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.

He was vice president of planning and corporate development for Northwest Pipeline from 1984-88. The Kern River pipeline was conceived and planned while he served in this position. The $1 billion Kern River system was the longest pipeline built in the 1990s and the first interstate pipeline built to California.

Wadlington had worked on assignment in Chile, Columbia and Argentina. From 1979 to 1984, he served as director of regulatory affairs for Northwest Alaskan Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Northwest Energy Co. Before joining Williams, Wadlington worked in various management positions for Mississippi River Transmission Corp., based in St. Louis, for 11 years. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“This is a huge tragedy for Cuba’s wife, Ann, and their family, for the numerous charitable organizations for which he worked so tirelessly and for his many friends, including the people who make up our company. We treasured his determination and leadership,” said Keith E. Bailey, Williams CEO. “As it has been for the past several weeks, the management of our gas pipeline division in the near term remains in the able hands of the leadership team that Cuba selected to manage our systems.”

Wadlington graduated from Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics in 1972 and from St. Louis University with an MBA in finance in 1975.

Wadlington served on the board of governors and executive committee of the United Way of America and was the 2002 chairman-elect. He was a first vice chairman of the Southern Gas Association, a member of the board and executive committee of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and a board member of the Gas Technology Institute, Up With People International, Tulsa Philharmonic Society, Tiger Woods Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City-Oklahoma City Branch, March of Dimes and the Executive Committee of the Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Wadlington was born in Waverly, AR and lived with his wife, Ann, in Tulsa. They are the parents of two married children and have three grandchildren.

A few weeks ago, Wadlington, when asked to describe his leadership philosophy, said, “I believe that to be a true leader you must have a vision for the future and be ruthlessly committed and focused on making that vision reality. True leaders have the capacity to take a diverse group of employees from all levels and deploy strategies that optimize their capabilities. Leaders do not surround themselves with people in their own image; instead they surround themselves with diverse and highly talented people. This is the type of leadership that I focus on in all aspects of my life.”

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