Guardian Fleet Services Adds COO to Executive Team, Names New President
Guardian Fleet Services Inc. of West Palm Beach, Fla., has added a chief operating officer to its executive team, and named a new president.
Thomas Tedford (left) and Scotty Crockett
Towing and recovery industry veteran Thomas Tedford was named chief operating officer of Guardian Fleet Services effective the week of March 28, 2022. Tedford brings 35 years of towing and recovery experience to the helm of Guardian Fleet Services, the largest commercial towing, recovery and specialized transportation fleet company in the Southeast. He rounds out the Guardian Fleet Services executive team, including CEO Geoff Russell, President Scotty Crockett, CFO Mike Welch, Vice President Mark Kara, and Vice President Sean Loscalzo, who is in charge of the South Florida market.
“I am very excited to join the team,” said Tedford, “and I’m excited about the future and what it holds. There are significant growth opportunities, and I look forward to being a part of them.”
Tedford has a strong history in the towing industry, including 17 years at United Road Towing. He currently is treasurer of the Chattanooga-based International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum. He has received many awards, such as induction into the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame in 2008, among other honors.
Tedford will help the employee-owned company to continue to grow and expand. His focus on acquisitions, startups, consolidation, team building, business development, cost controls and performance are aligned with Guardian Fleet Service’s business plan, making him a vital asset to the team.
Guardian Fleet Services also announced that Scotty Crockett has been promoted from chief operating officer to president. With this promotion, Crockett will be able to focus on the future goals and growth of the company. Geoff Russell, formerly president and CEO, remains CEO of Guardian Fleet Services.
From its beginning, Crockett said the plan for Guardian Fleet Services was to continue to grow the business and to be the premier service provider in its markets.
“As COO, running the operations of Guardian Fleet Services for the past five years has been an honor and a great experience,” Crockett said. “Throughout these years, it has allowed me the opportunity to work with a lot of amazing people with the same passion for the industry and costumers that I share. This time has also allowed me to surround myself with the best our industry has to offer. In the mix of everything, with Geoff Russell’s guidance and mentorship, I have had the opportunity to build a team around me that compliments everything we do. Without this dedication, Guardian Fleet Services would not have achieved the success it has to date. Assuming the position of president of Guardian Fleet Services is a great accomplishment and the highlight of my career.”
“I look forward to having Tom Tedford as the new COO,” Crockett adds. “His leadership will allow Guardian Fleet Services to accelerate to the next level. This will allow me to focus on the growth opportunities that Guardian Fleet Services has in front of it.”
Headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL, Guardian Fleet Services Inc. provides towing, recovery, and specialized transportation services to municipal, state, federal agencies, and commercial enterprises. The company was formed in 2017, following the mergers of Kauff’s Transportation Systems of West Palm Beach and Crockett’s Towing LLC of Tampa, Fla. Guardian Fleet Services continues to acquire and merge Florida-based service providers under the Guardian Fleet brand. Currently, there are 19 locations throughout the state. The affiliated companies have 100+ years of combined experience, 300 employees and more than 350 pieces of specialized towing and transportation equipment.