Document:

exv10w19

Exhibit 10.19

The Williams Companies, Inc.

Severance Pay Plan

Effective January 1, 2008

 

THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.

SEVERANCE PAY PLAN

(As Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2008)

Article 1

Definitions

The following capitalized words and phrases when used in the text of the Plan shall have the
meanings set forth below. Words in the masculine gender shall connote the feminine gender as well.

	1.1	 	“Administrative Committee” means the committee appointed to administer this Plan
which is comprised of those individuals who are serving on the Administrative Committee on
December 31, 2004, as well as any individual who becomes a member of the Administrative
Committee pursuant to Section 5.4, until the time that any such individual ceases to be a
member of the Administrative Committee pursuant to Section 5.4 of the Plan. The duties of the
Administrative Committee are described in Article 5 of the Plan.

	1.2	 	“Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company.

	1.3	 	“Aggregate Compensation” means Regular Wage Base and any annual cash incentive awards
from a Participating Company or Affiliate annual incentive program.

	1.4	 	“Base Salary” means the amount a Participant is entitled to receive as wages or
salary on an annualized basis, including any salary deferral contributions made to any defined
contribution plan maintained by the Participating Company and any amounts contributed by an
Employee to any cafeteria plan, flexible benefits plan or qualified transportation plan
maintained by the Participating Company in accordance with Sections 125, 132 and related
provisions of the Code, but excluding all special pay, bonus, overtime, incentive
compensation, commissions, cost of living pay, housing pay, relocation pay, other taxable
fringe benefits and all extraordinary compensation, payable by the Company or any of its
Affiliates as consideration for the Participant’s services, as determined on the date
immediately preceding termination of employment, except that in the case of a termination of
employment for Good Reason, Base Salary shall be determined as of the date immediately
preceding the event which constitutes Good Reason.

	1.5	 	“Benefits Committee” means the committee comprised of those individuals who were
serving on the Benefits Committee on December 31, 2004, as well as any individual who becomes
a member of the Benefits Committee pursuant to Section 5.3, until the time that any such
individual ceases to be a member of the Benefits Committee pursuant to Section 5.3 of the
Plan. The purely settlor duties of the Benefits Committee are described in Articles 5 and 6
of the Plan.

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	1.6	 	“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

	1.7	 	“Cause” means the occurrence of any one (1) or more of the following, as determined
in the good faith and reasonable judgment of the Administrative Committee:

(a) willful failure by an Employee to substantially perform his duties (as they existed
immediately prior to a reduction in force, job elimination or Change in Control), other than
any such failure resulting from a disability as defined in the Participating Company or
Affiliate disability program; or

(b) Employee’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a crime involving fraud,
dishonesty or any other act constituting a felony involving moral turpitude or causing
material harm, financial or otherwise, to the Company or an Affiliate; or

(c) Employee’s willful or reckless material misconduct in the performance of his duties
which results in an adverse effect on the Company or an Affiliate; or

(d) Employee’s willful or reckless violation or disregard of the code of business conduct or
other published policy of the Company or an Affiliate; or

(e) Employee’s habitual or gross neglect of duties.

	1.8	 	“Change Date” means the date on which a Change in Control first occurs.

	1.9	 	“Change in Control” means the occurrence of: (i) a Change in the Ownership of the
Company, as defined below; (ii) a Change in Effective Control of the Company, as defined
below; or (iii) a Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Assets of the
Company, as defined below. To qualify as a Change in Control event, the occurrence of the
event shall be objectively determinable, strictly ministerial, and shall not involve any
discretionary authority by the Plan Administrator. Code Section 318(a) shall be applied to
determine stock ownership for purposes of this section. Substantially vested stock underlying
a vested option is considered owned by the person who holds the vested option (and the stock
underlying an unvested option is not considered owned by the person who holds an unvested
option). To qualify as a Change in Control with respect to a Participant, the Change in
Control must relate to: (x) the corporation for whom the Participant is performing services
at the time of the Change in Control event; (y) the corporation that is liable for the payment
of benefits under this Plan (or all corporations which are liable for payment if more than one
corporation is liable) but only if either the benefits are attributable to the performance of
service by the Participant for such corporation (or corporations) or there is a bona fide
business purpose for such corporation (or corporations) to be liable for such payment and, in
either case, no significant purpose of making such corporation or corporations liable for such
payment is the avoidance of Federal income tax; or (z) a corporation that is a majority
shareholder of a corporation identified in subsections (x) or (y) above, or any corporation in
a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another
corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation identified in subsections (x) or (y) above.
The provisions of Treas.
Reg. § 1.409A-3, as amended, shall govern with respect to the

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	 	 	definition of terms as used
therein and in the interpretation of whether a Change in Control has occurred.

(a) A “Change in the Ownership of the Company” occurs on the date that any one person or
more than one person Acting as a Group, as defined below, acquires ownership of stock of the
Company (“Stock”) that, together with Stock held by such person or group, constitutes more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Stock.
However, if any one person or more than one person Acting as a Group, is considered to own
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the
Stock, the acquisition of additional Stock by the same person or persons is not considered
to cause a Change in the Ownership of the Company. An increase in the percentage of Stock
owned by any one person, or persons Acting as a Group, as a result of a transaction in which
the Company acquires its Stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of
Stock for purposes of this subsection. This subsection applies only when there is a
transfer of Stock (or issuance of Stock) and Stock remains outstanding after the
transaction.

(b) “Acting as a Group” persons will not be considered to be Acting as a Group solely
because they purchase or own Stock at the same time or as a result of the same public
offering. However, persons will be considered to be Acting as a Group if they are owners of
a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of Stock, or
similar business transaction with the Company. If a person owns stock in both corporations
that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of Stock or similar
transaction involving another corporation, such shareholder is considered to be Acting as a
Group with other shareholders only in such corporation prior to the transaction giving rise
to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.

(c) A “Change in the Effective Control of the Company” occurs only on either of the
following dates: (i) The date that any one person, or more than one person Acting as a
Group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of
the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of the Stock possessing
thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the Stock of the Company; or (ii)
The date a majority of members of the Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month
period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors before the date of the appointment or election.

     If any one person, or more than one person Acting as a Group, is considered to be in
effective control of a Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the
same person or persons is not considered to cause a Change in the Effective Control of the
Company.

(d) A “Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Assets of the Company” occurs
on the date that any one person, or more than one person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has
acquired during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date

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of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have
a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross
fair market value of all assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or
acquisitions. For this purpose, the gross fair market value means the value of the assets
of the Company or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to
any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is no
Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Assets of the Company when there is
a transfer of assets to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the Company
immediately after the transfer. A transfer of assets by the Company is not treated as a
Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Assets of the Company if the assets
are transferred to: (i) a shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset
transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its Stock; (ii) an entity, fifty percent (50%)
or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company; (iii) a person, or more than one person Acting as a Group, that owns, directly or
indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the
outstanding Stock; or (iv) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or
voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person, or more than one person
Acting as a Group, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the
total value or voting power of all the outstanding Stock. For purposes of this subsection
(d), and except as otherwise provided, a person’s status is determined immediately after the
transfer of assets.

	1.10	 	“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
References to a particular section of the Code include references to regulations and rulings
thereunder and to successor provisions.

	1.11	 	“Company” means The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation and any
successor or successors thereto that continue this Plan pursuant to Section 6.1 or otherwise.

	1.12	 	“Compensation Committee” means the Committee of the Board of Directors designated as
the Compensation Committee.

	1.13	 	“Comparable Offer of Employment” means an offer of employment for a position with the
Company, any of its Affiliates, or any successor of the Company or its Affiliates that
provides for a Regular Wage Base equal to or greater than the Participant’s Regular Wage Base
immediately preceding the Participant’s termination date. A successor of the Company or any
of its Affiliates shall include, but shall not be limited to, any entity (or its Affiliate)
involved in or in any way connected with a corporate rearrangement, total or partial merger,
acquisition, sale of stock, sale of assets or any other transaction. A Comparable Offer of
Employment includes, without limitation, a position that requires the Employee to transfer to
a different work location (without your consent), but only so long as the Employee’s commuting
distance to the new work location is not increased more than fifty (50) miles beyond the
commuting distance to his or her current work location (except for travel reasonably required
in the performance of your duties).

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	1.14	 	“Effective Date” means January 1, 2008, which is the effective date of this amendment
and restatement.

	1.15	 	“Employee” means any regular full-time or part-time employee in the service and on
the payroll of a Participating Company as a common law employee with the exception of any
employee who is excluded either by this Section 1.15 or Section 2.2. An Employee is
considered as part-time if he is regularly scheduled to work at least fifty percent of the
number of hours in the normal workweek established by a Participating Company. A regular
employee receiving benefits under a Participating Company’s Short-Term Disability Program or
Long-Term Disability Program is an Employee for purposes of this Plan. Employee shall not
include:

(a) an Employee who is a member of a group of Employees represented by a collective
bargaining representative, unless such agreement expressly provides for coverage of
bargaining unit employees under the Plan;

(b) an Employee who is not a resident of the United States and not a citizen of the United
States;

(c) a nonresident alien;

(d) a weekly-paid employee employed at a retail petroleum convenience store in any capacity
other than a store manager;

(e) a seasonal employee, temporary employee, leased employee, term employee, or an employee
not employed on a regularly scheduled basis;

(f) a person who has a written employment contract or other contract for services, unless
such contract expressly provides that such person is an employee;

(g) a person who is paid through the payroll of a temporary agency or similar organization
regardless of any subsequent reclassification as a common law employee;

(h) a person who is designated, compensated or otherwise treated as an independent
contractor by a Participating Company or its Affiliates regardless of any subsequent
reclassification as a common law employee;

(i) a person who has a written contract with a Participating Company or its Affiliates which
states either that such person is not an employee or that such person is not entitled to
receive employee benefits from a Participating Company for services under such contract;

(j) an individual who is not contemporaneously classified as an Employee for purposes of the
Participating Company’s payroll system. In the event any such individual is reclassified as
an Employee for any purpose, including, without limitation, as a common law or statutory
employee, by any action of any third party, including, without limitation, any government
agency, or as a result of any private lawsuit, action or

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administrative proceeding, such
individual will, notwithstanding such reclassification, remain ineligible
for participation hereunder and will not be considered an eligible Employee. In addition to
and not in derogation of the foregoing, the exclusive means for an individual who is not
contemporaneously classified as an Employee of the Participating Company’s payroll system to
become eligible to participate in this Plan is through an amendment to this Plan which
specifically renders such individual eligible for participation hereunder;

(k) any individual retained by a Participating Company or its Affiliates directly or through
an agency or other party to perform services for an Employer (for either a definite or
indefinite duration) in the capacity of a fee-for-service worker or independent contractor
or any similar capacity including, without limitation, any such individual employed by
temporary help firms, technical help firms, staffing firms, employee leasing firms,
professional employer organizations or other staffing firms, whether or not deemed to be a
“common law” employee; or

(l) any Employee of the Company or its Affiliates that holds a position that has been
classified as an executive position by the Company’s executive compensation department.

	1.16	 	“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from
time to time. References to a particular section of ERISA include references to regulations
and rulings thereunder and to successor provisions.

	1.17	 	“Good Reason” means the occurrence, within a pre-determined limited period of time
not to exceed two (2) years following the initial existence of one (1) or more of the
following conditions arising without the consent of the Participant:

(a) a material diminution in the Participant’s “base compensation” as such term is defined
pursuant to guidance under Section 409A of the Code issued by the Internal Revenue Service;
or

(b) a material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; or

(c) a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to
whom the Participant is required to report, including a requirement that a Participant
report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Board of
Directors of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or similar governing body with respect to
an entity other than a corporation); or

(d) a material diminution in the budget over which the Participant retains authority; or

(e) a material change in the geographic location at which the Participant must perform the
services; or

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(f) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company or the
Affiliate that employs the Participant of the agreement under which the Participant provides
services.

     The amount, time, and form of payment upon the “separation from service” (as
such term is defined in Treasury Regulations issued under Code Section 409A) must be
substantially identical to the amount, time and form of payment payable due to an actual
involuntary separation from service, to the extent such a right exists. The Participant
must be required to provide notice to the Company or any of its Affiliates of the existence
of the condition described in this Section 1.17 of this Plan within a period not to exceed
ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which the
service recipient must be provided a period of at least thirty (30) days during which it may
remedy the condition and not be required to pay the amount.

     [Further, no act or omission shall be ‘Good Reason’ if Participant has consented in
writing to such act or omission.

	1.18	 	“Leave of Absence” means an absence, with or without compensation, authorized on a
non-discriminatory basis by the Company or any of its Affiliates. For the purposes of this
Plan, Leave of Absence includes any leave of absence other than a Family and Medical Leave of
Absence or Military Leave of Absence.

	1.19	 	“Participant” means an Employee participating in the Plan as provided in Article 2.

	1.20	 	“Participating Company” means the Company and any Affiliate of the Company, which has
adopted this Plan in accordance with Section 6.11.

	1.21	 	“Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation,
institution, public benefit corporate entity or government instrumentality, division, agency,
body or department.

	1.22	 	“Plan” means The Williams Companies, Inc. Severance Pay Plan.

	1.23	 	“Plan Administrator” means the Administrative Committee appointed under Article 5.

	1.24	 	“Plan Year” means the twelve (12) month period from January 1 through December 31.

	1.25	 	“Regular Wage Base” means an Employee’s total weekly salary or wages, including any
salary deferral contributions made to any defined contribution plan maintained by the
Participating Company and any amounts contributed by an Employee to any cafeteria plan,
flexible benefit plan or qualified transportation plan maintained by the Participating Company
in accordance with Sections 125, 132 and related provisions of the Code, but excluding any
bonuses, overtime, incentive compensation, commissions, cost of living pay, housing pay,
relocation pay, other taxable fringe benefits and all other extraordinary compensation.

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	1.26	 	“Related Party” means an Affiliate or any employee benefit plan (or any related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

	1.27	 	“Sponsor” means The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
	 
	1.28	 	“Years of Service” means a Participant’s length of service with the Participating
Company as set by the latest hire date or rehire date of such Participant. For purposes of
this Plan, after the first year of service as a Participant, only full, completed years of
service will be counted. Service with a predecessor company will not be included unless, and
to the extent that, the Plan Administrator determines such service be included and notifies
the Participant in writing that such service is included. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary above, effective as of January 1, 2008, with respect to a participant who was
outsourced to International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”) at some point on or after
July 1, 2004, that was subsequently in-sourced back to the Company or any of its Participating
Companies with no break in service between his or her outsourced employment with IBM and his
or her in-sourcing back to the Company or any Participating Companies, then such Participant’s
latest hire date prior to the outsourcing to IBM shall  be used to determine the number of
Years of Service and in addition, the time spent at IBM during the outsourcing prior to the
direct in-sourcing shall also be included in the determination of the number of Years of
Service for such Participant.

     If a Participant is terminated for any reason other than Cause and is rehired by the
Participating Company within twelve (12) months of such termination date, years of service
prior to such termination will be bridged and used in determining years of service for the
purposes of severance pay benefits in the event the Participant becomes eligible for
severance pay. The Plan Administrator’s determination of Years of Service in its sole and
absolute discretion will be final and binding on all persons to the maximum extent permitted
by law.

Article 2

Eligibility

	2.1	 	Eligibility. Any Employee, who is not excluded pursuant to Section 2.2, shall be
entitled to become a Participant in the Plan only when and only if all of the following
conditions of subsection (a), (b) or (c) are met:

(a) The senior officer of the Company responsible for compensation or benefits, or such
senior officer’s designee, approves a reduction in force or job elimination and the Employee
is notified in writing that employment is being involuntarily terminated due to the
elimination of his position. The Employee will become a Participant on his designated
termination date, provided the Employee remains in employment until his designated
termination date.

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(b) The Employee’s employment is terminated involuntarily or for Good Reason within two (2)
years after a Change in Control, in which case, the Employee will become a Participant upon
the date of employment termination.

(c) The Employee is involuntarily terminated from employment by the Company within the
thirty (30) day period prior to a Change in Control for the purpose of avoiding
application of this Plan, in which case, the Employee will become a Participant upon the
date of involuntary termination.

	2.2	 	Exclusions. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1, an Employee will
not become a Participant in the Plan if any of the following conditions occur:

(a) An Employee discharged for Cause.

(b) An Employee voluntarily resigns for any reason, including retirement, except in the case
of resignation for Good Reason within two (2) years after a Change in Control.

(c) An Employee accepts any benefits under an early retirement incentive plan.

(d) An Employee fails to make a bona fide effort to secure employment within a Participating
Company or any of its Affiliates, or any successor of the Company or its Affiliates.

(e) An Employee transfers to or receives a Comparable Offer of Employment from a
Participating Company or any of its Affiliates.

(f) An Employee receives a Comparable Offer of Employment after a corporate rearrangement,
total or partial merger, acquisition, sale of stock, sale of assets or other transaction.

(g) An Employee accepts an offer of employment with a Participating Company or any of its
Affiliates, whether or not such offer of employment constitutes a Comparable Offer of
Employment.

(h) An Employee accepts an offer of employment with any purchaser company or resultant
entity, or an affiliate of such a company or entity, after a corporate rearrangement, total
or partial merger, acquisition, sale of stock, sale of assets or other transaction, whether
or not such offer of employment constitutes a Comparable Offer of Employment.

(i) An Employee dies prior to his termination of employment.

(j) Except as provided in subsection (k), an Employee on a Leave of Absence at the time he
is notified that his employment is being terminated due to a reduction in force.

(k) An Employee receiving benefits under the Short-Term Disability Program. This exclusion
may not apply if the Employee would have returned to work within the initial

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six-month
period of short-term disability had his termination of employment not occurred and a senior
officer of the Company responsible for compensation or benefits, or such senior officer’s
designee, approves eligibility for severance upon release to return to work in his sole
discretion. This exclusion does not apply in the event of a Change in Control.

(l) An Employee receiving benefits under the Long-Term Disability Program.

(m) An Employee has a written employment contract which contains severance provisions.

(n) An Employee received or is eligible to receive more favorable severance pay benefits
under any other severance pay plan, agreement or arrangement of a Participating Company, any
of its Affiliates, or any successor of a Participating Company.

Article 3

Benefits

	3.1	 	Severance Pay. Except as provided in Section 3.7, subject to the Participant signing
a release of claims prepared by the Company within fifty (50) days of termination date, a
Participant will be eligible for severance pay benefits under this Section 3.1 equal to:

(a) the product of: (i) two (2) weeks multiplied by; (ii) the Participant’s Regular Wage
Base, if the Participant has less than one (1) full, completed Year of Service; or

(b) the product of: (i) two (2) weeks for each full, completed Year of Service, with a
minimum of six (6) weeks and a maximum of fifty-two (52) weeks, multiplied by; (ii) the
Participant’s Regular Wage Base, if the Participant has completed at least one (1) full Year
of Service.

	3.2	 	Change in Control Severance Pay. Subject to the Participant signing a release of
claims prepared by the Company within fifty (50) days of termination of employment, if a
Participant’s employment is terminated for Good Reason or involuntarily within two (2) years
after a Change in Control, the Participant will be eligible for severance pay benefits under
this Section 3.2 in lieu of any benefits under Section 3.1 with the amount of such benefits
equal to the sum of:

(a) the product of: (i) the number of the Participant’s full, completed Years of Service
multiplied by; (ii) three (3), and multiplied by; (iii) the Participant’s Regular Wage Base;

(b) the product of: (i) Participant’s Regular Wage Base multiplied by; (ii) the quotient of
the Participant’s Base Salary divided by ten thousand (10,000); and

(c) the product of: (i) the Participant’s target annual bonus (with respect to the
calendar year in which the termination occurs) multiplied by; (ii) a fraction, the

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numerator
of which equals the number of days from and including the first day of such calendar year
through and including the date of termination, and the denominator of which equals three
hundred and sixty-five (365) (reduced by any annual bonus amount received with respect to
such calendar year).

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sum of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 3.2
shall not be less than the product of the Participant’s Regular Wage Base multiplied by
twelve (12) nor more than the product of the Participant’s Regular Wage Base multiplied by
one hundred and four (104).

	3.3	 	Notice. Any Participant who is terminated and receives less than two (2) weeks
notice from a Participating Company will receive, in addition to the benefits provided in
Section 3.1 or 3.2 (whichever applies), severance pay for the lack of notice. Weeks or
fractions thereof, will be granted which is equal to the difference between two (2) weeks
and the number of days notice received by the Participant. The amount of severance pay
will be equal to the number of weeks and/or fractions thereof granted to a Participant
under this Section 3.3 times the Participant’s Regular Wage Base. No payment will be made
under this Section 3.3 if total severance pay exceeds the maximum benefit allowed.

	3.4	 	Form of Payment. Severance benefits payable to a Participant under Section 3.1 shall
be paid in a lump sum no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the Participant’s
termination of employment.

	3.5	 	Other Benefit Plans. Participants, regardless of whether they sign the release of
claims required to receive severance payments, who are otherwise entitled to receive severance
pay and who are eligible to continue participation in certain welfare benefit plans may choose
to continue their participation in accordance with this Section 3.5. Continued participation
in such welfare benefit plans is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan
documents or insurance contracts in effect on the date of the Participant’s termination from
employment. Generally, the Participant has the option to elect the currently maintained
Participating Company group medical and dental plan that he is currently enrolled for up to 18
months under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) continuation
coverage. If the Participant timely and properly elects COBRA coverage, the premiums for
COBRA coverage will be limited to the active employee rate for the initial three months of
coverage. At the end of this three-month period, the Participant will be required to pay the
full cost for medical and/or dental benefits under COBRA for the remainder of the 18-month
period. Participation in the Participating Company group medical and dental plan will
generally cease on the date the Participant or his dependents become covered under any other
medical plan or dental plan.

	3.6	 	Paid-Time Off (“PTO”) Program. A Participant, regardless of whether he signs the
release of claims required to receive severance payments, shall be paid a single lump sum
payment for applicable PTO hours earned but not taken prior to the Participant’s employment
termination. PTO time will not be considered for purposes of continued coverage under any of
the other various employee benefit plans maintained by the Participating Company.

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	3.7	 	Rehired Participants after Receipt of Severance Pay. This Section 3.7 applies to
Participants rehired by a Participating Company or any Affiliate after receipt of severance
pay under Section 3.1.

(a) Severance Pay. The Participant will be entitled to keep a portion of his
severance pay equal to the number of weeks and/or fraction of weeks between his termination
date
and the date of rehire. Any remainder must be returned to the Participating Company that
paid the severance pay upon rehire or it will be deducted from his wages paid after rehire.

     If a Participant is rehired within twelve (12) months of his termination date and again
becomes eligible for severance pay due to a subsequent event within twelve (12) months of
rehire, subject to the Participant signing a release of claims prepared by the Company
within fifty (50) days of such subsequent termination date, the Participant will be eligible
to receive the greater of:

(i) the sum of any remaining severance not yet received from the initial termination
date in accordance with Section 3.1, plus two (2) weeks of severance pay; or

(ii) two (2) weeks of severance pay.

Severance pay under this Section 3.7 will be paid in accordance with Section 3.4.

(b) PTO. If a Participant is rehired within the same calendar year in which his
employment was terminated and he received payment for PTO earned but not taken, he may
either retain the payment and forfeit PTO time for which he was eligible prior to his
employment termination, or he may return to the Company the amount he received and reinstate
PTO time for which he was eligible prior to termination.

	3.8	 	Discretionary Benefits. Under no circumstances will any discretionary benefits
be paid unless the senior officer of the Company responsible for compensation or benefits,
or such senior officer’s designee, signs a written document describing such benefits.
Payment of such discretionary benefits will be made only in accordance with the terms of
that document.

	3.9	 	No Vesting. Employees have no vested right to any benefits set forth in the
Plan until such time as an Employee becomes entitled to receive benefits under Article 2;
however, the Participant must timely execute a release in accordance with Section 3.1 or
3.2 (whichever applies) to receive any benefits under this Plan.

	3.10	 	Integration with Plant Closing Law(s). To the extent that a federal, state or
local law, including, but not limited to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, requires
a Participating Company, as an employer, to provide notice and/or make a payment to an

13

 

	 	 	Employee because of that Employee’s involuntary termination, or pursuant to a plant closing
law, the benefit payable under this Plan, including without limitation benefits payable
under Section 3.3, shall be reduced by any Regular Wage Base paid during such notice period
and/or by such other required payment.

     Nothing in this section or any other section of this Plan shall be used to reduce
benefits under this Plan because of payments under state unemployment insurance laws.

Article 4

Claims

	4.1	 	Claims for Benefits. To obtain payment of any benefits under the Plan, a
Participant must comply with such rules and procedures as the Plan Administrator may
prescribe.

	4.2	 	Claims Procedure. The Plan Administrator shall adopt, and may change from time
to time, claims procedures, provided that such claims procedures and changes thereof shall
conform to Section 503 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. Such claims procedures, as in effect from time to
time, shall be deemed to be incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

Article 5

Administration

	5.1	 	Fiduciaries. Under certain circumstances, the Administrative Committee may be
determined by a court of law to be a fiduciary with respect to a particular action under the
Plan; provided that any claims administrator will be a named fiduciary with respect to claims
and appeals related to benefit determinations.

	5.2	 	Allocation of Responsibilities.

(a) Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee shall serve as Plan
Administrator and shall have exclusive authority and responsibility for those functions set
forth in Section 5.4 and in other provisions of this Plan.

(b) Claims Administrator. Claims Administrator shall have the responsibility to make
claims and appeals decisions related to benefit determinations in accordance with the claims
procedure.

	5.3	 	Provisions Concerning the Benefits Committee.

(a) Membership and Voting. The Benefits Committee shall consist of not less than
three (3) members and not more than five (5) members and vacancies of the Benefits Committee
shall be filled by the remaining members of the Benefits Committee.

14

 

(b) Powers and Duties of Benefits Committee. The Benefits Committee shall have the
authority and responsibility for:

     (i) Those responsibilities as detailed in Article 6.

     The Benefits Committee may appoint such accountants, counsel, specialists, and other
persons as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with its duties under this
Plan. Such accountants and counsel may, but need not, be accountants and counsel for the
Company or an affiliate.

	5.4	 	Provisions Concerning the Administrative Committee.

(a) Membership and Voting. The Administrative Committee shall consist of not less
than three (3) members. The Administrative Committee may remove any of its members at any
time, with or without cause, by written notice to such member. Any member may resign by
delivering a written resignation to the Administrative Committee. Vacancies in the
Administrative Committee arising by death, resignation or removal shall be filled by the
Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee shall act by a majority of its
members at the time in office, and such action may be taken by a vote at a meeting, in
writing without a meeting, or by telephonic communications. Attendance at a meeting shall
constitute waiver of notice thereof. A member of the Administrative Committee who is a
Participant in the Plan shall not vote on any question relating specifically to such
Participant. Any such action shall be voted or decided by a majority of the remaining
members of the Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee shall designate one
of its members as the Chairman and shall appoint a Secretary who may, but need not, be a
member. The Administrative Committee may appoint from its members such subcommittees with
such powers as the Administrative Committee shall determine.

(b) Duties of Administrative Committee. Except as otherwise expressly provided in
the Plan, the Administrative Committee shall be responsible for the administration of the
Plan, with all powers and discretionary authority necessary to enable the Administrative
Committee to carry out its duties in that respect. Not in limitation, but in amplification
of the foregoing, the Administrative Committee shall have the following duties,
responsibilities and full discretionary authority with respect to the administration of the
Plan:

(i) To prescribe procedures and forms to be followed by Participants in filing
applications for benefits and for furnishing evidence necessary to establish their
rights to benefits under the Plan;

(ii) To interpret the Plan, and to resolve ambiguities, inconsistencies and
omissions in accordance with the intent of the Plan;

(iii) To decide on questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of an Employee
to participate in the Plan, in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;

15

 

(iv) To make benefit payments directly to Participants and/or their assignees
entitled to benefits under the Plan;

(v) To find facts and to grant or deny claims relating to eligibility or the payment
or nonpayment of benefits under the Claims Procedure in accordance with Article 4;

(vi) To obtain from the Participating Companies, Participants and others, such
information as it shall deem to be necessary for the proper administration of the
Plan;

(vii) To take all steps to properly administer the Plan in accordance with its terms
and the requirements of applicable law;

(viii) To execute any certificate, instrument or other written direction on behalf
of the Plan with respect to the administration of this Plan; and

(ix) To appoint such accountants, counsel, specialists, and other persons as it
deems necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of this Plan.
In this regard, the Administrative Committee may cause the Company to enter into
contracts with third parties if the Administrative Committee determines such
contracts are desirable in connection with the administration of the Plan. Such
accountants and counsel may, but need not, be accountants and counsel for the
Company or an Affiliate.

     The Administrative Committee shall have no power to add to any benefit not
provided under the provisions of the Plan, nor to waive or fail to apply any
requirement of eligibility for a benefit under the Plan.

     No determination of the Administrative Committee for any Participant shall
create a basis for retroactive adjustment for any other Participant.

     All regulations, procedures, and rules with respect to any of the
above-described duties, responsibilities, and authorities shall be promulgated by
the Administrative Committee (or its delegate) in its sole discretion, and all such
regulations, procedures, and rules shall be conclusive and binding on all persons to
the maximum extent permitted by law.

     All decisions of the Administrative Committee with respect to the Plan’s
administration, including, but not limited to, interpretations of the Plan, benefit
determinations, claims decisions relating to eligibility, and questions concerning
the administration and application of the Plan, shall be made by the Administrative
Committee (or its delegate) in its sole discretion, and all such determinations and
decisions shall be conclusive and binding on all persons to the maximum extent
permitted by law.

16

 

(c) Recordkeeping. The Administrative Committee or its delegate shall keep full and
complete records of the administration of the Plan. The Administrative Committee or its
delegate shall prepare such reports and such information concerning the Plan and the
administration thereof by the Administrative Committee (or its delegate) as may be required
under the Code or ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(d) Inspection of Records. The Administrative Committee or its delegate shall,
during normal business hours, make available to each Participant for examination by him at
the principal office of the Administrative Committee, a copy of the Plan and such records of
the Administrative Committee as may pertain to such Participant. No Participant shall have
the right to inquire as to or inspect the accounts or records with respect to other
Participants.

	5.5	 	Delegation of Responsibilities; Bonding.

(a) Delegation and Allocation. The Administrative Committee shall have the
authority to delegate or allocate, from time to time, by a written instrument, all or any
part of its responsibilities under this Plan to such person or persons as it may deem
advisable and in the same manner to revoke any such delegation or allocation of
responsibility. Any action of a person in the exercise of such delegated or allocated
responsibility shall have the same force and effect for all purposes hereunder as if such
action had been taken by the Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee shall
not be liable for any acts or omissions of any such person, who shall periodically report to
the Administrative Committee concerning the discharge of the delegated or allocated
responsibilities.

(b) Bonding. The members of the Benefits Committee, and the Administrative
Committee shall serve without bond (except as expressly required by federal law) and without
compensation for their services as such.

	5.6	 	No Joint Fiduciary Responsibilities. This Plan is intended to allocate to the
Administrative Committee the individual responsibility for the prudent execution of the
functions assigned to it, and none of such responsibilities or any other responsibility shall
be shared by any other entity unless such sharing is provided for by a specific provision of
the Plan. Whenever one fiduciary is required herein to follow the directions of another
fiduciary, the two fiduciaries shall not be deemed to have been assigned a shared
responsibility, but the responsibility of a fiduciary receiving such directions shall be to
follow them insofar as such instructions are on their face proper under applicable law.

	5.7	 	Fiduciary Capacity. Any person or group of persons may serve in more than one
fiduciary capacity with respect to the Plan.

	5.8	 	Right to Receive and Release Necessary Information. The Administrative Committee may
release or obtain any information necessary for the application, implementation and
determination of this Plan or other Plans without consent or notice to any person. This

17

 

	 	 	information may be released to or obtained from any insurance company, organization or person.
Any individual claiming benefits under this Plan shall release to the Administrative
Committee such information as the Administrative Committee, in its sole and absolute
discretion, determines to be necessary to implement this provision.

Article 6

General Provisions

     6.1 Successor to Company. This Plan shall bind any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) which becomes
such after Change in Control has occurred to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
obligated under this Plan if no succession had taken place. In the case of any transaction
in which a successor (which becomes such after a Change in Control of the Company has
occurred) would not by the foregoing provision or by operation of law be bound by this Plan,
the Company shall require such successor expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree
to perform the Company’s obligations under this Plan, in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
The term “Company,” as used in this Plan, shall mean the Company and any successor or
assignee to the business or assets that by reason hereof becomes bound by this Plan.

	6.2	 	Duration. The Plan shall continue indefinitely unless terminated as provided in
subsection 6.3 hereof.

	6.3	 	Amendment and Termination.

(a) Subject to subsection 6.3(b), the Compensation Committee and/or the Benefits Committee,
in its settlor capacity, reserves the right at any time to terminate the Plan. The
Compensation Committee reserves the right at any time and from time to time, and
retroactively if deemed necessary or appropriate, to modify or amend in whole or in part any
or all of the provisions of the Plan. The Benefits Committee shall have the right at any
time and from time to time, and retroactively if deemed necessary or appropriate, to modify
or amend in whole or in part any or all of the provisions of the Plan, provided such
modification or amendment constitutes a non-material amendment. Non-material amendments
consist of: (i) changes required by applicable law; (ii) changes (including retroactive
changes) necessary to maintain the Plan’s qualification status; (iii) modifications of the
administrative provisions of the Plan to cause the Plan to operate more efficiently; (iv)
changes required as part of the collective bargaining process; and (v) modifications or
amendments to incorporate changes provided that such modification or amendment does not
materially increase or decrease benefits provided under the Plan. Any amendment or
modification to the Plan shall be effective at such date as the Compensation Committee may
determine with respect to any amendment adopted by the Compensation Committee and as the
Benefits Committee may determine with respect to any non-material amendment adopted by the
Benefits Committee.

18

 

(b) The Plan may not be amended, modified, terminated or discontinued during the one (1)
year period beginning on the Change Date. In addition, any amendment, modification, plan
termination or discontinuance which would reduce the benefits provided under Article 3 will
not become effective until six (6) months after adoption and shall be null and void if a
Change in Control occurs during such six (6) month period.

(c) Decisions regarding the design of the Plan (including any decision to amend or
terminate, or to not amend or terminate the Plan) will be made in a settlor capacity and
will not be governed by the fiduciary responsibility provisions of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

	6.4	 	Management Rights. Participation in the Plan shall not lessen or otherwise
affect the responsibility of an Employee to perform fully his duties in a satisfactory and
workmanlike manner. This Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between a
Participating Company and any Employee or other person whether or not in the employ of the
Participating Company, nor shall anything herein contained be deemed to give any Employee
or other person whether or not in the employ of a Participating Company any right to be
retained in the employ of any Participating Company, or to interfere with the right of any
Participating Company to discharge any Employee at any time and to treat him without any
regard to the effect which such treatment might have upon him as an Employee covered by the
Plan.

	6.5	 	Funding. The Plan shall constitute an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the
Participating Companies payable from the general funds of such Participating Companies.

	6.6	 	Withholding of Taxes. Each Participating Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under the Plan all federal, state, city and/or other taxes as shall be legally
required.

	6.7	 	Participant’s Responsibility. Each Participant (or personal representative of
a deceased Participant’s estate) shall be responsible for providing the Administrative
Committee with his current address. Any notices required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be deemed given if directed to such address and mailed by regular United
States mail. The Administrative Committee shall not have any obligation or duty to locate
a Participant.

	6.8	 	Indemnification. Each Participating Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
each member of the Board of Directors, each member of the Benefits Committee, each member
of the Administrative Committee and each officer and employee of a Participating Company to
whom are delegated duties, responsibilities, and authority with respect to this Plan
against all claims, liabilities, fines and penalties, and all expenses reasonably incurred
by or imposed upon him (including, but not limited to reasonable attorney fees) which arise
as a result of his actions or failure to act in connection with the operation and
administration of this Plan to the extent lawfully allowable and to the extent that such
claim, liability, fine, penalty, or expense is not paid for by liability insurance
purchased or paid for by a Participating Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
Participating Company shall not indemnify any person for any such amount incurred through
any settlement or compromise 

19

 

	 	 	of any action unless the Participating Company consents in
writing to such settlement or compromise.

	6.9	 	Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
applicable Federal laws, including ERISA, governing employee benefit plans and in
accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma where such laws are not in conflict with
the aforementioned federal laws.

	6.10	 	Right of Recovery. If any Participating Company makes payment(s) in excess of
the amount required under the Plan, the Administrative Committee shall have the right to
recover the excess payment(s) from any person who received the excess payment(s). Such
recovery shall be returned by the Administrative Committee to such Participating Company.

	6.11	 	Adoption by Participating Company. Any Affiliate may adopt or withdraw from
this Plan. The adoption resolution may contain such specific changes and variations in this
Plan’s terms and provisions applicable to the employees of the adopting Participating
Company as may be acceptable to the Administrative Committee.

	6.12	 	Code Section 409A. It is intended that this Plan meet the requirements of the
short-term deferral exception from Section 409A of the Code and it is recognized that it may
be necessary to modify this Plan to reflect guidance under Section 409A of the Code issued by
the Internal Revenue Service. The Compensation Committee and the Benefits Committee shall
have discretion in determining: (i) whether any modification of the Plan is desirable or
appropriate; and (ii) the terms of any such modification.

     Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Plan, no payment or distribution
under this Plan which constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Section 409A of the
Code and becomes payable by reason of a Participant’s termination of employment with the
Company will be made prior to the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month
period measured from the date of his “separation from service” (as such term is defined in
Treasury Regulations issued under Code Section 409A); or (ii) the date of his death, if he
is deemed at the time of such separation from service to be a “key employee” within the
meaning of that term under Code Section 416(i) and such delayed commencement is otherwise
required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Code Section 409A(a)(2). Upon
the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2) deferral period, all payments and
benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 6.12 (whether they would have otherwise been
payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid or
reimbursed such key employee in a lump sum, and any remaining payments due under this Plan
will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this amended and restated Plan to be executed
effective as herein provided.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	s/ Stephanie Cipolla
 	 
	 	 	Title: Vice President Human Resources 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

20exv10w20

Exhibit 10.20

CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

     THIS CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (“Agreement”) is entered into this 2nd day
of April, 2008, by and between THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware Corporation (“Williams” or
the “Company”), and Michael P. Johnson (“Executive”);

     WHEREAS, Executive has expressed an interest in retiring, effective March 31, 2008
(“Separation Date”); and

     WHEREAS, the Company has determined that the continued availability of Executive after his
retirement is needed in order to provide an orderly transition of duties to Executive’s successor;
and

     WHEREAS, Executive is willing to provide consulting services after his retirement in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; and

     WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the Executive with a Separation Payment in exchange
for Executive’s comprehensive release and agreements concerning, non-disparagement,
non-solicitation of Company’s employees, and maintaining confidentiality;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises made herein and for other good and
valuable consideration, and intending to be legally bound, the Company and Executive hereby agree
as follows:

     1. Executive Services. Executive and Company agree that, for a period of up to nine
(9) months following the Separation Date, to be determined by the Company in its sole and absolute
discretion, Executive will provide consulting services to the Company in accordance with the terms
of the Consulting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

     2. Company Payments. In accordance with the Company’s normal pay cycle, but not
earlier than eight (8) days following Executive’s execution of this Agreement, which shall not
occur prior to March 31, 2008, the Company shall pay Executive:

     a. The sum of Two Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars
($263,758.00) (“Consulting Fee”) in exchange for Executive executing the

 

Consulting Agreement set forth on Exhibit “A” and performing the services described
therein; and

     b. The sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) (“Separation Payment”) in
exchange for Executive’s covenants and promises contained in this Agreement.

     3. Financial Planning Services. As further consideration for the Executive’s promises
and covenants and promises contained in this Agreement, Williams shall continue to provide
Executive with financial planning services utilizing The Ayco Company, L.P. through July 31, 2009.

     4. Release. In consideration of the Separation Payment and other benefits provided
hereunder, Executive, for himself, his attorneys, and his heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns, does hereby fully, finally and forever release and discharge Company and
its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors and assigns and their
respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and fiduciaries, de facto or de
jure or benefit plans (“Released Parties”) of and from any and all charges, claims, actions (in law
or in equity), suits, demands, losses, expenses, damages, debts, liabilities, obligations,
disputes, proceedings, or any other manner of liability (known or unknown) including without
limitation those arising from, in whole or in part, the employment relationship between Company or
one of its subsidiaries or affiliates and Executive or the termination thereof which exist, or have
heretofore accrued, fixed or contingent, known or unknown, including without limitation any claims
arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991,
42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq.; 42 U.S.C. § 1981; 42 U.S.C. § 1983; 42 U.S.C. § 1985; 42 U.S.C. § 1986;
the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d); the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, 29
U.S.C. § 160, et seq.; the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.; the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1001, et seq.
(except that the parties agree that by signing this Agreement, Executive does not waive his rights
under any claim for benefits that was or may have been filed prior to the date Executive signed
this Agreement); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act of 1990, 29 U.S.C.§ 621, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993,
29 U.S.C.§ 2601 et seq.; the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act, Okla. Stat., tit. 25, §§ 1101, et
seq., and any claims for

2

 

wrongful discharge, defamation, infliction of emotional distress, termination in violation of
public policy, retaliatory discharge, including those based on workers’ compensation retaliation
under state statutes, discrimination on the basis of handicap, or claims arising under any local,
state or federal regulation, statute or common law. Executive acknowledges and affirms that this
Agreement is in nature and character both general and specific and that the specific descriptions
and details hereinafter and hereinabove set forth do not in any manner limit or otherwise affect
the general nature and character of this Agreement or the application thereof to Company and
Executive. This Agreement does not release or discharge any claim or rights which might arise out
of the actions of Company after the date Executive signs this Agreement.

     5. Severance. Due to the Executive’s voluntary retirement and the Consulting Fee and
Separation Payment provided hereunder, Executive also hereby voluntarily waives any right which he
may have to receive severance benefits under The Williams Companies Severance Pay Plan or any other
severance pay plan, practices, programs, agreements or arrangements maintained by the Company,
including, but not limited to, any change-in-control severance plan or agreement.

     6. No Release of Vested Benefits or Health and Welfare Benefits. Executive does not,
by signing this Agreement, release or discharge any right to any vested, deferred benefit in any
qualified employee benefit or incentive plan which provides for retirement, pension, savings,
thrift and/or employee stock ownership or any benefit due Executive as a participant in any
employee health and welfare plan, as such terms are used under ERISA, maintained by any of the
Released Parties which employed Executive. Executive’s rights under any such employee benefit or
incentive compensation plan shall be governed by the terms of such plan. Furthermore, following
the eighth (8th) day after the Separation Date, and in accordance with Company’s normal
pay cycle, Executive will receive payment for the balance of any accrued and unused Paid Time Off
(PTO) for the calendar year 2008.  Executive understands and acknowledges that, pursuant to
the Company’s PTO Policy, Executive will not accrue any additional PTO while performing services as
a consultant under the Consulting Agreement.

     7. Confidentiality/Company Property. Executive shall keep confidential the existence
of this Agreement, its terms, contents, conditions, proceedings and negotiations, he will make no
statements or representations relating thereto, except to her attorney or tax advisor, his spouse,
or as may otherwise be allowed or required by law. Executive further acknowledges

3

 

his continuing obligations to maintain confidentiality of Released Parties’ confidential and
proprietary information and he shall not, at any time, use for his personal benefit, or disclose,
communicate or divulge to, or use for the direct or indirect benefit of any person, firm,
association or company other than the Released Parties any confidential information regarding the
employees, business methods, business strategies and plans, policies, procedures, techniques,
research or development projects or results, trade secrets, or other knowledge or processes of or
developed by the Released Parties, including but not limited to, or any other confidential
information relating to or dealing with the business operations, employees or activities of
Released Parties, made known to Executive or learned or acquired by Executive while in the employ
of Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Executive acknowledges that this Paragraph 7
is a separate agreement, and the Company is granted the right of specific performance to enforce
the provisions of this Paragraph 7. The Executive also acknowledges that this Paragraph 7 is a
material term of this Agreement and that its breach could result in damage to the Company that may
be difficult to ascertain and that upon any such breach or in reasonable anticipation of any such
breach, the Company will be entitled to an order of any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin
such breach.

     8. Continued Cooperation. Upon reasonable request of Company, Executive shall consult
with Company in the orderly transition of business matters in which Executive participated during
his active employment with Company and/or with respect to any litigation, legal proceedings or
other disputes arising in connection with such business matters, including, but not limited to,
matters with respect to Company’s response to inquiries initiated by governmental entities or other
third parties and defense of certain lawsuits against Company and such other matters as shall be
reasonably requested from time to time by Company’s General Counsel.

     9. Non-solicitation. For a period of twenty-four (24) months following Executive’s
Separation Date, Executive shall not directly or indirectly induce or attempt to influence any
employee of the Released Parties to terminate his or her employment with the Released Parties.

     10. Executive’s Miscellaneous Covenants. By signing this Agreement, Executive
covenants, agrees, represents and warrants that:

4

 

     (a) The Separation Payment provided hereunder is a benefit to which he is not otherwise
entitled under any Company plan, program or prior agreement;

     (b) Executive has not filed and will not in the future file any lawsuits, complaints,
petitions or accusatory pleadings in a court of law against any of the Released Parties
based upon, arising out of or in any way related to any event or events occurring prior to
the signing of this Agreement, including, without limitation, his employment with any of the
Released Parties or the termination thereof;

     (c) This Agreement specifically includes, without limitation, all claims asserted by or
on behalf of Executive against any of the Released Parties, together with all claims which
might have been asserted by or on behalf of Executive in any suit, claim (known or unknown),
or grievance against any of the Released Parties for or on account of any matter or things
whatsoever up to and including the date Executive signs this Agreement;

     (d) He has not heretofore assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer,
to any person or entity, any claim or any portion thereof or interest therein and
acknowledges that this Agreement shall be binding upon Executive and upon his heirs,
administrators, representatives, executors, successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of the Released Parties and each of them, and to their heirs, administrators,
representatives, executors, successors, and assigns;

     (e) Executive waives all rights to recovery for any damages or compensation awarded as
a result of any suit or proceeding by any third party or governmental agency on Executive’s
behalf.

     11. Mutual Non-disparagement. Company agrees to refrain from making or publishing any
statement critical of Executive or in any way adversely affecting or otherwise maligning
Executive’s reputation. Executive agrees that he will not make or publish any statement critical
of the Released Parties, its affiliates, or their respective executive officers, and directors or
in any way adversely affecting or otherwise maligning the business or reputation of any member of
the Released Parties.

     12. No Admission of Liability. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement and
the payments to be made by Company to Executive hereunder, Released Parties do not admit any manner
of liability to Executive. This Agreement has been entered into as a means of

5

 

settling any and all disputes that have or may have arisen between Released Parties and Executive.

     13. No Tax Advice. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has made no
representations to him regarding the tax consequences of the money paid pursuant to this Agreement,
and that he shall rely upon his own tax advice with respect to any taxes owed on any of such
monies. Executive shall be solely responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local taxes
owed by Executive as a result of his receipt of money or benefits paid pursuant to this Agreement.

     14. Indemnification. Subject to Article VIII of the By-Laws of The Williams
Companies, Inc., and to the extent permitted by law, Company will defend and indemnify Executive
with regard to claims brought against Executive by third parties and arising from actions taken by
Executive in his capacity as an officer and agent of Company.

     15. Recovery of Monies Owed to or by the Company. Executive acknowledges and agrees
that any monies he owes to Company, Released Parties, or to Company’s or Released Parties’
vendor(s) contracted to provide business tools or services for use by Executive in his employment,
including but not limited to Company credit card debt, relocation repayment obligations or pre-paid
Educational Assistance Plan benefits, may be deducted from Executive’s Separation Payment.
Williams agrees that Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of any reasonable expenses
incurred by Executive in connection with his employment with the Company up through March 31, 2008,
provided Executive submits a proper expense report itemizing such expenses no later than April 30,
2008.

     16. Opportunity to Consider Agreement and Consult Counsel. Executive acknowledges that
this Agreement is a binding legal document, and that he has been advised by Company to consult with
an attorney before signing this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that
he has been extended a period of twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement.

     17. Revocation Period. For a period of seven (7) days following Executive’s execution
of the Agreement, Executive may revoke the Agreement by notifying Company, in writing, of his
desire to do so. After the seven (7) day period has expired, this Agreement shall become effective
and enforceable.

6

 

     18. Binding Effect. By signing this Agreement, the parties agree and acknowledge that
they have carefully read and fully understood the contents of this Agreement, and that this
Agreement has been freely signed by the party executing this Agreement. This Agreement is binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns,
personal representatives, officers, directors, agents, attorneys, parents, subsidiaries and
affiliates.

     19. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto pertaining to the facts and matters stated herein and supersedes any and all prior
understandings, agreements or representations or understandings, whether written or oral, prior to
the date hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement shall have no effect on the enforceability
of the Consulting Agreement referenced in Paragraph 1 herein and attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” or
on the enforceability of any prior agreement relating to any covenant not to compete, trade
secrets, and/or confidentiality.

     20. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be
construed in all respects in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Oklahoma without
reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. Should any provision of this Agreement be
found or declared or determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the validity of
the remaining parts, terms or provisions shall not be affected thereby and any such invalid part,
term or provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement. Any litigation concerning
this Agreement or the facts or matters described herein shall be brought only in a court of
competent jurisdiction in Tulsa County, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the parties hereby waive personal
jurisdiction and any objections to venue.

     21. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by
an instrument in writing signed by both Executive and a duly authorized representative of Company.

     22. Headings. The heading of paragraphs or subparagraphs herein are included solely
for convenience or reference and will not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.

     23. Notices: Any and all notices required to be sent pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement will be sent by registered or certified mail or be personally delivered to the parties
hereto at the following addresses or such other addresses as they may designate:

7

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	Executive:

	 	Michael P. Johnson
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Tulsa, OK	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Company:

	 	The Williams Companies, Inc.	 	 
	 

	 	Attn: Vice President, Human Resources	 	 
	 

	 	One William Center	 	 
	 

	 	P. O. Box 2400	 	 
	 

	 	Tulsa, Oklahoma 74102	 	 

8

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day first written
above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	Title:
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	WITNESS:	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	Michael P. Johnson	 	 	 	 

9

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

     I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE that The Williams Companies, Inc. (“the Company”), in accordance with the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection
Act of 1990, informed me in writing that:

     (1) I should consult with an attorney before signing the Confidential Separation
Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) which was provided to me today.

     (2) I may review the Agreement for a period of up to twenty-one (21) days prior to
signing the Agreement. If I choose to take less than twenty-one (21) days to review the
Agreement, I do so knowingly, willingly and on advice of counsel.

     (3) For a period of seven (7) days following the signing of the Agreement, I may revoke
the Agreement, and that the Agreement will not become effective or enforceable until the
seven day revocation period has elapsed; and

     (4) The Consulting Fee and Separation Payment described in Paragraph 2 of this
Agreement will be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal pay cycle, but will not be
paid to me until the seven-day revocation period has elapsed.

     I HEREBY FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE receipt of this Confidential Separation Agreement and Release on
the                      day of                                         , 2008.

	 	 	 
	 

	 	WITNESS:
	 
	 

	 	 
	Michael P. Johnson
	 	 

10

 

EXHIBIT “A”

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

     THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT is entered into this 2nd day of April, 2008, by and between THE
WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. a Delaware Corporation, (“Williams” or the “Company”) and Michael P.
Johnson (“Consultant”).

     WHEREAS, Williams wishes to avail itself of Consultant’s knowledge, expertise and experience
by utilizing the services of Consultant; and

     WHEREAS, Consultant is willing to serve as a consultant to Williams upon the terms and
conditions set forth below;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises and for other good and valuable
consideration, Williams and Consultant hereby agree as follows:

     1. Consulting Services.

     (a) During the period beginning on the date on which Consultant ceases to be employed
by Williams and continuing through December 31, 2008 (the “Consulting Period”), Consultant
shall provide to Williams, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, consulting services
commensurate with his status and experience as Williams’ Senior Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer to enable a smooth transition of his duties to his successor with
respect to such matters as shall be reasonably requested from time to time by the Chief
Executive Officer of Williams (the “Williams Representative”), provided that Consultant
shall not be required to provide such services during any period when he is unable to
perform due to his health.

     (b) Consultant shall provide consulting services to Williams only as needed and when
reasonably requested by the Williams Representative, provided that, without his
prior consent, Consultant shall not be required to devote more than eighty (80) hours in any
calendar month to the performance of any consulting services hereunder. Consultant agrees
that in the event it becomes necessary for him to devote more than eighty (80) hours in any
calendar month to performing services under this Agreement, Consultant will obtain approval
from Williams’ Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Officer Team member for whom the
services are being provided prior to providing such services. Consultant shall determine the
time and location at which he shall perform such services, subject to the right of the
Williams Representative to reasonably request by advance written notice that such services
be performed at a specific time and at a specific location. Consultant shall honor any such
request unless he is unable to perform due to his health, or he has a conflicting business
commitment that

11

 

would preclude him from performing such services at the time and/or place requested by
the Williams Representative, and in such circumstances, shall make reasonable efforts to
arrange a mutually satisfactory alternative. Williams shall use its reasonable best efforts
not to require the performance of consulting services in any manner that unreasonably
interferes with any other business activity of Consultant.

     (c) Consultant shall not, solely by virtue of the consulting services provided
hereunder, be considered to be an officer or employee of any member of Williams during the
Consulting Period, and shall not have the power or authority to contract in the name of or
bind any member of Williams. Consultant shall at all times be treated as an independent
contractor and shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes with respect to all amounts
paid to him hereunder. Consultant shall not, by reason of the services performed hereunder,
be entitled to participate in any employee benefits plan, program or arrangement made
available to any employee of Williams.

     (d) This Agreement is personal to Consultant and all of the services required of
Consultant hereunder shall be performed personally by him.

     2. Consulting Fees. In accordance with its normal pay cycle, but not before the eighth
(8th) day following Consultant’s execution of this Agreement, Williams shall pay
Consultant the sum of Two Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars
($263,758.00) (“Consulting Fee”) as consideration for executing this Agreement and providing the
services set forth hereunder. Consultant shall not be entitled to receive any other compensation,
bonuses or benefits provided to Williams’ employees in exchange for the services provided by
Consultant under the terms of this Agreement. However, Williams will reimburse Consultant for
reasonable and necessary travel expenses, including costs for transportation, meals and lodging
that Consultant may incur in connection with his performance of services under this Agreement.
During the Consulting Period, Consultant may also utilize Williams’ corporate aircraft for travel
necessary to his performance of services under this Agreement, subject to the approval of the
Williams Representative and the availability of the aircraft.

     3. Confidential Information. Consultant shall not, at any time during the Consulting
Period, make use of or disclose, directly or indirectly, any (i) trade secret or other confidential
or

12

 

secret information of Williams or (ii) other technical, business, proprietary or financial
information of Williams not available to the public generally or to the competitors of Williams
(“Confidential Information”), except to the extent that such Confidential Information (a) becomes a
matter of public record or is published in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical available to
the general public, other than as a result of any act or omission of Consultant, (b) is required to
be disclosed by any law, regulation or order of any court or regulatory commission, department or
agency, provided that Consultant gives prompt notice of such requirement to Williams to enable
Williams to seek an appropriate protective order, or (c) is necessary to perform properly
Consultant’s duties under this Agreement. Promptly following the termination of the Consulting
Period, Consultant shall surrender to Williams all records, memoranda, notes, plans, reports,
computer tapes and software and other documents and data which constitute Confidential Information
which he may then possess or have under his control (together with all copies thereof).

     4. Exclusive Services/Non-solicitation.

     (a) Consultant acknowledges that during the Consulting Period he will become familiar
with trade secrets and other confidential information concerning Williams and that his
services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to Williams.

     (b) Consultant agrees that during the Consulting Period he shall not in any manner,
directly or indirectly, through any person, firm or corporation, alone or as a member of a
partnership or as an officer, director, stockholder, investor or employee of or consultant
to any other corporation or enterprise or otherwise, engage or be engaged, or assist any
other person, firm corporation or enterprise in engaging or being engaged, in

13

 

any business, in which Consultant was involved or of which he has knowledge is being
conducted by Williams during the Consulting Period. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
subparagraph 4(b) to the contrary, Consultant may act as a director, stockholder, investor
or employee of or consultant to any corporation or enterprise with regard to the business or
businesses referred to above with the prior written consent of Williams, such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld.

     (c) Consultant further agrees that during the Consulting Period he shall not in any
manner, directly or indirectly, induce or attempt to induce any employee Williams to
terminate or abandon his or her employment for any purpose whatsoever.

     (d) Nothing in this Paragraph 4 shall prohibit Consultant from being (i) a stockholder
in a mutual fund or a diversified investment company or (ii) a passive owner of not more
than two percent (2%) of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation, or any
securities of which are publicly traded, so long as Consultant has no active participation
in the business of such corporation.

     (e) If, at any time of enforcement of this Paragraph 4, a court holds that the
restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties
hereto agree that the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such
circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area and that the court
shall be allowed to revise the restrictions contained herein to cover the maximum period,
scope and area permitted by law. This Agreement shall not authorize a court to increase or
broaden any of the restrictions in this Paragraph.

     5. Hold Harmless. Consultant shall hold harmless Williams, its subsidiaries and
affiliates, and its and their respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees and attorneys

14

 

against any damage, injury, death, claim, loss, charge or expense (including, without
limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs and the costs of investigation) of any party, including
Consultant, arising out of or relating to, or claimed to arise out of or relate to, Consultant’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct in performing under this Agreement.

     6. No Tax Advice. Consultant agrees and acknowledges that Williams has made no
representations to him regarding the tax consequences of the money paid pursuant to this Agreement,
and that he shall rely upon his own tax advice with respect to any taxes owed on any of such
monies. Consultant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any federal, state or local
taxes owed by Consultant as a result of his receipt of money or benefits provided to him by
Williams pursuant to this Agreement.

     7. Termination of the Consulting Services. Williams may terminate this Agreement at
any time prior to December 31, 2008, but the parties agree and acknowledge that Williams shall only
be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the Consulting Fee in the event that the Agreement is
terminated solely for cause, which shall be limited to either (i) the conviction of Consultant of a
felony which has a substantial effect on Williams’ business or reputation, or (ii) the continual
and repeated failure of Consultant to perform the services required of him hereunder, after written
notice of the alleged failures and an opportunity to cure has been given. Consultant may only
terminate this Agreement due to a material breach hereof by Williams.

     8. No Waiver of Vested Benefits. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to
limit, reduce, offset or otherwise impair Consultant’s rights to any benefits or compensation
vested or accrued under the terms of the employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements
maintained by Williams other than those benefits that were released or waived by Consultant
pursuant to the Confidential Separation Agreement and Release dated April 2, 2008.

15

 

     9. Computer/Office Support and Access. During the Consulting Period, Williams shall
provide Consultant with office space at Williams’ principal place of business, which will include
telephone and computer access and administrative support. In addition, Williams shall provide and
maintain Consultant’s computer and access to Williams’ network and telephone systems via his home
office as shall be reasonably necessary for Consultant to provide the consulting services requested
by Williams during the Consulting Period and under the terms of this Agreement. At the termination
of the Consulting Period, Consultant shall return all of Williams’ property within his possession
to Williams.

     10. Enforcement. The parties hereto agree that Williams would be damaged irreparably
in the event that any provision of Paragraph 3 or 4 of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with its terms or were otherwise breached and that money damages would be an inadequate
remedy for any such nonperformance or breach. Accordingly, Williams and its successors and
permitted assigns shall be entitled, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their
favor, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent any breach or threatened breach of any of such
provisions and to enforce such provisions specifically (without posting a bond or other security).
Consultant agrees any litigation concerning this Agreement or the facts or matters described herein
shall be brought only in a court of competent jurisdiction in Tulsa County, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and
Consultant agrees that he will submit himself to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the
State of Oklahoma in any action by Williams to enforce the terms of this Agreement or to obtain
injunctive or other relief.

     11. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument signed
by Williams and Consultant. Except as otherwise expressly provided hereunder, this Agreement shall
constitute the entire agreement between Williams and Consultant with respect

16

 

to the subject matter hereof The parties further agree and acknowledge that this Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto pertaining to the facts and matters
stated herein and supersedes any and all prior understandings, agreements or representations or
understandings, whether written or oral, prior to the date hereof; provided, however, that this
Agreement shall have no effect on the enforceability or terms of the Confidential Separation
Agreement and Release dated April 2, 2008, or on the enforceability of any prior agreement relating
to non-solicitation, trade secrets, and/or confidentiality. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

     12. Notices. Any and all notices required to be sent pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement will be sent by registered or certified mail, or be personally delivered to the parties
hereto at the following addresses, or such other addresses as they may designate:

	 	 	 	 	 
	Consultant:

	 	Michael P. Johnson
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Tulsa, OK	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Company:

	 	The Williams Companies, Inc.	 	 
	 

	 	Attn: Vice President, Human Resources	 	 
	 

	 	One William Center	 	 
	 

	 	P. O. Box 2400	 	 
	 

	 	Tulsa, Oklahoma 74102	 	 

     13. Successor and Assigns. This Agreement shall be enforceable by Consultant and his
heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives, and by Williams and its successors and
assigns.

17

 

     14. Survival. Paragraphs 3, 4, and 10 of this Agreement shall survive and continue in
full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms, notwithstanding any termination of
the Consulting Period.

     15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Oklahoma, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day first written
above.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Title:
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 
	 

	 	WITNESS:
	 
	 

	 	 
	Michael P. Johnson
	 	 

18

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