.png)
By Aaron Clevenger (LinkedIn)
This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue of Generation Next Edition.
WTW22 is officially over with nearly a full year until we meet again at
WTW23. Will Ballas led
Generation Next through a time where we were flying by the seat of our pants, navigating virtual meetings and planning for a Work Truck Week we weren’t necessarily sure would happen in person. Thankfully, we pulled through on the plans we set in motion, and we were together in Indianapolis.
My name is Aaron Clevenger, and I'm a field sales manager with Muncie Power Products. I'm also serving as the 2022-2023 chair for NTEA’s Generation Next Board of Governors.
My introduction into the workforce started in the construction industry where my brother and I operated a family-owned business in Muncie, Indiana. When the recession became too much and the housing market crashed, we closed our doors in 2013 and I began a quest for a new career. Construction was all I knew up to that point and I spent hours upon end chasing down general contractor positions.
One day while playing a game of pickup basketball (like most Hoosiers do in their free time), I was told I should apply to Muncie Power Products for work. I did, and soon found myself stocking shelves in the shop. From there, I moved to the product assembly cells, which led to the role of customer service manager.
Muncie Power Products was great in listening to what I wanted out of my career – which was a shot at outside sales. They put me through the appropriate steps to help me achieve my goals through various training efforts and experience directly with customers over the phones.
A year later, I had a territory to call my own in the Midwest and a new title to boast – field sales manager. I spent some time in the Midwest before transferring to South Central, when I packed my family and we headed for the beautiful land of Texas.
My Generation Next journey
My journey with Generation Next has been some of the proudest moments in my career. I joined Generation Next during my first WTW with the help of my colleague, Andrew Dawson. He talked about the benefits of being part of the group and the vision they have for the industry. After some time, I found myself being elected to the Generation Next Board of Governors where I served as governor at large, treasurer, and vice chair.
Generation Next has given me a platform to try and give back to the industry. I’ve made several connections not only with companies I can do business with, but also with my industry peers: people newer to the industry. This has been invaluable in helping me hone my skills on a day to day basis.
Our industry has a wealth of experience and knowledge; however, the vast majority of that experience and knowledge is exiting the industry by way of retirements. So when I say the industry is ours to shape, I mean it’s truly ours to shape. We’re the future of everything that is and will be work trucks and we’re bringing ideas and visions that are just the tip of the iceberg. With the Board of Governors and Generation Next, we want to lead that charge.
Over the course of the months leading up to WTW23, we are working on how we can be a more interactive group and build each other into the faces of the industry. We have different subcommittees that meet several times throughout the year working on different aspects to provide value to Generation Next, and we want to hear from YOU. Anything you would like to see or have provided by the group, feel free to reach out to use via LinkedIn or Facebook.
The more the merrier
Know someone who works for an NTEA member company and has less than 10 years of industry service? Help them get signed up through LinkedIn or Facebook! Not sure how? Reach out to someone on the Board of Governors and we’ll be glad to help. We are all looking forward to the year ahead. Be on the lookout for anything that may pop up from us in your email or on our socials. Let’s not wait until the next WTW to get connected. We’re Generation Next for a reason, because we’re the future and we’re already here.
More from
Generation Next