Bruce Bender brings his extensive industry knowledge and passionate advocacy to our podcast as he steps into his new role as Executive Director of TRAA. This conversation reveals the crucial behind-the-scenes work happening at the federal level to protect and advance the towing and recovery industry.

Bruce shares the significant announcement of his transition from Ohio Association leadership to the national stage, replacing retiring executive director Cynthia Martineau. His dedication to representing towers of all sizes becomes immediately apparent as he explains how TRAA works tirelessly as the industry's watchdog on Capitol Hill.

The heart of TRAA's advocacy happens during their annual Hill Day events, where towers directly educate lawmakers about industry challenges. Bruce recounts powerful moments when legislators learned that towing is more dangerous than crab fishing on "Deadliest Catch" and that operators often respond without guaranteed payment. These personal interactions have built crucial relationships with key committees and federal agencies, creating pathways for meaningful legislative change.

Beyond advocacy, we explore the tangible benefits of TRAA membership, from professional certifications to strategic partnerships offering substantial discounts from industry suppliers. Bruce makes a compelling case that supporting the national association isn't just good citizenship—it's smart business that protects your livelihood.

The conversation shifts to the exciting return of the 47th Annual Midwest Regional Tow Show to the Great Wolf Lodge this September. This family-friendly event combines business opportunities with entertainment, featuring no-cost educational sessions, networking opportunities, and special events supporting the Injured Drivers Fund.

Whether you're a veteran tower or new to the industry, Bruce's perspective illuminates how national representation strengthens the entire profession. Connect with TRAA at traaonline.com and consider joining them for Hill Day 2026 on February 24-25—because when it comes to protecting your business, having skilled advocates on your side makes all the difference.

The future of towing fleet safety has arrived, and it's smarter than you might expect. Tim Smith, Senior Fleet Solution Specialist at Azuga, joins the Tow Professional Podcast to unveil game-changing technology that's revolutionizing how towing companies protect their drivers, vehicles, and bottom line.

At the center of this revolution is Azuga's new SafetyCam Pro system, designed specifically for towing operations with support for up to four auxiliary cameras that can monitor every angle of a tow truck. The AI capabilities are nothing short of remarkable – detecting when drivers text, eat, or even start falling asleep. "If you're starting to fall asleep, the speakers inside will start blaring and say, 'Hey, pull over, pull over, you're asleep,'" Smith explains, highlighting how this technology goes beyond simply recording incidents to actively preventing them.

The integration with Coast fuel cards adds another layer of protection for tow company owners. These specialized Visa cards can be programmed to allow only specific purchases, and they work with GPS tracking to prevent a common industry problem – drivers filling personal vehicles on company time. "If they pull up to a gas pump and pull their wife's car right beside where theirs is and turn around and fill up their wife's vehicle with gas, the card actually knows it's not being pumped into the vehicle that's supposed to be filled up and it'll shut down the card," Smith reveals.

Perhaps most valuable to towing companies is how these technologies impact insurance costs. Beyond potential premium discounts, the real savings come from reducing claims and fighting fraudulent ones. Azuga's accident reconstruction capabilities overlay video footage with detailed data on speed, G-forces, and more, giving companies powerful evidence when disputes arise. Combined with their Driver Rewards Program that incentivizes safe behavior rather than punishing mistakes, it's a comprehensive approach to fleet safety that addresses the industry's biggest challenges.

Want to see these innovations firsthand? Visit Tim Smith at the American Towman Show in Dallas or contact him directly at tims@azuga.com or 205-728-9135 to learn how these technologies can transform your towing operation.

Four decades of lighting innovation comes to life in this illuminating conversation with Chris Anderson, Executive Vice President of TowMate. As the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, Anderson reveals how customer feedback drives their continuous product evolution and shapes their roadmap for the future.

The spotlight falls on TowMate's newest creation—the GlowMate series, a next-generation heavy-duty wireless bar featuring Optronics Glowlight technology. This breakthrough product combines enhanced durability with a distinctive neon-like glow and side marker lights that double as turn signals. Even more impressive is their upcoming fully programmable overhead bar offering 360-degree coverage with amber, red, white, and blue lighting options, allowing users to create jurisdiction-specific configurations with a single versatile product.

Anderson details how manufacturing in Rogers, Arkansas provides TowMate with unmatched quality control and responsiveness. "Feedback at a show on Friday, we're back in the office Monday working on a solution," he explains, highlighting how American manufacturing enables the company to quickly address customer needs without waiting for overseas shipments.

Battery technology remains at the forefront of TowMate's innovation strategy. From Milwaukee/DeWalt compatibility to their extended runtime XR and XR Plus series offering up to 60 hours of use on a single charge, the company provides multiple solutions to meet every operational need. Their lithium replacements for traditional lead-acid batteries deliver years of service instead of months, dramatically reducing maintenance requirements.

Looking beyond vehicle lighting, TowMate is expanding into comprehensive roadside safety with perimeter warning systems, cone-mounted alerts, and Hi-Vis personal lighting that illuminates safety vests without blinding workers or motorists. These developments reflect the company's evolution from a lighting manufacturer to a complete roadside safety solutions provider.

For towers seeking firsthand experience with these innovations, TowMate will showcase their products at upcoming industry events including the Texas Tow Expo, Midwest Regional Tow Show, Tennessee Tow Show, and the Baltimore Tow Show. Discover how four decades of American innovation continues to light the way toward safer roads for towing professionals.