Global engineering giant Bechtel announced the fifth generation family member will take up the top job in September.
He will succeed Bill Dudley who was parachuted into the CEO role as the first non-family member to run the business when Brendan’s father Riley Bechtel was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease two years ago.
Brendan was appointed to the board in 2014 as COO and previously worked as president of the company’s oil, gas and chemicals business
Dudley will stay with the firm as vice chairman, while Jack Futcher — president of the company’s oil, gas and chemicals business — fills the vacancy of group president and COO.
“I am delighted to announce these changes that further strengthen our company and puts in place a dedicated and experienced executive leadership team that will drive us forward as we continue to innovate, re-tool and consistently deliver for our customers and colleagues,” said Bechtel chairman Riley Bechtel.
“This is a natural evolution in our company and the result of diligent succession planning and execution,” he added.
The firm was founded by Warren Bechtel back in 1898, a cattle farmer who moved into constructing railroads with his own team of mules.