2012 Elections – Meet the Candidates

The following candidates are up for reelection this year.

Members: to cast your vote, please visit:
The Voting Page

Bill Gratzianna - President
O’Hare Towing Service
Downers Grove Illinois

Bill grew up in the Towing and Recovery business. In 2001 he purchased O’Hare Towing Service, and since then has been actively developing and growing the business to include four locations and a salvage yard. He has the business acumen and foresight to diversify his business to include Two Diesel Repair facilities, an Airplane Recovery Team, and a Certified Dive / Underwater salvage and Recovery Team. Bill is very active in the Towing Industry and has always been a strong supporter of training, education and National Certification.  Married to Marci for over 21 years, they have four daughters, Amanda, Katie, Abby and Isabella.

Member:
ITRHFM, International Towing and Recovery Museum and Hall of Fame
TRAA, Towing and Recovery Association of America
PTROI, Professional Towing and Recovery Operators of Illinois
WTA, Wisconsin Towing Association
ITA, Illinois Trucking Association

Training and Certification:
TRAA Level Three Nationally Certified

Troy E. Barnett – 1st Vice President

Born in Bisbee AZ in 1962, I grew up in Sierra Vista, Arizona where I am currently living. After graduating from Buena High School in Sierra Vista I attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. I soon realized that I missed home and the only work I have ever known, Barnett’s Towing LLC. I was raised in a Family Towing business started by my father in 1963. The first truck was a brand new 1963 Chevrolet 2 ton with a Holmes 600. Today we own over 50 trucks, trailers and support vehicles. We are now located in 5 Arizona Cities with the locations being as far away as 200 miles from one another. I am the Vice President of Barnett’s Towing LLC and responsible for the daily operations of the company. We currently have 30 employees. As anyone who has been in the towing business knows you must always be available and ready to go, answer questions or solve problems 24 hours a day. I am a multi task person and am able to handle the towing industry challenges every day. I have served as President of AZ Professional Towing and Recovery Association. I am TRAA Level 3 Certified, Wreckmaster 4/5, and was Wreckmaster Top Ten of 2002.  The supporters of our museum must always be thinking of how to improve and promote it. The requirements for the Museum to continue thriving are always a priority for me. I was elected to the ITRHFM Board of Directors in 2005 and have served as Treasurer and 2nd Vice President. I ask for your vote and support as I run for the Board of Directors in the position of 1st President. Thank you.

Quinn Piening – 2nd Vice President

My name is Quinn Piening I have been in the industry for 30 plus years 28 as the partner of Central Towing & Transport LLC. We are based in Fremont CA and have 5 terminals with 32 trucks doing all phases of towing and road service including an auxiliary contract with AAA. We also do a lot of transport work with our heavy side moving generators all over the country. I have served on the board of directors of the CTTA. I have been a chapter president for the bay area chapter. I was a volunteer fire fighter, and had an active roll with them until I got into the towing business where I focused all of my time on growing the company. The company has been involved with the YMCA and several other civic organizations and made many donations including providing 3 dogs to three separate police departments for their K9 units.  During my service with the CTTA I traveled all around the USA, to tow shows and met lots of great people in the industry. One of the greatest was from right here in Ca. Mr. (Godfather of towing) Steve Cardinale. He and Mr. Bob Berry got me involved in the museum with the transporting of it when it was in the trailer and donating cash to preserve the history of the industry that has provided for me and my family. Then in 2006 I had to go to Chattanooga for the unveiling of the Wall of the Fallen as one of my drivers name was placed on the wall, and I knew then that I wanted to be more involved in the museum and the history of the industry. Since then I was fortunate enough to be elected as a trustee for the ITRHM. Now that we are electing new officers I would like to stay involved and run for the office of 2nd Vice President and I hope for your support as I hope to help continue to make the museum something we can all be proud of.

Donna Brock Mesaros – Secretary

I towed my first car at age 20, when my personal vehicle broke down. I called for a ride to our gas station and explained to my husband that the car had quit running. He told me to get the truck and tow it myself. From that day on…I was hooked.  Beginning in 1977 I worked in the family gas station thru 1986. In 1986 we purchased Autoworks, an automotive repair shop with 2 tow trucks towing for 2 police departments. By 1988, I had increased the fleet to 4 trucks, towing for 10 police departments. I managed the office for the repair shop and dispatched the drivers 24 hrs a day, towing cars when the drivers were backed up or no one else was available. In 1989, on a bet from my drivers I entered the Women’s Driving Competition at the Professional Towers of Ohio annual tow show, and to my surprise I WON. Was that a fluke? There was only one way to tell. So I entered the competition again in 1990 and I WON.  Today my son owns and operates the company and he has grown the company to include equipment moving.  I was elected to the Executive Board of Towing & Recovery Association of Ohio as Treasurer from 1994-2009.  In 2004 I was inducted into the ITRHFM.  2005 co-chaired with the TRAO Board the duties of Trade Show Chairman.  2006-2011 Trade Show Coordinator for the Midwest Regional Tow Show.  Elected to the ITRHFM Board as a trustee in 2010.  2008-current, hired as Administrator for Towing & Recovery Association of Ohio.

Norbert Bertling – Treasurer

Age 68; Presently resides in Coralville, Iowa and owns Trebron, Inc. – married to Virginia – Worked in the wrecker/crane business for 27 years before opening his own business in 1983. Founder of Towing & Recovery Professionals of Iowa “TRPI” – Served as president and currents sits on the board of directors. Lifetime member of the ITRHFM as well as a Corporate Gold Member. Currently serves as a Board Member at Large for the ITRHFM.