Early Life
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 in 1898. His parents were Elizabeth Hogan and Stephen D. Bechtel Jr., the former chairman and CEO of Bechtel. Riley attended The Thacher School and earned bachelor's degrees from the University of California, Davis, and a combined Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University in 1977.
Rise to Success
Riley joined Bechtel full-time in 1981 as a contract coordinator. He worked his way up through the company, becoming President and Chief Operating Officer in 1989 and CEO in June 1990. He also became Chairman in January 1996. Riley stepped down as CEO in 2014 due to health reasons associated with Parkinson's disease, and stepped down as Chairman in 2017. During his leadership, Bechtel executed over 25,000 projects across 160 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Bechtel's success is rooted in its ability to manage large-scale, complex projects. The company has a long-term strategic focus due to its private, family-controlled ownership. This structure allows for consistent vision and strategic planning. The company's key business units handle transportation, power, and hydroelectric facilities.
Philanthropy
Riley is committed to philanthropy through his involvement with various charitable organizations, including the Conservation Fund and the Ocean Exploration Trust.