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Exhibit 99.a
FINANCIAL NEWS
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ONEOK, Inc. For Immediate Release: August 25, 2000
Post Office Box 871 Contact: Weldon Watson (918) 588-7158
Tulsa, OK 74102-0871
ONEOK ANNOUNCES DEATH OF CHAIRMAN AND CEO
LARRY BRUMMETT
Tulsa, Oklahoma -- Larry W. Brummett, chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE), and a long-time community leader in
Tulsa, has died following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 49.
David Kyle, president and chief operating officer of ONEOK, said, "Larry
was a great leader and a wonderful friend to all who knew him. It is a tribute
to him that we have such a great team of employees at ONEOK who will move
forward with the focus and vision that he has set for the company during his
years of leadership."
Brummett provided dynamic, thoughtful leadership in times of unprecedented
change at ONEOK and in the natural gas industry. He became chairman, chief
executive officer and president in 1994. Under his direction, ONEOK has been
transformed from a local natural gas utility company with assets of about $1
billion in 1994 to a diversified natural gas company today with total assets
exceeding $5 billion.
Brummett lived his life with passion. His unique leadership style was
rooted in his rare ability to connect with a broad range of people, both in
business and the community. His demonstrated ability to clearly articulate his
vision and his passion for achieving excellence inspired not only the 4,000
employees of ONEOK but also the teams of industry and community leaders,
business professionals and volunteers he met and worked with every day.
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