Mr. Bechtel was born and raised in Macon, Georgia.  He graduated from Macon Junior College in 1983 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia in 1985.  Mr. Bechtel earned his law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1988.

Mr. Bechtel was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia and joined Crim & Bassler, L.L.P. in 1988 following his graduation from Mercer. Since joining the firm, Mr. Bechtel has focused his practice in the areas of insurance and tort defense, personal injury and general civil litigation.  Mr. Bechtel has tried over one hundred fifty (150) cass as lead counsel throughout the state of Georgia.  Mr. Bechtel was made a partner with the firm in 1992.