Williams Controls Expands Board and Names Nathan L. Belden As New Director

PORTLAND, Ore., July 25 The Board of Directors of Williams Controls, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: WMCO - News) has expanded its Board from 6 to 7 members, and has appointed Nathan L. Belden to fill the newly created board seat, effective July 16, 2002. Williams Controls recently completed a series of recapitalization transactions led by American Industrial Partners, a San Francisco and New York based private equity firm (together with its affiliates, "AIP"). As part of its investment, AIP was entitled to place four directors on the board of Williams Controls. Having previously named three directors, the appointment of Mr. Belden completes AIP's appointments to the board.

Gene Goodson, Executive Chairman of Williams Controls, welcomes Mr. Belden to the board. Mr. Belden brings financial and operational experience to the Company from a variety of industries and has extensive experience in the areas of finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and has been involved in numerous capital market transactions. He currently serves as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of American Industrial Partners, a firm he joined in 1995. Mr. Belden previously worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department of Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc. in New York. Mr. Belden has served and currently serves as a director on the Boards of several private companies. Mr. Belden, 32, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.

Williams Controls designs and manufactures control systems and sensors for use primarily in the transportation industry. Williams Controls is the predominant manufacturer of electronic throttle controls ("ETCs") for the heavy and medium duty truck market, in addition to supplying some of the world's largest manufacturers in the automotive market, where demand for ETCs is rapidly expanding. Benefits of ETCs include lower vehicle emissions, improved fuel economy, integrated cruise control, and the elimination of complex mechanical linkages. For more information you can find Williams Controls on the Internet at http://www.wmco.com