ITEM 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
A slate of seven directors is presented for election at the Annual Meeting. The persons named in the enclosed proxy have been selected by the Board to serve as proxies (“Proxy Holders”) and will vote the shares represented by valid proxies at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. The Proxy Holders have indicated that they intend to vote “FOR” each of the persons named as a nominee below unless authority to vote in the election of directors is withheld on each proxy or unless otherwise specified on each proxy. Each duly elected director will hold office until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified. Although our Board does not contemplate that a nominee will be unable to serve, if such a situation arises prior to the Annual Meeting, the Proxy Holders will vote for the election of such other person as may be nominated by the Board. Proxies cannot be voted in the election of directors for more than seven persons, as that is the number of nominees named herein.
Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Votes that are withheld and broker non-votes will not be counted in the tabulations of the votes cast on Item 1 and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of the nominees listed below to our Board of Directors.
For each of our director nominees, the following table sets forth their names, ages, principal occupations and length of continuous service as a director of the Company.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Director |
Nominee | | Age | | Principal Occupation | | Since |
| | | | | | |
Townes G. Pressler | | 87 | | Chairman of the Board of the Company | | 2011 |
| | | | | | |
Michelle A. Earley | | 51 | | Partner — O’Melveny & Meyers LLP | | 2015 |
| | | | | | |
Murray E. Brasseux | | 74 | | Retired — Former Bank Managing Director of Oil & Gas Finance | | 2015 |
| | | | at Compass Bank | | |
| | | | | | |
Richard C. Jenner | | 61 | | Managing Partner — Endeavor Natural Gas, LP | | 2016 |
| | | | | | |
John O. Niemann, Jr. | | 66 | | President and Chief Operating Officer — Arthur Andersen LLP | | 2019 |
| | | | | | |
Dennis E. Dominic | | 71 | | Retired — Former Vice President of Domestic Crude Supply | | 2019 |
| | | | and Trading at Valero Energy Corporation | | |
| | | | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 53 | | Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company | | 2022 |
| | | | | | |
Townes G. Pressler
Mr. Pressler is Chairman of the Board of the Company and has served in this capacity since September 2017, when he was appointed Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. Effective December 31, 2019, he retired from the position of Executive Chairman. Mr. Pressler is President of Tepee Petroleum Company, an independent oil and gas producer based in Houston that he founded in 1978. In 1985, he founded and is currently chairman of VSO Inc. (formerly Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc.), which provides engineering consulting services. Prior to 1985, Mr. Pressler was President of Philip Hill Energy, President of Republic Oil and Gas Corp., and Chief Petroleum Engineer for Barnhart Co. after his initial years with ExxonMobil. Mr. Pressler holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas and is a Registered Professional Engineer.
Mr. Pressler has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of his extensive business and management experience in the energy industry and his history with the Company.
Michelle A. Earley
Ms. Earley is a Partner at the law firm of O’Melveny & Meyers LLP, having joined the law firm in April 2022. Ms. Earley was previously with the law firm, Locke Lord LLP, having joined the law firm in 1998, where she served as a Partner since 2008. Ms. Earley has extensive experience in merger, acquisition and disposition transactions, securities regulation matters and securities offerings, including representing purchasers and sellers of publicly-traded and privately-held companies, representing issuers and selling shareholders in connection with the public offering and private placement of debt and equity securities, tender offers, exchange offers and advising management and boards of directors on general corporate governance matters. Ms. Earley has been a member of the board of directors of Murphy Oil Corporation since June 2021. She holds an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.
Ms. Earley has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of her extensive experience in merger and acquisition transactions, including representing publicly traded companies for many years.
Murray E. Brasseux
Mr. Brasseux has extensive commercial and financial banking experience including energy lending practices. He retired from Compass Bank in December 2014 after 20 years of service, having most recently served as Managing Director of Oil & Gas Finance. Following retirement, Mr. Brasseux served as a consultant to Compass Bank from January 2015 to June 2015 and as a consultant to Loughlin Management Partners (a restructuring and advisory firm) from June 2015 to December 2017. In January 2019, Mr. Brasseux joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. and currently serves on its audit and conflicts committee. Mr. Brasseux also serves on the board of the Rare Book School (an affiliate of the University of Virginia). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University.
Mr. Brasseux has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of his extensive commercial and financial experience in the banking industry, including energy lending practices.
Richard C. Jenner
Mr. Jenner is the managing partner of Endeavor Natural Gas, LP (“Endeavor”), a private equity backed upstream energy company with operations throughout Texas and Louisiana. Mr. Jenner founded Endeavor in November 2001, and held the position of co-managing partner until September 2020. He has been active in the oil and gas industry for over 30 years, having worked for Santa Fe Minerals, Torch Energy Advisors and Tepee Petroleum Company. His experience throughout his career has touched on all aspects of managing an independent oil and gas producer, including operations, engineering, accounting, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Jenner holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
Mr. Jenner has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of his extensive experience in the energy industry, including in crude oil marketing, and his broad management experience.
John O. Niemann, Jr.
Mr. Niemann is the president and chief operating officer of Arthur Andersen LLP since 2003. He was previously a Managing Director of Andersen Tax LLC (formerly known as WTAS LLC), having served in that position from June 2013 through March 2023, when he retired. He previously served on the administrative board of Arthur Andersen LLP and on the board of partners of Andersen Worldwide. Mr. Niemann began his career at Arthur Andersen LLP in 1978 and has served in increasing responsibilities in senior management positions since 1992.
Mr. Niemann has served as a director of Professional Asset Indemnity Limited, a private captive insurance company, since October 2021. He has also served as a director and chairman of the audit committee of Hines Global Income Trust, Inc. since August 2014 and as lead independent director since May 2019. Since May 2012, Mr. Niemann has also served as a director of MSC Income Fund, Inc. (previously known as HMS Income Fund, Inc.) since 2012. He is a member of the audit committee of that fund (chairman from May 2012 until November 2020), and in November 2020, he became chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Mr. Niemann previously served as a director and chairman of the audit committee of Gateway Energy Corporation from June 2010 until December 2013 when the company went private.
Mr. Niemann has served on the board of directors of many Houston area non-profit organizations, including Catholic Endowment Foundation of Galveston-Houston, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School (past chair of the board), The Regis School of the Sacred Heart (past chair of the board), The Houston Symphony, The University of St. Thomas, The Alley Theatre, The Houston Youth Symphony and Ballet and Taping for the Blind, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Managerial Studies and a Master of Accounting from Rice University, a Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law and a Master of Law in taxation from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Mr. Niemann has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of his extensive business, management and accounting and finance experience.
Dennis E. Dominic
Mr. Dominic has more than 40 years of experience in the energy industry in the areas of refining, marketing and trading. He retired from Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero”) in July 2019 where he served as Vice President of Domestic Crude Supply and Trading from January 2002 until his retirement. Prior to his more than 17 years of service at Valero, Mr. Dominic worked at and enjoyed increasing levels of responsibility at Conoco, Inc., Horizon Trading Company and Sigmor Refining Company (“Sigmor”). In 1982, Mr. Dominic joined Diamond Shamrock Refining Company (“Diamond Shamrock”) when it acquired Sigmor. In 1996, Mr. Dominic joined Ultramar Diamond Shamrock (“Ultramar”) upon Ultramar’s merger with Diamond Shamrock. He was with Ultramar from 1996 until Ultramar was purchased by Valero in 2001. Mr. Dominic holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration from Incarnate Word University.
Mr. Dominic has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of his extensive experience in the energy industry, including in crude oil marketing, and his broad management experience.
Kevin J. Roycraft
Mr. Roycraft is Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and has served in these capacities since January 2020. He was previously Interim President of GulfMark Energy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, from August 2019 to March 2020, and President of Service Transport Company, another wholly owned subsidiary, from November 2017 to January 2020. Mr. Roycraft was previously Executive Vice President at Dana Transport Inc. from January 2016 through November 2017. From November 2012 through October 2015, Mr. Roycraft was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aveda Transportation and Energy Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University.
Mr. Roycraft has been nominated to serve on the Board in light of his extensive business and management experience in the transportation industry and his history with the Company.
Director Independence
Our Board is comprised of a majority of independent directors as defined under NYSE American listing standards. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. The Board has determined that the following directors are independent: Messrs. Brasseux, Dominic, Jenner, Niemann and Pressler and Ms. Earley. The Board has determined that none of the designated independent directors have any relationship that, under NYSE American rules, would preclude their service on any of the standing committees of the Board. In making its determination, the Board considered transactions and relationships between each director or his immediate family and us and our subsidiaries, including in Mr. Pressler’s case his service as executive chairman of the Company through 2019. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were material and, therefore, inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent. In addition, the Board requires each of its members and each of the director nominees to disclose in an annual questionnaire any relationship they or their family members may have had with us, our subsidiaries, our independent accountants, directors and officers within the past five years. The Board considers any such relationship in making its determination.
Board Leadership and Governance
Our Board, with the assistance of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, evaluates its size, function, needs and composition on an annual basis, with the intent that the Board as a whole collectively possess a broad range of skills, expertise, industry and other knowledge, and business, diversity and other experience useful to the effective oversight of our business.
Our Bylaws provide the Board flexibility to determine the appropriate leadership of the Board, and whether the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be combined or separate. The Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Board to determine which director is best qualified to serve as Chairman in light of the circumstances at the time, rather than based on a fixed policy. Currently, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles are separated, with Mr. Pressler serving as Chairman and Mr. Roycraft serving as Chief Executive Officer.
During 2022, the Board held executive sessions of independent directors without the presence of non-independent directors and management. Mr. Brasseux, as longest serving independent member, presided at such executive sessions since Mr. Pressler, Chairman and a non-independent director during 2022, was not present.
Meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees
During 2022, the full Board of Directors met thirteen times and all director nominees attended all of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served for the period in which they held office. It is our policy that all persons nominated for election to the Board at the time of the annual meeting be present at such meeting. All directors at the time of the 2022 annual meeting attended the 2022 annual meeting. The Board has four standing committees – the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Investment Committee.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Committees | | Summary of | | Committee | | Meetings in |
of the Board | | Responsibilities | | Members | | 2022 |
| | | | | | |
Audit | | •Retains independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approves their services. •Reviews and approves financial statements, internal controls and related party transactions. •Oversees information security initiatives. | | Niemann (1) | | Nine |
| | | Brasseux | | |
| | | Jenner | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Compensation | | •Evaluates the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and establishes the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. | | Jenner (2) | | Four |
| | | Brasseux | | |
| | | Niemann | | |
| | | Dominic | | |
| | | | | | |
Nominating and Corporate Governance | | •Identifies, considers and recommends to the Board nominees for directors. •Periodically assesses corporate governance and makes recommendations to the Board. | | Earley (3) | | Three |
| | Brasseux | | |
| | | Dominic | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Investment | | •Evaluates, reviews and monitors investment, acquisition and divestiture transactions. | | Dominic (4) | | Eight |
| | | Earley | | |
| | | Jenner | | |
| | | Niemann | | |
______________________________
(1)Mr. Niemann is an independent director and has served as Chair of the Audit Committee since May 2019. He has been designated the Audit Committee financial expert as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
(2)Mr. Jenner is an independent director and has served as Chair of the Compensation Committee since March 2019.
(3)Ms. Earley is an independent director and has served as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since March 2019.
(4)Mr. Dominic is an independent director and has served as Chair of the Investment Committee since February 2020.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Investment Committee are described in each of the committees’ respective charters, which were adopted by the respective committees and the Board. These committee charters are available on our website at www.adamsresources.com, under Investor Relations – Corporate Governance. Copies may also be obtained by writing to Investor Relations, Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., 17 South Briar Hollow Lane, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77027.
Nomination Policy
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the Board nominees for directors to be considered at the Annual Meeting or to serve as replacements in the event of a vacancy on the Board. Each of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent, as defined in Section 803A of the company guide of the NYSE American LLC.
In identifying and evaluating candidates for nomination to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers several factors including: education, experience, knowledge, expertise, independence and availability to effectively carry out the duties of a Board member. The qualifications and backgrounds of prospective candidates are reviewed in the context of the current composition of the Board to ensure the Board maintains the proper balance of knowledge and experience to effectively manage our business for the long-term interests of our shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee initially identifies candidates for nomination through the Committee’s and management’s general industry contacts. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a policy, nor has it been our practice, to consider for nomination any specific director candidates recommended by shareholders as no such request has ever occurred. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review its policy position if such a request is received. Shareholders may communicate with the Board as described below. Information regarding the Bylaws’ requirements to nominate a director for election at an Annual Meeting is set forth below under “Additional Information – Shareholder Proposals.” You may obtain a copy of the Bylaws by writing to Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., 17 South Briar Hollow Lane, Suite 101, Houston Texas 77027, Attention: Corporate Secretary, David Hurst. Our Bylaws can also be found on our website at www.adamsresources.com, under Investor Relations – Corporate Governance.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee views diversity expansively and considers, among other things, functional areas of business and financial expertise, educational and professional background, and those competencies that it deems appropriate to develop a cohesive board such as ethics, integrity, values, practical wisdom, mature judgment and the ability of the candidate to represent the interests of all shareholders and not those of a special interest group. Specifically with respect to the experience and qualifications of each of the persons nominated to serve on the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered the foregoing information to conclude that each nominee should serve as a director of our Board.
Messrs. Pressler, Brasseux, Dominic, Jenner and Niemann and Ms. Earley have previously stood for election to the Board of Directors. Mr. Roycraft was appointed to the Board on August 12, 2022. In connection with the Annual Meeting, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has recommended the Directors listed in this Proxy Statement be re-elected to the Board.
W.R. Scofield is not standing for re-election. Mr. Scofield will continue to serve as a director until the Annual Meeting.
Communications with the Board
Any shareholder or other interested party who wishes to communicate with the Board, a committee of the Board or any individual director may do so by contacting David Hurst, Corporate Secretary, Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., 17 South Briar Hollow Lane, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77027. Communications will be relayed to the intended recipient on the Board in accordance with the request of the shareholder.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board’s role in our risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members of our senior management on areas of material risk to us, including operational, financial, legal, regulatory and strategic risks. The most significant areas of risk involve commodity price risk, customer credit risk and safety and security concerns. The full Board oversees both environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities, as well as the executive team in its assessment of strategic initiatives.
The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of risks relating to accounting matters, financial reporting, legal and regulatory compliance and computerized information systems and security. To satisfy these oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee meets regularly with management, non-executive operating and accounting personnel, our internal auditor and independent registered public accounting firm.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing risks relating to employment policies and our policies on structuring compensation programs. To satisfy these oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee meets regularly with management to understand the implications of compensation decisions, particularly the risks our compensation policies pose to our finances, human resources and shareholders.
Employee, Officer and Director Hedging
Other than our insider trading policy, which prohibits purchases and sales of our securities and related derivative securities while in possession of material non-public information, we do not have any policies that prevent employees (including officers) or directors from purchasing financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds), or otherwise engaging in hedging transactions related to our equity securities.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides information regarding our executive officers as of March 31, 2023. Our officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position |
| | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 53 | | Chief Executive Officer and President |
| | | | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 55 | | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| | | | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 48 | | President, Service Transport Company |
| | | | |
Greg L. Mills | | 61 | | President, GulfMark Energy, Inc. |
| | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and President and has served in these capacities since January 2020. He has been a director of the Company since August 2022. He was previously Interim President of GulfMark Energy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, from August 2019 to March 2020, and President of Service Transport Company, another wholly owned subsidiary, from November 2017 to January 2020. Mr. Roycraft was previously Executive Vice President at Dana Transport Inc. from January 2016 through November 2017. From November 2012 through October 2015, Mr. Roycraft was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aveda Transportation and Energy Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University.
Tracy E. Ohmart currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and has served in these capacities since June 2018. He was previously with Horn Solutions, Inc. from 2017 to June 2018, and prior to that, served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Bulk Terminals USA, Inc., a privately-held subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls AG, from 2012 to 2016. Immediately prior to joining United Bulk Terminals USA, Inc., he was Assistant Controller for Southwestern Energy Company from 2010 to 2012. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. Ohmart was Assistant Controller of EPCO, Inc. Prior to that, he held various accounting, finance, management and special projects positions with increasing responsibilities with TEPPCO Partners, L.P. from 2001 to 2005 and ARCO Pipe Line Company from 1989 to 2001. Mr. Ohmart holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas. He serves as our principal financial and accounting officer. Mr. Ohmart is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
Wade M. Harrison currently serves as President of Service Transport Company and has served in that capacity since January 2020. Mr. Harrison joined Service Transport Company in August 2018 as Vice President of Sales and served in that capacity until his appointment to President of Service Transport Company. Mr. Harrison has 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics operations, management and leadership. Prior to joining Service Transport Company, Mr. Harrison was with Groendyke Transport, Inc. from January 2010 to August 2018, where he held positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in his role as Vice President of Gulf Coast Operations. He began his career in transportation and logistics in 2003 with CTL Distribution Logistics, LLC, where he served as Vice President of National Accounts. Mr. Harrison holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Sam Houston State University.
Greg L. Mills currently serves as President of GulfMark Energy, Inc. and has served in that capacity since March 2020. Mr. Mills has more than 30 years of experience in the midstream business, including significant expertise and leadership in crude oil marketing and related operations. Prior to joining GulfMark Energy, Inc. in March 2020, Mr. Mills was Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations at Energy Transfer Partners from October 2017 through December 2019. Prior to joining Energy Transfer Partners, Mr. Mills was with Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. from 1998 through October 2017, where he held positions of increasing responsibility that culminated in his role as Vice President of Crude Oil Pipelines & Terminals. Mr. Mills holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Northeastern State University.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer and each of our other named executive officers (the “NEOs”) during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Stock | | All | | |
Name and | | | | Salary | | Bonus | | Awards (1) | | Other (2) | | Total |
Principal Position | | Year | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 2022 | | 411,769 | | | 286,056 | | | 87,355 | | | 35,588 | | | 820,768 | |
Chief Executive Officer and President | | 2021 | | 400,000 | | | 291,046 | | | 74,250 | | | 31,163 | | | 796,459 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 2022 | | 309,000 | | | 193,682 | | | 65,508 | | | 22,827 | | | 591,017 | |
Executive Vice President, | | 2021 | | 309,000 | | | 198,160 | | | 65,548 | | | 19,760 | | | 592,468 | |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 2022 | | 243,535 | | | 218,927 | | | 51,675 | | | 28,914 | | | 543,051 | |
President, Service Transport Company | | 2021 | | 230,000 | | | 187,926 | | | 50,906 | | | 25,015 | | | 493,847 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Greg L. Mills | | 2022 | | 360,298 | | | 192,142 | | | 76,415 | | | 29,489 | | | 658,344 | |
President, GulfMark Energy, Inc. | | 2021 | | 350,000 | | | 207,974 | | | 63,647 | | | 18,033 | | | 639,654 | |
_____________________
(1)Amounts reflect the grant date fair value (computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718) of restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards granted under the Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2018 LTIP”) in 2022. For a discussion of the valuations of the restricted stock unit awards and the performance share unit awards, please see the discussion in Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
(2)All Other compensation includes employer matching contributions to our 401(k) savings plan, car allowances, reimbursement for club dues, life and disability insurance premiums and dividends accrued on outstanding awards under the 2018 LTIP. The NEOs receive no other perquisites or personal benefits. For further information, see the “All Other Compensation” table below.
The following table presents the components of “All Other Compensation” for each NEO for the year ended December 31, 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Contributions | | Dividends | | Life and | | | | | | |
| | Under | | Accrued on | | Disability | | | | | | Total |
| | 401(k) | | Plan Based | | Insurance | | Car | | | | All Other |
| | Savings Plan | | Awards | | Premiums | | Allowance | | Other | | Compensation |
Named Executive Officer | | ($) | | ($) (1) | | ($) | | ($) | | ($) (2) | | ($) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 12,200 | | | 6,265 | | | 5,363 | | | 7,200 | | | 4,560 | | | 35,588 | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 12,200 | | | 5,057 | | | 5,570 | | | — | | | — | | | 22,827 | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 12,200 | | | 3,965 | | | 5,549 | | | 7,200 | | | — | | | 28,914 | |
Greg L. Mills | | 12,200 | | | 5,501 | | | 3,748 | | | 7,200 | | | 840 | | | 29,489 | |
_____________________
(1)Reflects accrued dividends credited to the NEO in connection with dividend equivalent rights issued in connection with vesting of awards under the 2018 LTIP.
(2)Amounts in “Other” relates to the reimbursement for club dues for Mr. Roycraft and cell phone allowance for Mr. Mills.
COMPENSATION OVERVIEW
Background
We compete for talent in the Houston, Texas marketplace, which is heavily tied to the energy industry and related fields. There is strong demand for executives in the energy industry (and in Houston in particular). Within the public company community, Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. is consistently listed as one of the Houston areas’ top 100 companies as ranked by revenues. As such, we attempt to pay our executives in a manner that is competitive in the industry and region and that aligns their incentives with those of our shareholders. This section is intended to provide context to the Summary Compensation Table presented above, and to explain how our compensation program, as overseen by the Compensation Committee of our Board, is structured and the elements of our performance and executives’ individual performance that affect total compensation.
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee, composed entirely of independent directors, reviews and approves the executive compensation program for all of our senior executive officers, including our NEOs, to ensure that our compensation program is adequate to attract, motivate and retain well-qualified senior executives and that it is directly and materially related to the short-term and long-term objectives of our Company and our shareholders. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and evaluates our executive compensation program to ensure that the program is aligned with our compensation philosophy. To carry out its role, among other things, the Compensation Committee:
•reviews the major compensation and benefit practices, policies, and programs with respect to our senior executives;
•reviews appropriate criteria for establishing performance targets for executive compensation;
•determines appropriate levels of executive compensation;
•administers and determines equity awards to be granted under our long-term incentive plans; and
•reviews and recommends to the Board any changes to director compensation.
The Compensation Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board on all issues pertaining to the compensation of our senior executive officers, including individual components of total compensation, goals and performance criteria for incentive compensation and the grant of equity awards. However, it is the practice of the Compensation Committee to fully review its activities and recommendations with the full Board.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our compensation philosophy, as implemented through the Compensation Committee, is to match executive compensation with the performance of the Company and the individual by using several compensation components for our executive officer group. The Compensation Committee has adopted the following objectives, and executive compensation levels are determined in consideration thereof:
•Establish and maintain a level of compensation that is competitive within our industry and region.
•Provide an incentive mechanism for favorable results.
•Maintain a compensation system that is consistent with the objectives of sound corporate governance.
Design of Reward
Our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, has designed our executive compensation program to provide a competitive and internally equitable compensation and benefits package that, among other objectives, reflects Company performance, job complexity and value of the position, while ensuring long-term retention, motivation and alignment with the long-term interests of our shareholders. Our management and the Compensation Committee review the results of the annual “Say on Pay” vote by shareholders for feedback on our executive compensation.
Elements of Compensation
We utilize the following four elements of executive compensation to retain our executive officer group:
•Base salary
•Discretionary bonus
•Awards under our long-term incentive plan
•Benefits
Base Salary
The Compensation Committee considers adjustments to base salary for our executive officer group on a biannual basis and may do so more frequently upon a change in circumstances. The annual base salary of our Chief Executive Officer is decided solely by the Compensation Committee in executive session without management present. The annual base salaries of the other members of our executive officer group are determined by the Compensation Committee with input or recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. None of our NEOs have employment agreements.
During 2022, the Compensation Committee adjusted the 2022 base salaries of Mr. Roycraft to $411,769 (a 3 percent increase over the prior year), Mr. Harrison to $243,800 (a 6 percent increase) and Mr. Mills to $360,500 (a 3 percent increase). Mr. Ohmart’s salary was not adjusted in 2022, having been increased by 3 percent in 2021.
Discretionary Bonus
Discretionary bonuses are used as an incentive for favorable results. The discretionary bonus may also serve as a supplement to base salary levels, while allowing the Board flexibility when results are not consistent with expectations. Discretionary bonuses are anticipated to increase or decrease with the prevailing trend for consolidated net earnings, cash flow and execution of our growth strategy. The Compensation Committee considers a number of factors in determining annual cash bonuses, including adjusted operating income, adjusted cash flow, the Company’s safety record, strategic goals and individual performance. While payment is discretionary, the Compensation Committee typically sets target or expected bonuses at the beginning of the year as a percentage of each executive’s salary. For 2022, the target bonuses were set at 75 percent of salary for Mr. Roycraft and 65 percent of salary for the other NEOs. The Compensation Committee determined to award cash bonus payments to our NEOs for 2022 based on actual performance versus established targets for operating, financial, safety and personal performance goals set for the executives.
Awards Under Long-Term Incentive Plan
Grants of Plan Based Awards
We granted restricted stock unit awards and performance share unit awards to each executive officer in 2022 under the 2018 LTIP. The following table presents information concerning each grant of an equity-based award in 2022 to our NEOs.
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| | | | | | | | | | Grant |
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Award Type/ | | Grant | | Threshold | | Target | | Maximum | | Awards |
Named Executive Officer | | Date | | (#) | | (#) | | (#) | | ($) (1) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted stock unit awards: (2) | | | | | | | | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 3/1/2022 | | — | | | 1,374 | | | — | | | 43,693 | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 3/1/2022 | | — | | | 1,030 | | | — | | | 32,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 3/1/2022 | | — | | | 813 | | | — | | | 25,853 | |
Greg L. Mills | | 3/1/2022 | | — | | | 1,202 | | | — | | | 38,224 | |
Performance share unit awards: (3) | | | | | | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 3/1/2022 | | 687 | | | 1,373 | | | 2,746 | | | 43,661 | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 3/1/2022 | | 515 | | | 1,030 | | | 2,060 | | | 32,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 3/1/2022 | | 406 | | | 812 | | | 1,624 | | | 25,822 | |
Greg L. Mills | | 3/1/2022 | | 601 | | | 1,201 | | | 2,402 | | | 38,192 | |
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(1)The grant date fair value presented for the restricted stock unit awards and the performance share unit awards is based on the closing price of shares of our Common Stock on March 1, 2022 of $31.80 per share and a performance target of 100 percent for the performance share unit awards. For information on the assumptions used in the valuation of these awards, see Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
(2)Restricted stock unit awards vest approximately 33 percent annually over a three-year period, with the first vesting date of March 1, 2023, and subsequently each of the next two years thereafter. The awards accrue dividends, if declared by us on shares of our Common Stock, which will be paid to the recipient upon vesting of the awards.
(3)These performance share unit awards vest on March 1, 2025. The awards accrue dividends, if declared by us on our shares of Common Stock, which will be paid to the recipient upon vesting of the awards. The performance factor for these awards was set at 101.4 percent based upon a comparison of actual results for 2022 to performance goals.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted stock unit awards are granted under the 2018 LTIP. A restricted stock unit award is a grant of a right to receive shares of our Common Stock in the future at no cost to the recipient apart from fulfilling service and other conditions once a defined vesting period expires, subject to customary forfeiture provisions. Restricted stock unit awards generally vest at a rate of approximately 33 percent per year beginning approximately one year after the grant date and are non-vested until the requisite service periods are satisfied by the recipient. Restricted stock unit awards were awarded in the number of shares equal to an approved award dollar value divided by the closing price of shares of our Common Stock on the NYSE American on the date of grant, rounded up to the nearest whole share.
If dividends are paid with respect to shares of our Common Stock during the vesting period, an equivalent amount of dividends will accrue without interest until the restricted stock unit awards vest, at which time the amount will be paid to the recipient.
Performance Share Unit Awards. Performance share unit awards are granted under the 2018 LTIP. Performance share unit awards are contingent upon (i) continued service with the Company for three years after the vesting commencement date, as defined in the award agreement, and (ii) the attainment of performance goals during the performance cycle. The performance goals are established by the Compensation Committee in the first quarter of each year. Following the end of the performance period, the holder of a performance-based compensation award is entitled to receive, subject to the continued vesting conditions, payment of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the award multiplied by a performance factor between 0 percent and 200 percent, which is determined based on the achievement of the performance goals for the performance period. The performance share unit awards generally vest in full approximately three years after grant date, and are non-vested until the requisite service period is satisfied by the recipient.
In each of the historical performance periods discussed below, the performance factor determination was based upon our performance relative to specified performance goals during the applicable performance period, as follows: Seventy-five percent of the target award was subject to adjustment based upon our attainment of adjusted pre-tax cash flow, as defined in the award agreement, and twenty-five percent of the target award was subject to adjustment based on our attainment of adjusted pre-tax earnings, as defined in the award agreement. The awards for the current year follow the same approach. The cash flow and earnings thresholds for each of the last three years and for the current year awards are set forth in more detail below.
If dividends are paid with respect to shares of our Common Stock during the vesting period, an equivalent amount of dividends will accrue without interest until the performance share unit awards vest, at which time the amount will be paid to the recipient.
Performance share unit awards were granted to our NEOs as follows:
•granted on March 10, 2020 with a performance period between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and vested on March 1, 2023. As a result of the Company’s performance for 2020, the performance factor was set at 138.5 percent.
•granted on March 1, 2021 with a performance period between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 and scheduled to vest, subject to continued service conditions, on March 1, 2024. As a result of the Company’s performance for 2021, the performance factor was set at 63.1 percent.
•granted on March 1, 2022 with a performance period between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, and scheduled to vest, subject to continued service conditions, on March 1, 2025. As a result of the Company’s performance in 2022, the performance factor was set at 101.4 percent.
•granted on March 1, 2023 with a performance period between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, and scheduled to vest, subject to both performance and continued service conditions, on March 1, 2026.
For each performance year, the following metrics were (or will be, in the case of 2023 awards) used to determine award levels:
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| | | | Adjusted Pre-Tax | | Adjusted Pre-Tax | | % of Target |
| | Performance | | Cash Flow Amount | | Earnings Amount | | Performance Share |
Year | | Level | | (75%) | | (25%) | | Units Earned (1) |
| | | | | | | | |
2020 (2) | | Maximum | | $33,375,000 | | $9,875,000 | | 200% |
| | Target | | $26,700,000 | | $7,900,000 | | 100% |
| | Threshold | | $20,025,000 | | $5,925,000 | | 50% |
| | <Threshold | | <$20,025,000 | | <$5,925,000 | | 0% |
| | | | | | | | |
2021 | | Maximum | | $35,200,000 | | $9,750,000 | | 200% |
| | Target | | $28,160,000 | | $7,800,000 | | 100% |
| | Threshold | | $21,120,000 | | $5,850,000 | | 50% |
| | <Threshold | | <$21,120,000 | | <$5,850,000 | | 0% |
| | | | | | | | |
2022 (2) | | Maximum | | $34,500,000 | | $9,625,000 | | 200% |
| | Target | | $27,600,000 | | $7,700,000 | | 100% |
| | Threshold | | $20,700,000 | | $5,775,000 | | 50% |
| | <Threshold | | <$20,700,000 | | <$5,775,000 | | 0% |
| | | | | | | | |
2023 | | Maximum | | $51,625,000 | | $17,500,000 | | 200% |
| | Target | | $41,300,000 | | $14,000,000 | | 100% |
| | Threshold | | $30,975,000 | | $10,500,000 | | 50% |
| | <Threshold | | <$30,975,000 | | <$10,500,000 | | 0% |
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(1)Linear interpolation will be applicable to the percentages between the Performance Levels.
(2)The metrics for 2020 and 2022 were revised to include acquisitions that occurred during the applicable period.
Vesting of Plan Based Awards
The following table presents the vesting of restricted stock unit awards for our NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2022. No performance share unit awards vested during 2022, as the performance thresholds for the awards made during the calendar year 2019 were not met for that year.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Number of | | |
| | Shares | | Value |
| | Acquired on | | Realized on |
| | Vesting | | Vesting |
Named Executive Officer | | (#) (1) | | ($) (2) |
| | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 1,051 | | | 34,092 | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 948 | | | 30,816 | |
| | | | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 637 | | | 20,492 | |
Greg L. Mills | | 729 | | | 23,183 | |
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(1)Represents the gross number of shares acquired upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards before adjustments for associated tax withholdings.
(2)Amount was determined by multiplying the gross number of vested restricted stock unit awards by the closing prices of shares of our Common Stock on the dates of vesting: $31.80 on March 1, 2022 and $34.48 on May 22, 2022.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2022
The following table summarizes each NEO’s long-term incentive awards outstanding at December 31, 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Market |
| | Number | | Value |
| | of Shares | | of Shares |
| | That Have | | That Have |
Award Type/ | | Not Vested | | Not Vested |
Named Executive Officer | | (#) (1) | | ($) (2) |
| | | | |
Restricted stock unit awards: (3) | | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 2,593 | | | 100,919 | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 2,096 | | | 81,578 | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 1,649 | | | 64,178 | |
Greg L. Mills | | 2,290 | | | 89,126 | |
Performance share unit awards: (4) | | | |
Kevin J. Roycraft | | 3,758 | | | 146,262 | |
Tracy E. Ohmart | | 3,095 | | | 120,459 | |
Wade M. Harrison | | 2,448 | | | 95,276 | |
Greg L. Mills | | 3,424 | | | 133,263 | |
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(1)Represents the total number of outstanding awards by award type for each NEO.
(2)The market values were derived by multiplying the total number of each award type outstanding for the NEO by the closing price of shares of our Common Stock on December 30, 2022 (the last trading date of 2022) of $38.92 per share. For the performance share unit awards, the actual performance factor was used to determine market value of the shares that have not vested.
(3)Of the 8,628 restricted stock unit awards presented in the table, the vesting schedule is as follows: 4,252 in 2023, 2,902 in 2024 and 1,474 in 2025.
(4)Of the 12,725 performance share unit awards presented in the table, the vesting schedule is as follows: 5,607 in 2023, 2,702 in 2024 and 4,416 in 2025.
Benefits
We also provide employee benefits, primarily consisting of a 401(k) plan (discussed below) and an employer sponsored medical plan. The benefits provided to the NEOs are no different than those offered to non-executive employees. At the current time, we do not offer a defined benefit pension plan nor do we offer deferred compensation.
Perquisites
We pay life and disability insurance premiums on behalf of our NEOs and also provide an automobile allowance and a reimbursement for club dues. Certain of these benefits are also provided to some non-executive employees, in amounts generally negotiated with the employee at the time of their initial employment.
401(k) Plan
We offer a 401(k) plan to our employees and our executive officers and make matching contributions to the plan. In 2022, 2021 and 2020, we matched 100 percent of employee contributions up to 3 percent of compensation and matched 50 percent of employee contributions from 3 percent to 5 percent of compensation, subject to the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) annual limits. This level of matching contributions conforms to the Code’s safe harbor rules for 401(k) plans.
Change of Control Plan
On August 12, 2022, the Board adopted a Change of Control Plan (the “COC Plan”). The COC Plan’s participants include Messrs. Roycraft, Ohmart, Harrison and Mills. Under the COC Plan, participants will receive severance benefits if they are terminated without cause, or resign for good reason (each as defined in the plan) following a change of control of the Company (each, a “qualifying termination”). Participants become eligible to receive the severance benefits if the qualifying termination occurs within the 90-day period preceding a change of control or within the twenty-four (24) month period commencing on a change of control.
In the event of a qualifying termination, each participant shall receive the following compensation, subject to certain exceptions as described more fully in the COC Plan:
•A cash lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) his or her base salary and (ii) any target bonus established for that year under any plan, program, agreement or arrangement that the Company has entered into with the participant (the “Target Bonus”), or if there is no Target Bonus, the average annual bonuses received over the two preceding years, in each case multiplied by two for the Chief Executive Officer, and by 1.5 for the other participants;
•A cash lump sum payment of the participant’s bonus amount for any prior fiscal year not yet paid at the date of termination, if any, paid at the greater of his or her target bonus or actual performance; and
•A cash lump sum payment equal to a pro rata portion of the participant’s target bonus for the year of termination through the date of termination.
In addition, if a participant timely elects to continue health insurance coverage with the Company under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), the Company will subsidize the employer portion of such COBRA coverage for the lesser of twelve months or the participant’s first day of eligibility for a successor employer-provided group health plan.
Under the COC Plan, all outstanding and unvested performance share unit awards and restricted stock unit awards held by participants under our 2018 LTIP or any successor plan, subject solely to time-based vesting shall vest in full in connection with a qualifying termination, notwithstanding the provisions of any equity incentive plan or any award agreement between participants and the Company. Equity awards which vest in whole or part on achievement of performance criteria shall vest based on the assumption of performance at target as defined in any award agreement. If the participant’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause within ninety (90) days preceding a change of control, any acceleration of vesting for time-based awards shall occur at the time of change of control.
Compensation and Risk
In the normal course of our business, in order to establish and maintain profitability, we become exposed to risk. The most significant areas of risk involve commodity price risk, customer credit risk, and safety and security concerns. Compensation policies for all employees, as overseen by the Compensation Committee of the Board, are designed to provide reasonable safeguard against risk and not incentivize excessive risk-taking. Policies toward this aim include the following:
•generally short-term contractual obligations with actual results fixed and determinable prior to the payment of employee bonuses that may be affected by such results;
•a segregated internal reporting structure that puts the employees charged with managing and reporting risk on a separate reporting track from those employees committing us to contractual obligations, thereby providing independent monitoring of risk mitigation practices and procedures;
•payouts under our performance share units that are not all-or-nothing based on achieving a target, but pay on a linear interpolated basis so long as a lower threshold is achieved;
•inclusion of the Company’s overall safety record, one of its most important operational risks, as a factor in making compensation decisions and awarding discretionary bonuses, so that executive officers are rewarded for improvements to safety and for risk mitigation.
The Compensation Committee has concluded that compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Role of the External Compensation Advisor
The Compensation Committee has not historically used an external compensation advisor to make year to year compensation decisions or to set target awards. During 2022, however, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance to make recommendations related to our COC Plan, described above, and then to conduct a comprehensive review of executive and director pay levels, including a comparison of our executives’ total direct compensation and various elements of that compensation to those of our competitors and peers. The Compensation Committee received the reports of Pay Governance in early 2023. Any modifications made by the Compensation Committee during 2023 will be described in our proxy statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or as otherwise required by law.