While our Insight and Inspiration articles, which have appeared in every issue of NETA World since Fall 2021, have most often focused on NETA’s valuable technicians, we sometimes feature a person or team whose impact on NETA and its member companies is substantial.
This first NETA World issue of 2025 celebrates Eric Beckman’s contributions as NETA President from 2021 to 2024. Beckman is Vice President of Engineering at IPS PowerServe. He sits on the NETA Board of Directors as Past President and continues to serve on the Training Committee, CTD Review Committee, and Membership Application Review Committee.
NETA President Dan Hook notes, “Eric Beckman has perhaps left NETA stronger than any other past president. Under his leadership, NETA has transformed its operational structure in ways that will benefit the membership well into the future.”
Hook adds that Beckman set NETA on an exciting path with a new Executive Director and additional staffing to continue the Association’s success into the future. “Eric’s ability to conduct business and methodically make decisions was notable,” Hook says. “He was meticulous about seeking out needed information and proceeding forward without drama or spectacle. Eric handled transformational times with the utmost professionalism and poise, demonstrating an invaluable ability to wade through noise and distractions and focus on root causes and corrective actions for the betterment of NETA.”
Here, Beckman shares his thoughts about his presidency.
NW: When you entered the electrical testing profession, how soon did you get involved in NETA? Did you imagine you would serve NETA as President?
Beckman: I got involved with NETA within the first year of my employment at National Field Services (now IPS Power Services) and attended PowerTest every year after that. I never thought I would be President of NETA at all. At the time my company wasn’t even a NAC, but as my career progressed, I became more passionate about my involvement.
NW: What has the experience of leading NETA been like for you? What were some of the surprises along the way?
Beckman: It was very enjoyable although challenging given some of the changes we’ve been through recently. I especially enjoyed getting to know the staff on a more personal level. The biggest challenge was ensuring that NETA staff and administration had a smooth transition as we brought the staff and all operations — including finance, accounting, and administrative services — internal to NETA. But our great leadership team successfully powered through the pandemic and tackled the other challenges and adaptations, evolving to serve our members better. One takeaway for me was not to be afraid to ask for help. We are all volunteers with busy jobs, but the Board of Directors and our NETA staff members are always willing to help.
NW: What were NETA’s stand-out accomplishments during your tenure? Which one are you most proud of?
Beckman: I’m very proud of the transition from third-party management to bringing all of our operations in-house. 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.
NW: What was your path to your current position? What keeps you committed to this profession?
Beckman: I started as a field engineer doing electrical testing. After several years, I moved into operations and engineering and started leading and building out the team, eventually becoming an owner in the business and President of National Field Services. What keeps me committed is the comradery with so many people I’ve worked with for many years. I love to see their development in the industry and also love helping solve our customers’ problems.
NW: What impact have the recent hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding had on our profession? Can you share any lessons learned or inspiring stories for future disasters?
Beckman: Events like these really open your eyes to how important the electrical infrastructure is to our country. One inspiring story is how Bryant and his wife volunteered their time in the Asheville area to help feed people who lost their homes and family members. Bryant was still managing a newly reorganized NETA office and also fresh off a near-death family event, so for them to do everything they did was truly inspiring.
NW: What is NETA’s key to staying relevant to electrical testing companies and technicians within NETA and throughout the industry?
Beckman: We must ensure we continue to challenge ourselves 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. On the plus side, I expect energy storage and the ramp-up of electric vehicles to drastically affect the grid and the need for the safety and reliability of those systems. These changes represent opportunities for NETA and its members.
The biggest challenge facing the electrical power testing field may be the limited number of skilled workers in the industry 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 is going to help our industry.
NW: What advice do you have for young people new to or looking at the electrical testing industry?
Beckman: You can’t pick a better industry to be in, but make sure you 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.