Bechtel Participates in Ethics Day Training Program

Volunteers from Bechtel’s Reston, Virginia office engaged with seniors at South Lakes High School during an Ethics Day training program held recently at the Sheraton Reston. The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce hosted the event that was supported by several area companies, including Bechtel.

Bechtel participants served as table leaders, assisting students as they considered and addressed some of the ethical dilemmas they will be facing in the coming years. The students were given a series of real-life scenarios and asked to reach decisions on topics including personal relationships and accountability, medical emergencies, texting and driving, public safety, substance abuse and cyber bullying.

“In our work at Bechtel, we expect everyone to be uncompromising in our integrity, honesty and fairness,” said Deena Kong, a Bechtel volunteer and ethics and compliance manager for Bechtel’s nuclear, security, and environmental business unit. “It is immensely rewarding to work with high school seniors as they prepare themselves for some of the ethical issues that will become all too real as they move forward in their lives and careers.”

Charlene Wheeless, Bechtel’s head of global corporate affairs and the company’s representative to the Reston Chamber, praised the Chamber and South Lakes High School in partnering for ethics training. “The chamber is a pioneer in this effort,” she said. “Ethics Day is a great program for the seniors, and Bechtel is delighted to provide support and volunteers.”

Kim Retzer, principal of South Lakes High School, said: “Ethics Day is a wonderful opportunity for our students to spend a day engaged in discussion and debate about real-world dilemmas. It is also a day when classmates get to engage with each other as well as with members of our community. We are grateful to the Reston Chamber of Commerce and all of its members who donate their time to put on this annual event.”

Mark Ingrao, president and CEO of the GRCC, said: “The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is proud to be one of the first chambers in the Northern Virginia area to implement an event that engages our future leaders and gives our members a chance to give back to our community. The Reston Chamber plans to continue develop programs that bring the business and other community sectors together.”

Bechtel participants served as table leaders, assisting students as they considered and addressed some of the ethical dilemmas they will be facing in the coming years.

Bechtel’s more than 1,000 employees working in Reston contribute to the area’s well-being through involvement in local activities, such as the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure and adopting Lake Anne Elementary School.