Growing up around a family-run company like BRAKE & CLUTCH, INC., I developed an early appreciation for how essential it is to stay connected, curious, and committed to continual growth. I also learned the value of hard work and how important it is to continuously solve problems.
When I first became involved with NTEA’s Generation Next, I was looking to expand my network and gain broader insight into the challenges and opportunities across the work truck industry. What I found was far more impactful: a dedicated community of top-notch professionals, a platform for industry involvement, and a foundation for personal and professional growth.
The work truck industry is a complex and technical industry that is deeply tied to North American infrastructure. For early careerists trying to find their footing, tapping into the right resources is everything. That’s where Generation Next comes in. Here are five ways this group can help accelerate your career:
1. A network that matters
Generation Next is a community of up-and-coming leaders, engineers, marketers, analysts, and entrepreneurs all focused on the work truck industry.
Whether you’re new to the field or stepping into a leadership role, the connections you build here have lasting value. The relationships I’ve developed through Generation Next have led to strategic collaborations and lasting friendships.
2. Tailored education and resources
The work truck industry is ever-changing — emerging technologies, shifting regulations, and evolving customer demands require us to stay informed and ready to change at a moment’s notice. Generation Next provides educational tools designed specifically for rising industry professionals. From webinars and workshops to leadership spotlights, there’s no shortage of ways to develop skills and stay ahead of the curve.
3. Lead beyond your title
Generation Next offers leadership opportunities that go far beyond your day job. Serving on a committee or participating in special projects gives you a unique opportunity to step up and develop strategic thinking, public speaking, and collaboration — skills that are transferable to any professional environment.
Personally, stepping into a leadership position within Generation Next helped me broaden my perspective, grow confidence and contribute to the industry in a more meaningful way than I originally imagined.
4. Build a personal brand
Industries like ours are built on reputation and trust. When you show up consistently — whether on a panel at Work Truck Week, in a webinar, or by contributing to industry discussions — you raise your visibility and grow your network. Generation Next provides these avenues and helps showcase your expertise and passion on a larger scale.
5. Join an organization that’s shaping the future
It’s not just about individual growth — it’s about moving and growing our industry as a whole. Generation Next is developing the next generation of leaders who will influence our industry into the future.
When we come together as a community of ambitious professionals, we do more than grow our résumés. We shape the future of an industry that literally keeps the world moving.
Ready to accelerate?
If you’re a professional with 10 or fewer years of experience in the work truck space, Generation Next is your on-ramp to something bigger. Whether you're an engineer passionate about product development, a sales professional building customer relationships, or a project manager solving daily challenges, there’s a place for you here.
Let’s build, learn, and lead—together.
Peter Livas is a Division At-Large Member for NTEA’s Generation Next. He serves as executive vice president at BRAKE & CLUTCH, INC., a family-owned business that provides upfit solutions to the commercial vehicle industry. He is passionate about leadership development, mentorship, and strengthening the future of the work truck community.