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Jun 18, 2025
Forty years ago, Cole McClure Jr., a geophysics expert at Bechtel, developed an innovative solution to protect critical infrastructure from earthquakes. His patented seismic shield — a trench filled with soft, flexible materials such as liquids — helped block destructive seismic waves, safeguarding dams, power plants, and other vital facilities.
But Cole wasn’t just a brilliant problem solver. He was also one of the founding members of the Bechtel Fellows program, which has exemplified what it means to lead with technical expertise over the past four decades. In total, we’ve recognized more than 75 subject matter experts, each bringing their unique talents, vision, and mentorship to strengthen Bechtel’s capabilities and empower our people to grow as professionals.
Today, 26 active Bechtel Fellows continue to uphold the legacy of technical excellence by applying their expertise to some of the world’s most complex challenges. Their contributions — spanning nuclear energy, large-scale infrastructure, and digital engineering — are helping our customers achieve their goals and inspiring the next generation of technical leaders.
Through their innovations, expertise, and leadership in engineering and construction, they have made significant external contributions to the industry. Their impact is wide-ranging, from holding global leadership roles in codes and standards to driving technical discussions at conferences and overseeing key industry initiatives.
At Bechtel, innovation isn’t just about new technology — it’s about finding better ways to solve tough challenges, improve safety, and deliver exceptional results for our customers. Our Fellows are at the heart of this effort. With deep technical expertise and a relentless drive for improvement, they develop and apply solutions that make a lasting impact.
In the 1980s, Alton “Buddy” Cleveland, a computer-aided drafting supervisor at Bechtel, created the WALK-THRUTM system, a revolutionary three-dimensional simulation tool. It allowed engineers and plant operators to visualize the layout of facilities before construction, enabling them to identify and resolve potential issues early in the process.
A decade later, Ping Wan — Bechtel’s first female Fellow — developed state-of-the-art dispersion modeling techniques, including wind tunnel dispersion simulations, to evaluate how safe and habitable power plant control rooms are and measure the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality for major infrastructure projects, including our work on the Boston Central Artery/Tunnel project, one of the most complex urban transportation projects in U.S. history.
Today, Bechtel Fellows continue to drive innovation. For example, Ben Pletcher, the chief welding technologist at Bechtel’s Welding and Applied Technology Center (WATC), is developing applied technology solutions and advancing construction methods for our most challenging projects. His work has improved welding efficiency, materials performance, and quality, helping us turn our customers’ ambitions into reality. Through WATC, Ben also mentors and trains Bechtel colleagues, equipping them with the advanced constructability skills needed to meet the technical demands of the future.
Bechtel’s success is measured by the value we bring to our customers. Our Fellows play a vital role in helping customers solve complex technical challenges, make informed decisions, and achieve their ambitious goals. They drive innovative solutions across our projects and ensure cutting-edge technologies are thoroughly vetted to prevent potential technical issues.
In 2019, Stewart Taylor, a former Fellows chair and specialist in geotechnical and hydraulic engineering, supported Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during a Nuclear Regulatory Commission hearing. His expertise in hydrology and groundwater was instrumental in shaping TVA’s responses and testimony, helping them secure a site permit for a future small modular reactor plant.
That collaboration laid the foundation for an ongoing partnership. Earlier this year, TVA selected Bechtel to design and build the first small modular reactor at this site — now known as Clinch River Nuclear — in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Learn more about the role reactors play in the future of nuclear energy.)
Bechtel Fellows also hold key leadership positions in external forums, conferences, code committees, and universities, where they shape industry standards by sharing their expertise and insights. And their involvement in these external events fosters trust, credibility, and stronger partnerships with our customers.
For example, Adeola Adediran, a senior principal engineer in our Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit, helped develop critical guidelines for nuclear safety as the chair of the American Concrete Institute’s Concrete Nuclear Structures committee. Her expertise in blast protection and structural design has strengthened our nuclear power and defense projects, including the missile deterrence and chemical demilitarization programs for the U.S. Department of Defense.
At Bechtel, technical excellence doesn’t happen by chance — it’s cultivated through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to lifelong learning and improvement. Our Fellows lead by example, mentoring colleagues, guiding technical specialists, and promoting a culture where our people can grow into technical leaders.
To foster this culture of excellence, Bechtel has developed several initiatives that empower our employees to deepen their technical expertise and advance their careers:
In 2024, we welcomed five new Fellows into the program, recognizing their outstanding technical contributions and leadership in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and supply chain innovation. Read more about the new Fellows here.
As we look to the future, the Fellows program will continue to evolve — expanding across markets and disciplines, welcoming new experts, and embracing emerging technologies. But one thing will remain constant: our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture where technical excellence thrives, helping our people and our customers shape a more resilient, sustainable, and innovative tomorrow.
