People swaps

Chappel replaces McCarthy as Williams CFO US energy major Williams has hired Donald Chappel (pictured) as senior vice-presidentand chief financial officer (CFO). He succeeds Jack McCarthy, who retired atthe end of 2002 after 10 years as CFO. Before this appointment, Chappel foundedand served as chief executive of Chicago-based development business DR ChappelDevelopment. Gary Belitz, who served as acting CFO since the start of 2003, willcontinue as controller and chief accounting officer, the position he has heldat Williams for the past 10 years. Steve Malcolm, Williams chairman and chiefexecutive, says: “Don has a well earned reputation for his ability to stepinto difficult situations and contribute to restoring credit, investor confidenceand shareholder value.”

US energy firm Aquila has appointed Rick Dobson as chief financial officer,who remains at the company’s headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Hehas held the position on an interim basis since November, before which time DanStreek held that position. The company has also named Brock Shealy to the newlycreated position of corporate compliance officer in Kansas City, responsiblefor ensuring Aquila’s