OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2016. The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE: WMB) (“Williams”) today announced that it intends to appoint three new, independent directors to its Board of Directors, to be effective prior to the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting. With these additions, the Williams Board will be expanded to 10 directors, all of whom will stand for election at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 23, 2016.

With the assistance of leading global executive search and leadership consulting firm Spencer Stuart and after discussions with the stockholders of Williams, the Board is currently undertaking a comprehensive process to identify new, highly qualified and independent directors. Williams is committed to maintaining a world-class Board comprised of directors with a broad range of skills and experience. The Williams Board will then present its recommendation regarding director nominees in Williams’ definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and mailed to all stockholders eligible to vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting.

“Williams is looking forward to broadening the expertise and perspective of the Board with the addition of three new, independent directors in the near term,” said Dr. Kathleen B. Cooper, Chairman of the Williams Board of Directors. “The Williams Board and management team will continue to take decisive actions to position Williams for the future and enhance stockholder value.”

About Williams

Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a premier provider of large-scale infrastructure connecting North American natural gas and natural gas products to growing demand for cleaner fuel and feedstocks. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Williams owns approximately 60 percent of Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ), including all of the 2 percent general-partner interest. Williams Partners is an industry-leading, large-cap master limited partnership with operations across the natural gas value chain from gathering, processing and interstate transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids to petchem production of ethylene, propylene and other olefins. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins and also in Canada, Williams Partners owns and operates more than 33,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – providing natural gas for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Williams Partners’ operations touch approximately 30 percent of U.S. natural gas. www.williams.com

Portions of this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the company’s annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.