The American Truck Dealers has announced a new program aimed at developing the next wave of medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers to effectively run their businesses.
The initiative called "Next Generation ATD," will kick off at the ATD Convention and Expo, held this year in Phoenix, April 15-18.

"Today, commercial truck dealerships across the country are facing the reality that many baby boomers currently running the business will be retiring or have already retired and need to be replaced," said Kyle Treadway, ATD chairman. "At a time when many ATD members are transitioning ownership of the dealership to their children, Next Gen ATD will help prepare the dealers of tomorrow as well as see who's interested in taking on a leadership positions at the association,"

ATD members (45 years old and younger) or recent NADA-ATD Academy graduates in dealership management positions are encouraged to join the new program. Eligible ATD members will soon receive an invitation to attend the group's first meeting at the upcoming convention.

"Next Gen ATD will make it possible for us to meet dealers with similar backgrounds, share ideas and look for ways to improve our business operations," said Katie Hopkins, Next Gen ATD chairman and executive vice president of Truck Centers Inc. in St. Louis, Mo. "The new program will also help younger association members, many second-, third- and fourth-generation dealers, make a smoother transition when it's their time to run the family business."

NADA University is currently developing an online social networking platform so the group's members can stay connected. The Next Gen ATD committee is also planning to host quarterly events, educational seminars and mentoring programs.

More info: www.nada.org