Tow Professional Podcast
Tow Professional Podcast
The Towing Brotherhood: Insights from Jerry Barber of TRPNC
Jerry Barbour opens up about the remarkable transformation of the Towing Recovery Professionals of North Carolina (TRPNC) and their upcoming Mid-Atlantic Tow Show. As a third-generation tower whose family has been in the business since 1955, Jerry brings decades of hands-on experience to his role as association president, carrying forward the momentum built by his predecessor Kerry Fogg.
The conversation reveals how TRPNC has evolved from a small gathering to a major industry event, now boasting their largest and most responsive board ever. Jerry emphasizes their mission to support towers beyond just business growth: "We're looking to better this industry, to bring up the new generation, understanding that you need to be part of an association instead of just being a lone wolf out there with no support or backing behind you."
Their flagship event, the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Tow Show (September 4-6), has expanded dramatically to feature over 70 vendors and nearly 1,000 attendees. The upcoming show will offer an impressive lineup of certified training opportunities including EV response classes from Allstate, hazmat recertification with Perry Abatey, TIMS certification, and professional dispatch training with Mike Porter. Beyond education, the event features networking activities and the increasingly competitive Show and Shine truck competition, now rivaling major national contests.
Jerry also addresses current regulatory challenges facing North Carolina towers, particularly around booting and predatory towing legislation. His pragmatic approach acknowledges the need for some regulation while advocating for fairness: "We understand regulations have got to be had, but we just want it to be fair for everybody."
What makes association shows like this truly special is where the proceeds go - directly back into training, legislative advocacy, and initiatives that make roads safer for tow professionals. It's this reinvestment that builds not just better businesses, but a stronger brotherhood ready to support each other in times of need.
Ready to join the towing community that's making real change happen? Contact TRPNC at 919-921-8194 or trpnc@nctowing.org and mark your calendar for September 4-6!
Welcome one and all to Toe Professional Podcast. Remember, this is your podcast. It's for the pros that have a need to know and that are on the go. This is truly the voice of the towing and recovery industry. I'm DJ Harrington, your co-host, better known as the Toe Doctor, and the real host of this program is the president and publisher of Toe Professional Magazine, a good friend of the industry and a dear friend of mine, darren Weaver. How are you this beautiful day?
Speaker 2:Man, dj, I am fantastic. It was a beautiful weekend down here in Birmingham, alabama, on the outskirts, at a shooting range, as I say. So it was a great weekend, did a little fishing, a little four by four riding, and just enjoyed the weekend. And, man, let me tell you I'm excited. This is, this is going to be a good show, because this is a show that I've been doing for two years that I'm really starting to enjoy. It's really hit some growth. And we have on today Jerry Barber, and he's the president of the Towing Recovery Professionals of North Carolina. So, jerry, we are excited to have you on and welcome.
Speaker 3:Thank you, excited to be here.
Speaker 2:Awesome, man, awesome. Well, jerry, if you would, brother, tell us a little bit about your background, and then I'll move on to the first question I'm sure our listeners want to hear about.
Speaker 3:Yes, sir, born and raised in the towing business, my family's been in this business since 1955 in the Raleigh area. I'm third generation. I've had it since 1991. So going on 30 plus myself large, small, you name it Truck service hazmat. We're doing it all up here and been doing it for a while. Got the president of the TRPNC last year Tough shoes to fill, following behind Kerry Fogg but we're doing a pretty good job with it and we're moving on with this TRPNC probably the biggest board we've ever had and the most responsive we've ever had out of the membership with the TRPNC. So it's really leaps and bounds growing.
Speaker 2:Man. I tell you, Jerry, I've got to applaud you because, between working with Kerry Fogg for two years and then working with you, you guys have absolutely excited the base and really got the show up and moving. And I'm excited to announce that we actually have a in this issue that's about to go out. We have a feature in our women of towing on Carrie Fogg and, as I said, she's an unbelievable woman that has stepped up and a voice for the industry. She's one that's. I know you guys attend the Hill day and are active there for your members and, uh, that has that. That's been phenomenal. So we're excited to be able to, uh, to put a spotlight on her, uh, in this upcoming issue and talk about her, but also excited, um, of what y'all have done with this show. So first question, I guess, is I'm going to let DJ I'm going to turn this over to DJ and let him because I know he's biting at the bit to ask one.
Speaker 1:Well, Jerry, I want to congratulate you on 45 years of this. This program has really grown and it has evolved over the 45 years. What my listeners are really sitting here saying okay, don't tell us about the past. What's some of the future plans that you have for trprc?
Speaker 3:trp and c. We're looking to move forward. We're looking to add people to it. We're, we're. We're looking to fight less elation coming out. Uh, we're looking to add people to it. We're looking to fight less elation coming out. We're looking to better this industry, to bring up the new generation, understanding that you need to be a part of an association instead of just being a lone wolf out there as a tower with no support or backing behind you. You need that association and numbers make it happen. Look at all your other industries that pick up associations and what they can do as a team instead of one individual. That's what we're looking to do and grow this industry with the new generation coming up. A lot different than ours, but that's what we're trying to do.
Speaker 1:Yes and Jerry, all the time. I want you to know that not only the magazine supports your thinking, but this podcast has always talked about. If you belong to your association, you will grow your business. You know, you know your business K-N-O-W, but by belonging to your state association it'll help you grow your business and Darren and I believe in that wholeheartedly yeah yeah, without a doubt, you, you know you hear sometimes, dj and Jerry, I know you hear it too.
Speaker 2:you hear sometimes, well, I don't know if I want to go in there got some of my competitors in there and I don't want them to to get the upper hand on me. But I tell you what I've seen through our associations down here in Birmingham and other areas here in Alabama, as you've got some large towers in this area and uh, yeah, you might say, hey, I don't want them to get my secrets, but those are the same guys that come along when that owner needs help. Um, and it's it's a brotherhood, it's a family, and when they're able to break bread together at these association meetings, you end up with some people that likely you didn't think likely might run to your aid, but because you're a brotherhood, I've seen it really spawn together. So I think it's so important to be a part of your local and your national association because they're both fighting.
Speaker 2:Next question I wanted to ask, jerry, is the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Toe Show and Expo is coming here up in September? Now, I know those dates are September the 4th through the 6th this year. Could you share some insights, jerry, on what attendees can expect this year from the show.
Speaker 3:This year we're going to have a little bit different. We'll have a few more classes. We'll have some certified classes. That's going to have a little bit different. We're going to have a few more classes. We're going to have some certified classes that's going to be paid. You're going to have to pay for them, but it's going to be some certified classes. This year we're also going to have some instructors there to really go through some stuff. I hope we have some vendors that are going to bring product to sale. A lot of vendors this year, you know, wanted to come back and do different things, get bigger spaces, but that's the main key for us is that training. Some of it's free a lot, you know but there's going to be some training there this year that's going to be certified. You'll get certifications on.
Speaker 2:Oh man, that's fantastic. Well, how can that be any better? You can come to the show, find the latest products and then also get certified, take a new certification back and earn more money while you're at it. That's a win-win. And listeners, let me tell you I've talked about this on the show before I went the last two years. The entire staff at TRPNC is phenomenal, from the events they have set up. We had a golfing event at the Drive Shack. That was an absolute blast. I think the last time I picked up a golf club is when I had hair and let me tell you, it was a fun time. It was a great time for everybody to just relax, hang out together and talk and learn more about your vendors around you and the attendees. And uh, last year I know I'm gonna shoot this low jerry, but I think you had what I want to say 75, 70 to 80 plus vendors and maybe 800 000 plus uh attendees yeah, I think so you're.
Speaker 3:You hit that right on the head. Uh, I think it was about 70 plus and, like I said, I think we had that last day. I think we had a thousand people coming through the door, you know. So, yeah, that was great, sure was.
Speaker 2:And there's a lot happening here. Folks, it's in a big State Fair parking lot, so when this event's going on, there was also another event for a monster truck event. There was a coin show fine goods. There was another show for God. What was it? Vintage?
Speaker 3:clothing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So I mean, bring the wife, bring the kids Once you make your circles and you want to let the husband walk off if you're tired, tired of it. There's a lot of stuff right there in the parking lot for the wives and the kids to take part in, and everything is so close around it. So, listeners, let's do this. We're going to take a quick break, we're going to listen to some of our great sponsors and we'll be back in just a moment with more great information from. From jerry with trp nc the president, jerry barber, will be right back. Hang in there, listeners. From Jerry with TRPNC, the president, jerry Barber, will be right back.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. Of course you know you're listening to a professional on the go podcast Every week. We do our best to bring you informative episodes like this one with Jerry. By all means, we are available on Spotify, itunes, pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia, amazon or wherever you get your podcast. So just before the break we talked with Jerry and here's what I want to ask Jerry On the upcoming you know, we all know now market calendar September 4th through the 5th. All know now market calendar September 4th through the 5th. But for the TRP NC, you had training going on that day and what's anticipated training during the year, but you got a full pack weekend and yes, sir, we sure do.
Speaker 3:We got Allstate coming and put on an EV class. We're in the process of talking to Wes Wilburn about coming in and doing some EV classes. We got Perry with Hazmat coming in to do a small tanker class recertification. We got a TM certification class. We got Mike Porter coming in to do a dispatch class. So those are confirmed right now. And then we have some other classes going on throughout the state. Before that, you know, some training with Erskine and a few other people. So that's what we have online right now for us and hopefully we can pick up a few more. And it's early in the season, it's just the end of April, you know. So we've got several months to be able to pick up a few more. And it's early in the season, it's just the end of April, you know. So we've got several months to be able to pick up a few more.
Speaker 1:Well, let me tell you Darren and I can brag about the Perry one he is an excellent, excellent trainer and I've been to three different Tim's classes and I told Darren off the air. I learned from every one of those classes. Everyone, you pick up a separate tip. You heard it before but you enhance it one more time.
Speaker 2:I tell you, dj, they've got a great format going because right off the show floor they've got the training format going because right off from the show floor they've got the training set up. When they do this and it's, you know, bringing this in the TIMS training, like you said, that's always phenomenal. We got to do that at the Southern Toe Expo and everybody just absolutely loved it. Mike Porter's phenomenal, yeah, he's sure, and we both heard him before.
Speaker 2:Hazmat Responder Network, that's perry abatey and uh, perry's got I think 25, 30 years in towing before and the necessity of needing these products helped him start the products for flow stop and then from flow stop, he saw, hey, you know what, when, when things like covet hit, there's other things that slow the economy down.
Speaker 2:You can't create business but you need another revenue stream and this has created another revenue stream from the Hazmat Responder Network training to the tanker training and recertification that he does to get your employees and give them another skill set. So let me tell you, in the Allstate EV training, we've seen that before at Florida, some of the other shows, that's some great training they put on. So, jerry Barber, I got to tell you brother, I got to commend you. Like you said, it's only April and you've got some great training already nailed down. Now let me ask you this the next question I have are what are some of the current changes in North Carolina towing regulations that you'd like to discuss and, in your opinion, what can be improved to benefit everyone in the industry?
Speaker 3:Well, the legislation that we have coming down is more focused on booting and the illegally parked or predatory towing industry. Right now that's what's coming down the pipeline and you know we're combating that. Just be sure we have our voice in there and make sure they understand that. You know some regulations, you know are needed, but we just want to make sure it don't hurt the working guy. You know the small company, the big company. We just want to make sure it don't hurt the working guy. You know the small company, the big company. We just want to make sure it's fair for everybody and that's what our association is doing, with our lobbyists, is fighting those things and trying to keep our voice heard and keep our members, you know, out of losing money, you know.
Speaker 5:Yes.
Speaker 3:And trying to keep the industry going forward. So, like I said, we understand those regulations have got to be had, but we just want it and try to keep the industry going forward.
Speaker 2:So, like I said, we understand those regulations got to be had, but we just want it to be fair. I hear that 100% and I tell you that's key. It's got to be fair for everybody across the board. If it's not, that doesn't work.
Speaker 2:And I tell you, jerry, we're doing a new series in the publication and it's called Good Neighbor or Predatory Tower and the whole purpose behind it, as I certainly saw that we've got a perspective where we've got a couple of bad apples out there and it makes the media sometimes not the media from inside towing not me, tow times or towman but it makes the media outside of this industry look at it as a little bit of tarnish.
Speaker 2:So we want to give back and what we're doing now is we're telling stories about the towers like yourself and others that have been out here that have growed, the business that are second, third, fourth generation towers, business that are second, third, fourth generation towers, and it tells about their family, their growth and their heart for service and really helps explain the story of a tower and helps let the public know that you men and women miss a lot of things, from baseball games to kids, birthdays to even vacations, just to make sure you can keep the business running and keep the general public and the municipalities moving. So we here really appreciate that and understand it. Well, let's do this. Let's take another quick break, dj for our listeners and we'll come back here shortly and wrap up and talk more about T towing recovery professionals in north carolina, the mid-atlantic tow expo guys, let me tell you, put it on your calendar september, the four through the six. You don't want to miss it. Keep listening, we'll be right back attention.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. Please remember to like, review and share everywhere on the number one podcast in the industry, by all means. We have a podcast hotline here in the media center 706-409-5603, 706-409-5603, and Darren Weaver, who is the president and publisher of Tote Professional Magazine and podcast, will be more than happy to get that industry expert on a podcast so our listeners can be really learning, like we are, from Jerry right now. So, Jerry, we're all looking forward to September 4th through the 6th to be in North Carolina. Tell our listeners a little bit about why, if they're sitting on the fence and they're from Georgia or South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and they would like to come to the show, I believe that when you go to a show, this is probably one of the best investments to bring your general manager or bring a key player with you, bring your spouse, bring your children and all of a sudden this becomes now a family reunion and that's what North Carolina really is. So let me turn it over to you, Jerry, Okay.
Speaker 3:Well, I think, like I said, the TRPNC puts on a great show. We have a lot of vendors coming that supply a lot of good product. We have a lot of big-name tours that's been in the industry for a long time A lot of family companies in our area. You also, north Carolina has a lot of things to do. In North Carolina, as well as Raleigh, you have multiple things to do in Raleigh. There's, you know, there's, like I said, the drive shack.
Speaker 3:We do that event. There's all kinds of go-karting and airports close. Downtown Raleigh is pretty close, you know. So our and also our truck show, the Show and Shine truck show, you know, is kind of kind of standing out for us. We get. We had a lot of professional judges come last year to really work the trucks over. Well, you know so, and we've had people from, you know, all states Virginia, tennessee, south Carolina but that truck contest I think is right in line with the Baltimore show. You know we're judging, so I think that's a big key for us as well, as you know, named people coming with vendors.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's excellent. That's excellent, and our listeners need to mark it down September 4th through the 6th and make a point to be in North Carolina. All right, darren, this is our last segment, so you take it from here, man.
Speaker 2:I tell you DJ, he is right on it, it's a phenomenal show, it's gorgeous there. I left the show last year and drove right up the road to West Virginia to the Camelotian National Park and did four days of off-roading on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail. So that was a lot of fun. And I understand Jerry's got a little four-by-four toy as well, so we might work out. I told him I've got to work out something where I can get up there a couple of days early or stay a couple of days over so we can go try and mess our vehicles up. But let me tell you, a beautiful country, if you've got a four by four, there's a lot of places to ride. It's gorgeous there and, like you said, there's so much, so close. But let me tell you the staff from the meet and greet you have Thursday night to Friday to the drive shack event, you name it their staff has set up everything I mean one after the other that flows together. They've got right there inside the facility. They've got folks that are creating hot lunches, anything from burgers to vegetables, meat and three kind of meals. It's phenomenal food. And, like I said, the events are right around the corner from each other, so there's not a lot of driving, not a lot of getting out if you don't have to and everything is close by If you do want to take a vendor out or a client out and take them out to a nice dinner, there's things that are very close. So I can tell you, dj, I'm all for it and this is something I know Jerry is talking it down a little bit the job that they've done on it. But I can tell you I know a couple of years ago I had some folks tell me, hey, there was about 10 vendors and about 100 attendees. And let me tell you what Kerry and Fogg and Jerry Barber have done with this. The first year I went it was 50 plus vendors, their first year on hand with it, and probably 600 plus attendees, and the majority of them were business owners, they were decision makers. And then last year, same way, I mean it was 75, like I said, 70, 75 vendors and almost a thousand attendees. So they've really done a phenomenal job growing it.
Speaker 2:You're not going to waste your time going. There's a lot going on, from education to training, to just great vendors and also, since it's a, the Mid-Atlantic is a show right here in this region. It gives you time. It's not a rushed show. So when you come to this show there is time to stop by, talk with vendors and then spend some time with you and get your needs and get an understanding of what you have and fit the products to your need. So it's something you don't want to miss. And I just want to say, if you need more information on it, 919-921-8194 or trpnc at nctowingorg that's trpnc at nctowingorg, that's t-r-p-n-c at nctowingorg is another way to get some information.
Speaker 2:And hey, let me tell you I do want to speak on the beauty contest because Jerry's not kidding. I was blown away from the first year I went to. Last year I went, there was a lot of trucks and let me tell you I'm glad I didn't have one entered because it was some stiff competition. These were trucks that were being worked but they look like show trucks, man. They were phenomenal, everything polished, looking gorgeous. So yeah, if you're around, make sure you enter your truck. There is a lot in there. So get there early so you can get it squeezed in. But phenomenal show. And I'm going to turn it over to you. Jerry. Any last words here on the show that you want to tell our listeners before we cut away.
Speaker 3:I think you covered it pretty good there. It's a great show. We've grown it to what it is now. We continue, you want to continue on, keep growing it and hopefully we can get another building next year to add on to this thing.
Speaker 3:But yeah, a lot of great opportunities in this area. Everything you can get an Uber to it or a taxi or whatever you want to do. So everything is really close and we've done that for a reason. But yes, and you know, the food out there, there's multiple things going on, so there's multiple food trucks as well as what we have inside. So, yes, hopefully it'll turn out to be a great show, like it has been in the last two years.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like I said, man, I can't thank you enough. It's a great show and you guys do a phenomenal job with it. So make sure you put it on your calendar, folks. September the 4th through the 6th 2025. You're going to want to be there. Check the site. Go to Facebook Towing Recovery Professionals of North Carolina to be updated on more information. You can also always check Tow Professional Magazine.
Speaker 2:We have supported them as much as we can. We want to help them. We want to help them grow this show. And let me remind you, folks, to our listeners an association show I know we've got other shows in the industry, but I want to tell the difference between a show that say, for example, toe Professional puts on, that is, profit goes into my pocket, get a shiny little sports car or something out of it to association shows Now, that's not what I buy.
Speaker 2:I spend most of my money on cats and dogs but an association show, folks, that money goes into training, legislation, um, everything to help your industry work and function better and to get you home safer. So this is an event that you go to. Your money is well spent because it's going to go right back into making the road safer for our tow professionals and fighting against legislation that's going to hurt our tow professionals. So make sure you join your local association, make sure you show up at this show, if not, you will kick yourself because it's a great one Again. 919-921-8194 or trpnc at nctowingorg DJ anything before we leave, sir.
Speaker 1:No, I just think Jerry did a great job and you're right, let's sponsor and support state association shows. I'm with you, without a doubt.
Speaker 2:Well for everyone. Thanks so much for listening, as always. I want to pray for you guys, Dear Lord. Heavenly Father, we thank you for every one of our vendors. Dear Lord, we just ask you continue to increase their knowledge, increase their wealth, increase their physical, their spiritual needs and bless them, Lord, for the servant's heart that they have, for serving in this industry and providing products to our industry. And, dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for every one of our top professionals, the men and women that leave their families to take care of ours. And, dear Lord, I just ask you, continue to put a hedge of protection around them, keep them safe, bring them back to their family, increase them in health, spirituality, wealth and every aspect, Lord, and just remind them of how well they're loved for our industry. For every one of you, we thank you. Amen and God bless. Thank you, listeners.
Speaker 2:Until next time. Keep listening Tow Professional On-The-Go Podcast number one in industry. Because of you, we'll keep bringing on great guests like Jerry Barber, the towing recovery professionals in North Carolina. Make sure you don't miss their show, the Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo September the 4th through the 6th. We'll be there, will you? We'll be looking for you. Thanks again.