Board of Directors
Doug Nelson: Executive Director
Previous experience includes over 34 years as a heavy truck dealer and well experienced in both light and heavy duty towing. Doug was a founder and former executive director of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario and currently the executive director of the Ontario Recovery Group.
Doug has provided many hours of driver and business management training and he is well qualified to assist in the association management. Doug also has many contacts with the Ontario Government and other industry partners.
Doug was awarded Towman of the year and inducted into the Towing Hall of Fame in 2004.
Joseph Gagne, President – Abrams Towing
Abrams has been established since 1984 providing Light and Heavy towing in Southern Ontario and has a fleet of 160 trucks and a staff of over 200 faithful employees. In 2008 Joey and his team gained ISO 2001 certification.
Joey is also very involved a number of other businesses including junior hockey as owner of Whitby Fury Jr A hockey club.
Joey has worked as a board member for a number of Towing and Trucking Associations including the PTAO, ORG, OTA and TTA and has worked with many government officials on a number of towing related issues. Joey was inducted into the Towing Hall of Fame in 2017.
Mike Burstall, Burstall Conrad Towing – Montreal
Mike Burstall has been in the towing business since 1979 and he and his partner Gary Mendelsohn operate Burstall Conrad Towing with a staff of 50 people. Being an advocate for improving the towing industry Mike took on the position of vice president of the APDQ which carries a very successful record of supporting the towing industry in Quebec. Mike was also the vice president of the former Towing and Recovery Alliance of Canada.
Instrumental in re-establishing a new Canadian Association Mike reached out to the industry to form the new Canadian Towing Association with a brand new agenda and a full complement of issues that must be dealt with.
Nick Roscoe, Dr Hook Towing – Winnipeg
Dr Hook Towing was established in January 1983, has been open 24/7/365 for 36 + years and owned & operated by Nick & Julie Roscoe. Employing 6 Family Members and a Staff of over 100 handling and responding to over 110,000 calls annually. Dr Hook provides all Types of Light & Heavy Towing, Recovery & Transport, Locally, Long Distance Including the U.S. and Specializes in Emergency Spill Response, Traffic Control, Air Cushion Recovery Underwater & Off-Road Recovery. All Tow Operators are Wreck Master Trained.
Dr Hook works diligently with Manitoba Infrastructure regarding Tow Truck Drive Axle Weights.
Participated in Getting the Slow Down / Move Over Legislation passed in Manitoba.
Pursed the Province in Getting Tow Truck Emergency lighting changed to allow the use of Red Flashing Lights when working or aiding Motorists on Roadways were the Speed Limit is 60 KPH or Greater. Legislation also Requires Tow Trucks to Not Illuminate their Amber Lights During Towing.
Dr Hook utilizes over 120 Rural Towing Providers Province Wide to Service its Provincial Towing Contracts with MB Hydro & Province of Manitoba Fleet Vehicles. The sharing of these calls develops Trust and Quality working relationships with these Providers in Rural Manitoba.
Bruce Campbell, Standish Towing and Recovery – Banff, Alberta
He served in the towing and recovery industry from 1977 until present, owning his company Standish Towing and Recovery since 1980. Bruce holds an automotive technician license as well as a red seal certification for heavy trucks and trailers. In 2003 Bruce was named the Top Tow Pro in Canada and has been named one of the Top Ten Wreckmasters Worldwide.
His knowledge and passion doesn’t stop with teaching and he has shared it with thousands of individuals across the nation and teaches over 15 training courses annually. He has taught the Canadian Military, Manitoba Hydro, Ontario Provincial Police and in 2002 was chosen to provide all towing, recovery and flagging for the G8 summit.
Bruce is the select service provider for the Banff National park and the Bow Valley and has received numerous letters of praise about his actions to preserve their environment and wildlife while performing the job safely.
Bruce as well as family and company donate countless hours and resources for many community functions throughout the year. He is an active Rotarian and helps to train the local fire departments. He is currently a volunteer fireman as well.
Paul Beaton, SBeaton Towing Serving Sackville, Bedford, and Halifax Region.
For more than five decades, Paul’s towing company has been serving the Sackville, Bedford, and Halifax region with vehicle towing services and is affiliated with many roadside assistance programs for lockout services, fuel delivery, battery boosting, and tire changes. Known for his professional attitude and willingness to help Paul has agreed to the directors post for Nova Scotia and Eastern Canada.
Shon Crumley, Dakota Towing Ltd.
I started my career in the industry shortly after high school with the interest of being able to help people! Through my career I have met and worked with some very amazing people and accomplished things I never could have imagined. I was selected Top Ten WreckMaster in 2016 and WreckMaster of the Year in 2023. I was a volunteer Firefighter with extensive training in vehicle extrication and heavy rescue. I am a firm believer in training and training for the unknown, understanding what and how our industry does things makes our jobs more efficient and provides a safe work environment for our employees as well as our communities. Shon agreed to represent the Province of Saskatchewan for the CTA.
