National Engineering Society Names Prominent Engineer and Author as President

The National Society of Professional Engineers installed Bernard R. Berson, P.E., LS, PP, F.NSPE, from Perrineville, N.J., as president for the 2007–08 year at the Society’s Annual Conference in Denver.

The National Society of Professional Engineers installed Bernard R. Berson, P.E., LS, PP, F.NSPE, from Perrineville, N.J., as president for the 2007—08 year at the Society’s Annual Conference in Denver.

“Never in my career as a volunteer within NSPE have I had such a major opportunity, as well as such an awesome challenge, to make a difference in the world of professional engineering,” said Berson. “I am deeply honored that my peers have entrusted me with the task of leading NSPE in the coming year. I intend to put my all into making progress for our members, for the profession, and most of all, for the young engineers who are following in our footsteps.”

Berson has practiced in the fields of engineering and land surveying for nearly 50 years, including four years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey. He owned and operated a civil engineering and land surveying practice for nearly 30 years, before retiring in 2002 and operating as a consultant specializing in forensic engineering and surveying. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the Newark College of Engineering.

Berson has long been active in the engineering community, holding the offices of president and national director of the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers and president of the Assn. of Practicing Civil Engineers. Within NSPE, Berson has served as chair of both the Professional Engineers in Private Practice and the Mentoring Task Force. While PEPP chair, Berson created the Young Engineers Advisory Council, an initiative to engage younger engineers in the society that quickly gained popularity and spread throughout the membership.

A number of awards and honors have been bestowed upon Berson for his engineering and organization work, including the NJSPE Distinguished Engineer award in 1995, the NSPE Distinguished Service Award in 1996, and the elevation to a Fellow member of NSPE in 2000. He was also honored as a University of Connecticut School of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus in 1996.

In keeping with his commitment to mentoring and inspiring young engineers, Berson recently collaborated with NSPE member and engineer Doug Benner, P.E., on a book titled Career Success in Engineering. The book is intended to give practical guidance to engineering students and young engineering professionals.