Commissioner Beyer earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Nevada, Reno in 1962,after serving two years in the United States Army. He served six years in the Nevada Assembly from 1980 to 1986. He was elected to the Nevada Senate in 1986. He has served as President of the Nevada State Council for Occupational Education and as the Vice Chairman of the Western/Pacific Region of the National Association of State councils of Vocational Education. He served as the National President of the National Association of State Councils of Vocational Education and was awarded the prestigious Honorary State Farmer award by the Nevada chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) for his service to vocational education. Commissioner Beyer has represented the State of Nevada on various national committees dealing with the environment, recycling waste and education. He has received the Distinguished Service Award by the Nevada Chapter of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He has also served on the Washoe County Board of Health, the Nevada Opera Board of Directors and the Northwest Reno Advisory Council.