Early Life and Education
Riley Peart Bechtel was born on March 25, 1952, in Alameda County, California. He is the great-grandson of Warren A. Bechtel, who founded the Bechtel Corporation. His parents were Elizabeth Hogan and Stephen Bechtel Jr., who also served as chairman and CEO of the company. Riley attended The Thacher School, a boarding school. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and psychology from the University of California, Davis, and a combined JD/MBA from Stanford University in 1977.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Stanford, Bechtel joined the law firm of Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges. He joined Bechtel full-time in 1981. He became president and chief operating officer in March 1989 and CEO in June 1990. In January 1996, he also became chairman of Bechtel. Riley ran Bechtel from 1990 to 2014. Bechtel is consistently ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the U.S. and globally.
Key Business Strategies
Bechtel Corporation is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, and project management. Bechtel's approach includes an integrated EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model to reduce costs and complexities. Bechtel's key projects include the Hoover Dam, the Channel Tunnel, and the Crossrail's Elizabeth Line. Bechtel has over 50,000 employees as of May 2025.
Philanthropy
Riley Bechtel and his wife, Susan, are involved in philanthropy. They support various charitable organizations through the Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation. Some initiatives include supporting programs that help end the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to basic needs and building systems and pathways to career and employment opportunities.
