so he sued again.

“Now … he’s following our employees, he’s talking to the businesses and he’s disparaging our reputation online,” said Heideman.

UPE just wants Prince to let it go.

Source: wishtv.com.

No Contest Plea in DUI Death

Deeann Parsons, who is accused of killing towman Thomas Tripp of Mike’s Wrecker Service in Saginaw, Michigan, in January, recently pleaded no contest to causing a death while driving drunk.

Authorities say Tripp, 41, was struck and died while loading a vehicle onto a flatbed truck.

About a dozen people attended the hearing wearing shirts reading, “In Loving Memory of Tommy” and “Mike’s Wrecker Service.”

Parsons’ sentencing was pending at press time.

Sources: The Associated Press.

TowShow.com Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Mass. Towman Saves Elderly Couple A towman for AAA helped rescue a Grafton, Massachusetts, couple from a massive fire at their home.

Norman Strom says he was driving by their home on a recent afternoon when he saw smoke coming from the garage. A couple in their late 80s was inside the home, and they had no idea it was on fire when Strom Towman Norman Strom. knocked on their door. boston.cbslocal.com image.

Strom helped the couple get out and grabbed a few belongings, including the family cat, before the fire spread.

Firefighters said the four-alarm blaze caused a propane tank to explode and ammunition to detonate. No serious injuries were reported.

“It’s just something I do everyday,” Strom said, “helping people out.”

Source: boston.cbslocal.com.

Texas Towman’s Widow Addresses Spirit Ride Ceremony Stephanie Bowles, widow of fallen towman Scott Bowles, said she learned she “had a spine” and won’t stop fighting until stricter punishments are enacted for those who violate Texas’ Move Over law. Scott drove for Goode Towing and Recovery in Stephanie Bowles, towman Scott Bowles’ widow, Killeen and was struck and speaks during a Spirit Ride ceremony in Temple, killed last year.

Texas. tdtnews.com image.

She and her 10-year-old son Sean are still dealing with the loss. Since Scott’s death, Stephanie has poured her efforts into spreading awareness of the law.

She spoke at the Spirit Ride ceremony at Temple Towing in Temple.

“Collective voices make a much stronger statement, and that makes the statement louder and longer,” Stephanie said. “It’s a death sentence if we can’t get people to listen. … I won’t quit until the changes are made,” she said.

So far the Spirit Ride’s message promoting the Move Over law has reached millions of American motorists. Towmen and others interested in helping to promote its efforts can make a contribution online at atspiritride.com.

Sources: tdtnews.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Towers Light Up with Silho-Light The California Tow Truck Association is an authorized specialty distributor of the newest in safety apparel for nighttime work from Silho-Light. The company’s patented design for Human Silhouette-Light Recognition on safety apparel helps towers be seen with early recognition of the human form by motorists. The SilhoLight ANSI Class 3 Safety Vest is lightweight using flexible electro-luminescent wire emitting 360-degree illumination heat-free from a AA battery power source.

The vest includes solid, blink and strobe settings, is visible from 100 yards and machine washable.

ctta.com

Weego 66 Adds AutoBoost for Max Power Weego recently upgraded its Weego 66 Jump Starting Power Pack to include AutoBoost and redesigned Smarty Clamps. The 12V lithium-ion jump pack weighs 2.5 lbs., and can jump-start cars, trucks, motorcycles and other light-duty equipment. The new AutoBoost automatically sends maximum power to dead batteries (down to 0.5V) without an override button. The redesigned Smarty Clamps feature tapered tips to fit in tight spaces. The Weego 66 jump-starts with 2,500 peak amps and 600 cranking amps, includes 5V USB and 19V outputs; powers 12V portable accessories and includes a 600-lumen dual LED flashlight, complete with emergency strobe and SOS functions.

myweego.com

VIAIR 485C, 480C Onboard Air Systems VIAIR’s Onboard Air Systems provide a mobile air source for multiple pneumatic applications. The Dual 485C Onboard Air System features brandnew 485C Gen 2 compressors that deliver 100-percent duty cycle at 200 psi. VIAIR’s Dual 480C OBA supplies

the highest cfm on 100-percent duty cycle with compressors rated at 100 psi. These pre-packaged compressed air solutions include: two compressors (485C or 480C), a 2.5-gal. air tank, inline pressure regulator, and all necessary components needed to install.

viaircorp.com

10 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

‘Count’s Kustoms’ Jerr-Dan Packages

W

orldwide Equipment Sales is offering exclusive Count’s Kustoms Packages on its towing equipment. The first unit, a 2017 Ram 5500 with a Jerr-Dan 20’ steel carrier, was recently spotted outside their Vegas garage following its customization.

Another light-duty Jerr-Dan self-loader was on display at the recent American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas show floor.

The Las Vegas, Nevada, car and chopper custom-build shop Count’s Kustoms, known from its popular reality TV show “Counting Cars” on the History Channel, entered into an exclusive agreement to offer a limited number of customization packages on several models of Jerr-Dan carriers and self-loaders supplied by Worldwide.

Finished units will be on display and for sale at the 2018 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Nov. 16-18.

NewTowTrucks.com

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 11

Protecting Evidence-Hold Vehicles

by Terry Abejuela

Secure storage and signage will be a minimum requirement of evidence-hold towing.

T

owing for law enforcement agencies inevitably requires the towing, transporting and/or storage of a vehicle that law enforcement has a need to secure for further investigation.

Many law enforcement contracts have minimum requirements to provide this type of vehicle handling and storage. Such requirements may include special transporting, handling, storage and access to the stored vehicle, and specific facility signage.

There may be physical requirements such as a forklift, minimum storage capacity, indoor secured storage, video surveillance and a vehicle lift.

There also may be administrative requirements such as employee background checks, training, drug/alcohol testing and documentation.

16 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Discuss your intended towing, loading and tiedown methods with the investigating officer first.

Evidence-hold vehicles require tow companies to take special precautions to avoid jeopardizing potentially critical evidence. Forensic science has developed to a point where minor, seemingly insignificant, evidence may

prove to be the difference between solving the case, obtaining a conviction or exonerating the falsely accused.

Investigators have a battery of tools available to them today including finger and palm prints, tire wear, tool marks, footwear analysis, DNA, forensic botany and geology, trace evidence, paint matching, glass fragment matching, forensic video analysis and mobile device forensics. ‌ Any or all of these tools may be utilized to investigate and collect evidence from a vehicle involved in a criminal investigation.

How much a specific tow company is willing to invest in providing a higher level of service would depend on the volume of this type of work at that company. Tow companies can

Continued on p. 18 ...

... continued from p. 16 make minimal adjustments to how they handle this type of work or make significant adjustments. Tow companies—such as the network of Official Police Garages in the city of Los Angeles, California, who exclusively tow for LAPD—may be required to take extraordinary precautions to maintain the integrity of forensic evidence and proper documentation.

Tow/Transport The tower should make sure the law enforcement agency provides a properly documented condition and inventory report for the vehicle.

The tow company invoice should be properly documented, including whether the vehicle was transported on a flatbed or towed with a wheel-lift and tow dollies, whether it was towed or transported from front or back, and how a vehicle was tied down or towed. Drivers should document the times on their invoice to provide a record that may collaborate that the

18 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

vehicle was taken directly from the scene to the storage facility.

Special handling should be applied to the tow or transport of an evidencehold vehicle to avoid contamination of any evidence. (I recommend transporting over towing whenever possible.)

If towing, the vehicle should be placed on tow dollies. Tow operators should avoid moving anything and minimize contact with the vehicle. If something has to be moved, get authorization from the investigating officer first.

Avoid touching areas that may be prime locations for finger or palm prints, such as door handles, radio knobs, rearview mirror, steering wheel and gear shifter. Wear latex gloves, a facemask and shoe covers, and use seat covers, steering wheel covers and plastic floor mats to reduce the potential for contamination. Don’t talk, cough or sneeze in the vehicle.

Discuss your intended towing, loading and tie-down methods with the investigating officer first so they have an opportunity to provide input

that might aid in their investigation.

Use the same driver, or at least limit how many drivers tow or transport the vehicle and keep documentation of each.

The ability to provide an enclosed transport can be a big benefit, especially in inclement weather that may compromise trace evidence. A tarp-covered flatbed, an enclosed trailer or even a custom-built crate can be utilized.

Audio and video equipment on the tow or transport vehicle makes for excellent documentation.

Storage Facility Evidence-hold vehicles should be stored in a secured, dry and cool indoor storage facility with controlled, limited access as well as signage and video surveillance. Restrict access to the vehicle to as-needed only, with secure approval from the law enforcement agency before allowing access.

Document all persons who have been allowed access to the vehicle including

Continued on p. 20 ...

Protecting as much of the vehicle from contamination is essential for vehicles being held for further investigation.

... continued from p. 18 photo ID, date, time, reason and duration access was allowed.

A property room and secure lockers may be required to store valuables or personal property that is pertinent to the case that is contained in the stored vehicle. Be sure to obtain written authorization from the law enforcement agency before removing any items from the vehicle. Security sealed bags should be used and crossreferenced to the vehicle.

Some tow companies provide all the tools that may be needed for investigators to utilize, such as hand tools, a floor jack, creeper, latex gloves, facemasks and drop light.

Keep files on all your employees with documentation on background checks, financial checks, employment history, drug and alcohol testing and training.

Provide refresher training periodically for employees to ensure compliance with company policies, procedures and guidelines. Make sure employees understand the importance of not disturbing or contaminating evidence and proper documentation.

Provide training on the use of all the 20 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

The ability to provide an enclosed transport can be a big benefit in protecting trace evidence.

appropriate equipment to avoid contamination and proper procedures for towing and storage.

Make sure you are in compliance with all law enforcement agreement requirements including proper written documentation.

Tow companies that want to or are required to protect evidence-hold vehicles have to go the extra mile to ensure

everything that can be done will be done and to ensure that the tow and storage process does not compromise potentially critical evidence.

Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 40plus years of light-duty towing and recovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 21

Danger Lurks in Clandestine Drug Labs

Towers should be aware of what characteristics to look for if they are called to tow or transport a clandestine lab (or suspect a vehicle is one). visitalbuquerque.org image.

by Randall C. Resch

W

hen towing older motorhomes, how many of you think “meth lab” long before you think motorhome? If your company impounds vehicles suspected of being clandestine drug labs, you need to know their inherent dangers prior to towing; it could be life-saving to you, a responding tow operator, or other personnel once the vehicle is stored at your facility.

The first clue of the danger is when you arrive at an impound location and there are multiple fire units, one huge hazmat truck and the area’s crawling with rubber-suited firefighters resembling astronauts. In America’s war on drugs, clandestine labs are in virtually every city and town. Any vehicle that rolls (or that’s parked) can contain the 22 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

makings of illegal drugs, and that poses immediate dangers to responding tow operators.

When it comes to the dangers and challenges in responding to those routine calls that aren’t routine at all, exposure to a toxic clandestine lab could cause tow operators great bodily injury or deadly harm.

Let’s say your dispatch office receives a private tow request to relocate an old, 1970s Dodge Commander 24’ motorhome that’s long been parked behind a residence in a crumbling part of the city. You know the drill; it sounds relatively simple and should be easy money. You arrive at the street address only to observe a residence where … something’s not quite right.

Clandestine Labs As towers, we know that the motoring public utilizes automobiles and trucks as a means to get from point A to point B on a daily basis. As the public goes about their daily errands, however, there’s another, criminal, element that uses vehicles, large and small, to conduct illegal operations and activities. One such activity is the manufacture and transport of illegal drugs and narcotics that are home-cooked or produced illegally in cars and trucks.

While it shouldn’t be our business what owners do with their vehicles, what we don’t know can get us hurt or killed. Most commonly, tow companies serving law enforcement respond to impounds where vehicles

Continued on p. 24 ...

... continued from p. 22 could be active, rolling clandestine laboratories manufacturing methamphetamine, crack cocaine or other drugs. If that’s the case, it’s our business to know what we’re getting in to.

What’s that Smell?

The definition of clandestine laboratory is “a place or operation where preparation of illegal substances take place.” These “labs” are typically used to manufacture drugs or explosives; sometimes even biological or chemical weapons. Tow operators typically are called to tow or transport these vehicles for impound, and they could be carrying dangerous and explosive chemicals or components. The threats posed by clandestine labs include fire, explosion, poison gases, booby traps and chemical contamination from hazmat.

When it comes to cooking methamphetamines, more than one clandestine lab has ended in fire and explosion.

Towers should be aware of what characteristics to look for if they are called

to tow or transport a clandestine lab (or suspect a vehicle is one).

In the world of clandestine operations, stereotypical vehicles might be a rickety, vintage motorhome or trailer of low value. When called to tow vehicles like these, a solid clue is any strong odors upon arrival. The process of cooking produces odors similar to nail polish remover, bleach, ether, cat urine and, especially, rotten eggs. There may be partially full, plastic soda containers or leaks that resemble unusually large amounts of anti-freeze, drain cleaners, campfire starter or lighter fluid. Be wary of any nearby coffee filters with strange residues, car batteries (with tops off) that have likely been stripped, duct tape and glass beakers.

Cook stations may include containers filled with bright purple or red powders and crystals. Look for red or purple stains. Other physical identifiers might include visible lengths of rubber or steel hoses running in various locations, including generators and extension cords.

One obvious and outward sign is

a series of unusual vents or rooftop breathers used to vent toxic air. Danger: This area is definitely off-limits to smoking.

When it comes to motorhomes, some exterior clues include multiple deadbolts on the entry doors, underfloor leaks and windows blacked out with paint or aluminum foil.

Rolling labs may be outfitted with booby traps causing physical harm to those attempting to enter without the owner’s permission. Watch for tripwires, precariously balanced items above entry doorways, and protruding (somewhat hidden) knives, blades or sharpened objects sticking out about waist level.

Use extreme caution if called to tow motorhomes or trailers with these physical and visual identifiers. Vapors and fumes from clandestine labs and their byproducts are highly toxic and can cause a huge host of physical injuries to lungs, eyes, skin, liver, kidneys and cause long-term damage.

Injuries like these typically occur through inhalation and skin absorption. Preparing a vehicle for load or transport should never begin until law enforcement, fire department, or hazmat teams have deemed the vehicle safe to move.

As a vehicle is raised to tow-level height, stacked and non-secured bottles or containers of dangerous liquids could tip, break or spill, causing liquids to vaporize and explode. This demands firefighters or hazmat teams declare the vehicle all clear before being raised and towed. Fire departments and hazmat teams have proper training, breathing apparatuses, clothing and expertise in handling clandestine labs. If exposed to chemical or fluid spills, seek immediate emergency care.

I recommend that towers never enter these environments for any reason. If shifting the vehicle’s transmission to neutral is needed, don’t enter the motorhome; instead, disconnect the driveshaft (dropping transmission linkages from the underside could be equally dangerous.)

Continued on p. 26 ...

24 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

... continued from p. 24 From the undersides, always be aware of wet markings on the pavement or dried, crystalized powders where dangerous chemicals have leaked through the motorhome’s floor.

Wear heavy clothing with long sleeves, gloves, hats and eye protection.

Danger Lurks In a best-case scenario, the fire department’s hazmat team will have secured and removed dangerous fluids and chemicals prior to tow or movement. Most likely, the vehicle will then be ordered towed or transported to a storage facility where its put into impound with a hold for law enforcement. If hazmat is on scene, ask them to disconnect the battery cables while they are suited up.

Regardless to the type of investigation or release requirements, there still exists the potential for fire or other harm during the time the vehicle is impounded. Once the vehicle arrives at the tow facility, store it away from structures and other build-

26 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

ings due to concerns for fire by spontaneous combustion. Tow operators are reminded to clearly mark the vehicle’s windshield and entry doors with notes to indicate (in large letters), HAZMAT, DO NOT ENTER, KEEP OUT, etc. Treat this vehicle as though it were an evidence hold. (For more on evidence-hold tows and storage, see Tow Boss column on page 16.)

During the vehicle’s life as a clandestine lab, it’s probable that dangerous or caustic fluids have leaked or spilled onto the interior carpet … repeatedly. If windows are closed, vapors can remain inside the interior.

Once the motorhome or trailer is parked, there’s no reason to re-enter its interior. Doing so may result in an inhalation injury. Whenever the vehicle’s hold is released by the impounding agency, it’s best to keep company employees from entering.

Most likely, a vehicle impounded as a clandestine lab won’t be picked up by its owner for obvious reasons beyond ability to pay. If the vehicle goes the full route of lien sale, let the

vehicle air out before going inside. In the several clandestine lab vehicles I’ve dealt with, they’ve all been junked. (I believe there is a responsibility not to sell such a vehicle.)

There are considerable risks associated with the towing, transport and storage of vehicles impounded as clandestine labs. I recommend that tow companies hold periodic safety training on the dangers of responding to vehicles designated as clandestine labs; a great source of topic-specific training could be through a partnership with your local fire or police departments.

Every clandestine lab, active or not, has potential to cause great bodily injury or death. Being aware of their inherent dangers prior to responding is a tower’s best scenario.

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek.com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.

Ground Up From the

Pantusa Towing Grows by Leaps and Bounds in San Antonio

The Pantusa’s have made regular truck payments a part of their business plan.

“No Pantusa trucks will show anywhere more than two years old,” Ryan Pantusa said.

by Brendan Dooley

P

antusa Towing in San Antonio, Texas, is a young company that has quickly grown since its unorthodox beginnings in February of 2016. Started by husband and wife Ryan and Dorian Pantusa, along with Ryan’s longtime best friend Casey Alvis, none of the three had ever operated a tow truck before flying to Tennessee to pick up their first DualTech flatbed.

They didn’t even have CDLs at the outset of the company. When Ryan

28 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

and Dorian arrived, Dual-Tech’s John Ryan had to show them the ins and outs of operating the truck and some basics on hooking up vehicles.

Now, two years later, the company has grown to full 24/7 service with 11 trucks—nine Dual-Tech flatbeds on Freightliner M2 (2), Ford F-550 (3) and RAM 5500 (3) chassis, one Hino/Century LCG and one RAM 5500/Chevron 408T self-loader—10 drivers and two dispatchers.

Casey was the only driver in the

beginning, dispatching his own calls, with the company running five days a week. Now he has morphed into the company general manager primarily responsible for account sales, receivables and pitching in with dispatch where needed.

Prior to getting that first truck and cash call, Ryan worked for Nationwide Insurance, Dorian was a registered nurse and Casey was in car sales and had a dealership background.

“I grew up around entrepreneurs.

At the company’s 2017 Christmas party.

Pictured (from left) are Dorian Pantusa (front), Melissa Martinez, Ryan Pantusa, Casey Alvis (seated), Joe Fuentes, Gabriel Howard, and Jose Rodriguez.

Dorian has an entrepreneurial spirit.

Casey has an entrepreneurial background,” Ryan said.

“I had written several towing policies and saw how high the policies were and what the towers were willing to pay,” he said. “So I thought they must be making a lot of money if they are willing to pay all these premiums.”

That led to a couple years of research for the couple, looking into what kind of equipment they’d need, researching rates and how to get jobs and “stay busy.” They didn’t tow a car or do any ridealongs in that time, but they did read American Towman Magazine and frequent TowIndustryWeek.com and Tow411.com (now TowForce.net).

“I know the stereotypical tow company starts with an experienced tow operator that decides to start out on their own. … I wanted to apply my college background and business experience to a towing business,” Ryan said. “I saw there was another way to be successful.”

Rapid Growth “We reached out to John Ryan at Dual-Tech in 2016 when we were looking to buy our first tow truck,” Ryan said. “He was the only person who was willing to help us out … find financing and get us in a truck.

We went from putting in a credit application to flying out to Tennessee to get a tow truck in a week.

That’s where it started.

“When we got it, we had nothing. … No business yet, no clients yet; not even a CDL.” (Of course shortly thereafter they were licensed and certified through TDLR and all had taken training with Bobby Tuttle.)

“So we had the truck and Casey and took the leap,” Dorian said.

“Ryan and I worked on ads and getting people to call us. We averaged five calls a day to start. Not tows, but just calls to the business. We were excited.”

They built the business primarily from advertising on social media

Continued on p. 30 ...

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 29

... continued from p. 29 and using Google AdWords; they started building out more SEO on their website within a month or so.

“Calls started to trickle in and we gained more calls,” Dorian said. “We got enough calls to consider hiring someone to help Casey who was running all the calls.” That’s while they were still five days a week, no nights or weekends.

“We talked with a neighbor who was a business consultant to large retailers,” Ryan said. He suggested there was better ROI on the truck to run it 24/7 vs. 12-hour days.

“We added driver hours and hired a night operator,” Ryan said. “We expanded our hours for three weeks and realized we could add another truck.”

They again reached out to DualTech. So after buying their first Ford F-550/Dual-Tech 19.5’ flatbed in February, they were picking up a mediumduty 12,000-lbs. Freightliner M2/ Dual-Tech 23’ flatbed on April 1.

“We’d seen that we couldn’t get everything on that 19.5’ truck,” Ryan said. “Dual-Tech got us in quickly and financed again and we were so happy.

“From there things really picked up … fast. We got our call acceptance up with the motor clubs to increase volume. We were barely keeping up with two trucks plus running at night. …

“So then we went from April with two trucks to June and adding a third truck into play. So Casey was still doing dispatch on the go, answering calls for himself and two other drivers during the day, and then had the one driver going at night.”

During this rapid ascent, they were using Towbook Management Software to track calls and payments.

“We wanted to make sure we had every call in line and every job recorded,” Ryan said. “That was a critical piece of our success.”

“We couldn’t have grown as fast without being able to visually see the numbers—the calls and the jobs we were doing and the numbers they were bringing in—really helped us identify the need for more people and more trucks [as we grew],” Dorian said.

30 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

“We now have an established pattern where we know how much each truck needs to make in order to make us money,” Ryan said. “Break it down monthly how much each is supposed to make.

“No Pantusa trucks will show

We expanded our hours for three weeks and realized we could add another truck. anywhere more than two years old.

We don’t want to show up to a broken-down car with a beat-up tow truck. We’re here to save them, not make them suffer,” he said. “We’ve embraced the idea that the trucks will never be paid off. Payments are just the cost of doing business and it works out really well for us actually.”

Motor Clubs Pantusa Towing focuses on motor clubs, cash calls and commercial clients and some private-property impound (commercial properties only). Ryan estimates they get about 60 percent of business from the clubs.

“Coming from insurance, I had a vast knowledge of motor clubs,” Ryan said. “I was a Nationwide agent and worked with Agero. I knew they also worked with Progressive, Farmers, etc. and we needed to get signed up with them.”

Now the company is primary or secondary with AAA, Agero, GEICO, Gerber National Claims Services, NSD, Pinnacle, Quest, Road America and USAC-MD. “The motor clubs were 100-percent essential to growing our business,” Ryan said. “Without the volume from the clubs, we wouldn’t have our trucks running.”

He said it’s not about the individual money from call to call, but overall view.

“I think a lot of companies will evaluate their costs. ‘What does it cost

me to have an employee in the truck, turn the key and run this tire change that's 20 miles away?’ If you’re breaking it down to where you have to look at every single call and whether you’ve made a profit on it, you’ll be spinning your wheels,” Ryan said.

“What it comes down to is, at the end of the month, are all the bills paid and there is so much left in the bank account? Then we made a profit. It’s as simple as that. If you do that three months over, you’re doing something right. If you’re losing money for three months in a row, then you’re doing something wrong.”

If you break everything down by individual call and figure you’re not going to make money on this one call and you reject it, you’re not going to get that $300 call where they need you for a 90-mile tow next time.”

They also credit their growth to treating their customers the right way, whether cash or motor club calls.

“When Casey was taking the calls, he was a seasoned salesperson who could help and knew how to sell the individual cash calls as well as local accounts. … It helped, Ryan said.

“We really care about the customer, the person that’s calling in,” Dorian added. “When you look at our social media reviews, you’re going to see five stars—and it’s not just like 12 reviews, it’s 50 reviews. …

“We really care about taking care of the customer and going above and beyond. To get referrals is an amazing help. … Whenever our customers call, we introduce ourselves by name so they know who they’re talking to. Our drivers call them to say they’re on the way, give ETAs. Customers appreciate that.

“Now we get lots of calls based on our reviews,” she said.

“Spend your energy on your business and where you want to go,” Ryan said. “Focus on you.”

Editor Brendan Dooley joined AT in January 2011 after serving as the editor of two magazines covering the auto repair industry for shop owners, techs and tool distributors. His experience includes hard news on daily newspapers and editorial leadership at vintage motorcycle and car magazines. Brendan is WreckMaster 6/7A certified.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 31

Texas, Minnesota Recognize Spirit Ride’s Efforts on Move Over The American Towman Spirit Ride, currently making its way through the great wide west, was recognized for its importance by two states during stops in June: Minnesota and Texas.

First, on June 1, a resolution signed

by State Rep. John Cyrier of Texas’ 17th District, was presented at the Spirit Ride ceremony hosted by A&A Wrecker in Austin.

The resolution honored American Towman Magazine and the Spirit Ride for traveling “to raise awareness of Move Over laws and to honor those first responders, tow truck drivers, and roadside workers who have lost their lives along public roadways.

“Be it resolved, that the 2018 Spirit Ride be commemorated and that its Austin sponsors and participants be extended sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable event.”

Next, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed June 13, 2018, to be

32 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Slow Down, Move Over Awareness Day in the state.

“Whereas: First responders, law enforcement officers, Emergency Medical Services professionals, and tow truck drivers face tremendous dangers on our roadways,” the proclamation said, in part, in recognizing the Spirit Ride’s efforts.

A resolution from the Texas House of Representatives honors the Spirit Ride efforts.

The Minnesota governor’s proclamation that set June 13 as Slow Down, Move Over Awareness Day in the state.

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Mucky Recovery Vulcan Resets Vulcan for 2017 Donnie Cruse Recovery Award

Soil conditions were soft and muddy as a result of the unusually mild January temperatures.

Below: As the operator was driving into position, the Vulcan 882 got stuck with the driver’s side door facing the front of the GMC casualty.

By Josh Wedel Dewey’s Service; Beloit, Wisconsin

O

n Jan. 24, 2017, Dewey’s Service received a call to recover a 2005 GMC Top Kick. The driver had taken the truck behind a building and got stuck.

Soil conditions were soft and muddy as a result of the unusually mild January temperatures coupled with significant rainfall during the previous week.

We dispatched a 2007 Chevy 3500/Vulcan 882 to the scene and upon arrival, I performed a walk

38 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

around of the property. Due to the location of the GMC, I determined that I could winch the GMC out, but he would have to drive back onto the soft soil.

Knowing how soft the conditions were; I requested our Vulcan V-30 with anticipation that I might also get stuck.

The casualty was mired at the tire level and instead of waiting for the larger recovery vehicle to arrive, I calculated the resistance to be overcome.

Continued on p. 40 ...

*The Donnie Cruse Recovery Award is presented by American Towman Magazine and WreckMaster.

co-sponsored by B/A Products and AW Direct.

A V-30 arrived and winched the 882 out of the muck so it could turn around and use a two-part line to finish the job.

... continued from p. 38 The static weight of the GMC was 12,320 lbs. but the casualty was on a 10-degree downhill slope; therefore the gradient resistance of the weight going downhill could be subtracted from the resistance created from being stuck in the mud.

Surface resistance was calculated at 9,241 lbs. and gradient resistance was calculated at 2,055 lbs. After subtracting the gradient resistance, the pull required would be 7,186 lbs.

It was determined that the Vulcan 882 on scene would be able to handle the recovery.

The GMC had to be winched out towards the rear of the yard where con40 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

The GMC had to be winched out towards the rear of the yard where conditions were even more saturated. ditions were even more saturated. As the operator was driving into position, the Vulcan 882 in fact got stuck with the driver’s side door facing the front of the GMC casualty.

The front push bumper was in line with the front bumper of the GMC and the distance between the two trucks was approximately 75’. This required an additional two sections of 100’ synthetic line to be installed in the four-part layup.

I rotated the sheave head around and ran a 3/8” line to the front of the GMC. I installed a four-part layup using both sections of synthetic rope and three snatch blocks.

It was determined that the two trailers beside the GMC needed to be moved, so the winch line was released to allow a Kawasaki Mule to gain access.

The GMC was winched forward

Continued on p. 42 ...

The GMC was winched forward until both of the synthetic extensions could be removed.

... continued from p. 40 until both of the synthetic extensions could be removed. I then installed a three-part line and continued winching.

While the recovery was being performed, the V-30 arrived on scene. We

42 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

disconnected all of the rigging and the V-30 was used to winch the Vulcan 882 back onto solid ground.

The Vulcan 882 turned around and backed into the rear yard onto solid ground.

Now that the GMC was no longer

mired at tire depth, we installed a twopart line and winched it out the rest of the way.

WreckMaster said this recovery was selected because of its unique circumstances and out-of-the-box thinking.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 43

Miller Industries recently hosted its largest-attended Ring Leaders rotator course since the program began in 2005.

Miller’s ‘Ring Leaders’ Course Grows Miller Industries (millerind.com) recently hosted its Ring Leaders rotator course to the largest attendance yet. The company began offering the product familiarization course for the design, maintenance and recovery techniques of rotators in 2005.

Until recently, the course was held at the International Towing and Recovery Museum in Chattanooga,

44 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Tennessee. However, the company said demand has grown to a point where they had to seek out a larger venue.

“It’s encouraging to see the eagerness of so many towing and recovery operators willing to learn through our Ring Leaders course,” said John Hawkins, Miller VP of heavy-duty wrecker sales. “In just one year’s time,

we have doubled the capacity of our bi-annual course from 80 to 160 students.”

Miller plans to offer another Ring Leaders course this fall. *** Miller also recently donated more than $10,000 to the Wall of the Fallen Survivor Fund, closing out the company’s 2017 WeTow campaign (wetow.org). The Survivor Fund helps to support the families of towers who are killed in the line of duty.

The WeTow campaign aimed to raise awareness of the towing community’s support for the many charities across the nation, as well as the good deeds towers provide within the communities they serve. Through the sale of custom tow hook bracelets, Miller raised awareness of six national organizations: Susan G. Komen, DAVDisabled American Veterans, The Miracle League, Shriners Children’s Hospital, International Towing Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Survivor Fund.

AT ShowPlace-Vegas Surpasses 2017 Show The sixth annual American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas, which took place May 9-12 at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a huge success. Towmen flocked from all corners of the country and the show floor crowds were robust throughout the show.

Three live recovery demos by Miller Industries, JerrDan and NRC were just part of the highlights of the threeday event. The seminar program offered each day at the Expo extended from the classroom to the big stage, as hundreds took advantage of the conferences and the heavyduty hands-on training by WreckMaster.

“With American Towman’s input and assistance in getting these training events going, it allows operators, owners and individuals to come to one central location and participate in a number of training events,” said WreckMaster’s Don Cerovski, who, along with Bruce Campbell, led WreckMaster’s 12-hour training class.

The California Tow Truck Association also held its annual convention in conjunction with the American Towman ShowPlace for the second straight year, highlighted by the annual CTTA Industry Leaders and Awards Night.

“It’s been incredible. We couldn’t be happier with the way the Awards Night has gone,” said Eric Gould of CTTA. “You know I usually judge a show by how long it takes me to get through the aisles to my booth and it takes

46 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Record numbers of attendees checked out the wares from 170 exhibitors during the AT ShowPlace-Vegas in May.

me forever [there]; that’s a good sign.”

The show concluded May 12 with the Police Towers of America three-hour conference, which featured addresses from President Ron Myers, Past President John Borowski, retired Col. Ken Moerckel and Joe Hollabough, executive director of the Association of Professional Towers-Ohio.

D.J. Harrington served as the master of ceremonies. The highly-anticipated revised National Rotation Standard was released at the conference.

“We had 170 exhibitors and sold out the floor and we have had a tremendous response by everybody,” said AT Expositions President Henri “Doc” Calitri. “Everybody seems to be extremely pleased with the way the show has gone.”

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 47

VTS Systems Adds Towing Vet VTS Systems (vts-systems.com), a towing software company based in Magnolia, Texas, recently added Lisa Perez as a sales and software licensing executive. She holds a state Incident Management towing and recovery license, in addition to those issued by the city of Houston, and Harris County.

“Lisa brings a lifetime of industry knowledge, and truly relates to the forthcoming changes facing today’s family-owned towing and vehicle-storage businesses, whether they be in Texas or across North America,” said Nigel Pestell, Senior Partner, Business Development for VTS Systems.

“It is not just about software, the VTS Systems team understands the industry, and stays on top of the ever-changing rules,” Perez said.

Kalyn Siebert Earns Plant Safety Award Kalyn Siebert (KalynSiebert.com) recently received the Plant Safety Award from the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association. TTMA recognized Kalyn Siebert’s manufacturing facility in Gatesville, Texas, as the Most Improved in the Truck Trailer Division in 2017.

The ISO-certified facility spans 260,000-sq.-ft. across 31 acres and has an annual capacity of more than 1,000 units.

“We are honored to receive our first TTMA Plant Safety Award and will continue to focus on improving our safety performance, working toward creating an injury-free workplace,” said Jake Radish, Kalyn Siebert president.

The TTMA awards are given annually based on plant safety data from TTMA member companies that provide their annual OSHA 300A Summary Form. It is the same data used by the National Safety Council and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

48 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Doll Encourages Girls to Drive The Women In Trucking Association (womenintrucking.org) and HABA USA (habausa.com) recently introduced a plush doll that “encourages girls to drive their own dreams.” Clare, the truck driver doll, stands 13” tall and features an official Women in Trucking cap and an “I Heart Trucking” T-shirt. Packaging shares the story of her journey into the driver’s seat of her own truck by attending the National Transportation Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The doll is the brainchild of Ellen Voie, founder/CEO of Women In Trucking, a nonprofit group that encourages the employment of women in the trucking industry.

“The world is wide open for girls today and I’m thrilled to be providing a toy that tells them that whatever they want to be is just great—whether that’s a teacher or an ad exec or a professional driver,” Voie said.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 49

The Ride Continues to Score Media Coverage

by Steve Calitri

B

y year’s end, the Spirit Ride will have scored TV news coverage with more than 150 local-market stations, at times saturating an area through coverage by multiple stations in one night. The Ride will have racked up nearly 1,000 articles appearing in print and on the Internet.

The Ride is succeeding in its mission to bring awareness of the Move Over law to millions of motorists. The Spirit casket and ensuing processions have passed by an estimated 1 million motorists on the road. Add another million who have watched it on social media. All told, some 20 million motorists are getting the Spirit Ride’s message.

72 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

The Spirit Ride has earned its way into American folklore, its story passing by word of mouth alone among first responders around the nation.

There has never been anything like it, honoring the work they do and the risks they take, or paying tribute to the fallen who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Ride has been led by American Towman Magazine and the grassroots efforts of thousands of towers.

The backbone of the Ride has been the relay station, 300 of them spread across the country. Those companies organized participation for the Ride, bringing together all the first responders: police, fire, emergency medical

and towing services. Their efforts have been backed by American Towman’s call to towers and the media.

The Ride has had many heartwarming stories along the way. Little leaguers taking a knee as the procession passed, firefighters raising the American flag high and saluting Spirit. The times Mike and Ilce Corbin have gone food shopping only to be flagged down by someone who saw the Ride on the afternoon or nightly news, or watched it live on Facebook.

“Hey, you’re the folks with the Spirit Ride,” they exclaim. That alone to the Corbins was reward enough for the day’s hard work.

The Spirit Ride ceremony was staged at the State Capitol Building in St Paul, Minnesota.

The Spirit Ride Needs Your Help!

Towing’s Greatest Campaign Needs Everyone Pitching In

by D.J. Harrington

W

hen I received Steve Calitri’s heartfelt email, “The Spirit Ride really needs your help!”, I knew that I had to do my part for the Spirit Ride. People my age write checks, so I didn’t click on the link inside the email to donate. Instead, I checked out the website, and it’s easy to contribute with just a click or two on a mobile device.

If I can give the kid across the street from me $100 for his high school graduation, then I can certainly contribute $100 to help keep the Spirit Ride going. I’m sure you feel the same way as I do. At my first-hand experience with the Spirit Ride, I could tell Mike and Ilce Corbin put lots of sweat and tears into each event. I am sure they’ve contributed much of their own money toward educating the public Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

about the importance of the Move Over law. As towers, we need to help.

The last time I was up in Athens, Georgia, I contributed $40 towards gas so they could keep the Spirit Ride going to the next location. Though it was a smaller amount, I know everything received helps. Today, my check has been made out to AT Spirit Ride, a 501(c)3. Thanks goes to American Towman for reminding me how important contributions are to keep the Spirit Ride on the road. Are you really aware how important it is to keep this experience alive? It’s important to your safety.

It’s summer. Everyone is busy with vacations, work and spending valuable time with family while children and grandchildren are not in school.

Spirit Ride is an important program that many of us would benefit from if

we took only one day to see what the Ride is all about. It’s important to our towing industry. Our families would benefit from seeing it too. The Spirit Ride is pulling people together for the safety of essential first responders, police, firefighters, EMS and towers like never before.

I’ve personally seen how competing towers in the same community can work together by putting aside competition and petty differences for a bigger cause by creating driver awareness of the Move Over law.

Whenever possible, I tell people— including my audiences at conventions all over this country—that first responders are being struck, injured or killed while working the roadside and that 60 percent of them are towers.

They usually are surprised. Spreading the word is good, but it isn’t enough.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 73

TV camera crews find much visual value in the Spirit Ride ceremonies.

The Move Over law can prevent some of these accidents as motorists become more aware. Unfortunately, statistics show that 70 percent of the motoring public is unaware of the Move Over law. The Spirit Ride event

is making a huge difference in public awareness. Awareness through television, radio and social media is definitely helping to spread the word. As the Spirit Ride passes through towns and cities across the country, it brings

the emotional story to local communities and families while at the same time creating public awareness of this very important law.

There is a by-product from these ceremonies. Yes, I know more than

double diamond

Contribute to the Spirit Ride at www.ATSpiritRide.com

Founding Sponsors

74 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

5,000 tow companies have already shown up to draw attention to this crisis, but they’re also helping to provide a solution. I can testify that once the ceremony is over, the police, firemen and EMS look differently at the job that tow operators do. They have a bigger appreciation, more respect and, may I say, “deep admiration” for what towers do day-in and day-out.

I have watched the firefighters walk over to towers to give them a pat on the back for having safely freed a trapped person during a dangerous accident removal.

Everyone leaves safely. At that moment, there’s an immediate appreciation of a well-trained tower and all four groups learn from it. All of them are part of the team, dangling on that white line, wanting to return home to the families they love.

It’s now time to do more. If you can, thanks for writing a check now. You can also go online to AT Spirit Ride and click on “Sponsor the Spirit Ride” or contribute by becoming a “Friend of the Spirit Ride.” On their Facebook page, you can donate as little as $5; every amount helps. I encourage you to get involved. You’ll be glad you did.

It’s with sincere thanks and a grateful heart to all the host towing companies that have participated so far. The Spirit Ride wouldn’t exist without our help and continued support. This is the second year the Ride is traveling the country, raising awareness of Move Over. Thank yous go to the police, firemen, EMS and all the towers who have partic-

Donations help support the Spirit Ride’s media outreach.

ipated and escorted the Spirit casket around their cities. I’m proud of you and wish every driver safe travels so you can return home tonight to love your family that God gave you.

See you next time.

D.J. Harrington is known to many as the "Tow Doctor." A sought-after motivational speaker for many Fortune 500 companies, D.J. has served the towing industry through countless seminars and articles.

AMERICAN TOWMAN

Anonymous

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 75

The hand shake among Spirit Riders relaying the casket is a Spirit Ride tradition, symbolic of this great cooperative effort.

Pictured lower left, Spirit Ride stops traffic through Iowa as motorists get out of their cars in a gesture of tribute.

AMERICAN TOWMAN

76 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

AMERICAN TOWMAN

GPS Tracking provided by:

Spirit Ride Schedule through September 12, 2018

Join the Spirit Ride processions. For the exact site of the ceremony and procession start-point contact the Relay Station.

07/07/18 07/09/18 07/10/18 07/11/18 07/12/18 07/13/18 07/14/18 07/17/18 07/18/18 07/19/18 07/20/18 07/21/18 07/24/18 07/24/18 07/25/18 07/26/18 07/27/18 07/28/18 08/02/18 08/02/18 08/03/18 08/03/18 08/04/18 08/07/18 08/08/18 08/09/18 08/10/18 08/11/18 08/11/18 08/14/18

09:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 10:00 am 11:00am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am

Denver Grand Junction Green River Salt Lake City Green River Pocatello Blackfoot Whitehall Great Falls Butte Dilon Twin Falls Boise Nampa Ontario Baker City Pasco Cle Elum Longview Vancoyver Portland Salem Roseburg Winston Anderson Williams Sacramento W. Sacramento Woodland Fairfield

CO CO UT UT WY ID ID MT MT MT MT ID ID ID OR OR WA WA WA WA OR OR OR OR CA CA CA CA CA CA

Shaun Healy Kim Hobscherdt Michael Silliman Ted Sterling Sheridan Norberg Scott Briley Kacey Redmond/Asher Ronald Fuller Joe Benski John Richards Brandon/Toree Turney Jody Revai Lee Bellemare T.J Biggers Sharon Taylor Justin Merritt Dustin Jaeger Thomas Willette Gerald Marston Butch Stone David Reichert Mike Akers Richard Chitwood Gary Provencal Sean Perry Joel Sanders Joseph Krause Dayna Devencenzi Andie/Javier Altamiro Jeff Ramirez

The Spirit Ride continues through the Western States, the Northwest and California.

Go to ATSpiritRide.com for complete schedule.

Shaun's Towing Dan’stowing & Ace Towing S & S Garage & Service Adams Towing Norberg Towing Stans Pro Tows Rack Towing & Recovery Whitehall Body Shop Benski Towing & Recovery Red Wrecker Turney Repair & Towing Marky's Super Tow Abyss Towing Crossroads Towing Roadrunner Towing Superior Towing Pinkie Tow Willette's Towing Christian Brother's Pacific Towing Speed's Towing Mike's Towing Joe's Towing and Recovery Kokua Towing All Car and Truck Towing Sanders Heavy Towing Eagle Towing Mama's Towing Citizens Towing & Impound Jeff Ramirez Towing

08/14/18 08/15/18 08/15/18 08/16/18 08/16/18 08/17/18 08/17/18 08/21/18 08/21/18 08/22/18 08/22/18 08/23/18 08/23/18 08/24/18 08/24/18 08/25/18 08/25/18 08/28/18 08/28/18 08/29/18 08/30/18 08/31/18 08/31/18 09/05/18 09/06/18 09/06/18 09/07/18 09/08/18 09/11/18 09/12/18

02:00 pm 10:00 am 12:00 pm 10:00 am 12:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 1:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 02:00 pm 09:30 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 02:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 02:00 pm 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am

Napa CA Santa Rosa CA Novato CA San Rafael CA Richmond CA Vallejo CA Antioch CA Concord CA Livermore CA Modesto CA Gilroy CA Salinas CA Soledad CA Simi Valley CA Torrance CA Santa Ana CA OceanSide CA Indio CA Twentynine Palms CA Hesperia CA North Las Vegas NV Saint George UT Cedar City UT Blythe CA Phoenix AZ Florence AZ Gallup NM Durango CO Espanola NM Santa Fe NM

Gordy Hanner Alex Berg Marvin Alvarez Claudia Bagshaw Randy Wilcox Rene Shusta Craig Baker Charles Scharff Joe Eldam Billy Myers Elizabeth Bracco Dorothy Perez Elaine Garcia Kevin Koch Robert Van Lingen Mayra Ruiz Rick Johnson Anthony Polston Jaime Zwicker Chris Kelley Jose Norena Sterling Norton Wayne Hall Brandon Johnson Dennis Archer GP Prendergast Freddie Gonzales Elizabeth Krueger Anthony Vander Vossen Robert Anaya

Relay Stations

A & T Towing Cloverdale Tow A&C Towing & Transportation Red Hill Towing Olivers Tow Arrowhead Towing Cupertino Towing All Bay Cities Towing Save Tow Myers Towing Bracco's Towing & Transport P & R Towing Pette's Towing Dave's Towing Service Van Lingen Towing Knight Towing S & R Towing Towmedic Transport David Bailey's Auto Repair Kelley's Towing Big Valley Towing Freedom Towing Mountain Towing & Recovery Ramsey Towing Archers Towing & Recovery Prendergast Towing All Star Towing Basin Towing & Repair Holmes Wrecker Service Anaya's Roadrunner Wrecker

Donate to the Spirit Ride at www.ATSpiritRide.com

Carnaghi Towing & Repair Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 77

‘The Boss Is Back!’

by Mark Lacek

T

his is a story for those thinking about getting into the repo business as well as for those who are in the business now.

There is a man who rises above the normal level of professional stature and competence. A man who has raised the bar to a level we all should work hard to reach. A man I call my friend.

Recently, I had the pleasure of having breakfast with my old friend Rusty Ansel, president/CEO of American Finance Adjusters. (For those of you strictly in the towing business, I consider this an equivalent to having breakfast with Ernest Holmes.)

Since the early 1970s, Rusty has been one of the legends of the repossession industry. As we sat there in a diner in Ocala, Florida, enjoying our salted southern ham and scrambled eggs, we reminisced about the old days and shared assignments, as well as the times when we were tough competitors working to land the same clients.

We discussed when there were no rules for repossessors to follow. No rules, that is, until Rusty, Joe Taylor and a few of their friends decided to do something about the “wild west” repo style in our country. The plan was to have the State of Florida regulate the repossession industry by requiring all those who are in the business become licensed. (I may have left out a few players, but if you go by the license numbers issued in Florida, Rusty’s is one of the first few repossession agency numbers issued.)

What happened after was nothing short of amazing as state after state began to legislate and regulate repossession procedures to protect consumers from unlawful and deceptive practices. Without the efforts and professional influence of Rusty Ansel’s presence in the repossession industry, I shudder to think how this industry would have evolved.

In those early years, Rusty was

78 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

building his repossession empire with offices in Ocala, Hialeah, and Tampa.

For a long time, American Finance Adjusters was the largest repossession agency in the country. Rusty created a business model designed to provide the most professional service to the client while also protecting the consumer.

America’s automobile lenders certainly took notice of AFA’s high standards. It didn’t take long before Rusty was receiving the lion’s share of repossession assignments in Florida. Others in the business had a choice to either rise to AFA’s level of service or get out of the way. As it turns out, most other Florida repossessors followed Rusty’s lead. Before long, every national lender became aware that in Florida, repossessions were done with respect to all rules protecting the consumer.

The success of Rusty’s repossession empire did not happen without a few glitches. As the office locations grew, managers needed constant reminders about the expected quality of service by the client. On a few occasions, management changes resulted due to overzealous employees. Rusty knew though that these were struggles that every growing company deals with as the years go by.

After taking a few years off and relying on his managers to run his offices, Rusty is back at the helm of the company he began years ago. Like the old Gene Ammons album, “The Boss Is Back!”

Alex Price, a friend of mine and the nation’s leading skip-trace expert and instructor (aka The Skip Guru), has known Rusty as long or longer than me. In an email exchange about Rusty’s influence on the repo industry, Price said: “It has been a little over 30 years since I met Rusty Ansel. Asking what Rusty means to the recovery industry is much like asking what Bill Gates or Steve Jobs means to the computer industry. There are a million stories

out there about him, but this is mine.

“It all started when I was asked to speak at the second FALRA event (for those of you too young to know or remember, FALRA was the Florida Association of Licensed Recovery Agents). This group of men and women helped shape the regulations that we follow today, and it was Rusty Ansel and Joe Taylor who sat side-byside with the state of Florida and helped write Chapter 493, which is the state law that governs the recovery industry. …

“I had just finished speaking and was sitting alone for a moment at a table when a mountain of a man stepped up and introduced himself to me. ‘Excuse me, my name is Rusty Ansel. Do you have a quick moment to speak?’

“I thought this would be someone else who would say what an incredible speech I just gave and offer me a business card. … At that time I was over skip charge-offs and agents for World Omni in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Much to my surprise, this gentleman asked me to grab a pen and paper, so he could educate me on everything I was wrong about!

“Little did I know then, I had just sat next to one of the Four Horseman of this industry. I have now had the honor and pleasure of sitting under the learning tree of Rusty all these years later. You see, it was he and the other three members of the horsemen that put me in business and guided me down the path of success and picked me up years later when things crashed.

“There are many who would not be in business today if it were not for the guidance of this gentleman. To the people that work in the state of Florida, next time you see Rusty or Joe Taylor, you can thank them for your access to DMV records. At that time, the Highway Act had just been passed on the federal level which

made it mandatory for each state to restrict access to DMV records to law enforcement only; it was Rusty, Joe and one other who dipped into their own pockets and [financed] a lobbyist to have the industry grandfathered in [to] keep access to this precious information.

“Welcome back, Rusty!”

The repossession business today is an industry seemingly filled with rogue thugs who believe it takes muscle and force to repossess. The idea of repo-by-force couldn’t be further from the truth. I would rather hire a marriage counselor than an ex-bodyguard as a repossessor. If you’re thinking about getting into the repo business with a tough-guy attitude, do yourself and us professionals a favor, and go get a job somewhere else instead as a bouncer.

After a couple years of fishing and traveling the world, Rusty Ansel is back running his repossession offices in Florida. I look forward to how his return to running AFA will

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

benefit repossessors, clients and, most importantly, the consumers.

Thank you, Rusty, for your leadership and inspiration to create a more professional repossession industry.

Repo Editor Mark Lacek authored the Certified Commercial Recovery Agent certification program and has more than 30 years of recovery experience. He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 79

Jail Time for Gun Shots A judge recently found two Union Township, Ohio, men guilty of felonious assault and illegally discharging firearms in a 2017 vehicle repossession attempt.

The judge ordered Eric Brown, 55, and Matthew Naff, 35, taken into custody after reading the verdicts. The men were found guilty of the felony charges along with firearms specifications that accompanied each charge. The firearms specifications call for mandatory prison time.

John Couch was at the Naff house for a vehicle repossession the morning of May 22, 2017. Naff said he thought Couch was attempting to break into the house and fired a 9mm handgun into the ground near him. Brown, who lived in a trailer at the property, came outside with a .22-cal. handgun and shot into the air.

No one was injured.

Source: whio.com.

80 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 81

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631-531-0673 For info please call Craig R. Nadolny “CALL FOR DETAILS” on all units

CALIFORNIA TOW TRUCK ASSOCIATION INTRO TO TOWING

To Advertise In Towman’s Market Call 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com 82 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

The California Tow Truck Assn. presents INTRO TO TOWING. A new 5-part online course for towing beginners and new hires!

Through five videos and corresponding quizzes, operators will learn the basics of towing.

Students will receive a certificate of completion, and company owners are able to track their progress!

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Best Prices in the Industry Maximize your Return On Investment with protective tapes & films Contact Tom Hrynda tom@roiprotectivetape.com

877-445-TAPE (8273) Fax-610-262-4598 www.roiprotectivetape.com Windshield Wrap 36" x 200' roll, No Minimums $50.00, plus extra 5% off for mentioning this ad!

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 83

Winning Wreckers in Vegas

H

ere are the winners of the American Towman Cup pageant from the sixth American Towman ShowPlace-Las

Vegas Expo. The world-class wreckers on display in the area at the South Point Hotel & Casino included a mix of new companies and past winners.

Best of Show 2017 Freightliner M2/2017 Holmes DTU VTTR Today’s Towing Fontana, California

First Place: Car Carrier 2018 Kenworth T880/2018 Century 28’ LCG Hendrickson’s Towing Idaho Falls, Idaho

First Place: Vintage 1947 Chevrolet Loadmaster/Holmes 575E T&M Towing & Hazmat Eugene, Oregon

84 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

First Place: Rotator 2007 Freightliner/2007 Holmes 600R Phoenix Metro Towing Apache Junction, Arizona

First Place: Medium-Duty 2018 Freightliner/2018 Century 4024 Johnson’s Towing Flagstaff, Arizona

First Place: Heavy-Duty Tandem 2018 Peterbilt 389/2018 Jerr-Dan JFB35 G&M Towing Hesperia, California

First Place: Light-Duty, 2017-’18 2017 Ford F-550/2017 Chevron 408V Executive Towing Mesa, Arizona

First Place: Heavy-Duty Single Peterbilt 567/NRC 25CS Eppler’s Towing & Transport Firebaugh, California

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • 85

American Towman Station

by Steve Calitri

F

or its 30-year anniversary, AT Expo is unveiling the American Towman Station. What is it? It celebrates an industry in motion. It was inspired by the Spirit Ride, a beautiful thing to behold for all its moving parts, synchronicity, and its passion.

Never before has the towing industry mobilized as it has with the Spirit Ride. Most days the Ride relays the Spirit casket in two different cities, holds ceremonies and processions in those cities and then travels to pass the casket to the next relay station that evening.

Each ceremony and procession involves dozens of first responders (police, fire, EMS and tow operators and their vehicles). In a given day, 100 to 200 emergency service vehicles will have joined together to honor fallen first responders and parade to raise awareness of the Move Over law. By November of this year, Spirit will have been relayed in 300 cities since the Ride began June 1st of last year.

Spirit Ride will have a presence at the American Towman Station inside the Baltimore Convention Center.

There will be elements of first responders teaming up, safety products related to roadside safety, and industry-famous personages. There will also be the expectancy of arrivals and departures as there is at a train station.

The rest I’ll leave to your imagination.

Roadside safety is more critical to the health of our industry than most tow bosses want to believe. Times have changed. With all the driver distractions and driving under the influence, coupled with a more “tender” society, it’s harder to put someone behind the wheel of a tow truck, and tougher still to keep them there. Having the tools and training for your operators are crucial to the ultimate success of your company.

86 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Fire trucks, firefighters and fire department color guards have had a prominent visual presence at the Spirit Rides. Here the Tampa (Florida) Fire Department Color Guard and Stepps Towing raised the flag.

So we are not just talking about the safety of your operators on the road, but the bottom line of your operation. It’s costing you if you have high turnover of drivers or have trucks sitting for lack of drivers. How can any business owner plan to grow when facing that?

In this challenging industry, tow bosses must never stop looking for solutions and a better way of operating. Tow bosses headed to Dallas for

Tow Expo in August will be looking for allies and answers and, if nothing else, to get away. Taking a muchneeded break from the stress of running an emergency service business should be mandatory. The Gaylord Texan Resort is an ideal place for a summer break.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • NORTH 87

Tow Owners Sentenced for Bribes James Mazzariello Jr., 63, and his son Adam, 38, recently were sentenced to serve 12 months and six months in federal prison respectively for conspiring to pay bribes to Buffalo, New York, police officers.

Between 2009 and 2012, operators at Jim Mazz Auto, owned by Mazzariello Jr. and at the direction of both defendants, made payments to certain Buffalo police officers for assistance in enabling the drivers to tow vehicles damaged in accidents in the city. Operators made payments from their personal funds and were then reimbursed by the defendants.

The investigation examined and substantiated 19 different payments made by Jim Mazz Auto tow truck operators to Buffalo police officers.

Approximately $500 in payments were made to officers while the gross revenue Jim Mazz Auto derived from making such payments totaled $43,022.74. The gross revenue consisted of payments made to Jim Mazz Auto for towing, as well as for mechanical and collision repair work.

Source: stl.news.

Company Loses License for Illegal Tows A Bronx, New York, towing company that hauled away legally parked cars from fast-food restaurant lots for more than three years has lost its license, court records show.

809 Collision’s license was revoked recently when an administrative-law judge ruled in favor of several motorists who had filed complaints with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Judge Faye Lewis found the company regularly performed unlawful tows, inflated fees and refused credit-card payments from its victims, most of whom were legally parked in fast-food restaurant lots.

Twenty-one people filed claims against the company. Messages left with phone numbers listed for 809 Collision went unanswered.

Source: nypost.com.

NORTH 88 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • NORTH 89

Detroit Towing Battle Flares Anew The long-running battle over police towing operations in Detroit, Michigan, rekindled recently after the city suspended three tow companies that allegedly have ties to towing magnate Gasper Fiore.

City officials suspended Javion & Sam’s, Gene’s Towing and B&G Towing from the tow rotation after Detroit Inspector General James Heath wrote a letter to Mayor Mike Duggan alleging the firms were secretly owned by Fiore.

The city also prohibited three other tow firms it says are tied to Fiore from obtaining contracts: E&G, Troy Abans and City Wide.

Although Fiore’s name isn’t formally associated with any of the companies, Detroit officials allege he is the shadow owner. The people whose names are listed with the state as proprietors of the suspended and barred firms insist Fiore isn’t involved.

“Gasper Fiore advocated on behalf of Javion & Sam’s, Gene’s and B&G in connection with the bribe he paid to Celia Washington to receive favorable treatment,” Heath wrote. “These companies are linked to Gasper Fiore and Joan Fiore. The towing companies have overlapping business locations, employees and/or office space.”

Fiore’s ex-wife Joan filed a federal lawsuit against the city May 18, seeking more than $75,000 in damages because she says one of the companies she owns, Javion & Sam’s 24 Hour Towing Service Inc., was suspended without cause. She insists her ex-husband, whom she divorced in 2013, has no interest in her company.

Anthony Thomas told the police board he’s owned B&G Towing since 2000, and has been sole owner since 2011. He said he leases property from Joan Fiore’s The Realty Company.

“I wasn’t given notice of this suspension; I didn’t receive a phone call,” Thomas said. “My understanding was that the Board of Police Commissioners was to be included in such decisions.

I’ve never been accused of any crimes. … I’m out of business ... with no notice at all.”

Source: detroitnews.com.

NORTH 90 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

NORTH 92 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • SOUTH 87

Who’s Going to Fill Our Shoes?

by Brian J. Riker

W

ho is going to replace us? Few millennials, or especially Gen Z’ers, seem interested in our industry. With the lack of respect for vocational trades, recruiting young towers is increasingly difficult. Some of us have children that are interested in stepping up to the task. Others will simply close the business at retirement time.

Have you created a succession plan to assure your operation continues beyond your involvement?

I believe we can successfully recruit the next generation if we grab their attention early enough. I have bounced around the idea of recruiting from high school vo-tech programs for many years. There are insurance and regulatory hurdles to deal with, but they are not insurmountable.

Talk to your local vo-tech school and see if they have the ability to help. Trade schools have a responsibility to help provide employment for their graduates, and towing provides a diverse avenue for them to explore. Partner with a local school to provide job apprenticeship programs, trucks for them to learn how to drive, and more. Vocational education is not limited to just finding tow operators; their business students can become great dispatchers and clerks, even managers.

I suggest grooming the next generation of management through intern programs as well. This is a great way to grab hold of smart young individuals and shape them into great leaders. A word of caution here, they may not think like we do … and that is a good thing! Be open to learn from them as they learn from you.

Technology is changing our industry and the next generation has a greater grasp on this then we ever will. I was watching my two-year-old grandson play with a smartphone recently and he didn’t need any help and seemed to intuitively know what to do. He was able to open the phone app and call his grandma … at two years old!

I believe we can successfully recruit the next generation if we grab their attention early enough.

Business continuity should be a concern to all owners.

Have you surrounded yourself with a team that can carry on without your guidance? Obviously good life insurance and diversified investments will provide income stability for your family, but what about the families that depend on your business to provide their living?

Now would be a good time to create an ICE file (In SOUTH 88 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Ethan Dooley checks out the grooved deck of a flatbed carrier from Martin’s Towing in Union Grove, Wisconsin, during a recent “touch a truck” event. Will he be part of the next generation of tow operators?

Case of Emergency). Write down all the key information that is required to keep your business running without you. Account numbers, passwords, key people, insurance information and more.

At least two trusted people, preferably within your business and separate from your immediate family, should know where this information is and be authorized to use it if the need arises. I suggest people outside your immediate family simply because it is less likely a tragedy will strike you and someone outside your family simultaneously.

The business continuity plan should not be a secret; your team deserves to know that you have a plan to take care of them. They also need to understand what will happen, who is responsible for what and any concerns that need to be addressed to prevent anarchy during a crisis.

In the May issue of American Towman Magazine, there is an excellent article written by George Metos about selling your company. If you have not read it yet, please do. Many of his ideas to increase the value or ready a company for sale also apply to growing your company and transitioning it to the next generation of leadership.

Now is the time to review how much you do daily for your company and figure out who is going to do those tasks should you be incapable. Yes, most of us got into towing because we like being towers and love operating our trucks, however we need to groom our replacements.

Prepare for the future and have someone at your company that can lead when you’re no longer involved.

About the author

Brian J. Riker is a third generation towman and President of Fleet Compliance Solutions, LLC. He specializes in helping non-traditional fleets such as towing, repossession, and construction companies navigate the complex world of Federal and State transportation regulatory compliance. With 25 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator Brian truly understands the unique needs and challenges faced by towing companies today. He can be reached at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net.

Editor’s note This article initially appeared on American Towman Magazine’s sister site, TowIndustryWeek.com. Be sure to check it out every week for news, features, products and more. Miss a week—miss a lot!

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • SOUTH 89

Woman Gets 28 Years for Towman’s Death Staring at 30 years in prison, defendant Allison Huffman decided to show remorse and apologize to the victim’s family.

“I’m really sorry, I hope you can find peace,” she said. Huffman had pleaded guilty to a 2016 hit-and-run crash that killed tower Roger PerezBorotto in Tampa, Florida.

Instead of stopping to help, prosecutors say Huffman dumped her car at nearby hotel and then took a taxi to Walgreens for a snack. But she didn’t stop there, she headed to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, where she gambled for hours.

The front-end damage of her car was hard to miss, but she told cops early on it was all a blur. Later, while sitting in a police car, she remembered more, explained Hillsborough prosecutor Aaron Hubbard. “She stated she knew she had hit someone or something and she was scared and failed to stop or call emergency personnel.”

I’m really sorry, I hope you can find peace.

Zari Perez, the sister of PerezBorotto, blamed Huffman. “I do have mercy on her, but it is hard to forgive someone who rips a loved one away from you.”

The judge sentenced Huffman to 28 years in prison.

Source: fox13news.com.

Tow Owners Sentenced for Bribes James Mazzariello Jr., 63, and his son Adam, 38, recently were sentenced to serve 12 months and six months in federal prison respectively for conspiring to pay bribes to Buffalo, New York, police officers.

Between 2009 and 2012, operators at Jim Mazz Auto, owned by Mazzariello Jr. and at the direction of both defendants, made payments to certain SOUTH 90 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Buffalo police officers for assistance in enabling the drivers to tow vehicles damaged in accidents in the city. Operators made payments from their personal funds and were then reimbursed by the defendants.

The investigation examined and substantiated 19 different payments made by Jim Mazz Auto tow truck operators to Buffalo police officers.

Approximately $500 in payments were made to officers while the gross revenue Jim Mazz Auto derived from making such payments totaled $43,022.74. The gross revenue consisted of payments made to Jim Mazz Auto for towing, as well as for mechanical and collision repair work.

Source: stl.news.

Towman Killed in Michigan Crash A towman was killed and seven other people were injured in a crash involving a school bus on eastbound I-94 at U.S. 23 in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, in late May. The crash happened at about 10:15 a.m. on I-94 about a 1/4 mile before U.S. 23 and the crash involved a school bus, an SUV and a tow truck.

Michigan State Police said the tower, Nader Chehadi, 42, from Ypsilanti, was assisting the school bus with engine problems at the time of the crash. Chehadi was at the rear of the bus when an SUV carrying two adults and three children struck the school bus. No children were on the bus at the time of the crash. The SUV passengers were in critical condition at press time.

Loved ones and even those who’d never met Chehadi gathered at the Islamic Institute of America for his funeral, May 31.

Andre-A Shantay-Nemo-Se Edwards, the woman police say was driving the SUV that hit and killed Chehadi, has a driving history with several violations.

“It’s unfortunate she was on the road … that it even happened,” says Billy Salamey, owner of Budget Towing where Chehadi worked.

Joel Ballor, president of the Michi-

gan Towing Association, said he believes Chehadi’s funeral is the fourth towman’s funeral he’s attended in Michigan in the last four years. He hoped this tragedy serves as a reminder to drivers about being safe on the road.

“Understand that we are working within inches of tragedy every day on the white line. Respect the lights and move over,” Bailor said.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Source: clickondetroit.com, wxyz.com.

Detroit Towing Battle Flares Anew The long-running battle over police towing operations in Detroit, Michigan, rekindled recently after the city suspended three tow companies that allegedly have ties to towing magnate Gasper Fiore.

City officials suspended Javion & Sam’s, Gene’s Towing and B&G Towing from the tow rotation after Detroit Inspector General James Heath wrote a letter to Mayor Mike Duggan alleging the firms were secretly owned by Fiore.

I’ve never been accused of any crimes. … I’m out of business ... with no notice at all.

The city also prohibited three other tow firms it says are tied to Fiore from obtaining contracts: E&G, Troy Abans and City Wide.

Although Fiore’s name isn’t formally associated with any of the companies, Detroit officials allege he is the shadow owner. The people whose names are listed with the state as proprietors of the suspended and barred firms insist Fiore isn’t involved.

“Gasper Fiore advocated on behalf of Javion & Sam’s, Gene’s and B&G in

connection with the bribe he paid to Celia Washington to receive favorable treatment,” Heath wrote. “These companies are linked to Gasper Fiore and Joan Fiore. The towing companies have overlapping business locations, employees and/or office space.”

Fiore’s ex-wife Joan filed a federal lawsuit against the city May 18, seeking more than $75,000 in damages because she says one of the companies she owns, Javion & Sam’s 24 Hour Towing Service Inc., was suspended without cause. She insists her ex-husband, whom she divorced in 2013, has no interest in her company.

Anthony Thomas told the police board he’s owned B&G Towing since 2000, and has been sole owner since 2011. He said he leases property from Joan Fiore’s The Realty Company.

“I wasn’t given notice of this suspension; I didn’t receive a phone call,” Thomas said. “My understanding was that the Board of Police Commissioners was to be included in such decisions. I’ve never been accused of any crimes. … I’m out of business ... with no notice at all.”

Source: detroitnews.com.

Company Loses License for Illegal Tows A Bronx, New York, towing company that hauled away legally parked cars from fast-food restaurant lots for more than three years has lost its license, court records show.

809 Collision’s license was revoked recently when an administrative-law judge ruled in favor of several motorists who had filed complaints with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Judge Faye Lewis found the company regularly performed unlawful tows, inflated fees and refused creditcard payments from its victims, most of whom were legally parked in fastfood restaurant lots.

Twenty-one people filed claims against the company. Messages left with phone numbers listed for 809 Collision went unanswered.

Source: nypost.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • SOUTH 91

SOUTH 92 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • MIDWEST 87

Who’s Going to Fill Our Shoes?

by Brian J. Riker

W

ho is going to replace us? Few millennials, or especially Gen Z’ers, seem interested in our industry. With the lack of respect for vocational trades, recruiting young towers is increasingly difficult. Some of us have children that are interested in stepping up to the task. Others will simply close the business at retirement time.

Have you created a succession plan to assure your operation continues beyond your involvement?

I believe we can successfully recruit the next generation if we grab their attention early enough. I have bounced around the idea of recruiting from high school vo-tech programs for many years. There are insurance and regulatory hurdles to deal with, but they are not insurmountable.

Talk to your local vo-tech school and see if they have the ability to help. Trade schools have a responsibility to help provide employment for their graduates, and towing provides a diverse avenue for them to explore. Partner with a local school to provide job apprenticeship programs, trucks for them to learn how to drive, and more. Vocational education is not limited to just finding tow operators; their business students can become great dispatchers and clerks, even managers.

I suggest grooming the next generation of management through intern programs as well. This is a great way to grab hold of smart young individuals and shape them into great leaders. A word of caution here, they may not think like we do … and that is a good thing! Be open to learn from them as they learn from you.

Technology is changing our industry and the next generation has a greater grasp on this then we ever will. I was watching my two-year-old grandson play with a smartphone recently and he didn’t need any help and seemed to intuitively know what to do. He was able to open the phone app and call his grandma … at two years old!

I believe we can successfully recruit the next generation if we grab their attention early enough.

Business continuity should be a concern to all owners.

Have you surrounded yourself with a team that can carry on without your guidance? Obviously good life insurance and diversified investments will provide income stability for your family, but what about the families that depend on your business to provide their living?

Now would be a good time to create an ICE file (In MIDWEST 88 • July 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Ethan Dooley checks out the grooved deck of a flatbed carrier from Martin’s Towing in Union Grove, Wisconsin, during a recent “touch a truck” event. Will he be part of the next generation of tow operators?

Case of Emergency). Write down all the key information that is required to keep your business running without you. Account numbers, passwords, key people, insurance information and more.

At least two trusted people, preferably within your business and separate from your immediate family, should know where this information is and be authorized to use it if the need arises. I suggest people outside your immediate family simply because it is less likely a tragedy will strike you and someone outside your family simultaneously.

The business continuity plan should not be a secret; your team deserves to know that you have a plan to take care of them. They also need to understand what will happen, who is responsible for what and any concerns that need to be addressed to prevent anarchy during a crisis.

In the May issue of American Towman Magazine, there is an excellent article written by George Metos about selling your company. If you have not read it yet, please do. Many of his ideas to increase the value or ready a company for sale also apply to growing your company and transitioning it to the next generation of leadership.

Continued on p. M 90 ...

Towman Killed in Michigan Crash A towman was killed and seven other people were injured in a crash involving a school bus on eastbound I-94 at U.S. 23 in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, in late May. The crash happened at about 10:15 a.m. on I-94 about a 1/4 mile before U.S. 23 and the crash involved a school bus, an SUV and a tow truck.

Michigan State Police said the tower, Nader Chehadi, 42, from Ypsilanti, was assisting the school bus with engine problems at the time of the crash. Chehadi was at the rear of the bus when an SUV carrying two adults and three children struck the school bus. No children were on the bus at the time of the crash. The SUV passengers were in critical condition at press time.

Loved ones and even those who’d never met Chehadi gathered at the Islamic Institute of America for his funeral, May 31.

Andre-A Shantay-Nemo-Se Edwards, the woman police say was driving the SUV that hit and killed Chehadi, has a driving history with several violations.

“It’s unfortunate she was on the road … that it even happened,” says Billy Salamey, owner of Budget Towing where Chehadi worked.

Joel Ballor, president of the Michigan Towing Association, said he believes Chehadi’s funeral is the fourth towman’s funeral he’s attended in Michigan in the last four years. He hoped this tragedy serves as a reminder to drivers about being safe on the road.

“Understand that we are working within inches of tragedy every day on the white line. Respect the lights and move over,” Bailor said.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Source: clickondetroit.com, wxyz.com.

TowShow.com

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • MIDWEST 89

... continued from p. M 88 Now is the time to review how much you do daily for your company and figure out who is going to do those tasks should you be incapable. Yes, most of us got into towing because we like being towers and love operating our trucks, however we need to groom our replacements.

Prepare for the future and have someone at your company that can lead when you’re no longer involved.

About the author

Brian J. Riker is a third generation towman and President of Fleet Compliance Solutions, LLC. He specializes in helping non-traditional fleets such as towing, repossession, and construction companies navigate the complex world of Federal and State transportation regulatory compliance. With 25 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator Brian truly understands the unique needs and challenges faced by towing companies today. He can be reached at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net.

Editor’s note This article initially appeared on American Towman Magazine’s sister site, TowIndustryWeek.com. Be sure to check it out every week for news, features, products and more. Miss a week—miss a lot!

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • WEST 87

Detroit Towing Battle Flares Anew The long-running battle over police towing operations in Detroit, Michigan, rekindled recently after the city suspended three tow companies that allegedly have ties to towing magnate Gasper Fiore.

City officials suspended Javion & Sam’s, Gene’s Towing and B&G Towing from the tow rotation after Detroit Inspector General James Heath wrote a letter to Mayor Mike Duggan alleging the firms were secretly owned by Fiore.

The city also prohibited three other tow firms it says are tied to Fiore from obtaining contracts: E&G, Troy Abans and City Wide.

Although Fiore’s name isn’t formally associated with any of the companies, Detroit officials allege he is the shadow owner. The people whose names are listed with the state as proprietors of the suspended and barred firms insist Fiore isn’t involved.

“Gasper Fiore advocated on behalf of Javion & Sam’s, Gene’s and B&G in connection with the bribe he paid to Celia Washington to receive favorable treatment,” Heath wrote. “These companies are linked to Gasper Fiore and Joan Fiore. The towing companies have overlapping business locations, employees and/or office space.”

Fiore’s ex-wife Joan filed a federal lawsuit against the city May 18, seeking more than $75,000 in damages because she says one of the companies she owns, Javion & Sam’s 24 Hour Towing Service Inc., was suspended without cause. She insists her ex-husband, whom she divorced in 2013, has no interest in her company.

Anthony Thomas told the police board he’s owned B&G Towing since 2000, and has been sole owner since 2011. He said he leases property from Joan Fiore’s The Realty Company.

“I wasn’t given notice of this suspension; I didn’t receive a phone call,” Thomas said. “My understanding was that the Board of Police Commissioners was to be included in such decisions.

I’ve never been accused of any crimes. … I’m out of business ... with no notice at all.”

Source: detroitnews.com.

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Tow Owners Sentenced for Bribes James Mazzariello Jr., 63, and his son Adam, 38, recently were sentenced to serve 12 months and six months in federal prison respectively for conspiring to pay bribes to Buffalo, New York, police officers.

Between 2009 and 2012, operators at Jim Mazz Auto, owned by Mazzariello Jr. and at the direction of both defendants, made payments to certain Buffalo police officers for assistance in enabling the drivers to tow vehicles damaged in accidents in the city. Operators made payments from their personal funds and were then reimbursed by the defendants.

The investigation examined and substantiated 19 different payments made by Jim Mazz Auto tow truck operators to Buffalo police officers.

Approximately $500 in payments were made to officers while the gross revenue Jim Mazz Auto derived from making such payments totaled $43,022.74. The gross revenue consisted of payments made to Jim Mazz Auto for towing, as well as for mechanical and collision repair work.

Source: stl.news.

Visit us in booth # 1206 DALLAS/FORT WORTH

Company Loses License for Illegal Tows A Bronx, New York, towing company that hauled away legally parked cars from fast-food restaurant lots for more than three years has lost its license, court records show.

809 Collision’s license was revoked recently when an administrative-law judge ruled in favor of several motorists who had filed complaints with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Judge Faye Lewis found the company regularly performed unlawful tows, inflated fees and refused credit-card payments from its victims, most of whom were legally parked in fast-food restaurant lots.

Twenty-one people filed claims against the company. Messages left with phone numbers listed for 809 Collision went unanswered.

Source: nypost.com.

Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - July 2018 • WEST 89

Towman Killed in Michigan Crash A towman was killed and seven other people were injured in a crash involving a school bus on eastbound I-94 at U.S. 23 in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, in late May. The crash happened at about 10:15 a.m. on I-94 about a 1/4 mile before U.S. 23 and the crash involved a school bus, an SUV and a tow truck.

Michigan State Police said the tower, Nader Chehadi, 42, from Ypsilanti, was assisting the school bus with engine problems at the time of the crash. Chehadi was at the rear of the bus when an SUV carrying two adults and three children struck the school bus. No children were on the bus at the time of the crash. The SUV passengers were in critical condition at press time.

Loved ones and even those who’d never met Chehadi gathered at the Islamic Institute of America for his funeral, May 31.

Andre-A Shantay-Nemo-Se Edwards, the woman police say was driving the SUV that hit and killed Chehadi, has a driving history with several violations.

“It’s unfortunate she was on the road … that it even happened,” says Billy Salamey, owner of Budget Towing where Chehadi worked.

Joel Ballor, president of the Michigan Towing Association, said he believes Chehadi’s funeral is the fourth towman’s funeral he’s attended in Michigan in the last four years. He hoped this tragedy serves as a reminder to drivers about being safe on the road.

“Understand that we are working within inches of tragedy every day on the white line. Respect the lights and move over,” Bailor said.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Source: clickondetroit.com, wxyz.com.

TowShow.com

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