Williams appoints new COO to lead operations

TULSA, Okla. - Williams (NYSE:WMB), a prominent player in the energy sector with a market capitalization of $73 billion and impressive 55% stock return over the past year, announced the appointment of Larry Larsen as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective May 3, 2025. Larsen, who has been with the company since 1999, will take over from Micheal Dunn following his retirement announcement last month. According to InvestingPro, the company has maintained consistent dividend payments for 52 consecutive years, demonstrating remarkable financial stability.

Larsen’s extensive tenure at Williams has seen him rise through various leadership roles, including vice president-general manager for the Rocky Mountain Midstream franchise and senior vice president, Gathering and Processing. His experience covers a broad range of operational functions, from supply chain and commodity services to corporate strategy and market intelligence.

Williams President and CEO Alan Armstrong praised Larsen, highlighting his deep understanding of the company’s operations and natural gas-focused strategy as key to his suitability for the COO role. Armstrong expressed confidence in Larsen’s ability to optimize operations and contribute to the company’s long-term growth strategy.

The move comes as Williams continues to play a critical role in the energy industry, managing a 33,000-mile pipeline infrastructure that transports a significant portion of the nation’s natural gas. With annual revenue of $10.8 billion and an EBITDA of $5.6 billion, the company has a long-standing reputation for safe and reliable energy solutions and is actively involved in the transition to a clean energy future. InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently trading above its Fair Value, with multiple analysts recently revising earnings expectations upward. For deeper insights into Williams’ financial health and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.

Larsen’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, equipping him with the technical knowledge necessary for his new responsibilities.

This leadership transition is part of Williams’ ongoing commitment to meeting the energy demand while pursuing sustainable and responsible energy practices. The information regarding Larsen’s appointment is based on a press release statement from Williams.

In other recent news, The Williams Companies, Inc. has seen significant developments that could impact investor sentiment. S&P Global Ratings upgraded Williams to ’BBB+’ from ’BBB’, citing strong credit metrics and projected EBITDA of $7.6 billion to $7.7 billion in 2025, supported by stable, fee-based contracts. Meanwhile, Moody’s affirmed Williams’ Baa2 rating and revised its outlook to positive, reflecting the company’s commitment to maintaining leverage and consistent earnings growth. Mizuho Securities raised its price target for Williams to $67, maintaining an Outperform rating, driven by anticipated financial benefits from Project Socrates. JPMorgan also maintained an Overweight rating with a $66 target, highlighting strong performance in the Transco segment and expected contributions from recent acquisitions.

Williams announced the successful commissioning of the Southeast Energy Connector in Alabama and the Texas to Louisiana Energy Pathway, which enhance natural gas capacity and support energy reliability in the Gulf Coast. These expansions are part of Williams’ strategy to meet growing energy demands and support cleaner energy transitions. The company has also committed to several growth projects, including the Ballymore, Shenandoah, and Whale projects in the Gulf of Mexico, which are expected to provide long-term cash flow. With a focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and leveraging its credit facilities, Williams aims to manage future carbon transition risks effectively. These developments underscore Williams’ strategic focus on expanding its infrastructure and maintaining financial stability.

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