Williams CEO: Tulsa Must Invest More to Retain Businesses and Talent

Chad Zamarin warns that Tulsa risks losing more companies and workers unless critical infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements are made.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A clean, modern studio photograph featuring a laptop, pen, and glass of water arranged elegantly on a white background, symbolizing the essential tools of business and the importance of location for companies.A minimalist still life captures the tools of the modern business world, underscoring the need for Tulsa to invest in infrastructure and quality of life to retain top companies and talent.Today in Tulsa

During a sold-out event at the University of Tulsa, Williams CEO Chad Zamarin said Tulsa must compete harder to attract and retain major companies and top talent. Zamarin argued that Tulsa needs to make significant investments in areas like schools, public safety, and infrastructure if it wants to reverse the decline in Fortune 1000 headquarters in Oklahoma and keep up with the growing demand for energy infrastructure and AI-powered technology.

Why it matters

Tulsa's ability to retain and attract major employers is crucial for the city's economic future. As a longtime headquarters for energy giant Williams, Tulsa's competitiveness is being closely watched. Zamarin's comments highlight the need for Tulsa to address quality-of-life issues and infrastructure gaps to remain an attractive location for businesses and workers.

The details

Zamarin, the president and CEO of Williams, spoke at a University of Tulsa event about the future of energy infrastructure and the importance of location decisions for major companies. He said Williams expects significant growth in the coming decade and needs a city that can grow with it, warning that Tulsa risks losing more employers and workers unless critical investments are made. Zamarin pointed to a decline in Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in Oklahoma since 2015, noting that factors like schools, public safety, and infrastructure influence where people choose to live and work.

  • The event took place on April 16, 2026 during the sold-out Friends of Finance Executive Speaker Series luncheon at The University of Tulsa.
  • Zamarin's comments came as part of his presentation on the future of energy infrastructure and the growing role of natural gas.

The players

Chad Zamarin

The president and CEO of Williams, a major energy infrastructure company that has been headquartered in Tulsa for over a century.

The University of Tulsa

The host of the Friends of Finance Executive Speaker Series luncheon where Zamarin delivered his remarks about the need for Tulsa to invest more to retain businesses and talent.

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What they’re saying

“We want to be in a city that is going to do big things and grow over the next 10 years.”

— Chad Zamarin, President and CEO, Williams

“We better start expecting more and doing more with it, or we're going to keep losing companies and talent.”

— Chad Zamarin, President and CEO, Williams

What’s next

Tulsa city and business leaders will need to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the concerns raised by Zamarin and invest in the infrastructure, quality of life, and talent pipeline needed to retain and attract major employers.

The takeaway

Tulsa's ability to remain competitive as a business hub is under threat, with the CEO of a major local company warning that the city must make significant investments in areas like education, public safety, and infrastructure if it wants to reverse the decline in Fortune 1000 headquarters and keep up with the growing demands of the energy and technology sectors.