‘Towman of the Year’ Honor Goes to Basking Ridge Resident

Somerset Hills Towing’s Frank Sanchez isn’t looking for recognition; that’s why he was surprised when he was named “Towman of the Year” by American Towman Magazine, a leading industry publication.

He was selected, according to the magazine, “for his work in defending a critical segment of towing’s business turf and his efforts to get the word out across the country.”

The “work” being referred to is The Sanchez Paper, a June 2010 document opposing a Bridgewater Township proposal that would have put that township and its police department in the impound business. 

“All municipalities and towns are looking for creative ways to raise revenues, but this was simply wrong. Government should not compete with businesses – not only in our industry but anywhere else as well,” said Sanchez. “We need to protect our industry and protects our rights.”

Knowing that his time to speak before the governing body would be limited, he and Somerset Hills Towing owner Michael Bessasparis prepared a detailed argument for officials. As a result, the governing body rejected the proposal.

“Nobody wants to fight town hall. It feels like David versus Goliath. But you can. One person can make a difference. A group of people can make a change,” Sanchez said. “This was a good tool to help win this fight.”

The paper was such a good tool that it has been utilized by others across the country. Towers in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, for example, recently adapted it to their needs with similar results.

A Basking Ridge resident for 15 years, Sanchez has been involved in the towing industry for a long time. Originally from Parsippany, he began pumping gas in high school at a service station that had a fleet of towing vehicles. He went on to get his Associate Degree in Business Administration while working in the station’s office, dispatching and running calls on nights and weekends.

Over the years, he worked for several towing companies and body shops, continuing to expand his industry knowledge. In 1996 he bought his first flatbed and began building his own business. By 2002, he had 22 trucks and locations in Morristown and Parsippany.

In 2005, recognizing a conflict between business and family time and facing health issues, he decided it was time to make a change.

“I was working 14- to 16-hour days,” he recalled. “It’s a business that never closes. I even had to miss part of my daughter’s first Christmas. Fortunately, my wife Doriann was a tremendous support in picking up the slack.”

“All these things prompted me to make that decision – family first. It is difficult to make both family and business successful. I decided I want to focus my life on my family,” he said.

Sanchez sold the business and spent three years working for the new owner. As he was exploring changing careers entirely, Bessasparis offered him a job with Somerset Hills, where he now focuses on developing new business and working with existing customers.

While Sanchez is proud of the “Towman of the Year” honor, which he will receive at the industry’s annual November trade show, he has plenty of other reasons to be proud.

He participates in the Leadership Somerset Program, and Sanchez and Bessasparis received “Order of the Towman” recognition in 2010, having been nominated by Bernards Township Police Chief Brian Bobowicz.

He is also extremely proud of Somerset Hills Towing, which has grown to three locations (Bernardsville, Bridgewater and Lebanon), and its ongoing involvement in the community; he speaks excitedly about an upcoming demonstration to help local Cub Scouts earn merit badges.

“Ultimately, I made the right decision,” he said. “Today, my job gives me flexibility and a good balance. A lot of thought went into that.”