NEXGEN
ABC Central Florida
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?
Session Topics
- Class Kick-Off, Meet & Greet with Board of Directors
- Ready, Willing, Prepared: Leading in Construction
- Public Policy, Law, and Political Advocacy to support the Construction Industry
- There's no "I" in Team: Building Teams and Professional Networks
- Stepping Up The Safety Culture within your Company
- Communicate Like a Boss: Confronting Conflict, Active Listening & Managing Emotions
- Economic Drivers and the Construction Industry: Sustainability, Growth, and Resilience
- Finding and Winning Work: Leadership and Business Development Strategy
Is This You?
Application Process & Schedule:
Submission Window: Now through June 30.
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- Submit applications with a copy of resume by June 30.
- Review & Screening: Month of July
- Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed by the NEXGEN Council.
- Interviews: Month 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/August for a future program.
- Notification: September 1
- Once interviews are completed, the Council will announce the next class participants.
2025-26 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. Social events will begin immediately after the session ends - these sessions will be 1–2-hour activities, which are not mandatory, but highly encouraged. Graduation for the NEXGEN Cohort will be June 2, 2025.
The planned dates for NEXGEN 2025-26 are:
- Monday, September 15, 2025 – Class Kick-off, meet & greet Board of Directors
- Thursday, October 16, 2025
- Thursday, November 20, 2025
- Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Thursday, March 26, 2026 (conflict on March 19th)
- Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Thursday, May 21, 2026
- June 2, 2026 – 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.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS…
The NEXGEN program has encouraged and helped me to take a deeper look at myself and those around me. Through introspective and group exercises, I have learned how to recognize the different personalities and work styles of my fellow employees. This has helped me in my day-to-day life as well as organizing my department each day. It was an eye-opening experience learning how widespread the construction field reaches past the actual physical labor aspect of a job. Britton Eddings, Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.
The ABC NexGen Leadership Program has been an incredible journey, significantly impacting my career development. I am grateful for the experiences and connections I've made, and I now feel more confident and prepared to lead effectively in this industry. Matt Feiten, Baker Concrete Construction, Inc.
I truly enjoyed the NEXGEN Leadership Program. It equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the construction industry and to emerge as a confident and effective leader. I am grateful for the experience and highly recommend this program to other professionals looking to advance their careers in construction. Zach Ingrao, Welbro Building Corporation
Nexgen Leadership class is a great opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills in the construction industry and beyond. You get to network with other like minded individuals and have the chance to meet many other players in the industry that you may not ever encounter in your day to day work life. Add these things up and you become a more valuable and knowledgeable leader in the construction industry. Mike Lewis, Ovation Construction Company
Not only has the NEXGEN Leadership Program uplifted my networking in this industry, but it has equipped me with best-in-class leadership qualities to take my career to the next level. The sessions I appreciated most focused on specific qualities to excel my leadership approach and how I can improve business development strategies to win work in the construction industry. It will be a joy to utilize these valuable skills when serving my family, friends, and coworkers everyday. Owen Minshall, CORE Construction
I really enjoyed the ABC NEXGEN program and the opportunities it presents to network with other professionals in the construction industry, learn about oneself and others, and make connections to possible volunteer and outreach opportunities. My only regret is that I was not able to attend the socials after the sessions. Thank you for fostering this community! Kyle Peckham, DPR Construction
I enjoyed NEXGEN because it helped me become more efficient while having a clear vision of how to execute my goals. It also helped me develop and improve skills/competencies that are crucial to a successful career within the construction industry. NEXGEN helps us understand how to better the industry and increase our individual performance and job satisfaction. Ricardo Portillo, CEMEX
Class of 2024
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.