A History of Success
In 1960, after his service in the U.S. Air Force, Dave Jones started a service station in Maitland, Fla. He later purchased property in Fern Park and opened Damacs, a body shop and collision center. Buying out his partner in 1968, he continued to run a very successful body shop for the next 12 years. In 1974 he purchased his first two tow trucks to tow in vehicles to supplement work for the body shop. In doing so, Dave Jones Wrecker Service Inc., was formed. His company began towing for local law enforcement and state highway patrol. Dave became a founding member of the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida — and the association’s first president.
In 1980 his company was chosen to take one of their heavy-duty tow trucks to the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., and it was during this event that Dave decided to make towing and recovery his company’s main focus.
In 1982 he updated his business model to include a transport division, purchasing multiple tractors and trailers. This grew his company’s business to a point in the early 2000s when Dave believed the company’s title didn’t entirely reflect the service it provided. The name was changed to Dave Jones Wrecker Service, Inc., d/b/a Dave Jones Services.
Throughout his business career, Dave has maintained industry involvement including his role as a founding member and a past president of the Towing and Recovery Association of America, a founder and current president of T.T. Publications Inc. for Tow Times magazine — the leading publication for the towing and recovery industry — and founder of the Towing Operators Working to Eliminate Drunk Driving program and the Towing and Recovery Insurance Group. He is member of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame Class of 1986.
Dave lives in Maitland, Fla., with his wife Helen and has one grown son and four grown daughters — all of which have worked with the company at some time. Currently, his son and one daughter continue to work in the family business.