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

Whisenant, 55, had been senior vice president and general manager of Williams’ gas pipelines in the western United States — Kern River Gas Transmission and Northwest Pipeline — since 1992. A Texas native, he joined the company in 1978. He will report directly to Williams President Steve Malcolm, and plans to move his office to the Williams Tower in Houston.

Whisenant received his bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in business administration from Brigham Young University. He has served on the boards of a number of industry-related groups, including the Institute of Gas Technology and INGAA Foundation, as well as several non-industry related associations and foundations.

Whisenant will be succeeded as general manager in the West by Robert L. Sluder, who had been vice president of operations for the company’s gas pipelines in the western U.S. since 1997. Sluder, 51, joined Williams in 1981. A native of Utah, he earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Utah.

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