R. Keith Churchill

"As engineers, innovation is core to enabling impactful change."

Keith Churchill graduated from Purdue University in 2006 after completing the Co-op curriculum and working for Traylor Bros. throughout his Purdue career on various projects throughout the United States, including the McAlpine Dam Project in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In addition to the Co-op program, he participated in various organizations on campus including EPICS, Chi Epsilon, and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

After graduation, Keith went on to work for Traylor Bros. on the Galveston Causeway Bridge in Texas as the Main Span Engineer for the construction of a cast-in-place segmental cantilever bridge on Interstate 45, replacing the aging existing structure. From there, he transitioned to Bechtel in 2008, moving to work on the Motiva Crude Expansion Project as a civil field engineer and expanding to field engineering management for the support facilities for the plant. He spent the next nine years at multiple petrochemical facilities along the Gulf Coast for major energy providers and, in 2017, moved to Bechtel’s corporate office as Operations Manager for Bechtel’s Global Construction organization.

As Operations Manager he became engaged with all aspects of Bechtel’s delivery model across its global businesses, including mining, infrastructure, and government projects. He was key in the development of a new center to promote advancements in welding and advanced technology for the heavy industrial construction sector: the Bechtel Welding and Applied Technology Center. Keith was assigned to establish the center as Bechtel’s hub for construction innovation and technology after completion of the facility. In 2020, Keith was promoted to Chief Innovation Officer at Bechtel’s headquarters in Reston, Virginia.

He participates in multiple organizations such as CII and ASCE with a keen focus on initiatives and technologies that will improve the construction industry’s ability to deliver projects in the future. He remains engaged with Purduesponsoring initiatives with the schools of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and leads Bechtel’s recruiting efforts with the university.

Keith received a Master’s of Executive Management for Design and Construction from Northwestern University in 2023 and resides in Reston with his wife, Brandy (also a Purdue Graduate) and his two sons, Kolvin and Kamden.