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.
Guy Huta, Auto Rescue – Edmonton
Under Guy Huta’s leadership Auto Rescue has been in the industry for over 35 years and is experienced in dealing with a variety of vehicles, problems, and weather conditions. Serving the Edmonton Police Department since 1986 as an Approved Edmonton Police Service Operator, Auto Rescue Limited is one of Edmonton’s leading towing companies for a reason. Auto Rescue is known for fast, knowledgeable, efficient, and safe service that puts customers first.
Guy is an experienced defensive driving instructor through the Alberta Safety Council and an active member (currently Vice President) of the Professional towing Association of Alberta. Guy was also a founding member of the former Towing and Recovery Alliance of Canada.
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.
