Brendan Bechtel is chairman and chief executive officer of Bechtel, a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Since 1898, Bechtel has helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Bechtel’s projects create jobs, grow economies, improve the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increase access to energy, resources, and vital services, and make the world a safer, cleaner place.
Prior to being elected chairman in April 2017, Brendan was named Bechtel’s chief executive officer in September 2016. He was Bechtel’s president and chief operating officer from 2014–2016.
Brendan first began working for the company during summer breaks in high school. After joining the company full time, he took on roles of increasing responsibility in field construction, project management, and executive leadership. Brendan is the 5th generation of the Bechtel family to lead the company.
Brendan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geography from Middlebury College. He also earned dual master’s degrees at Stanford University in business, and construction engineering and management.
Brendan serves on the board of directors of the Business Roundtable, where he chairs the Infrastructure Committee. Brendan currently serves on the board of trustees for the National Geographic Society and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is also a member of the American Society of Corporate Executives and the Council on Foreign Relations.