Bechtel has appointed Dena Volovar, a 26-year company veteran, as president of its nuclear, security and environmental, or NS&E, business.
The engineering and construction firm said Monday Volovar succeeds John Howanitz, who will retire in April after a 42-year career at Bechtel.
Craig Albert, president and chief operating officer of Bechtel and a previous Wash100 awardee, said Volovar’s leadership experience and expertise make her the ideal choice to oversee the firm’s NS&E business.
“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,” added Albert.
Volovar brings to her new role over two decades of experience in program management, business development, engineering and operations. In this capacity, she will oversee U.S. and allied government initiatives and nuclear power projects as well as government contracts with federal agencies, including the departments of Defense and Energy and NASA.
Dena Volovar’s Career Background
Volovar most recently served as executive vice president and general manager of NS&E’s environmental and security business line, where she managed the company’s government projects with DOE.
Her career at Bechtel included time as project director for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Uranium Processing Facility project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; manager of functions for the NS&E business; and project manager for the Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Louisiana.
The University of Maryland graduate started her career at Bechtel as an engineer supporting nuclear power plant operations.
