The Williams Companies, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed three new independent directors to the Board, effectively immediately: Stephen W. Bergstrom, Scott D. Sheffield and William H. Spence. The three new directors will stand for election at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held on November 23, 2016. Mr. Bergstrom, Mr. Sheffield and Mr. Spence were identified through the Board’s previously announced search process, which it conducted with the assistance of nationally recognized search firm Spencer Stuart. With these appointments, the Williams Board comprises ten directors, nine of whom are independent. Mr. Bergstrom is a skilled and extremely knowledgeable industry leader, having led growth initiatives and successfully managed through industry downturns over his long and distinguished career. He has strong operational skills and a keen strategic understanding of the energy industry. During his tenure as president and chief executive officer of American Midstream Partners, Mr. Bergstrom established a strong platform and led the company through a period of substantial growth while increasing geographic and operational diversity and enhancing fee-based cash flow. Mr. Sheffield is chairman and chief executive officer of Pioneer Natural Resources. Mr. Spence has led PPL Corporation through a period of significant growth and capital expansion.