FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Board of Trustees has named Steve Carey, NTEA senior director of operations, to replace long-time Executive Director Jim Carney. Carney will retire April 30, 2012, after what will be a 36-year career with the NTEA (35 years as executive director).

Due to Carney's longevity in the position, the NTEA 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 and built The Work Truck Show^® as a world-class event during his tenure and has taken on other strategic and member services responsibilities as the Association has grown.

NTEA President Allen Birmingham, sales manager for Tommy Gate, stated, "It will be difficult to replace Jim Carney's industry knowledge, management talents and leadership. 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 the NTEA's executive director position 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 over 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, DC 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 on April 30, 2012, Carney will serve in a consultative role as the succession is completed.