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April 17, 2024

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Former MBDA leader Don Cravins lands at energy giant

Williams Companies Inc. recently announced that Donald “Don” R. Cravins Jr., has been named head of government affairs and outreach. He joins Liz Bowman, who was named vice president of government affairs for Williams in November 2023.

“Having a strong voice in Washington D.C. has never been more important as we navigate a complex and challenging permitting environment in our efforts to meet continued increasing demand for natural gas and evolving domestic needs, as well as provide energy security and support to our global allies. It stands unmatched as the most affordable and reliable source of lower emissions energy,” said Lane Wilson, Williams' senior vice president and general counsel. “Both Don and Liz have a deep understanding of government, experience with advocacy organizations, and relationships across both sides of the aisle, uniquely positioning them to further elevate our voice and impact real change for our company and our industry.”

In his role, Cravins will be responsible for enhancing Williams’ relationships with key state and federal policymakers and lawmakers. In addition, he will set the strategic direction and objectives for Williams Government Affairs and Outreach teams, ensuring the integration of business priorities in Williams' policies and positions.

Cravins most recently served as the Under Secretary for Minority Business Development at the United States Department of Commerce, a position to which he was appointed by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. Previously, he was a U.S. Senate Chief of Staff, a Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and served as a Louisiana State legislator. Cravins also held senior-level positions at the National Urban League and Charter Communications, and, since 2011, has served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the District of Columbia Army National Guard.

Reporting directly to Cravins, Bowman leads Williams’ in-house government affairs team and directs the activities of external consultants, while also proactively partnering with operations leaders on project development to ensure Williams is positioned to deliver on its commitments. She will partner with Wilson and Cravins to further the voice of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, a bipartisan coalition that promotes the vital role of natural gas in our nation’s economic, security and climate leadership.

Before joining Williams, Bowman served as vice president of Communications for the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), where she developed and executed advocacy strategies to further public policy priorities in support of leading U.S. upstream oil and natural gas producers. Prior to that, she served as communications director for U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, and in the previous Administration as the associate administrator for public affairs at EPA.

About Williams
Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a trusted energy industry leader committed to safely, reliably, and responsibly meeting growing energy demand. We use our 33,000-mile pipeline infrastructure to move a third of the nation’s natural gas to where it is needed most, supplying the energy used to heat our homes, cook our food and generate low-carbon electricity. For over a century, we have been driven by a passion for doing things the right way. Today, our team of problem solvers is leading the charge into the clean energy future – by powering the global economy while delivering immediate emissions reductions within our natural gas network and investing in new energy technologies. Learn more at www.williams.com.