The Richest People In America: Stephen Bechtel Jr

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#64 Stephen Bechtel Jr

$5.5 billion
Source: engineering, construction

Third-generation leader of firm that built Turkey's Ankara-Gerede Highway and the Hong Kong International Airport. Became Bechtel president at age 35, chairman 13 years later. Son Riley now runs the $27 billion (sales) construction outfit. Father and son each believed to own 20% of the company. In July 2007 celebrated opening of Tacoma Narrows Bridge near Seattle, the longest suspension span built in the world since 1960s. New projects include a $1.9 billion expansion of its Worsley Alumina refinery in Western Australia. Owns stake in money management firm Fremont Group.

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