Donald Cravins, Jr. (Photo: Business Wire)
Williams Cos. announced this week it managed to grabbed a long-time government offiial and hired him to be Head of Government Affairs and Outreach in Washington, D.C. where he will be the company’s chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill.
Donald “Don” R. Cravins, Jr., has been named Head of Government Affairs and Outreach. Cravins joins Liz Bowman, who was named Vice President of Government Affairs for Williams in Nov. 2023.
“Having a strong voice in Washington D.C. has never been more important as we navigate a complex and challenging permitting environment in our efforts to meet continued increasing demand for natural gas and evolving domestic needs, as well as provide energy security and support to our global allies. It stands, unmatched, as the most affordable and reliable source of lower emissions energy,” said Lane Wilson, Williams senior vice president and general counsel.
“Both Don and Liz have a deep understanding of government, experience with advocacy organizations, and relationships across both sides of the aisle, uniquely positioning them to further elevate our voice and impact real change for our company and our industry.”
In his role, Cravins will be responsible for enhancing Williams’ relationships with key state and federal policymakers and lawmakers. In addition, he will set the strategic direction and objectives for Williams Government Affairs and Outreach teams, ensuring the integration of business priorities in Williams’ policies and positions.
Cravins most recently served as the Under Secretary for Minority Business Development at the United States Department of Commerce, a position to which he was appointed by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate.
Previously, he was a U.S. Senate Chief of Staff, a Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and served as a Louisiana State legislator. Cravins also held senior-level positions at the National Urban League and Charter Communications, and, since 2011, has served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the District of Columbia Army National Guard.
Reporting directly to Cravins, Bowman leads Williams’ in-house government affairs team and directs the activities of external consultants, while also proactively partnering with operations leaders on project development to ensure Williams is positioned to deliver on its commitments. She will partner with Wilson and Cravins to further the voice of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, a bipartisan coalition that promotes the vital role of natural gas in our nation’s economic, security and climate leadership.
Before joining Williams, Bowman served as vice president of Communications for the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), where she developed and executed advocacy strategies to further public policy priorities in support of leading U.S. upstream oil and natural gas producers. Prior to that, she served as communications director for U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, and in the previous Administration as the associate administrator for public affairs at EPA.
Source: press release