Gary Coe

Oregon State Senatorial candidate Gary Coe maintains an accomplished record of awards for his work as both an entrepreneur and community leader. A long-time business owner in the Portland area,… (More) Oregon State Senatorial candidate Gary Coe maintains an accomplished record of awards for his work as both an entrepreneur and community leader. A long-time business owner in the Portland area, he amassed a number of auto service companies after starting out with a small towing shop in the city’s downtown area. Building on the Speed’s Towing location that his father first established in 1958, Gary Coe spent more than three decades expanding the family business into the largest of its kind in the nation. Today he maintains ownership or partnership in eight different companies that provide tow truck services, weekly auto auctions, tow truck online parts sales, towncar services, and more.

Drawing on his extensive experience in auto services, Gary Coe has founded and led numerous organizations related to the industry. Coe’s executive experience in local and national groups includes presidential roles in organizations such as the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), the Central Eastside Industrial Council, and the Oregon Tow Truck Association. As a representative of these and other organizations, Gary Coe has appeared before the local City Council and the State Legislative Body to speak and advocate on behalf of his civic colleagues.

Gary Coe’s commitment to community advocacy, in addition to his diligence as a business owner, have earned him accolades from a variety of organizations. He was most recently honored in 2011 with the Pursuit of Excellence Award from Excell, a business group in which he has remained active for nearly a quarter century. Inducted into the Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in 1987, Gary Coe has additionally received recognition from Oregon Enterprise Forum as their Service Entrepreneur of the Year. Selected for Ford Motor Company’s Lifetime Leadership Award in 2003, Gary Coe has also been honored for his citizenship efforts by both TRAA and the Volunteers of America. (Less)