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Rank #269
UNITED STATES•Construction & Engineering•Engineering, construction

Riley Bechtel & family

Net Worth
$11.677B
0% (24h)
Riley Bechtel, born March 25, 1952, is an American billionaire and businessman, known for his leadership in the engineering and construction industry. As the great-grandson of Warren A. Bechtel, the founder of Bechtel Corporation, Riley followed in his family's footsteps, eventually serving as Chairman and CEO of the company from 1990 to 2014. His career at Bechtel, which he joined full-time in 1981, involved pivotal roles and contributions to global infrastructure projects. Bechtel's wealth source is primarily from Engineering and Construction. His achievements include overseeing numerous large-scale projects worldwide. Currently, Riley, his siblings, and their children hold an estimated 40% stake in Bechtel.

How to read Riley Bechtel & family's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Riley Bechtel & family, we anchor the narrative to Engineering and Engineering, construction, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $11.677B alongside global rank #269, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

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.

Career Timeline

2017

Stepped down as Chairman

Retired from the position.

2014

Stepped down as CEO

Stepped down due to health reasons.

1996

Chairman of Bechtel

Became Chairman of the company.

1990

CEO of Bechtel

Assumed the role of CEO.

1989

President and COO of Bechtel

Was elected to the position.

1981

Joined Bechtel Corporation full-time

Began as a contract coordinator.

Philanthropic Impact

Environmental$XB

Conservation Fund

Involved with the organization.

Environmental$XB

Ocean Exploration Trust

Involved with the organization.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Bechtel Corporation40.00%—

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

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.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Riley Bechtel & family are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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