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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Ernest W. Holmes, Sr.

Ernest W. Holmes, Sr. was the very first inventor of the tow truck. He did this by adding new parts to his 1913 Cadillac, which would eventually develop… Read More

Ernest W. Holmes, Jr.

Ernest W. Holmes, Jr. served the Ernest Holmes Company as a designer and chief engineer until 1945. He was president of the company from 1945 until his retirement… Read More

John L. Hawkins II

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 law degree… Read More

Marvin ‘Sonny’ J. Griffin

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 with Century… Read More

Robert L. Freeman

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 in the… Read More

H. Olov Ekengård

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 as a… Read More

Donald E. Cruse

Donald E. Cruse grew up in Ontario and became a leadership figure for the international and Canadian towing and recovery industry. He was vice president of the Steed… Read More

Bernabe Cortez Gonzalez

Bernabé Cortez Gonzalez was born in Mexico. Mr. Cortez Gonzalez served as the Cámara Nacional de Transportes y Comunicaciones Delegado (National Chamber of Transport and Communications Delegate) for… Read More

D. Lynn Churchwell

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. Churchwell then… Read More

James H. Blakeley

James H. Blakeley grew up in Mediapolis, Iowa, where he attended Fairfield public schools. He served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1971, achieving the rank… Read More