Bechtel National Appoints Mitchell Yucca Mountain President, General Manager

“John’s considerable talents, his wealth of experience and his familiarity with DOE and the national laboratories and major production facilities will bring an added dimension to our strategic efforts at this important project,” said BNI President Thomas F. Hash.

Mitchell succeeds Ken Hess, a Bechtel veteran with more than 30 years experience of managing nuclear projects worldwide. Hess will remain at Bechtel SAIC during the transition period to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities to Mitchell.

Mitchell’s 35 years of experience combines management of two major DOE/NNSA sites, nuclear facility operations, major facility development and construction, and management of major technical projects.

“John has demonstrated an ability to instill the highest standards of safety into a large workforce," Hash said, "as well as enabling programs to do more for less and providing dynamic and effective leadership on complex projects.”

Mitchell joined Bechtel in 1994. His senior management assignments have included:

Serving as President and General Manager of Bechtel Nevada Corp. at the Nevada Test Site, Mitchell led planning, conduct and integration of all NTS activities including a wide range of Stockpile Stewardship and Readiness missions. These duties were based on direct support and extensive interface with (SNL, LLNL and LNL) on weapons and stockpile research. He also served on the Executive Council of the National Ignition Facility as a member of the Los Alamos Laboratory’s Nuclear Weapons Strategic Advisory Group.

Mitchell was appointed as President and General Manager of BWXT-Y-12 in Oak Ridge, Tenn., in November, 2002. He led the management and operations of the Y-12 National Security Complex with direct responsibility for safety, security and quality performance. He also was responsible for the facilities and capabilities of the (SNM) storage, handling, processes and manufacturing at the Y-12 complex.

Prior to joining Bechtel, Mitchell served 30 years in the U.S. Navy. His assignments included technical and engineering management tasks and directing strategic systems. When he retired as a Rear Admiral in 1994, he directed the Navy's nuclear weapons systems.

Mitchell holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Rice University and an M.S. in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. He and his wife Judith have two grown children.