Brendan Bechtel and Anony Williams Are Appointed to National Geographic Society Board of Trustees

WASHINGTON (July 7, 2015)-Two new members have joined the National Geographic Society board of trustees. They are Brendan Bechtel, president and chief operating officer of Bechtel Group, Inc., one of the world's leading engineering, construction and project management firms; and Anthony Williams, chief executive officer of the Federal City Council and former mayor of Washington, D.C. They join 16 other trustees who are leaders in science, education, business, finance, publishing and public service.

The 127-year-old National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. It reaches more than 700 million people each month through its media platforms, products and events.

National Geographic is fortunate to have the additional counsel and experience of Brendan and Tony, who have impressive records of leadership and service, said Society Chairman John M. Fahey.

We are delighted to welcome our new trustees to the board and know that National Geographic will benefit greatly from their expertise and knowledge and their guidance in helping the Society embrace future opportunities and challenges, said National Geographic President and CEO Gary E. Knell.

Brendan Bechtel is responsible for the management and oversight of Bechtel's global operations. He is a member of the company's board of directors and the fifth generation of family leadership. Prior to being elected as president and COO in 2014, Mr. Bechtel worked around the world in field construction, project management and executive leadership, including serving as president of the company's Oil, Gas & Chemicals business unit. Since the company's founding in 1898, Bechtel has completed more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents, serving the energy delivery, defense, environmental cleanup, mining & metals, oil, gas & chemicals, infrastructure, transportation and telecommunications industries. Bechtel currently has some 40 offices and 58,000 employees in 40 countries, and has been the No. 1-ranked U.S. contractor by Engineering News Record for 17 years in a row.

Mr. Bechtel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography from Middlebury College in Vermont. He also completed dual master's degrees at Stanford University in business and construction engineering and management.

Anthony Williams, who was mayor of Washington, D.C., from 1999 to 2007, is CEO of the Federal City Council, an organization that serves as a catalyst for progress in the nation's capital by focusing the creative and administrative talents of Washington's business and professional leaders on major problems and opportunities facing the city. Mr. Williams previously served as the William H. Bloomberg Lecturer in Public Management at Harvard Kennedy School. During his two terms as Washington's mayor, he is widely credited with leading the comeback of the city, restoring its finances and improving the performance of government agencies. From 1995 to 1998, before his election as mayor, Mr. Williams was the independent chief financial officer of the District.

In addition to his work on company boards, Mr. Williams devotes his attention to educational and environmental issues, serving on the boards of Fight for Children and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.P.P. from Harvard Kennedy School and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

About the National Geographic Society

National Geographic is a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. Each year, we fund hundreds of research, conservation and education programs around the globe. Every month, we reach more than 700 million people through our media platforms, products and events. Our work to inspire, illuminate and teach through scientific expeditions, award-winning journalism and education initiatives is supported through donations, purchases and memberships. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Note to Editors: Images of Brendan Bechtel and Anthony Williams can be found at:

http://press.nationalgeographic.com/downloads/board_members.

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