UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.             )

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Definitive Proxy Statement

 

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Definitive Additional Materials

 

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Soliciting Material Pursuantunder to §240.14a-12

Eclipse Resources Corporation

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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LOGO

ECLIPSE RESOURCES CORPORATION

2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110

State College, Pennsylvania 16803

April 18, 2016March 22, 2018

NOTICE OF 20162018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders of Eclipse Resources Corporation:

Notice is hereby given that the 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Eclipse Resources Corporation (the “Company”) will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 201616, 2018 at 9:10:00 a.m. CentralEastern Time, in the Cottonwood Room at the Hyatt Regency Houston, 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002.Company’s principal executive offices located at 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, State College, Pennsylvania 16803. The Annual Meeting is being held for the following purposes:

 

1.

To elect three Class III members of the Company’s Board of Directors to serve until the Company’s 20192021 annual meeting of stockholders;

 

2.

To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016; 2018;and

3.

To transact other such business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

These proposals are described in the accompanying proxy statement. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 23, 2016,21, 2018, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.  Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The stock transfer books will not be closed. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination at the Company’s principal executive offices for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have elected to provide access to our proxy solicitation materials primarily via the Internet, rather than mailing paper copies of these materials to each stockholder.  On or about April 3, 2018, we will mail to each stockholder a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials with instructions on how to access the proxy materials, vote, or request paper copies.

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting; however, whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, you are urged to submit your proxy so that your shares of stock may be represented and voted in accordance with your preferences and in order to help establish the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. You can vote your shares via the Internet, by a toll-free telephone call, or by properly completing, signing and returning a hard copy of the enclosed proxy.proxy card, which can be requested by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. If you attend the Annual Meeting and would like to vote in person, you may do so even if you have already dated, signed and returned your proxy card.

Pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, if you hold your shares in street name, brokers, banks or other nominees will not have discretion to vote your shares on the election of directors. We encourage you to provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee if you hold your shares in street name so that your voice is heard on such matters.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Christopher K. Hulburt

Secretary

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2018

This Notice of Annual Meeting, our Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders are available on our website free of charge atwww.eclipseresources.com in the “SEC Filings” and “Annual Reports and Proxy Statements” subsections of the “Investor Center” section.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Your vote is important. We urge you to review the accompanying proxy statement carefully and to submit your proxy as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


LOGO

ECLIPSE RESOURCES CORPORATION

2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110

State College, Pennsylvania 16803

PROXY STATEMENT

20162018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Eclipse Resources Corporation for use at the Eclipse Resources Corporation 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). In this Proxy Statement, references to “Eclipse Resources,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar expressions refer to Eclipse Resources Corporation, unless the context or a particular reference provides otherwise. The Board requests your proxy for the Annual Meeting that will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 201616, 2018 at 9:10:00 a.m. CentralEastern Time in the Cottonwood Room at the Hyatt Regency Houston, 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002,Company’s principal executive offices located at 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, State College, Pennsylvania 16803, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice and described in this Proxy Statement. By granting a proxy, you authorize the persons named in the proxy to represent you and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person. If you are not present at the Annual Meeting, your shares may be voted only by a person to whom you have given a proper proxy.

Brokers are not permitted to vote your shares for discretionary matters, which include the election of directors, without your instructions as to how to vote.  Please return your proxy so that your vote can be counted on such matters.

DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS

Mailing Date.The Notice of Annual Meeting, ourInternet Availability of Proxy Statement and the accompanying formMaterials (the “Notice of proxy (the “Proxy Materials”Availability”) areis first being sent to stockholders on or about April 22, 2016.3, 2018.

Stockholders Sharing an Address. Each registered stockholder (meaning you own shares in your own name on the books of our transfer agent, Computershare)Computershare Trust Company, N.A.) will receive one setNotice of Proxy MaterialsAvailability per account, regardless of whether you have the same address as another registered stockholder.

Some banks, brokers and other record holders have begun the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports.  “Householding” is the term used to describe the practice of delivering a single copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company’s 20152017 Annual Report to Stockholders (the “Annual Report”) to any household at which two or more stockholders share an address. This procedure reduces the volume of duplicative information and our printing and mailing costs. We will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of thethis Proxy MaterialsStatement and our Annual Report to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of such documents was delivered. Any stockholder who would like to receive a separate copy of the Proxy MaterialsStatement and our Annual Report, now or in the future, should submit this request to Christopher K. Hulburt, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, at our principal executive offices, 2121 Old Gatesburg

Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803. Beneficial owners sharing an address who receive multiple copies of thethis Proxy MaterialsStatement and our Annual Report and who would like to receive a single copy of such materials in the future will need to contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all stockholders at the shared address in the future.

1


Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.  The Notice of Annual Meeting and this Proxy Statement, along with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 20152017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 9, 20162, 2018 and our Annual Report, are available free of charge at www.eclipseresources.com in the “SEC Filings” and “Annual Reports and Proxy Statements” subsections of the “Investor Center” section.

QUORUM AND VOTING

Voting Stock. The Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is the only outstanding class of the Company’s securities that entitles holders to vote generally at meetings of the Company’s stockholders. Each share of common stock outstanding on the record date entitles the holder to one vote at the Annual Meeting.

Record Date. The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is the close of business on March 23, 2016.21, 2018. As of the record date, 222,932,600301,771,111 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting.

Quorum. A quorum of stockholders is necessary to transact business at a meeting of stockholders. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the votes eligible to be cast at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present, the chairman has the power, at the chairman’s discretion, to adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the Annual Meeting, until a quorum is present. At any annual meeting reconvened following an adjournment at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the annual meeting as originally noticed. As of the record date, Eclipse Resources Holdings,private equity funds managed by EnCap Investments L.P. (“Eclipse Holdings”EnCap”) controlled approximately 63%69.85% of the voting power entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, Eclipse HoldingsEnCap has the requisite voting power to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting and to ensure the approval or disapproval of the proposals described below. Abstentions and broker non-votes (as described below) will be included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.

Stockholder List.In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company will maintain at its corporate offices in State College, Pennsylvania a list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The list will be open to the examination of any stockholder, for purposes germane to the Annual Meeting, during ordinary business hours for ten days before the Annual Meeting.

Vote Required. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 201621, 2018 have the right to vote at the Annual Meeting. Assuming the presence of a quorum, the proposals at the Annual Meeting will require the following votes:

Class III directors will be elected by a plurality of all votes cast. This means the three director nominees who receive the highest number of votes “FOR” his election at the Annual Meeting will be elected to our Board of Directors.the Board. You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” for each director nominee. As a result, there will not be any abstentions on this proposal. Broker non-votes (as described below) will generally have no effect on the outcome of this proposal because only a plurality of votes is required for the election of directors.

Ratification of the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on the proposal to ratify the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions are considered to be “present” and “entitled to vote” at the Annual Meeting, and as a result, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. As discussed below, brokers may use their discretion to vote shares of common stock held by them in “street name” for which voting instructions are not submitted with respect to the ratification of the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, so no broker non-votes are expected for this proposal.

represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on the proposal to ratify the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions are considered to be “present” and “entitled to vote” at the Annual Meeting, and as a result, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. As discussed below, brokers may use their discretion to vote shares of common stock held by them in “street name” for which voting instructions are not submitted with respect to the ratification of the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, so no broker non-votes are expected for this proposal.

Representatives of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the transfer agent for our common stock, will tabulate the votes. Neither our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or our Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”(our “Bylaws”) allow for cumulative voting rights.

2


Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers are required to vote shares in accordance with instructions received from the beneficial owners. NYSEThe New York Stock Exchange’s (the “NYSE”) Rule 452 restricts the ability of brokers who are record holders of shares to exercise discretionary authority to vote those shares in the absence of instructions from beneficial owners. Brokers are permitted to vote on discretionary items if they have not received instructions from the beneficial owners, but they are not permitted to vote on non-discretionary items absent instructions from the beneficial owner (resulting in a “broker non-vote”). With respect to the Annual Meeting, Rule 452 prohibits such brokers from exercising discretionary authority in the election of the Company’s directors,directors; but such brokers may exercise discretionary authority with respect to the ratification of the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Default Voting. A proxy that is properly completed and returned will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions on the proxy. If you properly complete and return a proxy, but do not indicate any contrary voting instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations, which are as follows:

“FOR” the election of the three persons named in this Proxy Statement as the Board’s nominees for election as Class III directors;

“FOR” the ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;2018; and

If any other business properly comes before the stockholders for a vote at the Annual Meeting, your shares will be voted at the discretion of the holders of the proxy.  The Board knows of no matters, other than those previously stated herein, to be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting.

Voting Procedures. If you are a record stockholder, you may vote your shares or submit a proxy to have your shares voted by one of the following methods:

By Internet. You may submit a proxy electronically via the Internet by visiting the website listed on the Notice of Availability. Please have the Notice of Availability, the Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and the form of proxy (the “Proxy Materials”) in hand when you log onto the website. Internet voting is available until 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 16, 2018.

By Internet. You may submit a proxy electronically via the Internet by visiting the website listed in the enclosed proxy card. Please have your Proxy Materials in hand when you log onto the website. Internet voting is available until 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 18, 2016.

By Telephone. You may submit a proxy by telephone by calling the toll-free number listed in the Notice of Availability. Please have your Proxy Materials in hand when you call. Telephone voting is available until 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 16, 2018.

By Telephone. You may submit a proxy by telephone by calling the toll-free number listed in the enclosed proxy card. Please have your Proxy Materials in hand when you call. Telephone voting is available until 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 18, 2016.

By Mail. You may request a hard copy proxy card by following the instructions on the Notice of Availability and then vote by submitting a proxy by mail by signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the provided pre-addressed envelope.

By Mail. You may submit a proxy by mail by signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the provided pre-addressed envelope.

In Person. You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders by completing a ballot; however, attending the meeting without completing a ballot will not count as a vote.

In Person. You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders by completing a ballot; however, attending the meeting without completing a ballot will not count as a vote.

If your shares are held in street name, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted. Internet and/or telephone voting will also be offered to stockholders owning shares through most banks and brokers.

Revoking Your Proxy. You may revoke your proxy in writing at any time before it is exercised at the Annual Meeting by: (i) delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written notice of the revocation; (ii) signing, dating and delivering to the Secretary of the Company a proxy with a later date; or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting your shares in person. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not revoke your proxy unless you give written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company before your proxy is exercised or unless you vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting before your proxy is exercised.

3


Solicitation Expenses. The cost of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing the Proxy Materials and our Annual Report, as well as the reasonable cost of forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of our common stock, and other costs of solicitation, will be exclusively borne by us. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will, in connection with shares of our common stock registered in their names, be requested to forward solicitation material to the beneficial owners of such shares of our common stock. We have not incurred any solicitation expenses in excess of the amount typical for a solicitation of proxies for a non-contested election of directors. In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, e-mail, facsimile or other means, without additional compensation. Wages of regular employees and officers are not considered to be expenses incurred with respect to the solicitation of proxies.

Copies of the Annual Report. Upon written request, we will provide any stockholder, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report. Stockholders should direct requests to Christopher K. Hulburt, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, at our principal executive offices, 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803. Copies of our Annual Report, the Form 10-K and the exhibits thereto are also available atwww.sec.gov, a website maintained by the SEC which contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants, including us.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

Beneficial Ownership

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 23, 201621, 2018 by:

each person to be known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

each of our named executive officers;

each of our directors; and

all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

As of March 23, 2016,21, 2018, approximately 222,932,600301,771,111 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each person or entity named in the table below is c/o Eclipse Resources Corporation, 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

  Number of
Shares
   Percent of
Class
 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Percent of

Class

 

5% Stockholders:

    

Eclipse Resources Holdings, L.P. (1)

   140,353,407     63.1

EnCap Funds (2)

   34,091,593     15.3

5% Stockholder:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EnCap Funds (1)

 

 

210,778,623

 

 

 

69.85

%

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Martin Phillips (1)

   23,373     *  

 

 

23,373

 

 

 

*

 

Robert L. Zorich (1)

   23,373     *  

 

 

23,373

 

 

 

*

 

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr. (1)

   23,373     *  

 

 

23,373

 

 

 

*

 

Mark E. Burroughs, Jr. (1)

   23,373     *  

 

 

23,373

 

 

 

*

 

Richard D. Paterson

   25,373     * ��

 

 

126,253

 

 

 

*

 

Randall M. Albert

   25,373     *  

 

 

126,253

 

 

 

*

 

Joseph C. Winkler, III

   30,873     *  

 

 

131,753

 

 

 

*

 

Benjamin W. Hulburt (1)

   58,979     *  

Christopher K. Hulburt (1)

   23,798     *  

Matthew R. DeNezza (1)

   —       *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (11 individuals)

   279,986     *  

Benjamin W. Hulburt (2)

 

 

1,661,740

 

 

 

*

 

Christopher K. Hulburt (3)

 

 

649,684

 

 

 

*

 

Matthew R. DeNezza (4)

 

 

303,751

 

 

 

*

 

All directors and executive officers as a group

(12 individuals)

 

 

3,887,800

 

 

 

1.28

%

* Less than 1%

4


(1) Eclipse Holdings is governedBased on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on January 22, 2018 by a board of managers that includes four members (currently D. Martin Phillips, Robert L. Zorich, Douglas E. Swanson, Jr. and Mark E. Burroughs, Jr.) appointed by the EnCap Funds (as defined below) and three members (currently Benjamin W. Hulburt, Christopher K. Hulburt and Thomas S. Liberatore) appointed by the Management Funds (as defined below). The board of managers has authority to vote or dispose of the common stock held by Eclipse Holdings. Eclipse Holdings’ business address is 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803.

Entities affiliated with EnCap Investments L.P. (“EnCap”), specifically EnCap Energy Capital Fund VIII, L.P. (“EnCap Fund VIII”), EnCap Energy Capital Fund VIII Co-Investors, L.P. and(“EnCap Fund VIII Co-Invest”), EnCap Energy Capital Fund IX, L.P., each of which is a private equity fund managed by (“EnCap Fund IX” and, a limited partner of Eclipse Holdings (thetogether with EnCap Fund VIII and EnCap Fund VIII Co-Invest, the “EnCap Funds”), collectively own 100% of the Class A limited partner interests in Eclipse Holdings. The EnCap Funds are controlled indirectly by David B. Miller, D. Martin Phillips, Gary R. Petersen, and Robert L. Zorich, who are the controlling members of RNBD GP LLC. RNBDPartners GP, LLC is the sole member of (“EnCap Investments GP, L.L.C., which is the general partner of EnCap, which is the general partner of (i) EnCap Equity Fund VIII GP, L.P., which is the general partner of EnCap Energy Capital Fund VIII, L.P. and EnCap Energy Capital Fund VIII Co-Investors, L.P.Partners GP”), and (ii) EnCap Equity Fund IX GP, L.P., which is the general partnerTravis Peak Resources, LLC (“Travis Peak”). Includes an aggregate of EnCap Energy Capital Fund IX, L.P. As a result of such control, the172,955,027 shares of our stock that are beneficially ownedheld directly by the EnCap Funds and 37,823,596 shares held directly by Travis Peak. Travis Peak is member-managed by TPR Holding Company, LLC (“TPR Holding”). EnCap Fund IX is a member of TPR Holding that holds the right to appoint three of the five representatives to the board of managers of TPR Holding. Each of the representatives to the board of managers of TPR Holding has one vote and decisions are made by a majority vote. As a result, EnCap Fund IX may also be deemed to be beneficiallyhave the power to vote or direct the vote or to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares owned by Messrs. PhillipsTravis Peak. EnCap Partners GP, through its indirect control of the sole general partners of the EnCap Funds, shares the power to vote or to direct the vote and Zorich, although such individuals have disclaimed beneficial ownershipto dispose or to direct the disposition of such shares.the shares of common stock held by the EnCap Funds. The business address of Travis Peak is 9020 North Capital of Texas Hwy, Building 1, Suite 170, Austin, Texas 78759. The business address for EnCap Partners GP and the EnCap Funds is 1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 4900, Houston, Texas 77002. Messrs. Phillips, Zorich, Swanson and Burroughs serve in various functions and capacities for EnCap.  Please see each director’s biographical information under “Directors and Executive Officers—Nominees and Continuing Directors” for more information.

(2) Includes shares that are held directly by Benjamin W. Hulburt and shares held by The Hulburt Family II Limited Partnership, which is controlled by Benjamin W. Hulburt. Also includes 136,015 shares subject to restricted stock units which are scheduled to vest within 60 days after March 21, 2018.

(3) Includes shares that are held directly by Christopher K. Hulburt owns approximately 66% of the Class B limited partner interests in Eclipse Holdings,and shares held by CKH Partners II, L.P., which is controlled by Christopher K. Hulburt, owns approximately 17% of the Class B limited partner interests in Eclipse Holdings, and Kirkwood Capital, L.P., controlled by Thomas S. Liberatore, owns approximately 17% of the Class B limited partner interests in Eclipse Holdings. The Hulburt Family II, L.P., CKH Partners II, L.P. and Kirkwood Capital, L.P.Hulburt. Also includes 59,125 shares subject to restricted stock units which are referredscheduled to as the “Management Funds.”

vest within 60 days after March 21, 2018.

Eclipse Management, L.P. (“Eclipse Management”) owns 100% of the Class C limited partner interests in Eclipse Holdings. Benjamin W. Hulburt, Christopher K. Hulburt, Matthew R. DeNezza and Thomas S. Liberatore have equal ownership interests in, and serve as the members of the board of managers of, Eclipse Management GP, LLC, the general partner of Eclipse Management, and therefore indirectly control Eclipse Management.(4) Includes 59,521 shares subject to restricted stock units which are scheduled to vest within 60 days after March 21, 2018.

(2) Represents 7,260,330 shares of our common stock (which represents approximately 3.3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock) held by EnCap Energy Capital Fund VIII Co-Investors, L.P. and 26,831,263 shares of our common stock (which represents approximately 12.1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock) held by EnCap Energy Capital Fund IX, L.P. See footnote 1 regarding the control of the EnCap Funds and their ownership interests in Eclipse Holdings.

ITEM ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company has classified its Board into three classes. Directors in each class are elected to serve for three-year terms and until either they are re-elected or their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Each year, the directors of one class stand for re-election as their terms of office expire. The Board has nominated the following individuals for election as Class III directors of the Company with their terms to expire at the Company’s 20192021 annual meeting of stockholders or until their earlier resignation or removal:

Robert L. Zorich

Joseph C. Winkler, IIID. Martin Phillips

Christopher K. HulburtDouglas E. Swanson, Jr.

Randall M. Albert

Messrs. Zorich, WinklerPhillips, Swanson and Christopher HulburtAlbert currently serve as Class III directors of the Company. Their biographical information is contained in “Directors and Executive Officers” below.

The Board has no reason to believe that any of its nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve if elected. If a nominee becomes unable or unwilling to accept nomination or election, either the number of the Company’s directors will be reduced or the persons acting under your proxy will vote for the election of a substitute nominee that the Board nominates.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

5


DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVEEXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Nominees and Continuing Directors

Unless otherwise directed in your proxy, it is the intention of the persons named in such proxy to vote the shares represented by such proxy for the election of each of the following nominees as a member of the Board, each to hold office until the annual meeting of our stockholders to be held in 20192021 and until his or her successor is duly qualified and elected or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Mr. Christopher Hulburt, Mr. ZorichMessrs. Phillips, Swanson, and Mr. WinklerAlbert are presently members of the Board.

 

Name

  Age   

Position(s) with Eclipse Resources

  Director’s
Term Expires
 

 

Age

 

Position(s) with Eclipse Resources

 

Director’s

Term Expires

Nominees:

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Martin Phillips

 

64

 

Director

 

2021

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.

 

46

 

Director

 

2021

Randall M. Albert

 

60

 

Director, Lead Independent Director

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin W. Hulburt

 

44

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2020

Richard D. Paterson

 

67

 

Director, Audit Committee Chair

 

2020

Mark E. Burroughs, Jr.

 

42

 

Director, Compensation Committee Chair

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert L. Zorich

   66    Director   2019  

 

68

 

Director

 

2019

Joseph C. Winkler, III

   64    Director   2019  

 

66

 

Director

 

2019

Christopher K. Hulburt

   45    Director, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel   2019  

 

47

 

Director, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing Directors:

      

D. Martin Phillips

   62    Director   2018  

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.

   44    Director   2018  

Randall M. Albert

   58    Director, Lead Independent Director   2018  

Benjamin W. Hulburt

   42    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer   2017  

Mark E. Burroughs, Jr.

   40    Director, Compensation Committee Chair   2017  

Richard D. Paterson

   65    Director, Audit Committee Chair   2017  

Non-Director Executive Officers:

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew R. DeNezza

   45    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

 

47

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Thomas S. Liberatore

   59    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  

 

61

 

Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Geosciences

 

 

Oleg E. Tolmachev

 

43

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

Set forth below is the background, business experience, attributes, qualifications and skills of the Company’s executive officers, directors and director nominees. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board. See “Board of Directors and Committees—StockholdersCommittees-Stockholders Agreement” for a description of certain actions we and our principal stockholders have agreed to take to cause certain individuals designated by our principal stockholders to become members of our Board.

Nominees for Election for Three-Year Terms Expiring at the 20192021 Annual Meeting:

Robert L. ZorichD. Martin Phillips has served as a member of our Board since January 2011. He currently serves as a Managing Partner of EnCap. Prior to joining EnCap in 1989, Mr. Phillips served as a Senior Vice President in the Energy Banking Group of NationsBank in Dallas, Texas. In his capacity as Manager of the U.S./International Division of NationsBank from 1987 to 1989, he had responsibility for credit commitments to a broad spectrum of energy-related companies. Mr. Phillips began his career in 1978 with Republic Bank and served in various senior energy banking positions, including Vice President and Manager of Republic Bank’s energy loan production office in Denver, from 1980 to 1985, and Senior Vice President and Division Manager in Republic Bank’s Houston office from 1986 to 1987. Mr. Phillips holds M.B.A. and B.S. degrees from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the LSU College of Business Hall of Distinction. Mr. Phillips also attended the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. Mr. Phillips serves on the board of several EnCap portfolio companies and is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the American Petroleum Institute and the Houston Producers’ Forum.

The Board believes that Mr. Phillips should serve as a member of the Board due to his significant experience with energy companies and investments and broad knowledge of the oil and gas industry.

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Douglas E. Swanson, Jr. has served as a member of our Board since January 2011. He is currently a Managing Partner of EnCap. Prior to joining EnCap in 1999, he was in the corporate lending division of Frost National Bank from 1995 to 1997, specializing in energy related service companies, and was a financial analyst in the corporate lending group of Southwest Bank of Texas from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Swanson serves on the board of Earthstone Energy, Inc. and several EnCap portfolio companies. Mr. Swanson is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association. Mr. Swanson holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.B.A., both from The University of Texas at Austin.  

The Board believes that Mr. Swanson should serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive experience in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, including serving on the boards of public and private oil and gas exploration and production companies, which will enable Mr. Swanson to provide the Board with insight and advice on a full range of business, strategic and governance matters.

Randall M. Albert has served as a member of our Board since June 2014 and was elected Lead Independent Director in November 2014. Mr. Albert served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Gas Division of CONSOL Energy Inc., a producer of coal and natural gas (“CONSOL”), from 2010 until January 2014. From 2005 until 2010, he was the operational leader of CONSOL’s gas business in Northern Appalachia. Mr. Albert began working for CONSOL in 1979 and was selected to lead the operation of its coalbed methane gas business in Southern Appalachia in 1985. He is a board member of Vanguard Natural Resources, Wellsite Fishing and Rentals, and an Advisory Board member to Gas Field Services and Black Bay Energy Capital and served as a founding advisory member of the board and chairman of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. Additionally, he currently serves on the advisory board for the Virginia Tech Mining Engineering Department. Mr. Albert is a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia and West Virginia and holds a B.S. degree in Mining Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where in 2016 Mr. Albert was inducted into the Academy of Engineering Excellence, the highest honor bestowed on College of Engineering graduates at Virginia Tech.

The Board believes that Mr. Albert should serve as a member of the Board due to significant executive and operational experiences within the natural gas industry, particularly with respect to the Appalachia Basin.

Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2019 Annual Meeting:

Robert L. Zorich has served as a member of our Board since January 2011. He is the co-founder of EnCap and currently serves as a Managing Partner. Prior to co-founding EnCap, Mr. Zorich was a Senior Vice President of Trust Company of the West, a privately-held pension fund management company, where he was in charge of its Houston office. Prior to joining Trust Company of the West, Mr. Zorich co-founded MAZE Exploration, Inc., an oil and gas exploration, development and reserve acquisition company, where he served as its Co-Chief Executive Officer. During the first seven years of Mr. Zorich’s career, he was a Vice President and Division Manager in the Energy Department of Republic Bank. Approximately half of his tenure with Republic Bank was spent managing Republic Bank’s energy office in London, where he assembled a number of major project financings for development in the North Sea. Mr. Zorich received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He also received a Master’s Degree in International Management (with distinction) in 1974 from the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Zorich serves on the board of several EnCap portfolio companies and is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Houston Producers’ Forum and Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association. Mr. Zorich currently serves on the board of directors of Earthstone Energy, Inc., a publicly traded independent oil and gas exploration company. Mr. Zorich also served on the board of Oasis Petroleum Inc. and its predecessor entities from March 2007 until March 2012.

The Board believes that Mr. Zorich should serve as a member of the Board due to his significant experience with energy companies and investments and broad knowledge of the oil and gas industry.

Joseph C. Winkler, III has served as a member of our boardBoard since June 2014. Mr. Winkler served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Complete Production Services, Inc., a provider of specialized oil and gas services and equipment in North America (“Complete”), from March 2007 until February 2012, at which time Complete was acquired by Superior Energy Services, Inc. From June 2005 to March 2007, Mr. Winkler served as Complete’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, from March 2005 until June 2005, Mr. Winkler

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served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of National Oilwell Varco, Inc., an oilfield capital equipment and services company, and from May 2003 until March 2005, as the President and Chief Operating Officer of such company’s predecessor, Varco International, Inc. (“Varco”). From April 1996 until May 2003, Mr. Winkler served in various other capacities with Varco and its predecessor, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From 1993 to April 1996, Mr. Winkler served as the Chief Financial Officer of D.O.S., Ltd., a privately held provider of solids control equipment and services and coil tubing equipment to the oil and gas industry, which was acquired by Varco in April 1996. Prior to joining D.O.S., Ltd., Mr. Winkler served as Chief Financial Officer of Baker Hughes INTEQ, and served in a similar role for various companies owned by Baker Hughes Incorporated, including Eastman/Telco and Milpark Drilling Fluids. Mr. Winkler serves on the board and as chairman of the audit and conflicts committee of the general partner of Hi-Crush Partners LP, an integrated producer, transporter, marketer and distributor of a specialized mineral used to enhance production in oil and natural gas wells. Mr. Winkler also serves on the board and as a member of the finance committee and compensation committee of Commercial Metals Company, a vertically integrated steel company. Mr. Winkler also serves on the board and audit committee of Tetra Technologies Inc., a diversified oil and gas services company. Mr. Winkler also serves on the board of Epic Industrial Solutions, LLC, an aftermarket provider to the engine, pump and industrial compression markets and Global Heat Transfer, a manufacturer and repairer of radiators, oil coolers and industrial cooling systems.  Mr. Winkler previously served on the board and as a member of the compensation and nominating and governance committees of Dresser-Rand Group, Inc., a provider of rating equipment solutions, until being acquired by Siemens AG in July 2015. Mr. Winkler received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University.

The Board believes that Mr. Winkler should serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive operational, financial, international and capital markets experience, a significant portion of which was with publicly-traded companies in the oil and gas industry.

Christopher K. Hulburt co-founded Eclipse Resources in January 2011 and has served as our Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel and a member of our boardBoard since our inception. Prior to co-founding Eclipse Resources, Mr. Hulburt served as the Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Rex Energy. Mr. Hulburt had previously served as the Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel for each of the predecessor companies of Rex Energy since April 2005. From January 2001 until April 2005, Mr. Hulburt was a senior associate for the law firm of Hodgson Russ LLP in its corporate and securities practice group. Before joining Hodgson Russ, he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a military prosecutor beginning in January 1997, and, in his last two years of service, also held the position of Special Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. Mr. Hulburt received his Bachelor’s degree in History/Education from Niagara University and his law degree from Western New England College School of Law. Mr. Hulburt is the brother of Benjamin W. Hulburt.

The Board believes that Mr. Hulburt should serve as a member of the Board due to his perspective and experience as our co-founder, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel and his considerable legal experience at both public and private companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Directors Continuing in Office Until the 20172020 Annual Meeting:

Benjamin W. Hulburt co-founded Eclipse Resources in January 2011 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and member of our boardBoard since our inception. He has also served as the Chairman of the board of directors of Eclipse Resources Corporation since its inception. Prior to co-founding Eclipse

Resources, Mr. Hulburt served as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Rex Energy, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the Appalachian and Illinois Basins within the United States, from March 2007 to October 2010. He also served as President of Rex Energy from February 2008 until October 2010. Mr. Hulburt co-founded Rex Energy in 2001 and led Rex Energy through its initial public offering in 2007. Prior to Rex Energy’s initial public offering, Mr. Hulburt served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rex Energy Operating Corp. from October 2006 until October 2010, and as the President of Rex Energy Operating Corp. from March 2004 until October 2006. Mr. Hulburt also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Douglas Oil & Gas Limited Partnership, an affiliate of Rex Energy, from January 2001 until February 2004. Prior to November 2000, Mr. Hulburt served on active duty as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for four years, leaving the

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service holding the rank of Captain. Mr. Hulburt received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University. He is the brother of Christopher K. Hulburt.

The Board believes that Mr. Hulburt should serve as a member of the Board due to his perspective and experience as our co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and President and his considerable leadership, financial and operational experience at both public and private companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Mark E. Burroughs, Jr.Richard D. Paterson has served as a member of our board since January 2011. He currently serves as a Managing Director of EnCap. Prior to joining EnCap in March 2007, Mr. Burroughs spent four years working in UBS Investment Bank’s Global Energy Group. Prior to joining UBS Investment Bank, Mr. Burroughs spent three years at Sanders Morris Harris, Inc., an investment banking firm in Houston, Texas. He received an M.B.A. from the Jesse H. Jones School of Management at Rice University and a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Burroughs serves on the board of several EnCap portfolio companies as well as Frontier Tubular Solutions. He is also a member of the Houston Producers’ Forum and the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

The Board believes that Mr. Burroughs should serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive experience in the oil and gas exploration and production industry as well as his experience as an investment banker, which will enable Mr. Burroughs to provide the Board with insight and advice on a full range of business, strategic and financial matters.

Richard D. Paterson has served as a member of our board since June 2014. Mr. Paterson retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an international network of auditors, tax and business consultants (“PwC”), in June 2011 after 37 years of service. Most recently, he served as PwC’s Global Leader of its Consumer, Industrial Products and Services Practices (comprising the Automotive, Consumer and Retail, Energy, Utilities and Mining, Industrial Products, Pharmaceutical and Health Industries Sectors) and also as Managing Partner of its Houston Office and U.S. Energy Practice. From 2001 to 2010, Mr. Paterson was PwC’s Global Leader of its Energy, Utilities and Mining Practice. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Paterson led PwC’s Energy Practice for Europe, Middle East and Africa. During the aforementioned time periods, Mr. Paterson also was responsible for the audits of numerous PwC clients, principally in the energy sector. He began his career with PwC in 1974 and was admitted as a partner of PwC in 1987. Mr. Paterson serves on the board, as lead independent director, a memberchair of the governance committee and a member of the audit committee (chairman of audit committee from 2012 to 2015) of Parker Drilling Company, a provider of contract drilling and drilling related services and rental tools to the energy industry. He also serves on the board, as a chairmember of the audit committee, nominating committee and membergovernance and conflicts committees of the finance committee of Tidewater, Inc.Teekay Tankers Ltd., a provider of marine transportation services to the energy industry,industry.  Previously, Mr. Paterson served on (i) the board and he previously served onas chairman of the audit committee of Tidewater, Inc. until July 31, 2017; (ii) a member of the board and chairman of the audit and compliance committee of Saipen Canada, Inc., a non-public company, until September 30, 2017; and (iii) the board and as chairman of the audit committee of Zaff GP LLC, a private equity fund investing in emerging markets with a focus on the energy, infrastructure and real estate sectors.LLC. Mr. Paterson is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and has been a speaker at the World Energy Congress and World Petroleum Congress.Directors.

Mr. Paterson also previously served as a board member of the U.S./Russia Business Council and the U.S. Energy Association. Mr. Paterson received a B.A. in Marketing and an M.B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

The Board believes that Mr. Paterson should serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive knowledge of the energy industry and his significant expertise in capital markets, corporate governance matters and the preparation and review of financial statements and disclosures.

Directors Continuing in Office Until the 2018 Annual Meeting:

D. Martin PhillipsMark E. Burroughs, Jr. has served as a member of our boardBoard since January 2011. He currently serves as a Managing PartnerDirector of EnCap. Prior to joining EnCap in 1989,March 2007, Mr. Phillips served as a Senior Vice PresidentBurroughs spent four years working in UBS Investment Bank’s Global Energy Group. Prior to joining UBS Investment Bank, Mr. Burroughs spent three years at Sanders Morris Harris, Inc., an investment banking firm in Houston, Texas. He received an M.B.A. from the Energy Banking Group of NationsBank in Dallas, Texas. In his capacity as Manager of the U.S./International Division of NationsBank from 1987 to 1989, he had responsibility for credit commitments to a broad spectrum of energy-related companies. Mr. Phillips began his career in 1978 with Republic Bank and served in various senior energy banking positions, including Vice President and Manager of Republic Bank’s energy loan production office in Denver, from 1980 to 1985, and Senior Vice President and Division Manager in Republic Bank’s Houston office from 1986 to 1987. Mr. Phillips holds M.B.A. and B.S. degrees from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the LSU College of Business Hall of Distinction. Mr. Phillips also attended the Stonier GraduateJesse H. Jones School of BankingManagement at Rutgers University.Rice University and a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. PhillipsBurroughs serves on the board of several EnCap portfolio companies andas well as Frontier Tubular Solutions. He is also a member of the Houston Producers’ Forum and the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the American Petroleum Institute and the Houston Producers’ Forum.America.

The Board believes that Mr. Phillips should serve as a member of the Board due to his significant experience with energy companies and investments and broad knowledge of the oil and gas industry.

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr. has served as a member of our board since January 2011. He is currently a Managing Partner of EnCap. Prior to joining EnCap in 1999, he was in the corporate lending division of Frost National Bank from 1995 to 1997, specializing in energy related service companies, and was a financial analyst in the corporate lending group of Southwest Bank of Texas from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Swanson serves on the board of Oasis Petroleum Inc., Earthstone Energy, Inc., and several EnCap portfolio companies. Mr. Swanson is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association. Mr. Swanson holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.B.A., both from the University of Texas at Austin.

The Board believes that Mr. SwansonBurroughs should serve as a member of the Board due to his extensive experience in the oil and gas exploration and production industry including serving on the boards of public and private oil and gas exploration and production companies,as well as his experience as an investment banker, which will enable Mr. SwansonBurroughs to provide the Board with insight and advice on a full range of business, strategic and governancefinancial matters.

Randall M. Albert has served as a member of our board since June 2014 and was elected Lead Independent Director in November 2014. Mr. Albert served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Gas Division of CONSOL Energy Inc., a producer of coal and natural gas (“CONSOL”), from 2010 until November 2013. From 2005 until 2010, he was the operational leader of CONSOL’s gas business in Northern Appalachia. Mr. Albert began working for CONSOL in 1979 and was selected to lead the operation of its coalbed methane gas business in Southern Appalachia in 1985. He is a board member of the Virginia Oil and Gas Association and served as a founding advisory member of the board and chairman of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. Additionally, he currently serves on the advisory board for the Virginia Tech Mining Engineering Department. Mr. Albert is a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia and West Virginia and holds a B.S. degree in Mining Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

The Board believes that Mr. Albert should serve as a member of the Board due to significant executive and operational experiences within the natural gas industry, particularly with respect to the Appalachia Basin.

Non-Director Executive Officers:

Matthew R. DeNezza has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2013. Prior to joining Eclipse Resources and commencing in 2002, Mr. DeNezza served in the Global Natural Resources Group at Deutsche Bank Securities where he was promoted to Managing Director and was responsible for leading merger and acquisition advisory assignments, as well as aiding clients in understanding capital markets and developing and executing financing transactions. During his tenure with Deutsche Bank, Mr. DeNezza assisted on numerous investment banking transactions for both public and private oil and gas exploration and production

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companies and refining companies. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. DeNezza was the Assistant Vice President, Corporate Finance of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, a financial advisory and services firm. Mr. DeNezza served in the United States Navy as a commissioned officer from 1993 to 1998, leaving the service at the rank of Lieutenant. Mr. DeNezza received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and Masters of Business Administration degree from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

Thomas S. Liberatore has served as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Geosciences since January 1, 2017. Prior to such time, Mr. Liberatore served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2011.  Mr. Liberatore served as member of the board of managers of Eclipse Resources I, LP (“Eclipse I”) from June 2011 until the Company’s initial public offering in June 2014. Prior to joining Eclipse Resources, from June 2009 until May 2011, Mr. Liberatore was self-employed and formed Libco Energy LLC, which leased oil and gas interests for its own account and brokered the sale of oil and gas mineral interests in West Virginia and Alabama, and he served as a consultant to oil and gas attorneys and land companies. From January 2002 until May 2009, Mr. Liberatore served as Vice President and Appalachian Regional Manager for Cabot Oil & Gas where he managed drilling and acquisition investments, including those in the Devonian Huron Marcellus Shale. From March 1999 to December 2001, Mr. Liberatore served as the Vice President, Exploration and Production for North Coast Energy, Inc. Mr. Liberatore began his career as a geologist and had various positions of increasing responsibility for Presidio Oil Company and Belden & Blake Corporation. Mr. Liberatore received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from West Virginia University. He is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Appalachian Geological Society, has served on the board of directors of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, is a Past President of Independent Oil and Gas Association West Virginia and is a registered professional geologist in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Oleg E. Tolmachev has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 1, 2017.  Prior to such time, Mr. Tomachev served as our Senior Vice President, Drilling & Completions since March 2016.  From February 2013 to February 2016, Mr. Tolmachev served as our Vice President, Drilling & Completions.  Prior to joining Eclipse Resources, from April 2011 to February 2013, Mr. Tolmachev served as the Senior Asset Manager, Utica Shale with Chesapeake Energy where he was responsible for leading an asset team comprised of land, geology, drilling, resource development and operations for Chesapeake Energy’s Utica Shale projects in Ohio. Prior to joining Chesapeake Energy, from August 2008 to 2011, Mr. Tolmachev held the position of Group Lead Completions, Mid-Continent Business Unit at EnCana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc. where he managed well completions and intervention operations in its Barnett Shale, Deep Bossier and East Texas Haynesville Shale business units. Mr. Tolmachev received his Bachelors of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Board Leadership Structure

The Board does not have a formal policy addressing whether or not the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate or combined. The directors serving on the Board possess considerable professional and industry experience, significant experience as directors of both public and private companies and a unique knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that the Company faces. As such, the Board believes that it is in the best position to evaluate the needs of the Company and to determine how best to organize the Company’s leadership structure to meet those needs.

At present, the Board has chosen to combine the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. While the Board believes it is important to retain the flexibility to determine whether the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined in one individual, the Board believes that the current Chief Executive Officer is the individual with the necessary experience, commitment and support of the other members of the Board to effectively carry out the role of Chairman.

In addition, the Board has evaluated the appropriate leadership structure for the Board and relevant corporate governance trends, and in 2014, appointed Randall M. Albert as Lead Independent Director. The responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director include acting as chair at meetings of the Board when the Chairman is not present, and preparing the agenda and presiding over executive sessions of the non-management directors of the Board.

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The Board believes this structure promotes better alignment of strategic development and execution, more effective implementation of strategic initiatives and clearer accountability for the Company’s success or failure. Moreover, the Board believes that combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions does not impede independent oversight of the Company. Seven of the nine members of the Board are independent under NYSE rules, and the Lead Independent Director provides additional independent oversight for the Board and management.

Director Independence

Rather than adopting categorical standards, the Board assesses director independence on a case-by-case basis, in each case consistent with applicable legal requirements and the listing standards of the NYSE. After reviewing all relationships each director has with the Company, including the nature and extent of any business relationships between the Company and each director, as well as any significant charitable contributions the Company makes to organizations where its directors serve as board members or executive officers, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following directors have no material relationships with the Company and are independent as defined by the current listing standards of the NYSE: Messrs. Phillips, Zorich, Swanson, Burroughs, Albert, Paterson and Winkler. Neither Mr. Benjamin Hulburt, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, nor Mr. Christopher Hulburt, the Company’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, is considered by the Board to be an independent director because of their employment with the Company.

Executive Sessions

To facilitate candid discussion among the Company’s directors, the non-management directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions. Following his appointment as Lead Independent Director in November 2014, Mr. Randall M. Albert has presided over these meetings.

Director Nominations

Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and nominees for directorship are selected by the Board. The Board takes into account many factors, including, but not limited to, general understanding of marketing, finance and other disciplines relevant to the success of a large publicly traded company in today’s business environment; understanding of the Company’s business on a technical level; and educational and professional background. The Board evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending a group that can best support the success of the business and, based on its diversity of experience, represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment.

Although the Board is willing to consider candidates recommended by our stockholders, it has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of any director candidates recommended by our stockholders. The Board believes that a formal policy is not necessary or appropriate because of the small size of the Board and because the current Board already has a diversity of business background and industry experience. Additionally, the Board does not have a formal diversity policy in place for the director nomination process, but instead considers diversity of a candidate’s viewpoints, professional experience, education and skill set as a factor in the consideration and assessment of a candidate as set forth above.

Stockholders Agreement

In connection with the closing of our IPO,initial public offering (our “IPO”), we entered into the Stockholders Agreement with Eclipse Holdings and its limited partners, including the EnCap Funds and certain investment funds controlled by certain members of our management team (collectively, the Management Funds and Eclipse Management.“Stockholders”). The Stockholders Agreement provides that we Eclipse Holdings and its limited partnersthe Stockholders will take certain actions, such as soliciting proxies or voting shares of our common stock, to cause the Board to consist of the following

members: (i) Benjamin W. Hulburt, for so long as he remains our President and Chief Executive Officer; (ii) Christopher K. Hulburt, for so long as he remains our Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel; and (iii) a number of members designated by the EnCap Funds, currently up to five, which number will be adjusted in the future based on the level of beneficial ownership of our shares of common stock by the EnCap Funds and their affiliates. For so long as the EnCap Funds and its affiliates beneficially own at least 50% of our

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outstanding common stock, we Eclipse Holdings and its limited partnersthe Stockholders have agreed take certain actions to cause at least one of the directors designated by the EnCap Funds to be a member of each committee of the Board (subject to applicable legal requirements and stock exchange rules). In addition, we Eclipse Holdings and its limited partnersthe Stockholders have agreed to take certain actions to cause Benjamin W. Hulburt to be elected as Chairman of the Board.

Other than with respect to the election of the Board, each limited partner of Eclipse HoldingsStockholder is entitled to instruct Eclipse Holdings regarding how to vote the number of shares of our common stock held by Eclipse Holdings on the applicable voting record date that such limited partner would receive following a complete distribution on the applicable voting record date of the shares of our common stock held by Eclipse Holdings.it holds in its sole discretion.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

In the normal course of its business, the Company is exposed to a variety of risks, including market risks relating to changes in commodity prices, interest rates, technical risks affecting the Company’s resource base, political risks and credit and investment risk. The Board oversees the strategic direction of the Company, and in doing so considers the potential rewards and risks of the Company’s business opportunities and challenges, and monitors the development and management of risks that impact the Company’s strategic goals. The Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”) assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by monitoring the effectiveness of the Company’s systems of financial reporting, auditing, internal controls and legal and regulatory compliance. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by overseeing the Company’s compensation policies and practices.

Attendance at Meetings

Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors are encouraged to attend the annual meetings of stockholders. The entire Board attended the Company’s 20152017 annual meeting of stockholders.

The Board held 129 meetings during 2015.2017. No director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the committees of the Board on which that director served.

The Board currently has two committees: the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee held 65 meetings and the Compensation Committee had 4 meetings during 2015.2017.

Status as a “Controlled Company”

Certain private equity funds managed by EnCap beneficially own a majority of our common stock, and as a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE’s corporate governance standards. Under the NYSE’s rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another person or group of persons acting together is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:

a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors;

we have a nominating and governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.

We are currently utilizing the exemption relating to the nominating and governance committee, and we may utilize this exemption for so long as we are a controlled company.

Committees

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Paterson (Chair), Albert and Winkler, each of whom is independent under the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. As required by the rules of the SEC and listing standards of the NYSE, the Audit Committee consists solely of independent directors. The Board has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, and that Mr. Paterson satisfies the definition of “audit committee financial expert.”

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The Audit Committee oversees, reviews, acts on and reports on various auditing and accounting matters to the Board, including: the selection of our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, the performance of our independent accountants and our accounting practices. In

addition, the Audit Committee oversees our compliance programs relating to legal and regulatory requirements. We have adopted an Audit Committee Charter defining the committee’s primary duties in a manner consistent with the rules of the SEC and applicable stock exchange or market standards. A copy of our Audit Committee Charter is posted on our website atwww.eclipseresources.com in the “Corporate Governance—Committee Charters”Governance” subsection under the “Investor Center” section.

Compensation Committee

Because the Company is a controlled company within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards, the Company is not required to have a Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors. However, the Board appointed Messrs. Burroughs (Chair), Albert and Winkler to our Compensation Committee on January 20, 2015, each of whom is independent under the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE.

Prior to January 20, 2015, all final determinations regarding executive officer compensation were made byIn 2017, the Board by analyzing the appropriateness of the base salary for each of our executive officers in light of the base salaries of other similarly situated executive officers in the peer group that we have identified, with the assistance ofCompensation Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), an independent compensation consultant engaged by the Board, both on a stand-alone basis and as a component of total compensation. In 2015, the Compensation Committee engaged Meridian to review our compensation arrangements for our executive officers and independent directors, including an analysis of both the competitive market and the design of the compensation arrangements. As part of its reports to the Compensation Committee, Meridian evaluated the compensation arrangements of our peer companies and provided competitive compensation data and analysis relating to the compensation of our executive officers and independent directors.

The Compensation Committee reviews, evaluates and approves the agreements, plans, policies and programs of the Company to compensate the Company’s executive officers and directors. The Compensation Committee’s goal is to ensure that the Company’s compensation programs are designed to provide a competitive level of compensation to attract and retain talented directors and executives, reward and encourage maximum corporate and individual performance, promote accountability and assure that employees and director interests are aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee may delegate to its Chairman, any one of its members or any subcommittee it may form, the responsibility and authority for any particular matter, as it deems appropriate from time-to-time under the circumstances.  To the extent necessary, the Compensation Committee or the Board may delegate the approval of award grants and other transactions and responsibilities regarding the administration of compensatory programs to a subcommittee consisting solely of members of the Compensation Committee who are (a) “Non-Employee Directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and/or (b) “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in effect as of November 1, 2017. We have adopted a Compensation Committee Charter defining the committee’s primary duties in a manner consistent with the rules of the SEC and applicable stock exchange or market standards. A copy of our Compensation Committee Charter is posted on our website atwww.eclipseresources.com in the “Corporate Governance—Committee Charters”Governance” subsection under the “Investor Center” section.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of our Compensation Committee is or has been one of our officers or employees or has or had any relationship requiring disclosure pursuant to SEC rules. In addition, during 2015,2017, none of our executive officers served as:

a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee;

a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; or

a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions, or in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as one of our directors.

13


Nominating & Governance Committee

Because the Company is a controlled company within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards, the Company is not required to have a nominating and governance committee or, in the event the Company chooses to establish one, a committee composed entirely of independent directors. The Company has utilized this exemption and does not have a nominating and governance committee.

Available Corporate Governance Materials

The following materials are available on the Company’s website atwww.eclipseresources.com in the “Corporate Governance” subsection under “Investor Center” section:

Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board;

Charter of the Compensation Committee of the Board;

Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics;

Financial Code of Ethics; and

Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Stockholders may obtain a copy, free of charge, of each of these documents by sending a written request to Eclipse Resources Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803.

Stockholder Communications with Our Board

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with our directors, including our non-management directors, individually or as a group, and our Lead Independent Director by writing to Christopher K. Hulburt, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, at our principal executive offices, 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803. Stockholders and other interested parties may submit theirsuch communications to the Board, any committee of the Board or individual directors on a confidential or anonymous basis by sending the communication in a sealed envelope marked “Stockholder Communication“Communication with Directors” and clearly identifyidentifying the intended recipient(s) of the communication.

The Company’s General Counsel will review each communication and other interested parties and will forward the communication, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable, to the addressees if: (1) the communication complies with the requirements of any applicable policy adopted by the Board relating to the subject matter of the communication; and (2) the communication falls within the scope of matters generally considered by the Board. To the extent the subject matter of a communication relates to matters that have been delegated by the Board to a committee or to an executive officer of the Company, then the Company’s General Counsel may forward the communication to the executive officer or chairman of the committee to which the matter has been delegated. The acceptance and forwarding of communications to the members of the Board or an executive officer does not imply or create any fiduciary duty of the Board members or executive officer to the person submitting the communications.

Information may be submitted confidentially and anonymously, although the Company may be obligated by law to disclose the information or identity of the person providing the information in connection with government or private legal actions and in other circumstances. The Company’s policy is not to take any adverse action, and not to tolerate any retaliation, against any person for asking questions or making good faith reports of possible violations of law, the Company’s policies or its Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

Named Executive Officers

The following table sets forth our “Named Executive Officers.” As an emerging growth company (as such term is defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act) we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules in Item 402 of Regulation S-K applicable to “smaller reporting companies” (as

such term is defined in Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K), which require compensation disclosure for our principal executive

14


officer and the two most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive officer. Please see “Directors and Executive Officers” for a description of our current executive officers, including historical roles held by our Named Executive Officers.

 

Name

Principal Position

Benjamin W. Hulburt

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Matthew R. DeNezza

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Christopher K. Hulburt

Director, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes, with respect to our Named Executive Officers, information relating to the compensation earned for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2017.

 

Name and Principal Position

 Year Salary Bonus Equity
Awards(2)
 All Other
Compensation(3)
 Total 

 

Year

 

Salary

 

 

Bonus(1)

 

 

Equity

Awards(2)

 

 

All Other

Compensation(3)

 

 

Total

 

Benjamin W. Hulburt

  2015   $585,225(1)  $90,669   $2,221,716   $38,513   $2,936,123  

 

2017

 

$

592,991

 

 

$

281,775

 

 

$

2,709,027

 

 

$

36,780

 

 

$

3,620,573

 

(Chairman, President and CEO)

  2014   $362,675   $130,519   $—     $35,346   $528,540  

(Chairman, President and CEO)

 

2016

 

$

563,550

 

 

$

341,382

 

 

$

1,818,495

 

 

$

37,720

 

 

$

2,761,147

 

  2013   $261,038   $—     $—     $29,217   $290,255  

 

2015

 

$

585,225

 

 

$

90,669

 

 

$

2,221,716

 

 

$

38,513

 

 

$

2,936,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew R. DeNezza

  2015   $329,244(1)  $266,389(4)  $932,491   $32,785   $1,560,909  

 

2017

 

$

369,510

 

 

$

134,746

 

 

$

1,339,076

 

 

$

32,334

 

 

$

1,875,666

 

(Executive Vice President and CFO)

  2014   $287,777   $220,336   $—     $74,496   $582,609  

(Executive Vice President and CFO)

 

2016

 

$

317,050

 

 

$

163,251

 

 

$

809,838

 

 

$

31,625

 

 

$

1,321,764

 

  2013   $195,673   $150,000   $12,580   $56,615   $414,868  

 

2015

 

$

329,244

 

 

$

266,389

 

 

$

932,491

 

 

$

32,785

 

 

$

1,560,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher K. Hulburt

  2015   $327,116(1)  $143,577   $926,456   $38,806   $1,435,955  

 

2017

 

$

335,192

 

 

$

126,000

 

 

$

1,194,882

 

 

$

39,248

 

 

$

1,695,322

 

(Director, Executive Vice President,

  2014   $287,154   $130,519   $—     $33,508   $451,181  

 

2016

 

$

315,000

 

 

$

152,654

 

 

$

794,756

 

 

$

38,014

 

 

$

1,300,424

 

Secretary and General Counsel)

  2013   $261,038   $—     $—     $28,857   $289,895  

Secretary and General Counsel)

 

2015

 

$

327,116

 

 

$

143,577

 

 

$

926,456

 

 

$

38,806

 

 

$

1,435,955

 

(1) Includes an additional bi-weekly pay periodFor 2017, bonuses for our Named Executive Officers were paid 50% in the 2015 calendar year which equated to an additional $21,675, $12,194form of cash and $12,115 for Benjamin W. Hulburt, Matthew R. DeNezza50% in the form of a restricted stock unit award.

(2) For 2017, represents 693,436, 382,628 and Christopher K. Hulburt, respectively.

(2) Represents 176,938, 71,859 and 71,394368,194 restricted stock units and 109,481, 47,906627,907, 310,930, and 47,596276,744 performance stock units granted to Benjamin W. Hulburt, Matthew R. DeNezza and Christopher K. Hulburt, respectively. Amounts reflectThe dollar amount reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units computed in accordance with FASB Topic 718. Performance stock units were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation and assume a target payout. The Monte Carlo model utilizes multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market condition stipulated in the award. Please see Note 109 to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, which are included in our Annual Report, for more information.information

(3) Includes 401(k) match, health and life insurance benefits and cellphonecell phone allowance.

(4) Includes a bonus of $122,500 related to Mr. DeNezza’s initial employment letter, which provided that such bonus would be paid to Mr. DeNezza on the second anniversary of his initial employment on April 1, 2015.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

The following describes material features of our compensation of our Named Executive Officers disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table above. Although we are a controlled company within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards and previously relied on an exemption from the requirement that we have a Compensation Committee, the Board appointed Messrs. Burroughs (Chair), Albert and Winkler to the Compensation Committee on January 20, 2015. Prior to January 20, 2015, all final determinations regarding

executive officer compensation were made by analyzing the appropriateness of the base salary for each of our Named Executive Officers in light of the base salaries of other executives in the peer group that we have identified, with the assistance of an independent compensation consultant, both on a stand-alone basis and as a component of total compensation.

The Board has reviewed the background, experience and independence of the Compensation Committee members and, based on this review, determined that each member of the Compensation Committee (i) meets the independence requirements of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, (ii) is an “outside director”

15


pursuant to the criteria established by the Internal Revenue Service, and (iii) meets the enhanced independence standards for compensation committee members established by the SEC.

Base Salary

Each Named Executive Officer’s base salary is a fixed component of compensation for each year for performing specific job duties and functions. Prior to our initial public offering, the base salaries of Messrs. DeNezza and C. Hulburt, were set pursuant to arms-length negotiations with our senior management, subject to EnCap’s approval (Mr. B.Benjamin W. Hulburt’s base salary was set pursuant to arms-length negotiations directly with the representatives of EnCap serving on the Board). In August 2014,2017, we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with Messrs. B. Hulburt, DeNezza and C. Hulburt and DeNezza which set the base salaries for such individuals for the remainder of 20142017 at amounts recommended by our independent compensation consultant in light of the base salaries of executives in our peer groups. Under the terms of the employment agreements, the Named Executive Officers’ base salaries may be increased by our Board or a designated committee in its discretion, but may not be decreased without the NameNamed Executive Officer’s written consent. The Named Executive Officers’ base salaries did not increaseincreased during the 20152017 calendar year.year by $36,450, $64,950, and $25,000, Messrs. B. Hulburt, DeNezza and C. Hulburt, respectively.

Annual Cash Bonuses

During 2015,2017, we paid bonuses to each of our Named Executive Officers. The bonus amount for each Named Executive Officer wasamounts were equal to 50%75% of theirMr. Benjamin W. Hulburt’s, 64% of Mr. Matthew R. DeNezza’s and 60% of Mr. Christopher K. Hulburt’s respective earned wages for the prior year. Mr.Messrs. Benjamin W. Hulburt, DeNezza and Christopher Hulburt each received 50% of their individual 2017 bonuses in cash and 50% in the form of a restricted stock unit award, in the amount of 12,717 shares in lieu of receiving a portion of his 2014 cash bonus, the terms of which are set forth below under “—Long-Term Incentive Plan. In addition, Mr. DeNezza received an additional bonus of $122,500 in accordance with his initial terms of employment, which provided the bonus on the second anniversary of his initial employment date.

Employment Agreements

In August 2014,2017, we entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. The employment agreements are for an initial term of three years, and automatically extend for an additional one-year renewal term for every year thereafter unless we or the Named Executive Officer gives written notice to the other party that the automatic extension will not occur at least 90 days prior to the end of the initial term, or, if applicable, the then-current renewal term, in each case, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated employment agreements, Messrs. Benjamin W. Hulburt, Matthew R. DeNezza and Christopher K. Hulburt will (i) receive an annual base salary of $563,550, $317,050$600,000, $382,000 and $315,000,$340,000, respectively, and (ii) be eligible to receive an annual performance-based target bonus equal to 100%, 85% and 80%85%, respectively, of their base salaries. The base salaries and the annual performance-based bonus percentages may be increased by the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof in its discretion but may not be decreased without the Named Executive Officer’s written consent.

The employment agreements also contain non-solicitation, non-competition and confidentiality covenants on behalf of the Named Executive Officers in favor of us. In addition, any amounts payable to the Named Executive Officer under the employment agreements will be subject to any “clawback” policy established by us from time to time.

See “—Additional Narrative Disclosure—Employment, Severance or Change in Control Agreements” below for a description of the severance benefits payable to our Named Execution Officers under their respective employment agreements.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Incentive Units

Prior to our corporate reorganization, Eclipse I issued non-voting Series C-1 units and Series C-2 units, which we refer to as the Incentive Units, to certain employees of Eclipse I and Eclipse Resources Operating, LLC (“Eclipse Operating”). Pursuant to our corporate reorganization, the Series C-1 Units and Series C-2 Units were exchanged for Series C-1 Units and Series C-2 Units in Eclipse Holdings, and such Incentive Units are held by Eclipse Management, L.P. (“Eclipse Management”), a limited partner of Eclipse Holdings of which management members holding Series C-1 and Series C-2 units are partners. Holders of Incentive Units have economic rights as limited partners of Eclipse Management that approximate the economic rights such holders had when directly holding their Incentive Units. Holders of Incentive Units participate in distributions from Eclipse Holdings through Eclipse Management after distributions have been made to the EnCap Funds, with the level of participation in such distributions adjusting upwards if such distributions satisfy additional specified hurdle rates and return on investment factors. Through Eclipse Management, holders of Series C-2 units participate in distributions from Eclipse Holdings after holders of Series C-1 units have received specified cash distributions. The Incentive Units vest on varying schedules as determined by the vesting schedule set forth in each grant agreement (generally in equal annual amounts over a set period of time or upon a sale of Eclipse).

Our management’s indirect ownership of limited partner interests in Eclipse Holdings provides our management with a strong incentive to continue to grow the value of our company. Specifically, the level of participation of Eclipse Management in the distributions from Eclipse Holdings adjusts following any “payout,” which occurs when: (i) the aggregate distributions to the EnCap Funds, when discounted at the applicable hurdle rate from the respective dates of such distributions to January 31, 2011, equal the aggregate capital contributions of the EnCap Funds, when discounted at the applicable hurdle rate from the respective dates of such capital contributions to January 31, 2011; and (ii) the aggregate distributions that the EnCap Funds have received equal or exceed the product of the applicable return on investment factor and the aggregate capital contributions made by the EnCap Funds. Eclipse Management will: (i) participate in 12.07% of distributions following the first payout (i.e., a payout using a hurdle rate of 8% per annum compounded monthly and a return on investment factor of 1.10); (ii) participate in 22.42% of distributions following the second payout (i.e., a payout using a hurdle rate of 20% per annum compounded monthly and a return on investment factor of 1.75); and (iii) participate in 27.59% of distributions following the third payout (i.e., a payout using a hurdle rate of 30% per annum compounded monthly and a return on investment factor of 2.50).

Distributions from Eclipse Holdings to Eclipse Management (and therefore indirectly to the former holders of Incentive Units) are made from the assets of Eclipse Holdings through either (i) an in-kind distribution of our common stock held by Eclipse Holdings, or (ii) a cash distribution generated by the sale of such common stock at the discretion of the board of Eclipse Holdings. Compensation expense for the Incentive Units is calculated based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant and is recognized over the requisite service period. Such charges to stock compensation expense for awards that continue to vest subsequent to our corporate reorganization are recorded by us and credited to additional paid-in capital. If the vesting of the Incentive Units is accelerated through a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of our common stock or assets, any unrecognized compensation cost will be recorded at that time.

In 2013, Mr. DeNezza was granted Incentive Units in connection with the commencement of his employment with us. The Incentive Units issued to Mr. DeNezza in 2013 are subject to vesting, with one-third of each class of the Incentive Units vesting on each anniversary of his hire date. The first two-thirds of each class of Incentive Units vested in fiscal 2015, and one-third remains unvested, though the vesting may accelerate upon the earlier of a sale or transfer of substantially all of the interests or assets of Eclipse, including by way of a merger.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

During 2015,2017, the Compensation Committee granted restricted stock unit awards and performance stock unit awards to our Named Executive Officers.Officers as part of the Company’s long-term incentive plan. Messrs. B. Hulburt, DeNezza and C. Hulburt received 164,221, 71,859627,907, 310,930 and 71,394276,744 restricted stock units and 109,481, 47,906627,907, 310,930 and 47,596276,744 performance stock units, respectively.

16


The restricted stock unit awards were granted on February 23, 201524, 2017 and vest in three equal installments of 33.33%, 33.33% and 33.33% on February 23, 2016,24, 2018, February 23, 201724, 2019 and February 23, 2018,24, 2020, respectively, unless vesting is accelerated in the event of a change in control or upon death, disability or retirement of such Named Executive Officer. Mr. Benjamin Hulburt received an additional restricted stock unit award on February 23, 2015 in the amount of 12,717 shares in lieu of receiving a portion of his 2014 cash bonus. The 12,717 restricted stock units vest in accordance with the same vesting schedule described above for the other restricted stock units granted on February 23, 2015.

The performance stock unitsunit awards were granted on February 23, 2015.24, 2017. The vesting of the units are subject to the satisfaction of certain performance criteria during the period beginning January 1, 20152017 and ending December 31, 2017,2019, unless vesting is accelerated in the event of a change in control or upon death, disability or retirement of such Named Executive Officer.

In addition, we paid bonuses to our Named Executive Officers during 2017, which were paid 50% in the form of cash and 50% in the form of a restricted stock unit award. Messrs. Benjamin Hulburt, DeNezza and Christopher Hulburt received 65,529, 31,336 and 29,302 restricted stock units, respectively. The restricted stock unit awards were granted on February 24, 2017 and vested in full on February 23, 2018.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20152017 Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards held by each of our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2015.2017.

 

  Stock Awards 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

  Number
of shares
or units
of stock
that have
not vested
(#) (2)
   Market
value of
shares or
units of
stock that
have
not vested
($) (3)
   Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights that
have not
vested
(#) (4)
   Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Market
or
payout
value of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
($)
 

 

Number

of shares

or units

of stock

that have

not vested

(#) (1)

 

 

Market

value of

shares or

units of

stock that

have

not vested

($) (2)

 

 

Equity

incentive

plan

awards:

Number of

unearned

shares,

units or

other

rights that

have not

vested

(#) (3)

 

 

Equity

incentive

plan

awards:

Market

or

payout

value of

unearned

shares,

units or

other

rights

that have

not

vested

($)

 

Benjamin W. Hulburt

   176,938    $332,027     109,481    $99,628  

 

 

1,024,445

 

 

$

2,458,668

 

 

 

1,145,432

 

 

$

2,749,037

 

Matthew R. DeNezza

   71,859    $130,783     47,906    $43,594  

 

 

485,263

 

 

$

1,164,631

 

 

 

537,400

 

 

$

1,289,760

 

Eclipse Management Class C Units (Series C-1)(1)

   6.7    $610     —      $—    

Eclipse Management Class C Units (Series C-2)(1)

   35    $2,100     —      $—    

Christopher K. Hulburt

   71,394    $129,937     47,596    $43,312  

 

 

448,095

 

 

$

1,075,428

 

 

 

501,716

 

 

$

1,204,118

 

(1) The Eclipse Management Class C Units (Series C-1)Represents (i) restricted stock units that were granted on February 24, 2017 and Eclipse Management Class C Units (Series C-2) reported in this table for Mr. DeNezza will vest in three equal annual installments beginning April 1, 2014, though vesting will accelerate upon the earlier of a sale or transfer of substantially all of the interests in or assets of Eclipse Management, including by way of merger. Mr. DeNezza will forfeit any unvested units upon the termination of his employment with us for any reason, though vested units will remain outstanding.

The Eclipse Management Class C Units (Series C-1) are non-voting limited partnership interests that are entitled to participate in distributions by Eclipse Management only after applicable payout thresholds for the Class A-133.3%, 33.3% and Class B units have been met. The Eclipse Management Class C Units (Series C-2) are non-voting limited

partnership interests that are entitled to participate in distributions by Eclipse Management only after applicable payout thresholds for the Class A-1, Class B33.3% on February 24, 2018, February 24, 2019 and higher ranking Class C units have been met.

(2) RepresentsFebruary 24, 2020, respectively, (ii) restricted stock units whichthat were granted on April 22, 2016 and vest in three equal installments of 33.3%, 33.3% and 33.3% on April 22, 2017, April 22, 2018 and April 22, 2019, respectively, (iii) restricted stock units that were granted on February 23, 2015 and vest in three equal installments of 33.33%33.3%, 33.33%33.3% and 33.33%33.3% on February 23, 2016, February 23, 2017 and February 23, 2018, respectively,and (iv) restricted stock units that were granted on February 24, 2017 and vested in full on February 23, 2018, in each case, unless vesting is accelerated in the event of a change in control or upon death, disability or retirement of such Named Executive Officer.

(3)(2) Amounts disclosed in this column were calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding stock awards held by each of the Named Executive Officers on December 31, 2015,2017, by the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2015,29, 2017, which was $1.82$2.40 per share.

(4)17


(3) Represents (i) performance stock units which were granted on February 24, 2017, the vesting of which is subject to the satisfaction of certain performance criteria during the period beginning January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2019, (ii) performance stock units which were granted on April 22, 2016, the vesting of which is subject to the satisfaction of certain performance criteria during the period beginning January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2018 and (iii) performance stock units which were granted on February 23, 2015. The2015, the vesting of the units arewhich is subject to the satisfaction of certain performance criteria during the period beginning January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2017, in each case, unless vesting is accelerated in the event of a change in control or upon death, disability or retirement of such Named Executive Officer. The amounts shown assume target payout.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information about our common stock subject to our equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2017:

Plan Category

 

Number of

Securities to be

Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding

Options,

Warrants

and Rights

(a)

 

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding

Options,

Warrants

and Rights

(b)

 

Number of

Securities

Remaining Available

for Future Issuance

Under Equity

Compensation

Plans (Excluding

Securities Reflected

in Column (a))

(c)

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by

    security holders

 

 

8,023,731

 

(1)

 

 

 

10,924,403

 

(2)

Equity compensation plans not approved

    by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

8,023,731

 

(1)

 

 

 

10,924,403

 

 

(1) Of this total related to the LTIP, 4,057,354 are restricted stock units and 3,966,377 are performance stock units (assuming performance at the target level).

(2) The total number of shares authorized for issuance under the LTIP is 25,000,000. The awards under the LTIP may be granted in the form of the bonus stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, annual incentive awards and other stock-based awards.(

Additional Narrative Disclosure

Retirement Benefits

We currently maintain a retirement plan intended to provide benefits under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, under which employees, including our Named Executive Officers, are allowed to contribute portions of their compensation to a tax-qualified retirement account. Under our 401(k) plan, we provide matching contributions equal to 100% of the first 6% of employees’ eligible compensation contributed to the plan.

Employment, Severance or Change in Control Agreements

As disclosed above under “—Employment Agreements,” in August 20142017 we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. The employment agreements provide each Named Executive Officer with certain severance benefits upon termination. If the Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated by us “without Cause” or by the Named Executive Officer for “Good Reason” (as such terms are defined in the employment agreements), then:

we will make a lump sum payment to the Named Executive Officer equal to two times (three times in the case of Benjamin W. Hulburt) the sum of (i) the Named Executive Officer’s annual base salary as of the termination date, and (ii) the averageNamed Executive Officer’s “target” annual bonus paid to the Named Executive Officer for the three immediately preceding completed calendar years (or if the Named Executive Officer has not been employed for three complete calendar years, then the average of the annual bonuses paid to the Named Executive Officer for the calendar years employed with us);fiscal year that includes his termination date;

18


we will reimburse the Named Executive Officer for any amounts necessary to continue the health care coverage under our group health plans for the Named Executive Officer and his qualified dependents for a period of up to 18 months following the termination date (the “Post-Employment Health Coverage”); and

we will pay the Named Executive Officer a prorated annual bonus for the year of termination; andtermination

all unvested equity awards held by the Named Executive Officer at the time of termination that would have vested during the 36-month period following the termination but for the Named Executive Officer’s termination of employment will immediately vest and become exercisable (if applicable), and all performance goals or other vesting criteria with respect to such awards will be deemed achieved at their target levels;provided,however,that equity awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, will only vest

if the performance measures established for those awards are actually attained (unless the termination occurs within the period beginning six months before a change of control and ending on the one-year anniversary of the change of control, in which caseall equity awards then held by the Named Executive Officer will fully vest andall performance goals or other vesting criteria with respect to such awards will be deemed achieved at their target levels).

If the Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated upon the Named Executive Officer’s death or “Disability” (as defined in the employment agreements), then we will make a lump sum payment to the Named Executive Officer equal to one times the Named Executive Officer’s annual base salary as of the termination date and we will provide the Named Executive Officer with the Post-Employment Health Coverage.

In September 2015, the Compensation Committee approved the Eclipse Resources Corporation Change in Control Severance Policy (the “Change in Control Policy”). The Change in Control Policy became effective on September 11, 2015 and, unless renewed by the Board, will expire on the first anniversary of such date. The Change in Control Policy covers certain senior employees of the Company (each, a “Participant,” and collectively, the “Participants”), including the Named Executive Officers, and provides for cash payments and other benefits in the event of a “Qualifying Termination” (as defined in the Change in Control Policy) that occurs during the period (the “Change in Control Protection Period”) beginning six months before and ending 24 months after a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Change in Control Policy).

Under the Change in Control Policy, if a Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Protection Period, the Named Executive Officers will be entitled to receive the Named Executive Officer’s “Annual Cash Bonus Amount” (as defined in the Change in Control Policy) and three times the sum of the Named Executive Officer’s “Base Salary” (as defined in the Change in Control Policy) and “Target Bonus Amount” (as defined in the Change in Control Policy).

In addition, Participants will be eligible to receive reimbursements from the Company for amounts necessary to continue the health care coverage under the Company’s group health plans for the Participant and the Participant’s eligible dependents for a period of up to 18 months following a Qualifying Termination. Further, the cash payment due under the Change in Control Policy to a Named Executive Officer will be reduced by the amount of cash payments, if any, provided under the terms of an individually negotiated agreement, including the employment agreements described above, in effect on the date of such Named Executive Officer’s termination that relates to severance benefits. Cash payments and other benefits under the Change in Control Policy are subject to the Participant’s execution of a Separation and Release Agreement releasing the Company from claims by such Participant.

Compensation of Directors

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation levels and practices for our non-employee directors. Because ofDuring 2017, under the additional activity and time responsibility of our committee chairs and Lead Independent Director, the Compensation Committee and Board approved an amended and restated director compensation program on May 11, 2015 (the “Amended Director Compensation Program”). Under the Amended Director Compensation Program, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional $15,000 annual retainer. The Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee (if established by the Board) and Lead Independent Director each receive an additional $10,000 annual retainer. Under the AmendedCompany’s Director Compensation Program, all of our non-employee directors who were not affiliated with EnCap were entitled to receive the following:

an annual cash retainer of $75,000 ($90,000 for the Chairman of our Audit Committee and $85,000 for the Chairman of our Compensation Committee and our Lead Independent Director) paid quarterly in equal installments; and

an annual equity grant of restricted stock equal in value to approximately $120,000, vesting in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

The fees paid toUnder our Director Compensation Program for 2017, our non-employee directors that arewho were affiliated with EnCap are paidwere not entitled to the funds they manage rather than to the individual directors. receive an annual cash retainer or an annual equity grant of restricted stock.  

Each director is also reimbursed for his reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with the attendance of meetings and activities of our board of directorsBoard or its committees.

On May 11, 2015, we awarded 18,928 shares of common stock to each of our non-employee directors under the Company’s long-term incentive plan. These shares are scheduled to vest in full on May 11, 2016, which is the first anniversary date of the grant.

Benjamin W. Hulburt and Christopher K. Hulburt are members of our board of directorsBoard but are employed by us and, as such, receive no additional compensation for their service on our boardBoard.

On May 17, 2017, we awarded 51,064 shares of directors.common stock under the LTIP to each of our non-employee directors who were not affiliated with EnCap (Messrs. Paterson, Winkler and Albert), representing such director’s annual equity grant for 2017. The shares of restricted stock subject to such grants are scheduled to vest in full on May 17, 2018, which is the first anniversary date of the grant.

In addition, during 2017, Messrs. Albert, Paterson and Winkler also served on a Special Committee of our Board in connection with the Company’s acquisition of certain oil and gas leases, wells and other oil and gas rights and interests from Travis Peak and Cardinal Midstream as well.  During 2017, Messrs. Albert, Paterson and Winkler each received fees of $7,161.29 as compensation for their services on such Special Committee and Mr. Albert also received an additional fee of $4,774 for serving as the Chair of such Special Committee.

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Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation earned by our non-employee directors in 2015.2017. Benjamin W. Hulburt and Christopher K. Hulburt did not receive any compensation for their services as directors during 2015.2017. Please refer to the Summary Compensation Table above for the compensation received by Benjamin W. Hulburt and Christopher K. Hulburt for their services as executive officers during 2015.2017.

 

Name

  Fees
Earned
   Stock
Awards(1)
   Total 

 

Fees

Earned(1)

 

 

Stock

Awards(2)

 

 

Total

 

Randall M. Albert

  $85,000    $120,000    $205,000  

 

$

93,185

 

 

$

120,000

 

 

$

213,185

 

Mark E. Burroughs, Jr.

  $85,000    $120,000    $205,000  

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Richard D. Paterson

  $90,000    $120,000    $210,000  

 

$

93,411

 

 

$

120,000

 

 

$

213,411

 

D. Martin Phillips

  $75,000    $120,000    $195,000  

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Douglas E. Swanson, Jr.

  $75,000    $120,000    $195,000  

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Joseph C. Winkler

  $75,000    $120,000    $195,000  

 

$

78,411

 

 

$

120,000

 

 

$

198,411

 

Robert L. Zorich

  $75,000    $120,000    $195,000  

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

(1) Represents (i) the annual cash retainer paid to each of our non-employee directors who were not affiliated with EnCap under our Director Compensation Program for 2017 (provided, that the payment for the first quarterly installment was reduced by $3,750 as it was determined in accordance with our prior Director Compensation Program), and (ii) fees received during 2017 by such directors as compensation for their services on a Special Committee of the Board in connection with the Company’s acquisition from Travis Peak.

(2) These amounts were calculated based on the closing market price for our shares on the NYSE on the date of grant. Each of our non-employee directors held 18,928 shares of restricted stock as of December  31, 2015.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

The executive officers and directors of the Company and persons who own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock are required to file reports with the SEC, disclosing the amount and nature of their beneficial ownership in common stock, as well as changes in that ownership. Based solely on its review of reports and written representations that the Company has received, the Company believes that all required reports were timely filed during 2015, with the exception of a Form 4 for Mr. Roy Steward, which was filed on January 29, 2016.2017.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Related Person Transaction Policy

The Board has determined that the Audit Committee is best suited to review and approve or ratify transactions with related persons, in accordance with our written policy governing related party transactions. A “related party transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which we or any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and either (i) a related person, (ii) a person that was a related person less than 12 months prior to the transaction, arrangement or relationship, or (iii) an entity in which a related person has a direct or indirect material interest, on the other hand, are participants, and in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000. A “related person” means any of our directors or executive officers, any nominee to our board of directors,Board, any beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common stock, any of the foregoing person’s immediate family members, and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a five percent or greater beneficial

ownership. Pursuant to this policy, the Audit Committee reviews all material facts of all related party transactions, including the terms of the transaction and the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction.

20152017 Related Party Transactions

Private Placement

On December 27, 2014, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the EnCap Funds, the Management Funds and the other selling stockholders pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to such purchasers an aggregate of 62,500,000 shares of common stock at a price of $7.04 per share (the “Private Placement”). Members of the Board and the board of managers of Eclipse Holdings are affiliated with the EnCap Funds and the Management Funds. In the Private Placement, the EnCap Funds purchased 44,662,273 shares of our common stock, The Hulburt Family II Limited Partnership, which is controlled by Benjamin W. Hulburt, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, purchased 55,151 shares of our common stock, CKH Partners II, L.P., an entity controlled by Christopher K. Hulburt, our Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, purchased 13,788 shares of our common stock and Kirkwood Capital, L.P., an entity controlled by Thomas S. Liberatore, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, purchased 13,788 shares of our common stock.

On January 28, 2015, we closed the Private Placement and received net proceeds from the issuance of the shares to the purchasers of approximately $434 million (after deducting placement agent commissions and our estimated expenses).

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

Upon the closing of the private placement, we amended and restated the existing registration rights agreement that we entered into upon the closing of our IPO. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, (i) we agreed to prepare and file a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC no later than February 11, 2015 in order to register the offer and resale, on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, of the 62,500,000 shares of common stock sold in the private placement to the selling stockholders, (ii) at any time, Eclipse Holdings and affiliates of EnCap, including the EnCap Funds and the general and limited partners of Eclipse Holdings, including the Management Funds (collectively, the “Affiliated Holders”) have the right, to the extent they hold registrable securities with a market value of at least $25 million, to require us to prepare and file a registration statement registering the offer and resale of their shares of common stock, (iii) at any time we are eligible to conduct a registered offering and sale on Form S-3, selling stockholders (other than the Affiliated Holders), have the right, to the extent they hold registrable securities with a market value of at least $25 million, to require us to prepare and file a registration statement on Form S-3 registering the offer and resale of their shares of common stock, and (iv) at any time we propose to register an offering of common stock (subject to certain exceptions, including offerings pursuant to the shelf registration statement on Form S-1), we will be required to provide notice to all holders of registrable securities to allow them to include a specified number of their shares of common stock in that offering. We filed the Form S-1 with the SEC on February 11, 2015, and it was declared effective by the SEC on August 10, 2015.

Final Distribution of Assets of Eclipse Resources Operating, LLC

In December 2010, Eclipse Resources Operating, LLC (“Eclipse Operating”) was formed by members of the Company’s management team for purposes of operating Eclipse Resources I, LP (“Eclipse I”). The Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer each owned 33% of the membership units of Eclipse Operating. Eclipse Operating provided administrative and management services to Eclipse I under the terms of an administrative services agreement. In connection with the corporate reorganization which occurred as part of our initial public offering in June 2014, Eclipse I acquired of all the outstanding equity interests of Eclipse Operating for $127,500, which was the amount of the aggregate capital contributions made to Eclipse Operating

by its members. As a result, Eclipse Operating became a wholly owned subsidiary of Eclipse I. During 2015, $0.6 million was distributed equally among the three former members, which relates to the final income tax obligations of these former members arising from the operations of Eclipse Operating prior to the acquisition of Eclipse I.

Other Historical Transactions with Affiliates

During 2015,2017, we incurred approximately $0.3$0.6 million related to flight charter services provided by BWH Air, LLC and BWH Air II, LLC, which are owned by our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The fees are paid in accordance with a standard service contract that does not obligate us to any minimum terms.

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Flat Castle Acquisition and Option to Acquire Cardinal NE Holdings, LLC

On January 18, 2018, Eclipse Resources-PA, LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed its acquisition of certain oil and gas leases, wells and other oil and gas rights and interests covering approximately 44,500 net acres located in the counties of Tioga and Potter in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (such transaction, the “Flat Castle Acquisition”) from Travis Peak.  The aggregate adjusted purchase price for the Flat Castle Acquisition was $92.2 million, which was paid entirely with approximately 37.8 million shares of the Company’s common stock.  In addition, on December 8, 2017, Eclipse Resources Midstream, LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Eclipse Midstream”), acquired the exclusive right and option to purchase all of the outstanding equity interests of Cardinal NE Holdings, LLC, which owns midstream infrastructure with associated gathering rights on the acreage acquired in the Flat Castle Acquisition, from Cardinal Midstream II, LLC (“Cardinal Parent”) for an aggregate purchase price of $18.3 million in cash (the “Cardinal Transaction”).  The option granted to Eclipse Midstream expires as of the close of business on June 30, 2018 if not exercised prior to such time. Travis Peak and Cardinal Parent are affiliates of EnCap. EnCap has representatives on the Board, and affiliates of EnCap collectively beneficially own a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The Flat Castle Acquisition and the Cardinal Transaction were approved by a Special Committee of our Board, which committee consisted solely of independent and disinterested directors.

ITEM TWO: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2016.2018. Grant Thornton LLP has audited the Company’s and its predecessor’s financial statements since 2011. The audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20152017 was completed by Grant Thornton LLP on March 3, 2016.2, 2018.

The Board is submitting the selection of Grant Thornton LLP for ratification at the Annual Meeting. The submission of this matter for ratification by stockholders is not legally required, but the Board and the Audit Committee believe the submission provides an opportunity for stockholders through their vote to communicate with the Board and the Audit Committee about an important aspect of corporate governance. If the stockholders do not ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider, but will not be required to rescind, the selection of that firm as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. Such representatives are also expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The Audit Committee has the authority and responsibility to retain, evaluate and replace the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The stockholders’ ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP does not limit the authority of the Audit Committee to change the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm at any time.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016.2018.

AUDIT MATTERS

The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Audit Committee Report

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee’s principal functions include the duty to: (i) oversee the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditors hired for the purpose of

21


issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; (ii) pre-approve audit or non-audit services proposed to be rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; (iii) annually review the qualifications and independence of the independent registered public accounting

firm’s senior personnel that are providing services to the Company; (iv) review with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the Company’s annual and quarterly financial statements, earnings press releases and financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and ratings agencies; (v) oversee the Company’s internal audit; (vi) ratify related party transactions as set forth in the Company’s Related Persons Transactions Policy; (vii) review with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures;exposures; (viii) assist the Board in monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (ix) prepare the report of the Audit Committee for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement; and (x) annually review and reassess its performance and the adequacy of its charter.

While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in its charter, and the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm are accountable to the Audit Committee, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws, rules and regulations.

In performing its oversight role, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with the Company’s management and independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16,1301, Communications with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the written statement from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Company is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions described in this Audit Committee Report, and subject to the limitations on the roles and responsibilities of the Audit Committee referred to herein and in its charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20152017 be included in the Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 4, 2016.2, 2018. The Audit Committee also selected Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016.2018.

Members of the Audit Committee rely, without independent verification, on the information provided to them and on the representations made by the Company’s management and independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that (i) the audit of the Company’s financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, (ii) the Company’s financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or (iii) Grant Thornton LLP is in fact independent.

Members of the Audit Committee:

Richard D. Paterson (Chairman)

Randall M. Albert

Joseph C. Winkler, III

22


Audit and Other Fees

The table below sets forth the aggregate fees and expenses billed by Grant Thornton LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, for the last two fiscal years to the Company and its predecessor, Eclipse I:Company:

 

  For the Years Ended
December 31,
 

 

For the Years Ended

December 31,

 

  2014   2015 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

Audit Fees (1):

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit and Quarterly Reviews

  $670,920    $698,870  

 

$

617,223

 

 

$

711,334

 

Other Filings

   720,545     202,250  

 

 

130,000

 

 

 

25,000

 

Subtotal

   1,391,465     901,120  

 

 

747,223

 

 

 

736,334

 

Audit Related Fees (2)

   —       —    

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Fees (3)

   120,172     200,390  

 

 

147,300

 

 

 

99,250

 

All Other Fees

   —       —    

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  $1,511,637    $1,101,510  

 

$

894,523

 

 

$

835,584

 

(1) Includes professional services for the audit of our annual financial statements, reviews of the financial statements included in our Form 10-Q filings, and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

(2) Includes fees associated with assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements. This category includes fees related to consulting services.

(3) Includes fees associated with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the above services other than audit services is compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton LLP’s independence and has concluded that it is consistent.

The Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent auditor and is directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee is responsible for the engagement of the independent auditor to provide permissible non-audit services, which require pre-approval by the Audit Committee (other than with respect tode minimis exceptions described in the rules of the NYSE or the SEC that are approved by the Audit Committee). The Audit Committee ensures that approval of non-audit services by the independent auditor are disclosed to investors in periodic reports filed with the SEC.

ITEM THREE: OTHER BUSINESS

The Board knows of no other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other business should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote the proxy in their discretion as they may deem appropriate, unless the proxy directs otherwise.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Stockholder Proposals; Director Nominations

Any stockholder desiring to present a stockholder proposal at the Company’s 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to have the proposal included in the Company’s related proxy statement must send the proposal to Christopher K. Hulburt, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, at our principal executive offices, 2121 Old Gatesburg Road, Suite 110, State College, Pennsylvania 16803, so that it is received no later than December 23, 2016. 4, 2018. All such proposals should be in compliance with SEC rules and regulations. The Company will only include in its proxy materials those stockholder proposals that it receives before the deadline and that are proper for stockholder action.

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In addition, in accordance with our Bylaws, any stockholder entitled to vote at the Company’s 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may propose business (other than proposals to be included in the Company’s proxy materials as discussed in the preceding paragraph) to be included on the agenda of, and properly presented for action at, the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and/or nominate persons to serve on the Board at the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders only if written notice of such stockholder’s intent is given in accordance with the requirements of our Bylaws. Such proposal must be submitted in writing at the address shown above, so that it is received between January 18, 201716, 2019 and February 17, 2017.15, 2019 (assuming the date of the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not more than 30 days before nor more than 60 days after the first anniversary of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders).

Proxy Materials, Annual Report and Other Information

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2016: 16, 2018:

THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING FORM OF PROXY ARE BEING MAILEDnotice of availability will be sent TO STOCKHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT APRIL 22, 2016.April 3, 2018. A COPY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT, THE FORM OF PROXY, THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20152017 AND THE ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT WWW.ECLIPSERESOURCES.COM IN THE “INVESTOR CENTER” SECTION.

LOGO

LOGO

Electronic Voting Instructions

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 18, 2016.

 LOGO

 Vote by Internet

•  Go towww.investorvote.com/ECR

•  Or scan the QR code with your smartphone

•  Follow the steps outlined on the secure website

 


ECLIPSE RESOURCES CORPORATION C123456789 IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION 000004 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Vote by Internet Go to www.envisionreports.com/ECR Or scan the QR code with your smartphone Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Vote by telephone

Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone

Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

Using ablack inkpen, mark your votes with anXas shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.x

LOGO

q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNETOR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following three Class I nominees: 1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 01 - D. Martin Phillips 02 - Douglas E. Swanson, Jr. 03 - Randall M. Albert The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:

For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018. Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below Please sign your name exactly as it appears on your stock certificates. When shares are held by two or more persons as co-owners, both or all should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian or in another fiduciary capacity or representative capacity, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership or limited liability company, please sign in partnership or company name by authorized person. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE C 1234567890 J N T 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE  AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 1UPX 3680981 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 02S4PB

 

 


 A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following three Class II nominees:

1.

Election of Directors:

 For Withhold For Withhold     For Withhold

    LOGO     

01 - Christopher K. Hulburt¨¨02 - Robert L. Zorich¨¨03 - Joseph C. Winkler, III¨¨

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:

For

Against

Abstain

2.To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016.¨¨¨

 B Non-Voting Items
Change of Address— Please print new address below.Meeting Attendance

Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

¨

 C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

Please sign your name exactly as it appears on your stock certificates. When shares are held by two or more persons as co-owners, both or all should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian or in another fiduciary capacity or representative capacity, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership or limited liability company, please sign in partnership or company name by authorized person.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.  Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

  Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

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qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNETOR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q

PROXY — ECLIPSE RESOURCES CORPORATION

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ECLIPSE RESOURCES CORPORATION

The undersigned hereby appoints Benjamin W. Hulburt and Christopher K. Hulburt, or either of them, with full power to act alone and with full power of substitution and revocation, to be the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Eclipse Resources Corporation (the “Company”) to be held on Wednesday, May 18, 201616, 2018 at 9:10:00 a.m. CentralEastern Time in the Cottonwood Room at the Hyatt Regency HoustonCompany’s principal executive offices located at 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas, 77002,2121 Old Gatesburg Road, State College, Pennsylvania 16803, and any adjournment or postponement thereof, and to represent and vote all of the shares of common stock of the Company that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present upon the following itemitems and to vote according to their discretion on any other matter that may properly be presented for action at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof:

IF PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED TO THE COMPANY, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ABOVE AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDER WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, INCLUDING A PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN OR POSTPONE THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The undersigned hereby revokes any and all proxies with respect to such shares heretofore given by the undersigned. The undersigned also acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual MeetingInternet Availability of Stockholders andProxy Materials related to the Proxy Statement for the2018 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Eclipse Resources Corporation dated as of March 23, 2016.Corporation.