The hallmark of Jim Beckett's career is leadership. He led ATCO's development of then state-of-the-art computer systems to optimize transmission and distribution assets. His leadership assisted Alberta to develop the legislation which de-regulated the electric and natural gas utilities industries through the Electric Utilities Act of 1995 and subsequent legislation, and he helped to lead the ATCO transformation from vertically integrated utilities to "pipes and wires" providers.  He also led the P3 that took over the Provincial Government's mapping services. More recently, he has led the engineering profession as President of APEGA and is Past-President of Engineers Canada.