Arden D. Bowman, Jr.
Elected: April 13, 2002
Inducted: September 27, 2002
Arden Bowman, Jr. was born in November 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1964 he married the former Janetta Burcham and together they have raised two daughters, Melody Johnson and Tiffany Knight.
Arden was literally born into the towing business as his grandfather, A.B. Collier founded a firm by the same name in 1929 and Arden, Jr. was going on wrecker calls with him by the time he was three years old. Arden, Jr. remained with the firm eventually assuming ownership and management control in 1975 and went on to build it into the largest towing company in Tennessee.
Arden, Jr. was one of the founders of the Tennessee Towing and Recovery Professionals and served as its president for 4 years. He also has served TTRA as a District Director and Vice President. Arden has been co-show chairman of the Southeastern Regional Towing Show since 1986. At the statehouse he has lobbied for and helped develop the lien laws in Tennessee. In 1983, along with a local radio station, he implemented “Rescue 100”, a program to help stranded motorists off the interstate during rush hour. This was a free service and greatly improved the traffic flow during peak traffic hours. Regionally, he has conducted numerous safety classes and Haz-Mat certification classes to towers throughout Tennessee. And, before his forced retirement in 1999 due to health reasons, he was the first tower to be called to the scene of a Haz-Mat accident in middle Tennessee. In 1996, Arden Jr. was awarded the Metropolitan Nashville Citizens Bravery Award for his part in saving the life of a young woman trapped in her overturned car. Active in his church, Arden, Jr. has always been quick to help anyone in need.
Nationally, Arden has served TRAA as State Director and actively supports the Friends of Towing museum, both monetarily and by the donation of one his antique wreckers for display. We are honored to induct Arden Bowman, Jr. into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame.
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HALL OF FAME NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Tow Equipment/Product Innovation
Innovation of a product sold in the marketplace that has helped move the industry forward. Candidate must have a minimum of 10 years of service to the industry.
Exemplary Dedication
Candidate must have 20 years running a towing business in an outstanding and exemplary manner, promoting a positive image of the towing industry and have positive relations with the community, i.e., performing services for the community about and beyond the services for hire. Limit: One inductee per year.
Industry Leadership
Leadership involved with an outstanding project that has had a dynamic and lasting effect on the towing industry. Candidate must have minimum 10 years service to the towing industry.
Professional Achievement
Creating a product or service of any kind that has had a significant and lasting effect on thousands of towing professionals. Candidate Must have a minimum of 10 years to the industry.