Mike Beckage

Mike Beckage Donor Engagement and Stewardship Committee Chair Former Chief Technology Officer Diversified Technical Systems, Inc.

Michael “Mike” Beckage is the co-founder and the former Chief Technology Officer of Diversified Technical Systems (DTS), Inc., a global leader in data acquisition systems and sensor technologies used in safety testing across industries—from automotive and aerospace to defense and sports. Since its founding in 1990, DTS has grown to nearly 100 employees and built a 15-year track record of sustained growth and profitability.

A proud graduate of Cal Poly Pomona (’87, Engineering Technology), Beckage’s journey to his degree spanned a decade of perseverance, balancing full-time work as an electronics technician and test engineer with rigorous academic demands. His hands-on experience collecting vehicle crash data while studying engineering laid the foundation for DTS’s mission: helping people on the edge of catastrophe (drivers, soldiers, and astronauts) stay safe through precision instrumentation.

Under Beckage’s technical leadership, DTS developed miniature devices capable of measuring velocity, vibration, and acceleration in extreme environments. These innovations are used by NASA to monitor astronaut biomechanics during launches, by JPL to ensure the safe return of Martian rock samples, and by automotive and defense industries for crash and impact testing.

Beyond his technical contributions, Beckage is a passionate advocate for engineering education. He previously chaired the Dean’s Leadership Board at Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Engineering, continues to mentor students through professional development workshops, and share his personal story to inspire persistence. Together with his wife Bridget Spanier, he has donated over $1 million to support scholarships in Engineering and Education and Integrative Studies, helping ease the financial burden for future generations.

Previously, Beckage served as an engineering specialist at Nissan Motor Corporation’s U.S. headquarters, where he analyzed safety and emissions issues and liaised with federal agencies including the NHTSA and EPA.