Charles Schmidt

Charles started his career by joining his family’s garage business and growing the business by obtaining towing contracts with local authorities. At the same time, Charles volunteered with many towing organizations, making his first connection with the Professional Wrecker Operators Association in his home base of Long Island, NY, eventually serving as its president.

An accomplished industry leader, Charles is president of C. Schmidt & Sons. For 50 years, Charles has tirelessly guided the towing community by serving in leadership roles in several towing associations, including the Empire State Towing & Recovery Association (NY) and TRAA. In addition, he served for several years as a member of the International Towing and Recovery Museum’s board of directors. He has loaned a vintage Holmes 110 tow truck which is currently on display. Charles has been a lifelong student and advocate of the towing industry. He continues to advise local towing companies in adjacent towns through his role on the Towing Advisory Board. For the past 20 years, he has consulted with several organizations on contested invoices. As president of the Interstate Towing Association, he assisted with its merger into the TRAA. Charles is an outspoken advocate for his state towing industry and is an advocate on a national level.