Michael Beckage ('87, Engineering Technology)

Michael Beckage

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, Diversified Technical Systems, Inc.

Associate of Science, Riverside City College, 1981

BS Engineering Technology, Cal Poly Pomona, 1987

Cal Poly Pomona’s learn by doing paradigm became an essential component in Michael Beckage’s budding career, which began during college as he worked as an electronics technician at Mobility Systems & Equipment Company.

“I truly learned how to identify a problem, propose a viable solution, and then carry the concept forward to fruition in an effective way,” he says. “Many of my classroom and lab experiences immediately made me a more valuable employee and led to an engineering position even before I graduated.”

As Michael neared graduation, he was promoted to test engineer, and a year later, senior test engineer. In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of data collection and analysis in safety tests performed for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In 1988, Michael moved to Nissan Motor Corporation’s U.S. headquarters, where he served as an engineering specialist until 1995. He was responsible for analyzing and reporting on potential safety or emission issues and corresponding with government representatives at the NHTSA and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Meanwhile, in 1990, Michael decided to cofound his own company as a side business, called Diversified Technical Systems (DTS), Inc. Michael worked on about 40 engineering-for-hire projects until 1995, when DTS won a large contract that enabled Michael and his business partner to focus full-time on DTS. Today, DTS has nearly 100 employees and a 15-year history of growth and profitability.

“If you study diligently, work hard, persevere and pay supreme attention to detail in everything you do, your education at Cal Poly Pomona will take you far,” Michael says.