Died

Williams Companies has named J. Douglas Whisenant as president and CEO of its interstate natural gas pipeline division, succeeding Cuba Wadlington Jr., who died earlier this month at the age of 58 from complications related to cancer.

Cuba Wadlington Jr., president and CEO of Williams’ gas pipeline division and executive vice president of Williams, died Dec. 9 in Tulsa of complications related to cancer. He was 58. From 1995-99, Wadlington served as senior vice president and general manager of Williams’ Transco natural gas pipeline system. From 1988 to 1995, he served as senior vice president and general manager of Williams Western Pipeline Co, executive vice president of Kern River Gas Transmission Co. and director of Northwest Pipeline Corp. and Williams Western Pipeline, all affiliates or subsidiaries of Tulsa-based Williams.

Cuba Wadlington Jr., president and CEO of Williams’ gas pipeline division and executive vice president of Williams, died Sunday in Tulsa of complications related to cancer. He was 58. From 1995-99, Wadlington served as senior vice president and general manager of Williams’ Transco natural gas pipeline system. From 1988 to 1995, he served as senior vice president and general manager of Williams Western Pipeline Co, executive vice president of Kern River Gas Transmission Co. and director of Northwest Pipeline Corp. and Williams Western Pipeline, all affiliates or subsidiaries of Tulsa-based Williams.

Yankee Energy’s board has named Michael G. Morris president andCEO, succeeding Charles E. Gooley, who died two weeks ago followinga long battle with cancer. Morris currently is chairman, presidentand CEO of Northeast Utilities and Chairman of Yankee EnergySystem. In addition, Dennis E. Welch was elected senior vicepresident, COO and director of Yankee Energy and subsidiaries.Welch, formerly vice president of environment, safety and ethics atNU, will run the day-to-day operations of Yankee.

Larry W. Brummett, chairman and CEO of Tulsa’s ONEOK Inc., diedFriday following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 49. Hebecame CEO, chairman and president of ONEOK in 1994 and under hisdirection, ONEOK had grown from a local natural gas utility companywith assets of $1 billion in 1994 to a diversified natural gascompany with total assets exceeding $5 billion. “Larry was a greatleader and a wonderful friend to all who knew him,” said COO DavidKyle. “It is a tribute to him that we have such a great team ofemployees at ONEOK who will move forward with the focus and visionthat he has set for the company during his years of leadership.”