Williams Promotes Four Human Resources Vice Presidents.

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1999--

Williams (NYSE:WMB) has promoted four of its human resources vice presidents to senior vice president positions.

Michael P. Johnson is promoted to senior vice president, human resources, for the corporation. He reports directly to Keith Bailey, Williams' chairman, president and chief executive officer. Johnson joined Williams in December 1998 as vice president, human resources, after serving in a similar capacity at Amoco Corporation in Chicago.

Johnson has more than 25 years of experience in domestic and international human resources. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from North Carolina Central University in Durham. And, he is a board member for the Executive Leadership Council Foundation, chairman of the ELC Technology Transfer Taskforce, and a former board member of the Amoco Foundation, Inroads of Chicago, Good Shepherd Hospital, City College of Chicago Foundation, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, WMFE Public Broadcasting, and the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League.

William R. Burton is promoted to senior vice president, human resources, for Williams Gas Pipeline in Houston. He reports to Brian O'Neill, president and chief executive officer of Williams' natural gas transportation businesses. Burton has been vice president, human resources, for the group since 1997.

Burton joined Williams in 1978 and has since served as manager, human resources, for Agrico Chemical and director, human resources, for Williams Exploration, Louisiana Resources and Williams Natural Gas. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, and for Southern Gas Association is chairperson of the Energy Communication Network management committee, member of the human resources section management committee, and member of the staff compensation and benefits program. Burton received a bachelor's in business management and economics from Drury College, Springfield, Mo.

Gerald L. Carson is promoted to senior vice president, human resources, for Williams Communications Group in Tulsa. He reports to Howard Janzen, president and chief executive officer of Williams' communications operations. Carson has been the group's vice president, human resources, since 1997.

Carson joined Williams in 1986 and has since been responsible for compensation, benefits and Comprehensive Human Resource Information Systems in various human resources positions. He is on the boards of Long Term Care Authority Metropolitan Tulsa, Chamber of Commerce, Tulsa Technology Center Education Foundation and Tulsa Community Foundation for Indigent Health Care, and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Carson earned a master's in business administration, bachelor's in industrial management and associate of engineering degrees from the University of Toledo, Ohio.

Robyn L. Ewing is promoted to senior vice president, human resources, for Williams Energy Services. She reports to Steve Malcolm, president and chief executive officer of Williams' nonregulated energy operations.

Ewing came to Williams through the company's 1998 acquisition of MAPCO Inc. She has served as vice president, human resources, for the energy services group since that time. Ewing spent 17 years at MAPCO in positions including director, workforce planning; corporate human resources manager; senior accounting manager; and financial services manager. She is an advisory board member of the Women Professionals in Oil and Gas study, a project of Catalyst, and a member of the Human Resource Planning Society and the Society for Human Resource Management. Ewing also has held board positions with Parent Child Center and Domestic Violence Intervention Services. She currently is a fund allocation steering committee chairperson for the Tulsa Area United Way. Ewing earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Tulsa.

About Williams (NYSE:WMB)

Williams, through its subsidiaries, provides a full range of traditional and leading-edge energy and communications services. Company information is available at http://www.williams.com.