March 28, 2011/CHATTANOOGA, TN – Five outstanding industry leaders have been selected for induction into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame as the Class of 2011.

Heather A. Llewellyn (Nova Scotia, Canada), John D. “Doug” McLendon (Sanford, FL), Donald J. Mesaros (Loveland, OH), Eilís M. Murray (Wicklow, Ireland), and Timothy J. Vibert (Unionville, CT) were nominated by members of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum for their many contributions to the towing and recovery industry, their families and their communities.
“Each year, the inductees share common strengths which have led to their nomination into this prestigious group,” says Rolfe Johnson, President of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.
“This year’s inductees share a dedication to their state and local towing organizations as well as the national towing and recovery community.”
Hall of Fame members will be recognized at an induction ceremony to be held at 6 p.m. on September 17th, 2011 at the DoubleTree Hotel of Chattanooga. A full weekend of activities will be held to celebrate this year’s inductees. For more information on the induction ceremony, or to order tickets, call Cheryl Mish at 423-267-3132.
The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum is the only one in the world for the Towing Industry.  It was opened September 22, 1995.  There are 18 antique tow trucks on display along with memorabilia from the industry.  Chattanooga, Tennessee was the chosen site for the museum as Ernest Holmes, Co. built the first wreckers there in the early 1900’s.  The museum is currently located at 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN.  37408.

From Footnotes TowBlog: Towing News Around The Web
(www.thetowblog.com)
Posted by Cyndi Kight, Associate Editor of Towing and Recovery Footnotes

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Sadly, we have lost another staunch TRAA supporter and great friend of the towing industry and its associations, R.L. Owens.  R.L. was founder of Owens Auto Parts and Garage in Corbin, Kentucky. He was a member of several local and state boards and a dedicated deacon in the Central Baptist Church.

In a tribute by Scott Burrows, he wrote: “Sometime last year, my last visit with RL was somewhat painful, for many reasons.  Both he and my father had begun suffering memory loss problems with their advancing age.  Dad and I stopped by the business and were quickly directed to visit RL and Hettie at their house…we were met with open arms and broad smiles from them both.  As we visited together, I realized how fortunate I was to be in the presence of two men who had accomplished recoveries with only rudimentary equipment, had rescued motorists and truckers with only limited mechanical wreckers, and had enjoyed the success that only a “hard-day’s night” can provide.  As they shared “war stories” and matched humorous asides with each other, I could only imagine how hard they must have worked with the limited resources that operators had access to in the early years of towing.”
RL’s funeral was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at the Central Baptist Church in Corbin, KY.  In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted at Central Baptist Church and Kentucky Tech Corbin Area Center, 1909 S. Snyder St. , Corbin, KY 40701

From Footnotes TowBlog: Towing News Around The Web
(www.thetowblog.com)
Posted by Cyndi Kight, Associate Editor of Towing and Recovery Footnotes

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