NEXGEN

ABC Central Florida
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The NEXGEN Leadership Program is an avenue to build industry connections, strengthen leadership mind-set, promote teamwork, and spark creative abilities through an array of industry-based classes and experiences.

Central Florida ABC leadership candidates are among the best and brightest and NEXGEN provides an opportunity to strength an industry peer network of leaders within our community.

The NEXGEN Leadership Program’s mission is to expand the ABC network of leaders and provide a steppingstone for up-and-coming people of influence for the central Florida construction industry.

NEXGEN accommodates a diverse group with a variety of roles and industry experience. The NEXGEN utilizes local community partnerships to build meaningful experiences from industry leaders. Sessions change each year to fit industry shifts, explore crucial topics, and engage in community projects. The program is driven by the growing alumni and leaders within the local community.

NEXGEN Leadership Program is an 8-month curriculum designed to enhance participants knowledge through leadership coaching, industry specific content, and peer networking. This program creates experiences with central Florida project leadership, decision makers, model design teams, and a healthy balance of fresh and seasoned industry role models. Off-site locations are often paired with a site tour to align with the session topic.

 

Who Should Apply?

Up-and-coming leaders and seasoned professionals are all welcome from Central Florida ABC general contractors, subcontractors, associates, or suppliers. There is no age requirement for this program, but rather dedication and passion for the construction industry. Criteria for all applicants require decision making ability within their company and have been in the industry for at least one year.
Sponsorship Opportunities

Session Topics

  • There’s no “I” in Team: Building Teams and Professional Networks
  • Ready, Willing, Prepared: Leading in Construction
  • ABC’s Mission – A national organization with a state and local purpose
  • Public Policy, Law, and Political Advocacy to support the Construction Industry
  • Engaging and Partnering for Workforce Development & Capacity Building
  • Economic Drivers and the Construction Industry: Sustainability, Growth, and Resilience
  • Finding and Winning Work: Leadership and Business Development Strategy
  • Corporate Citizenship and Community Involvement: Doing good and serving in the community - not just providing goods and services to the community

Is This You?

The NEXGEN Leadership Program (NLP) seeks to build industry connections among ABC members and their talent, enhance leadership strengths, promote cooperation and teamwork between professionals, and spark creativity that fosters innovation. It provides a steppingstone for up-and-coming construction professionals in Central Florida and deepens and expands the ABC network by preparing mid-level leaders and stages them for continued development for future roles in executive leadership positions. NEXGEN participants are the industries emerging leaders that will both build and sustain the construction industry and empower its workforce here in Central Florida.
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Application Process & Schedule:

  • Submission Window: January 1 through July 31
    • Submit applications with a copy of resume by July 31
  • Review & Screening: First Week of August
    • Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed by the NEXGEN Council.
  • Interviews: Second and Third Week of August
    • Each applicant will be interviewed prior to acceptance. There is a limited number of seats in the program. Applicants who are not accepted may reapply the following June/July for a future program.
  • Notification: September 1
    • Once interviews are completed, the Council will announce the next class participants.

2024-25 Session Schedule and Topics

The NEXGEN program’s monthly sessions will also include teamwork development and networking opportunities after key sessions. Generally, classes will start at 11:00 am, with a lunch and conclude at 5 pm. Follow-on events will begin immediately after the training ends - these sessions will be 1–2-hour activities. Graduation for the NEXGEN Cohort will be June 2024 (Final Date TBD).

The planned dates for NEXGEN 2024-25 are:   

  • Monday, September 16, 2024 – Class Kick-off, meet & greet Board of Directors
  • Thursday, October 17, 2024
  • Thursday, November 21, 2024
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025
  • Thursday, March 20, 2025
  • Thursday, April 17, 2025
  • Thursday, May 15, 2025
  • June 2025 (Final Date TBD) – Graduation Dinner & Ceremony

Program Commitment
Participants and their nominating supervisor agree to adhere to the NEXGEN Leadership Program Rules of Engagement. Attendance to all sessions for the entirety of the agenda is expected. Participants who miss more than two (2) program days will be dropped without refund of tuition and nominating supervisor will be notified. Cell phone and tablet/computer use during class is prohibited.

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IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

The sessions were very informative and interesting. We had the opportunity to do some actual presentations, which I found helpful, as I Iearned when given the chance to practice. As a leader I can see how the power of effective coaching inspires greater performance and potential in a team and organization. The trainer was good at leading, facilitating and getting the best out of everyone. Time well spent.
Tyler Brooks, S.I. Goldman Company

NEXGEN is a great way to connect with other up-and-coming leaders in the industry. ABC does a great job bringing in top professionals each session to share their experiences and provide insight into all the different facets of operating in construction today. NEXGEN really helped to renovate my thinking and cultivate my God-given skills into being a more effective leader. Thanks ABC!                                      Chris Condello, Randall Family of Companies

This was a great opportunity to learn more about the industry and truly set me up for success in my career!  Joslynn Gallo, Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

I am honored to be a part of the 2022-2023 ABC NEXGEN class. This program challenges you to think outside of your current role and prepare you for your future role. The best part to me was being surrounded by cohorts all with the same goal of growing in our careers. Each session we learned from new or familiar seasoned industry professionals who provided their insight and perspective of how they got to where they are now. I truly believe the information I gained from this program will directly aid me now and into the future.                                                                                    Danielle Gump, Pirtle Construction

The NEXGEN Program enabled me to identify key leadership traits within myself and provided several different professional experiences that would help guide me through some of the leadership challenges within our industry.  I highly recommend industry leaders of Central Florida to attend this program no matter what stage of their career they may be in      Alden Gunder, CORE Construction

NEXGEN has increased my industry knowledge and enhanced my toolset to be an effective leader      John Kiely, Baker Concrete

The NEXGEN program opened my eyes more about business and construction. It provided me the opportunity to capture what I have learned and use those tools in my everyday life.                                Brandon Ulmer, Energy Air

I had a great experience in the NEXGEN Program.  Each presentation was unique and offered a ton of interesting information that helped give me a better understanding and appreciation of the construction industry as a whole.                                                    Mike Schellhammer, Brasfield & Gorrie

 

Class of 2023

Interested in being a NEXGEN Contributor? Here’s how to get involved:

  • NEXGEN Committee
  • Provide a classroom for a NEXGEN session (3-4 Hours)
  • Become a presenter or panelist during one of the sessions
  • Sponsor a NEXGEN class lunch
  • Sponsor a NEXGEN Networking Hour
  • Provide a project tour or job site tour - completed or active project

Build the foundation for the leaders of tomorrow. Join the many companies and industry professionals who contribute to NEXGEN Leadership.

Become A Contributor