Nine Named to 2025 Towing Hall of Fame

The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum has announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2025, honoring nine individuals from six U.S. states and Japan for their significant contributions to the towing and recovery industry. The inductees will be formally recognized at a ceremony later this year.

“This year’s class represents a remarkable range of leadership across the global towing community,” said Jeffrey Godwin, first vice president of the Towing Museum.

The 2025 inductees include:Francis Geoffrey Russell, Palm Beach Gardens, FL – Co-founder of Guardian Fleet Services, the largest towing and specialized transport company in the U.S., Russell has spent 50 years mentoring others and promoting the industry’s reputation., Palm Beach Gardens, FL – Co-founder of Guardian Fleet Services, the largest towing and specialized transport company in the U.S., Russell has spent 50 years mentoring others and promoting the industry’s reputation.Joanne Blyton, Billings, MT – A lifelong industry leader and past president of the Towing & Recovery Association of America, Blyton has championed the industry for over 40 years through advocacy and leadership., Billings, MT – A lifelong industry leader and past president of the Towing & Recovery Association of America, Blyton has championed the industry for over 40 years through advocacy and leadership.Johnny Grant, Chattanooga, TN (posthumous) – A lifelong industry expert with a five-decade career in towing sales and education, Grant remained active even after retirement, contributing to documentaries and podcasts., Chattanooga, TN (posthumous) – A lifelong industry expert with a five-decade career in towing sales and education, Grant remained active even after retirement, contributing to documentaries and podcasts.Jon Kupchin, Stilwell, KS – Owner of Santa Fe Tow Service, Kupchin is known for community involvement, training initiatives, and high standards in towing operations over a 35-year career., Stilwell, KS – Owner of Santa Fe Tow Service, Kupchin is known for community involvement, training initiatives, and high standards in towing operations over a 35-year career.Kikuo Yamaguchi, Yokohama, Japan – CEO of three towing companies in Japan and Southeast Asia, Yamaguchi is recognized for equipment innovations suited to the unique challenges of Asian cities., Yokohama, Japan – CEO of three towing companies in Japan and Southeast Asia, Yamaguchi is recognized for equipment innovations suited to the unique challenges of Asian cities.Ralph Hanser, Billings, MT – Head of Hanser’s Towing, known for early innovations in air-cushion recovery and hazardous spill response. His company has served the region for over 50 years., Billings, MT – Head of Hanser’s Towing, known for early innovations in air-cushion recovery and hazardous spill response. His company has served the region for over 50 years.Weldon T. Wright, Land O’ Lakes, FL – A product innovator at both Jerr-Dan and Miller Industries, Wright helped shape modern towing equipment and advocated for key industry legislation., Land O’ Lakes, FL – A product innovator at both Jerr-Dan and Miller Industries, Wright helped shape modern towing equipment and advocated for key industry legislation.Willis “Henry” Heath Jr., Fairfax, VA (posthumous) – Founder of Henry’s Wrecker Service and co-founder of Virginia’s towing association, Heath was a pioneer in equipment development and community service., Fairfax, VA (posthumous) – Founder of Henry’s Wrecker Service and co-founder of Virginia’s towing association, Heath was a pioneer in equipment development and community service.William Gratz­ianna, Downers Grove, IL – Co-founder of O’Hare Towing and star of the TV show , Downers Grove, IL – Co-founder of O’Hare Towing and star of the TV show Wrecked, Gratzianna has supported public safety training and museum leadership., Gratzianna has supported public safety training and museum leadership.

Founded in 1986, the Towing Museum honors leaders in towing and preserves the industry’s rich history. More at towingmuseum.com.