Devon Energy CEO, Retired Exxon Mobil Exec Join Williams Board

The Williams board of directors appointed Rick Muncrief and Jesse J. Tyson as independent directors, according to a release by the Tulsa, Okla.-based company.

“We are extremely pleased to add Richard and Jesse to the board as we continue to increase bench strength with regard to strategic decision making and corporate governance for the long-term benefit of shareholders,” Stephen W. Bergstrom, chairman of the Williams board, commented in a Feb. 3 release.

The appointments of Muncrief and Tyson are effective March 1. With the appointments, the Williams board of directors consists of 14 members, 13 of whom are independent.

“We believe these two gentlemen bring uniquely diverse skill sets and experiences that will advance our position as a leader in the clean energy economy and help us cultivate an increasingly diverse and inclusive workforce,” Bergstrom added.

Muncrief brings more than 40 years of experience in energy, primarily from the upstream sector. He is currently president and CEO of Devon Energy.

Previously, Muncrief served as CEO and chairman of the board of WPX Energy before its merger with Devon in 2021. WPX Energy was formerly Williams’ oil and natural gas E&P business, but became an independent entity in 2012 following a spinoff from Williams. Prior to joining WPX, Muncrief was senior vice president, operations and resource development of Continental Resources Inc.

Tyson built a 35-year global career with Exxon Mobil that included leadership roles in marketing, logistics, safety and operations.

After retiring from Exxon Mobil, Tyson became president and CEO of the National Black MBA Association from 2012 to 2018. As head of the largest association of MBA graduates in the U.S., Tyson was responsible for leading the strategic development of corporate and university partnerships to connect members with career matches and graduate school opportunities.

At Williams, Muncrief will serve as a member of the board’s compensation and management committee and the environmental, health and safety committee. Meanwhile, Tyson will serve as a member of the audit committee and the sustainability committee.