Chairman of Fluor to Undergo Surgery for Prostate Cancer

Les McCraw, chairman and chief executive officer of Fluor Corp. in Irvine, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the company announced Monday. He will undergo surgery March 2 to remove a malignant tumor from the gland.

Fluor spokeswoman Kirsten Frosh described the tumor as small and contained. “It was caught in the very early stages of development,” she said. McCraw is expected to return to work two weeks after the surgery.

McCraw, 59, was named CEO of Fluor in 1990, and assumed the additional title of chairman the next year. He has worked for the engineering and construction giant since 1975. After suffering a string of losses in the early and mid-1980s, Fluor posted record revenue of $7.9 billion for 1993, with earnings of $166.8 million.

Cancer of the prostate gland is one of the most common cancers among men. It is considered highly treatable if detected before spreading to nearby lymph nodes.

Frosh said that Fluor’s annual meeting of shareholders will take place as scheduled on March 8. Vincent Kontny, president and chief operating officer of Fluor, will preside over the meeting. McCraw “will remain accessible” while recuperating from surgery, Frosh said.

McCraw and his wife, Mary Earle, reside in Newport Beach. They have three sons.