John Becktel
John Becktel
John Becktel is the president and CEO of a successful technology company. He’s earned a reputation for his dedication to providing a high level of service to his clients. Whether they’re seeking a new website, a new business opportunity, or a new way to get more information on a subject, they can rest assured that John Becktel is here to help.
Early Life and Education
John Bechtel was born in Hong Kong in 1939. He grew up as a child of missionary parents. During World War II, his father was interned in a Japanese concentration camp. The family later escaped and returned to the United States where he received his education.
In the early part of his life, he served as a painter at Westinghouse/ABB. He received a fair common school education and was a US Army veteran.
He became involved in the lumber business in Missaukee county when he was 22 years old. After a few years, he was engaged to a woman named Donna. They married and started a family. Their home was replaced with a baseball field that was christened “Bechtel Field.”
John Bechtel served as a director of international ministries for the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation for 23 years. His work helped to establish a training facility for Chinese house church pastors.
Professional Career
John Bechtel’s professional career is marked by a number of WSOP final table appearances. His highest cash was 10th place in season two’s Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio. In addition, he has cashed in four other tournaments.
Aside from the WSOP, Bechtel has also played on the World Poker Tour. He has earned $106,940 from these cashes. He has won two tournaments, and has a long list of final table appearances.
He first cashed in the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event in 1986. During that same year, he was a final table participant in the Champions Invitational Tournament.
He then won $214,000 at the Hall of Fame Poker Classic. In addition, he finished runner up to Perry Green in the $1,500 No Limit Texas Hold’em event. He later earned $15,450 at the Bicycle Casino Legends of Poker.
Achievements and Honors
Founder of the Bechtel Corporation, John Bechtel had a long and distinguished career in the construction and engineering world. He also made a name for himself in the field of environmental science and engineering.
Bechtel was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, where he received the OPAL Award for Lifetime Achievement in Construction in 2000. He was also inducted into the US News and World Report STEM Leadership Hall of Fame. His other awards and honors include an honorary doctorate degree from Westminster Seminary and the National Building Museum’s Honorary Mention of the Merits.
One of his achievements is the creation of the Y-12 Test Site in Tennessee. This is one of the largest test facilities in the United States, and Bechtel worked on this project for nearly two decades. In addition, he was instrumental in building a training facility for house church pastors in China.
Personal Life
When John Bechtel was young, he grew up in a small house on Forest Park Street. His father was a missionary and his mother had lived in the United States for a while during World War II.
During that time, the Japanese had taken over Hong Kong, and John and his mother fled to the United States. John was able to learn to speak both English and Cantonese and grow up with a strong sense of Chinese culture.
After his father’s release, John and his mother decided to return to China. During that time, John grew a deep love for China and the Chinese people. Upon his return to the United States, he pursued his studies. He was awarded honorary doctorate degrees by Toccoa Falls College and Biola University.
Net Worth
Aside from its well-known construction projects such as Hoover Dam and Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the Bechtel name is associated with many other industries. In fact, the Bechtel Corporation is the eighth largest private company in the country.
The company is based in Virginia. However, it has a major presence in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its main residence is located in Woodside, CA. This is a two-story, 6,500-square-foot home with a pool.
Another of the company’s heirs, Riley Bechtel, was chairman of the board until last year. He is now residing in California with his wife Susan and is still involved in other companies.
Although his name is not a household name, Bechtel is known for building hundreds of warships during World War II and helping to construct the Chunnel between Britain and France. His foundation also contributed $25 million to renovate the Presidio of San Francisco.