Williams Announces Leadership Transition: Chad Zamarin to Succeed Alan Armstrong as CEO on July 1, 2025
Williams (NYSE: WMB), a leading energy infrastructure company, announced today a significant transition in its executive leadership that will take effect on July 1, 2025. After serving as President and Chief Executive Officer for more than 14 years, Alan Armstrong will step into a new role as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Succeeding him as President and CEO will be Chad Zamarin, currently the Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategic Development. Zamarin will also join the Williams Board of Directors. Simultaneously, Stephen Bergstrom, the current Chairman of the Board, will assume the position of Lead Independent Director.
This change represents the culmination of a multi-year, carefully considered succession plan designed to ensure continued strong leadership and strategic consistency within the company. The Williams Board of Directors has expressed unanimous support for the transition, citing both Armstrong’s legacy of visionary leadership and Zamarin’s preparedness to lead the company into its next chapter.
Recognizing a Legacy of Leadership
Stephen Bergstrom, who will shift from Board Chairman to Lead Independent Director, acknowledged the profound impact Armstrong has had on the organization. “Alan’s remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication to Williams’ mission, vision, and values have been foundational to the company’s long-standing success,” Bergstrom stated. “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and the company, we express our deep gratitude to Alan for his exceptional service. His leadership over the past 14 years as CEO, and his nearly four decades of contribution to Williams, have positioned the company for sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving energy industry.”
Armstrong’s journey at Williams began nearly 40 years ago when he joined as an engineer. Over the decades, he held various positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately ascending to the role of CEO in 2011. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in guiding Williams through several strategic transformations, most notably pivoting the company’s focus to natural gas. Under his leadership, Williams enhanced and expanded its core capabilities in natural gas transmission, storage, gathering, and processing—assets that now form the backbone of North America’s energy infrastructure.
Beyond internal achievements, Armstrong also emerged as a prominent voice for the broader natural gas industry. His advocacy roles include serving as Chair of the National Petroleum Council and being a founding member of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. His leadership has helped solidify natural gas as a critical enabler of the energy transition, particularly in supporting renewable energy integration and reducing carbon emissions.
Reflecting on his time as CEO and looking ahead, Armstrong shared, “Williams is performing exceptionally well on all fronts, thanks to the strength, passion, and alignment of our people around our strategy and core values. I have witnessed firsthand the resiliency, integrity, and innovation this company brings to the table. I am more confident than ever in our future, particularly as the global demand for natural gas continues to rise. The value of our infrastructure is increasingly recognized as essential, not only for today’s energy needs but for a more sustainable energy future.”
Armstrong emphasized that the choice of Chad Zamarin as his successor was a natural and well-informed decision. “Since joining Williams, Chad and I have worked closely on executing and evolving our strategy,” Armstrong said. “He has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to our long-term vision. His contributions to our growth and innovation, especially in emerging energy technologies, position him well to take the reins. I am excited to continue working with him in my new role and to support his success as our next CEO.”
A Vision for the Future with Chad Zamarin
Chad Zamarin brings a wealth of experience, industry knowledge, and a proven strategic mindset to his new role. Since joining Williams in 2017, he has played a key role in developing and executing the company’s corporate strategy. As Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategic Development, he has led transformative initiatives including major acquisitions, expansion into new markets, and the strengthening of customer relationships across diverse geographies and sectors.
Zamarin also heads Williams’ New Energy Ventures team, which is dedicated to identifying and advancing cutting-edge energy solutions. This team has led the way in deploying cleaner energy technologies and identifying opportunities to integrate low-carbon alternatives into the company’s traditional energy operations. Additionally, Zamarin oversees the Power Innovation group, which has been instrumental in rapidly delivering infrastructure solutions to meet growing demand from the data center sector—a market segment increasingly driven by energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
Upon being named the next CEO, Zamarin expressed both humility and enthusiasm. “It is truly an honor to be selected to lead Williams,” he said. “This company represents one of the great American infrastructure stories, with a legacy that spans over a century. From building and maintaining critical energy systems to solving complex challenges that support our economy and quality of life, Williams has always been at the forefront. I am proud to be part of that story and even more excited about what lies ahead.”
Zamarin continued by acknowledging Armstrong’s influence and mentorship. “Alan has been an extraordinary mentor and partner. His leadership and integrity have shaped the culture of this company in profound ways. I am grateful for the trust that Alan, the Board, and the entire organization have placed in me. I will work hard every day to live up to those expectations and to continue driving value for our shareholders, our employees, and our communities.”
A Carefully Orchestrated Transition
The announcement of this leadership change follows a deliberate and thorough succession planning process led by the Williams Board of Directors. The planning was centered on ensuring long-term stability and the continuation of the company’s strategic vision. According to insiders, the decision to promote from within reflects a strong confidence in the leadership pipeline at Williams and a desire to preserve the cultural and operational strengths that have contributed to the company’s current momentum.
Stephen Bergstrom reiterated that the board is aligned and confident in the direction being taken. “This is a natural and positive evolution of leadership. With Alan transitioning to Executive Chairman, the company benefits from both continuity and renewal. Chad’s appointment as CEO ensures that we remain on course while also bringing new energy and ideas to help Williams thrive in the years ahead.”
As the energy industry continues to undergo major changes—driven by technological innovation, environmental imperatives, and shifting regulatory landscapes—Williams remains committed to staying ahead of the curve. The company’s infrastructure plays a central role in enabling the deployment of renewable energy sources, providing reliable and low-emission natural gas as a complementary fuel.
This leadership transition comes at a time when Williams is poised to play an even more integral role in the future of energy. With growing demand for cleaner, more efficient energy systems across North America and beyond, the company is well-positioned to support economic growth and environmental progress simultaneously. Its deep investments in innovation, reliability, and sustainability signal a clear intent to lead in the next phase of the energy evolution.
As Zamarin prepares to take the helm and Armstrong shifts into his new leadership role on the board, stakeholders can expect a seamless transition that balances strategic continuity with fresh insight. Together, their partnership ensures that Williams will continue to deliver value while embracing the dynamic opportunities ahead in the global energy sector.
With a history built on resilience, engineering excellence, and forward-thinking leadership, Williams enters this new chapter with strength and confidence—guided by a clear vision, a strong team, and an enduring commitment to powering the nation’s energy needs.
