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Alan Armstrong, who has served as Williams Cos. (WMB) president and CEO since 2011, will move into the role of executive chairman for the midstream company, effective July 1.
Chad Zamarin, currently Williams’ executive vice president of corporate strategic development, has been appointed as the company’s next president and CEO and will also join the board.
Additionally, Stephen Bergstrom, current chairman of the board, will transition to lead independent director.
“Alan’s remarkable leadership and commitment to the mission, vision and values of Williams has been fundamental to the company's success,” said Bergstrom in the company’s announcement.
Armstrong started as an engineer at Williams nearly 40 years ago. Under his leadership, Williams developed a gas-focused strategy, with an emphasis on expanding its natural gas transmission, storage, gathering and processing infrastructure.
Today, Williams handles about one-third of the natural gas used in the U.S. on a daily basis.
“As I look at where the company is today, Williams is excelling on all fronts thanks to a strong and energized organization that is very passionate and dedicated to our strategy and to doing the right thing,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong has been an advocate for the natural gas industry and serves as chair of the National Petroleum Council and as a founding member of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future.
He recently made the national news after President Donald Trump discussed restarting the halted Constitution Pipeline project in New England. Armstrong said Williams would be happy to build the pipeline but would need the support of the local and state governments to move forward.
Zamarin joined Williams in 2017 and has since helped drive strategic acquisitions and advance the company’s position in emerging technologies.
As head of the New Energy Ventures team, he has led initiatives to meet growing demand in sectors such as data center power innovation.
Before joining Williams, Zamarin held executive roles at Cheniere Energy and NiSource/Columbia Pipeline Group.
“I am humbled to take on this new role as Williams’ president and CEO,” Zamarin said. “Our company's more than one-hundred-year track record of tackling some of the most complex infrastructure challenges is inspiring, and I look forward to building on that foundation.”