Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. The procedure for nominating and electing member and foreign associate candidates involves a search in all fields of engineering for outstanding engineers with identifiable contributions or accomplishments in one or both of the following categories:

• Engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature.
• Pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.

Members, who are recognized by their peers for their professional integrity, have distinguished themselves in business and academic management, in technical positions, as university faculty, and as leaders in government and private engineering organizations. 

Duke was named president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, in February 2009. He joined Wal-Mart in 1995 and was named vice chairman in 2005.  Since joining Wal-Mart, Duke has gained broad experience throughout the company, leading the logistics, distribution, and administration divisions as well as U.S. operations. As vice chairman, Duke has been actively involved in developing and executing corporate strategy. In 2010, Wal-Mart topped Fortune's Global 500 list, with 2010 sales of $408 billion, 8,500-plus stores, and 2.1 million employees.