The Distinguished Service Award recipients have made outstanding contributions to NCEES, their board and/or zone, and to the advancement of licensure and the professions.
David Beasley, Ph.D., P.E., of Arkansas, has been awarded the NCEES Distinguished Service Award for his dedicated service to NCEES and the engineering and surveying professions. Beasley was recognized on August 20, 2026, during the organization’s 105th annual meeting in Henderson, Nevada.
Beasley, a member of the Arkansas Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, began serving the board in 2015. He served as president and vice president of the board for two terms each. Beasley has continued to lead through his service to NCEES. He served as a member of the NCEES Committee on Licensure and Committee on Education. Additionally, he has served as chair of the NCEES Committee on Licensure and Engineering Licensure Model Task Force. Beasley was named an ABET Fellow in 2017.
Christopher Knotts, P.E., NCEES past president, has been awarded the NCEES Distinguished Service Award for his dedicated service to NCEES and the engineering and surveying professions. Knotts was recognized on August 20, 2026, during the organization’s 105th annual meeting in Henderson, Nevada.
Knotts, an emeritus member of the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board, began serving the board in 2013. He served six years on numerous committees and held leadership roles as chair and treasurer. Knotts has promoted professional licensure and standards by presenting on ethics to engineering students and licensees statewide. Knotts has continued to lead through his service to NCEES. He has served as Southern Zone vice president and NCEES president, and during his tenure, he provided steady leadership to the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Knotts received the Southern Zone Distinguished Service Award in 2023. He has demonstrated leadership and service in the engineering profession at the local, state, and national level.