Harry Fry takes the gavel in 2026

For more than 30 years, Harry Fry, founder of Harry Fry & Associates, has worked alongside crane and specialized transportation companies across North America – helping them finance equipment, navigate growth and weather the industry’s inevitable cycles.

This month, however, Fry will step into a more visible role when he becomes president of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA), officially taking the gavel during the Closing Night Awards & Recognition Dinner at the Association’s Annual Conference in Amelia Island, FL, April 20-24.

Harry Fry, SC&RA President, 2026-2027

As he prepares to step into the Association’s top leadership role, I recently met up with Fry to reflect on his journey so far, as well as the circumstances and relationships that shaped it along the way.

Tell me a little about where you’re from, and those early years.

I was born in New York City but raised in South Jersey – Mount Holly. We lived out in the country. I played sports in high school – football, wrestling and baseball. My father owned a real estate company and had a big influence on me. He was one of the first realtors in the state to hire women as salespeople and office managers. He was also one of the first to hire a Hispanic employee and other people of color. He didn’t do it to make a statement – he simply hired the most qualified people. That stuck with me early on. The best person for the job is what matters.

Words to live and work by, indeed. What did education and early career look like for you?

I went to Wesley College first and played baseball there, then transferred to C.W. Post at Long Island University. I majored in economics with a minor in business finance. That was really the foundation for what I thought would be my career at the time.

I ultimately went to work for the family business selling real estate, handling mortgages – setting up mortgages for people coming in. We did a lot of VA and FHA. I also went to law school and spent a year there – though it really wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. We decided to move to Massachusetts, where Cheryl’s from. We had $1,200 in our pocket and a Ryder van, and that’s how we started.

Did you meet Cheryl in college?

Yes. I’d transferred to C.W. Post to play baseball, but during the summer, my elbow basically blew out and my catcher’s career was over. Funny enough, I ended up playing rugby instead.

One night, three freshmen were running through the dorm. One of them was Cheryl. I chased them out of the building and made a mental note. About a week later it was her birthday at the campus beer hall. I saw her there, we started talking and not long after that, we began dating.

About six months later, we decided to get married. It’ll be 48 years this July. We were married in 1978, and Tonya came about 18 months later. We were a young family of three and our youngest daughter Tara was born four years later.

As the founder of Harry Fry & Associates, Hary Fry has navigated more than three decades in the crane and specialized transportation sector.

Career wise, you had real estate experience, but what were you aiming for?

My background was in economics and finance, so I was really looking toward banking. I interviewed at a few places but ultimately took a position with General Motors Acceptance Corporation, GMAC, on the equipment finance side.

I was there about three years when I moved on to the Mercedes-Benz Credit Corporation. I became the New England representative, covering all of New England and upstate New York, working with Freightliner trucks, Mercedes-Benz trucks and the car side of the business.

Within about five years, I was running corporate wholesale finance operations for the U.S. and Canada for both cars and trucks. Eventually, I managed the Boston branch credit operation for New York and New England for three years. Then back to corporate handling executive operations for USA and Canada, reporting directly to the CEO and COO. Those relationships actually helped me get into the crane business.

Let’s talk about the path that eventually led to you going out on your own.

I’d promised my daughters that once Tonya got into high school, we were done moving. I started thinking about building a business of my own. Mercedes was actually very supportive.

Around that time Daimler-Benz had started a group focused on non-automotive products –a pretty broad equipment finance environment. Along the way, we began supporting Mercedes-Benz engines that were being used in Krupp cranes. I officially started on my own in January 1995, and that’s when I met Dave Burkhauser, who later went to Grove. He was really instrumental in pointing me toward SC&RA.

Once you joined the Association, what folks did you meet and how did they influence your direction?

Beyond Dave, Bill Stramer, Brax Snyder and Pat Collins to name a few. They were incredibly important. Bill, especially, helped me understand the business and the organization. He sat me down and explained how everything works – the Annual Conference, the Workshop, how to get involved. He even paid for a beer. That meant something.

How did that lead to Harry Fry & Associates?

There were changes happening within Daimler-Benz Services and I started looking for additional funding sources. Once we did, I couldn’t continue operating under the Daimler-Benz name. By then, people in the industry knew me personally – knew my name.

So, the question became how to create a business without losing that identity. That’s how Harry Fry & Associates came about. I was Harry Fry … and the associates.

Harry Fry makes time for what matters most – sharing good moments with friends, family and the people who have been part of his journey.

Chief cook and bottle washer?

Exactly. We incorporated in April 1995. I had officially started operating independently earlier that year, in January, which is where we get the 31 years.

Did you know early on that this would become a family business?

Not at all. I had ideas about how I wanted to build the business, but I never envisioned it becoming a family operation. In those early years, I was traveling constantly. Eventually Cheryl said, “You need help.” She moved from being a property manager into the office and became my office manager. Over time, she learned the crane business and the finance side just by listening, asking questions and working through deals with me.

Later, the same thing happened with Tonya. She’s been here more than 20 years now. But in the beginning, none of that was planned. I was just trying to build a business and support my family.

As you got your legs under you in SC&RA and built relationships, what was your impression of the Association overall?

Honestly, it’s corny, but it just feels like a reunion. There’s a lot of serious work and information being shared, but at the same time, it really does feel like a family reunion. Yes, people compete, but there’s also a genuine willingness to help each other. The camaraderie here is second to none.

How did you end up in the SC&RA Leadership chairs?

Joel Dandrea called me one winter out of the blue and asked if I’d consider joining the Board. He explained how the leadership rotation works, and honestly, I laughed.

I’d always thought those roles were for key operators in the industry – company owners, people running crane businesses. I never saw myself that way. I’m part of the industry, but I didn’t think of myself as central to it.

When they later announced I’d be assistant treasurer – the first step in the rotation – I was sitting with a couple of past presidents. One of them looked me in the eye and said, “You don’t realize what you’ve done for the industry.” I told him, “I just did financing.” And he said, “You helped build companies. You helped people get started.”

One thing I know I can say is that this is one of the great honors of my career. To have had more than three decades here – worked with the people I’ve worked with. Called them friends. Seen so many good people get their businesses off the ground and go on to success. And now to be honored with a leadership position. I really am humbled. I don’t look in the rear view very much – just usually keep rolling forward. But this has given me pause.

On a personal note, for a man that admittedly still picks up the phone on Saturdays – when you’re not working, what does life look like?

For the record, if I don’t recognize the number, I let it go to voicemail and call back if it matters. But when I’m not working, I love being around my grandkids. That’s more fun than anything. I have a new grandson now. I turned 70 in January, so I’ve got to keep my health up.

I play golf once or twice a week. Cheryl loves golf. I enjoy it. I really enjoy the shooting range – sporting clays, pistol range. I shoot right- and left-handed. I like the precision of it. I’m thinking about getting into some pistol competitions.

Mostly, I enjoy my family. That’s what I built this for – not just the business, but so our family could do the things they want to do. Tonya seems like she wants to carry it on. I’ve told her, “My trip isn’t your trip.” If she wants to do it, great. If not, that’s fine too.

I don’t have a desire to retire at a certain age. What would I do? Maybe take more Fridays off. Cheryl and I travel more now. I never took a two-week vacation in my life until a couple of years ago. But it’s been a great life. I’m blessed. Good family. My wife still likes me. The kids like me for the most part. That makes it easy.