“Today, it is my distinct honor to present the NETA Outstanding Achievement Award — an award reserved for individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to NETA and who have played a critical role in shaping the future of our organization,” began Dan Hook, NETA Board President and President of CBS Field Services, at PowerTest 2025.
“Eric Beckman embodies the very essence of dedication, leadership, and vision,” Hook continued. “The qualities we look for in a recipient include steadfast commitment to serving and promoting NETA, active volunteerism on multiple committees, and being a champion for electrical safety, quality service, and relationship-building. Tonight, we recognize someone who has gone above and beyond, leading through one of the most transformative periods in our association’s history.”
Hook calls Eric’s time as NETA President “nothing short of extraordinary. His dedication to NETA was evident from the very start, but perhaps nowhere more so than when he made the selfless decision to extend his term from two to three years, ensuring continuity and stability during a revolutionary time for our association.”
NETA IN TRANSITION
Under Beckman’s leadership, NETA undertook a historic transformation — one that required bold decisions, strategic foresight, and an immense amount of effort. He led NETA through the restructuring of a 40-plus-year-old operating model, carefully crafting and executing an exit strategy that positioned NETA for long-term success. “This wasn’t just a leadership role,” Hook points out. “It was a labor of love, requiring patience, integrity, and sheer determination.”
NETA Executive Director Bryant Phillips agrees. “Eric led the association during a very challenging time coming out of the pandemic, and he agreed to stay on longer than his normal term. Eric is one of only two presidents in NETA history to fulfill a three-year term.”
Ron Widup, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, and Senior Advisor, Technical Services, for Shermco Industries recalls, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Eric for many years — I even worked with his dad as one of his customers — so I’ve seen firsthand the values he was raised with. When Eric graduated from college and joined IPS (then National Switchgear), it was clear he was on the fast track. And sure enough, he’s delivered ever since. Eric is not only a talented engineer, but he also brings a practical, common-sense approach to everything he does. He understands the business, knows what it takes to succeed, and has earned respect from those around him.”
“Eric, your legacy will be felt for years to come,” Hook adds, “and it is with immense gratitude that we recognize your tireless dedication to NETA. Thank you for your service and leadership!”
Beckman explains, “The biggest challenge was ensuring that NETA staff and administration had a smooth transition as we brought all operations — including finance, accounting, and administrative services — internal to NETA. It was a difficult decision and a painful process, but it sets NETA up for growth and scalability moving forward. I had lots of support from key staff members, and a lot of credit goes to NETA Executive Director Bryant Philips. This transition would not have been as successful without him leading the efforts.”
Beckman agrees that the COVID pandemic was also challenging and frustrating at times, but says NETA’s great leadership team successfully powered through the pandemic and went on to tackle the other challenges and adaptations. “One takeaway for me was not to be afraid to ask for help,” he explains. “We are all volunteers with busy jobs, but the Board of Directors and our NETA staff members are always willing to help.”
“One thing that stands out to me,” says Widup, “is how Eric rose to the occasion when NETA needed it most. During a pivotal transition with our association management group, Eric didn’t hesitate — he stepped in, stepped up, and helped guide us through a critical time with dedication and steady leadership. I think I speak for the entire Board when I say we are deeply grateful for Eric’s commitment to advancing NETA and the industry. This Outstanding Achievement Award couldn’t go to a more deserving person.”
“Eric’s ability to navigate challenges while keeping the association’s mission at the forefront is nothing short of remarkable,” Hook notes, “and if that wasn’t enough, he drove the completion of NETA’s periodic Strategic Plan — an achievement that will serve as a blueprint for the association’s future.”
CHARACTER BUILT EARLY
Beckman’s character was forged early when he was diagnosed with a hip deformity at the age of 9. “Seeing Eric flourish in the sports he played was a miracle for all of us because he spent 18 months on crutches,” explains his mother, Cindy Beckman. “They told us he might not be able to play sports,” she remembers. “I think having to deal with that at such an early stage in his life helped develop his character.”
Father John Beckman agrees and even admits to bragging a bit. “Maybe I am,” he says, “but he was one of the few engineers who is a NETA Level 4 Certified Senior Technician as well as a Professional Engineer.”
Doug Powell, Chairman of the Board of Directors at National Switchgear and National Field Service, remembers, “He was a quarterback in high school, so he learned how to lead a team, and he brought that experience to National Switchgear.”
“Eric was an engineer right out of college, and I could tell from the get-go that he was going to be the kind of engineer that sales guys loved and cherished and wanted to work with,” contends Robert Koren, former president of National Switchgear, now CEO of Integrated Power Services.
National Switchgear President Casey Blevins explains, “You know, that’s what really separates Eric. He has a high IQ and high emotional intelligence, and he has common sense, and that is so rare.”
WORKING WITH NETA
Beckman started his career as a field engineer doing electrical testing. After several years, he moved into operations and engineering and began leading and building a team, eventually becoming an owner in the business and President of National Field Services. “What keeps me committed is the camaraderie with so many people I’ve worked with for many years,” he says. “I love seeing them develop in the industry and also love helping solve our customers’ problems.”
Beckman’s involvement with NETA also began early — within thefirst year of his employment at National Field Services (now IPS Power Services), and he attended PowerTest every year after that. “At the time, my company wasn’t even a NETA Accredited Company, but as my career progressed, I found I loved helping solve our customers’ problems, which helped me become more passionate about my involvement,” Beckman remembers. “But I never thought I would be NETA President.”
At NETA, Beckman focused on more than structural and operational changes. He led with a focus on people, building trust and confidence among staff, ensuring key players remained with the organization, and fostering an environment of collaboration and resilience.
Beckman’s colleagues at National Field Service/IPS Power Service weren’t surprised to learn that NETA was planning to recognize him with the Outstanding Achievement Award. “Eric really drove NETA throughout our organization,” Powell remembers. “Everything was built around the level you were at with NETA.”
Blevins agrees, “So many relationships were born out of his involvement with NETA and the Board of Directors. I can’t imagine that we could have grown the company the way we did without Eric’s involvement with NETA.”
Cindy Beckman supports her son in everything he tackles. “I’ve observed how much work he’s put in for the NETA organization,” she says. “I’m very proud of that for him, and I’m glad to see him recognized.”
Beckman points to some of the benefits of being part of the NETA family, for himself as well as his company. “Meeting new people and discussing the electrical testing world are two of the best parts of the NETA community,” he explains, “and our company, especially the technicians, gets a lot out of the credentials as well as the professional reputation of being associated with NETA.”
“One of the biggest things I’ve learned about leadership is to be patient and to empower people to do their job without micromanaging or looking over their shoulder,” he continues. “It’s ok to fail from time to time — that’s how we learn from our mistakes. In terms of problem solving, be patient and logical. Sometimes, the simplest of things is causing the problem.”
Over the years, Beckman has served on the Board of Directors and as NETA President from 2021 to 2024. He still sits on the Board as Past President and continues to serve on the Training Committee, CTD Review Committee, and Membership Application Review Committee.
“I can’t overstate how much this award means to me,” Beckman says. “With so many dedicated individuals supporting NETA, it’s an honor just to be associated with them. Receiving this award is a highlight of my career, along with getting my Professional Engineer license, earning NETA Level 4 Senior Certified Technician, receiving my NICET Level 4 certification, becoming President of National Field Services, being asked to serve on the NETA Board of Directors, and being appointed to the Texas State Technical College Board of Regents.
GOING FORWARD
As for what’s next on his list, Beckman says he is very passionate about workforce development. “I’d like to see NETA’s apprenticeship program put to work all across North America. I believe the biggest challenge facing the electrical power testing field may be the limited number of skilled workers and the critical need to train more. That’s why I’m very excited about the NETA Apprenticeship Program that is now with the U.S. Department of Labor for approval as a National Guidelines for Apprenticeship standard, and how that will help our industry. On the personal side, I would like to put myself in a position to continue to support the industry while also traveling and spending time with my family.”
Beckman also says NETA must continue to challenge itself as an organization dedicated to growth and awareness in the industry. “We will need to adapt to new technologies and embrace the changes that are coming,” he suggests. “On the plus side, I expect energy storage and the ramp-up of electric vehicles to drastically affect the grid and increase the need for the safety and reliability of those systems. These changes represent opportunities for NETA and its members.”
“You can’t pick a better industry to be in right now,” he says. “Be sure to maintain integrity, a hard work ethic, loyalty, and a passion for safety. If you do those things, you’ll be very successful in this industry.”