Hall Of Fame

The first Hall of Fame class, inducted in 1986, consisted of 27 members from six countries: Australia, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States. Industry professionals came together and selected individuals who made a difference. To honor those chosen few, the Friends of Towing (now ITRHFM) dedicated an entire section of the museum’s walls for portraits of the inductees.

Today the Hall of Fame has grown to include over 350 distinguished towing professionals with members from:

Australia
Belgium
Canada
Finland
France
Germany

Ireland
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
Poland
Scotland

South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Wales

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ITRHFM- HALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM

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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.

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Paul M. Bressi

Born on May 1, 1946 in Seattle Washington, Paul went to school in Seattle and graduated from Blanchet High School where he started his first job with a… Read More

Robert ‘Bob’ G. Birrell, Jr.

Robert Birrell Jr. was born in 1952 in Sharon, PA. Robert graduated from Joseph Badger High School in 1970 and from Norwood University in 1974. From an early… Read More

Val F. Reich, III

Inductee #24 Val F. Reich, III worked for the Holmes Corporation for many years, serving as a factory representative (1955-1965), zone manager (1965-1979), regional manager (1979-1984), and a… Read More

Stanley A. Wane, II

Inductee #27 Stanley A. Wane, II worked as a garage helper during his school years at Kensington State. In 1936, he became a garage attendant for Melbourne Motos… Read More

Roderick T. MacKintosh

Inductee #16 Roderick T. MacKintosh was raised in South Africa, where he attended Queensburg High School and graduated in 1966. In 1967, he enlisted in the South African… Read More

Robert L. Freeman

Inductee #6 Robert L. Freeman was a Tennessee native, attending Tennessee public schools and the University of Chattanooga (now University of Tennessee at Chattanooga). He was a major… Read More

Philip A. Kenny

Inductee #14 Philip A. Kenny attended school at St Patrick's College in East Melbourne. He then went on to pursue a career in photography. While he was working… Read More

H. Olov Ekengård

Inductee #5 H. Olov Ekengård received a degree from the Tekniska Institute for Engineering in Stockholm. He was an engineering draughtsman, had a car repair business, as well… Read More

Marvin ‘Sonny’ J. Griffin

Inductee #7 Marvin ‘Sonny’ J. Griffin was born in Alto, Georgia. He worked for the Ernest Holmes Company as an assistant zone manager (1971-1974). Mr. Griffin also worked… Read More

D. Lynn Churchwell

Inductee #2 D. Lynn Churchwell was born in Shelbyville, Missouri. He would go on to become the assistant branch manager at Fruehauf Trailer from 1934 to 1937. Mr.… Read More

John G. Rogers

Inductee #25 John G. Rogers began his involvement in the towing and recovery industry at his father’s garage, Unity Garage, from an early age. He and a handful… Read More

John L. Hawkins II

Inductee #8 John L. Hawkins, II was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia public schools. He also attended Marshall University (1933-1936) and received a foundational… Read More