Williams Cos. Inc. (WMB)

[eastunder]

8-24-16

Williams Confirms Receipt of Corvex Director Nominations

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/williams-confirms-receipt-corvex-director-150900950.html

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) (“Williams” or the “Company”) today confirmed that Corvex Management LP (“Corvex”) has nominated ten Corvex employees, including Keith Meister, to stand for election to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.

The Company issued the following statement:

Williams is disappointed that Corvex has launched a distracting and costly proxy contest while Williams is successfully executing its strategic plan and moving forward with its intent to name three new, highly qualified and independent directors as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining a world-class board of directors.

The Williams Board intends to carefully review Corvex’s nomination notice. No stockholder action is required at this time. Without taking a position on the Corvex 14a-8 shareholder proposal and the Corvex nomination, Williams notes that, should Corvex identify individuals with appropriate expertise, experience and skills who are qualified to serve on the Board, Williams will work constructively with Corvex and seriously consider such candidates for appointment to the Board.

Williams notes that it has taken steps to allow stockholders to submit nominations in compliance with Williams’ bylaws, including extending the nomination deadline to August 25, 2016 and making a clear indication to stockholders of the number of Board seats that would be available. In addition, the Williams Board has stated that it will consider any potential nominees that stockholders feel would be appropriate to join the Board.

Importantly, Williams contacted the directors who resigned from its Board on July 1, 2016, including Keith Meister of Corvex, in connection with its search for new, highly-qualified directors in order to request their input regarding particular areas of expertise or experience to prioritize in its director search. Williams also asked the former directors to suggest specific director candidates.

Since early July, the Williams management team has announced a series of strategic actions, and the Company’s stock has increased in value by approximately 39%.