The National Truck Equipment Association announced that its board of trustees has named Steve Carey, NTEA senior director of operations, to replace long-time executive director Jim Carney, who will retire on April 30, 2012, after what will be a 36-year career with NTEA, 35 years as executive director.
NTEA says that due to Carney’s longevity in the position, the board wanted to establish a succession path well before his retirement. The board selected Carey based on his 12 years of experience with the association, his knowledge of the industry and his awareness of members’ needs and concerns. Carey has successfully directed The Work Truck during his tenure and has taken on other strategic and member services responsibilities.
“It will be difficult to replace Jim Carney’s industry knowledge, management talents and leadership,” says Allen Birmingham, NTEA president and sales manager for Tommy Gate. “Clearly, after being in the position for so many years, there will be a void. However, we feel that the selection of a current staff executive with Steve Carey’s administrative abilities, experience and track record will result in a smooth leadership transition.”
Carney took over as NTEA executive director in 1977 after a year as associate executive director. Under his leadership, the staff increased from three to 26 employees, membership more than doubled from 700 to more than 1,500 companies, and the budget grew from $250,000 to more than $6 million. Carney successfully moved the NTEA in 1978 from its original Cincinnati headquarters to its current Detroit-area location, and the association established a Washington D.C. office in 1988.
Carey will serve as deputy executive director until he becomes executive director on Feb 1, 2012, at which time Carney will become senior executive director. For three months until his retirement, Carney will serve in a consultative role as the succession is completed.
