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March 10, 2025
Bechtel announced today that it has named Dena Volovar president of its Nuclear, Security & Environmental (NS&E) business. Dena succeeds John Howanitz, who is retiring after 42 years with Bechtel.
“Dena’s extensive leadership experience and deep expertise make her the ideal choice to lead our Nuclear, Security & Environmental business,” said Craig Albert, Bechtel President and COO. “During her career at Bechtel, she has built a profound understanding of our operations, fostered strong relationships with customers, and earned the trust of colleagues across the organization. I am confident that under her leadership, NS&E will continue to drive excellence and deliver outstanding results. I also extend my gratitude to John for his many years of service and invaluable contributions to Bechtel.”
Dena brings more than 26 years of Bechtel experience to her new role, including as:
“I am honored to lead the NS&E team in delivering on important missions that support sustainability and global security,” said Dena Volovar, President of Bechtel’s NS&E business. “Building on John’s contributions, we remain dedicated to providing exceptional value to our customers, advancing critical projects, and tackling the world’s most pressing energy and infrastructure challenges.”
Following an exceptional 42-year Bechtel career, John Howanitz will retire in April 2025. Since 2021, John has served as president of Bechtel’s NS&E business and played a critical part in many crucial Bechtel accomplishments, including the commercial operation of Vogtle Units 3 & 4, the completion of the U.S. Army’s chemical weapons destruction program, and the realization of “first glass” at the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.
Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental business designs, builds, and manages complex projects focusing on advancing nuclear power, strengthening national security and defense infrastructure, supporting space exploration, and providing comprehensive environmental remediation services.
For generations, Bechtel has been entrusted by the U.S. government and governments around the world to design, build, and manage projects that make delivering a safer and more secure world possible. Learn more: Bechtel.com.
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com
