Growing up on a farm in Niles, Michigan, Mr. Beckwith earned his mechanical abilities very early in life. These abilities served him well early on, helping him achieve the Eagle Rank in Scouting when he was only 16 years old.

Mr. Beckwith attended Jackson Community College and Lawrence Institute of Technology where he majored in Mechanical Engineering, with studies in Metallurgical and Electrical.

On June 27, 1964, he married Georgia Bruiuing. He interviewed at Ford Motor Company the following Tuesday, and was hired the day after Labor Day. He retired from Ford in 1997 after a 33 year career there.

Before starting at Ford, Mr. Beckwith worked in the design of material dispensing equipment for the auto industry and electro/hydraulic systems for the military and aerospace.

In addition to serving as a Bendix mentor, Mr. Beckwith is also a leader in Scouting and teaches for the American Heart Association and Red Cross for many years. He is also a Tech Inspector for auto racing including Formula SAE and teaches metal fabrication for race cars and airplanes. Not one to rest idly in retirement, he also serves as Health Officer and Aquatics Director for Scout camps.

Mr. Beckwith was involved in the design and implementation of the first Toolmanship Mentoring program in 2017. He believes deeply in bring generations together to motivate youth in constructive careers.

Anna grew up in Romeo, Michigan but lived in Arizona in the 1980’s. While in the southwest, she became a Certified Foster Parent and adopted two siblings, aged four and six from the State of Arizona Foster Care System. The experience taught her many valuable lessons, especially the importance of faith, family, and relationship. Most importantly, she says, was the value of personal relationships with young people – the avenue needed to offer care, guidance, and education to them, especially youth coming from difficult situations.

Anna began her career in the hospitality management while in Arizona. Returning to Michigan, she changed careers and recently retired from 32 years in information technology and network management, with many of those years in the manufacturing industry. Most of Anna’s career was spent building successful startup organizations, where creating processes and procedures and breaking new ground was part of the job. Simultaneously, he she was the manager of multiple startup UPS Store franchises in 1994 and was treasurer of several nonprofit startups. 

Anna graduated from Ferris State College with a degree in Accounting and from Saginaw Valley State University with a degree in Information Systems. She enjoys quilting, studying, creating Sacred Art, gardening, and baking.

Her caring nature and previous experience with disadvantaged youth, startup organizations, nonprofits, and in information technology make her a valuable member of the Bendix Academy board.