Mr. Haim Tsuff, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President may be deemed to have an interest in the entire amount of all of the loans set forth above due to his controlling interest in the lenders described above.
On or about April 6, 2011, a third complaint was filed in the 295th District Court of Harris County, Texas by Yuval Ran, who claimed to be a shareholder, against certain of our officers and directors and several corporate parties controlled by Haim Tsuff, seeking damages similar to aforementioned derivative cases. As with the prior suits, this complaint alleged various breaches of duty, self-dealing and other wrongdoing in connection with the Restated Agreement between the Company and Goodrich, primarily on the part of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Haim Tsuff, and Jackob Maimon. In addition, this suit alleged claims relating to other transactions between the Company and entities controlled by Haim Tsuff, including but not limited to the loan transactions between the Company and related parties, the lease and sale of a cruise ship, and the closure of the Company’s Israel branch office. Prior to service on the Defendants, the third complaint was transferred to the 55th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas by order signed April 20, 2011, and consolidated with the above-referenced first and second original shareholder suits by order signed May 21, 2011, into a single case, called “Lead Cause No. 2010-34535; In Re:
Isramco, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation; In the 55th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas (the “Derivative Litigation”). The complaint sought unspecified money damages, disgorgement of any proceeds from the restated agreement, voiding of the agreement, other equitable relief, and costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees.
The Company has previously disclosed information in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2011 filed by the Company on November 9, 2011, relating to an additional putative shareholder derivative complaint that was filed by an individual shareholder, Yuval Lapiner, on July 7, 2011, in the Delaware Chancery Court in Wilmington, Delaware, naming certain of our officers and directors as defendants. The claims asserted in this case are essentially the same damage claims as asserted in the lawsuit filed in April 2011 by Yuval Ran and described above. The Company filed motions in the Chancery Court to dismiss or stay the lawsuit and, by order dated October 20, 2011, the case was dismissed. The plaintiff did not appeal. Yuval Lapiner then filed a motion to intervene in the Derivative Litigation and that motion was denied. Mr. Lapiner then filed a motion for attorney’s fees that was also denied. On December 12, 2011, the court approved the terms of the mediated settlement and entered final order and judgment in the case. The Company paid plaintiff attorney’s fees of $1,000,000, replaced its bylaws, amended various committee charters, and adopted other corporate governance changes as set out in the stipulation of settlement. After the judgment was rendered, Mr. Lapiner filed a motion for new trial and on February 12, 2012, filed a Notice of Appeal to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas. A Motion to Dismiss the appeal was filed. Oral arguments were presented to the Court of Appeals on January 9, 2013. On April 22, 2014, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals dismissed Mr. Lapiner’s appeal. On June 6, 2014, Mr. Lapiner filed a Petition for review to the Supreme Court of Texas and said action is Case Number 14-0451 in the Supreme Court of Texas. On August 1, 2014, the Supreme Court of Texas requested the respondents in the matter, including the Company, to respond to the Petition for Review. The Company filed said response on or before its September 2, 2014 due date. On October 24, 2014, the Supreme Court of Texas requested the parties in the matter, including the Company, file briefs on the merits in the case. The Company’s brief is due December 15, 2014.
On or about September 21, 2011, the Company’s former Vice President and General Counsel, Dennis Holifield resigned. Mr. Holifield had been hired in March 2011. On or about October 12, 2011, Mr. Holifield submitted a “Summary Report” to the SEC (the “Summary Report”), in which made numerous factual allegations regarding Haim Tsuff, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, and President; Edy Francis, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer; Amir Sanker, the Company’s Asset Manager; and other Company personnel. In the Summary Report, Mr. Holifield characterized the alleged conduct as illegal or criminal. On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors constituted a committee of independent directors consisting of Max Pridgeon and Asaf Yarkoni, referred to as the Special Investigative Committee of the Board of Directors (“SIC”) which was directed to investigate all of the Holifield allegations and report back to the full board and make any recommendations, if any, for corrective action. On January 7, 2013, SIC made their final report to the Board of Directors of the conclusions and results of the fourteen-month investigation into the allegations made by Mr. Holifield. The SIC determined that Mr. Holifield’s allegations were not supported by any available documentary evidence or by any statements made by former or current Isramco, Inc., directors, management, or employees interviewed by the SIC or its counsel. The SIC also determined that the Company had not engaged in wrongdoing of any sort including any unlawful or unethical business practices, any lapses in financial controls, or any governance issues that require redress or reform.
On September 10, 2013, the Company filed suit against Mr. Holifield in Cause No. 201352927 of the 270th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, to collect damages estimated in the amount of $1,000,000.00 owing to the Company by virtue of Mr. Holifield’s actions, which are alleged in the suit to include, but are not limited to, negligence, negligence per se, gross negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Company. In response, in December 2013, Mr. Holifield filed a pro se answer which included counterclaims and a summary judgment motion. In his counterclaims. Mr. Holifield seeks to recover from the Company the following damages, inter alia: (i) over $2,000,000 for loss of income and failure to secure gainful employment arising from his constructive discharge or termination by the Company; (ii) over $2,000,000 for loss of earnings due to his alleged inability to obtain gainful
employment by virtue of the damage caused to his professional reputation by alleged willful and deliberate acts of Haim Tsuff, Edy Francis, and Amir Sanker, (iii) over $2,000,000 due to the intentional infliction of emotional distress to Mr. Holifield; (iv) an amount estimated at $5,000,000 arising from Mr. Holifield’s claim that the Company violated the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, by engaging in racketeering and conspiracy; (v) over $5,000,000 arising from the Company’s alleged fraudulent misrepresentation regarding Isramco’s purpose in hiring Mr. Holifield and (vi) other relief. The Company believes Mr. Holifield’s counter claims have no merit. The Company intends to vigorously (i) pursue its case against Mr. Holifield and (ii) defend against Mr. Holifield’s counterclaims.
In addition, Mr. Holifield has sought whistleblower status from the United States Department of Labor. After an initial determination by the Department of Labor that there was no reasonable basis for whistleblower status, Mr. Holifield initiated Cause No. 2014-SOX-00017 in the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges, styled In Re: Dennis J. Holifield v. Isramco, Inc. wherein he alleges whistleblower status under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd Frank Act, and the Exchange Act, and seeks back pay together with other unspecified relief. A two-day hearing in the matter commenced on June 10, 2014. The Company’s brief based on the evidence admitted in the hearing was submitted on August 26, 2014. The Company expects a ruling in the matter in the coming months.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The Company’s 1993 Stock Option Plan (the “1993 Plan”) was approved at the annual meeting of shareholders held in August 1993. As of December 31, 2009, 20,050 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 1993 Plan. Options granted under the 1993 Plan may be either incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code or options that do not qualify as incentive stock options. Options granted under the 1993 Plan may be exercised for a period of up to ten years from the grant date. The exercise price for an incentive stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of Isramco’s common stock on the date of grant. All the options granted under the 1993 Plan to date were fully vested on the date of grant. The administrator of the 1993 Plan may set the exercise price for a nonqualified stock option at less than 100% of the fair market value of Isramco’s common stock on the date of grant.
On December 30, 2011, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan the (“2011 Plan”). The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or used for reference purposes under the 2011 (or with respect to which awards may be granted) is 200,000 shares.
Independent members of our board of directors, as well as employees of, and consultants to, us or any of our subsidiaries and affiliates, are eligible to receive awards under the 2011 Plan. The selection of participants is within the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Our Compensation Committee may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of our Common Stock to any eligible participant and incentive stock options to purchase shares of our common stock only to eligible employees. The Compensation Committee determines the number of shares of our common stock subject to each option, the term of each option, which may not exceed ten years, or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10.0% shareholder, the exercise price, the vesting schedule, if any, and the other material terms of each option. The Compensation Committee may also award shares of restricted stock and subject to limitations under applicable law, make a grant of such other stock-based awards, including, without limitation, performance units, dividend equivalent units, stock equivalent units, restricted stock units and deferred stock units under the 2011 Plan that are payable in cash or denominated or payable in or valued by shares of our common stock or factors that influence the value of such shares.
The Company has not issued any awards under its 1993 Plan or its 2011 Plan.
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2014 with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plan that has been approved by its stockholders.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Plan Category | | Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | Number of Securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)- | | |
| | (a) | | (b) | | (c) | | |
Equity compensation plan approved by security holders | | | — | | | — | | | 220,050 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total | | | — | | | — | | | 220,050 | |
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) to file certain reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, the Company’s Common Stock with the SEC. These officers, directors and Stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file with the SEC.
On April 3, 2014, (i) Naphtha Holding Ltd., a private Israeli company, (ii) Naphtha Israel Petroleum Corporation Ltd., a public Israeli company listed on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, (iii) Israel Oil Company, Ltd., a private Israeli company, (iv) Isramco Oil and Gas Ltd., a private Israeli company, (v) Isramco Negev 2 LP, a public Israeli limited partnership listed on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, (vi) Jerusalem Oil Exploration Ltd., a public Israeli company listed on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, (vii) Equital Ltd., a public Israeli company listed on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, (viii) YHK Investment LP, a private Israeli limited partnership, (ix) YHK General Manager Ltd., a private Israeli company, (x) United Kingsway Ltd., a private company formed under the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and (xi) and Haim Tsuff, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”), jointly filed a Schedule 13D (the “Schedule 13D”), whereby transactions by each Reporting Person in the Company’s Common Stock from April 16, 1999, through April 12, 2013, were identified, and such identification included the date of the transaction, the identity of the Reporting Person, the number of shares acquired or disposed, the price per share, the total shares beneficially owned by all Reporting Persons after the transaction, and how each transaction was effected. Per the Schedule 13D, the Company believes that the Reporting Persons failed to disclose 323 transactions from March 7, 2006 through September 23, 2009. In addition to the aforementioned transactions, the Schedule 13D also reflects that the following transactions were not disclosed by the pertinent Reporting Persons: (i) Isramco Negev 2 LP failed to disclose the open market sale of 2,000 shares of Common Stock on December 30, 2010, (ii) Naphtha Holding Ltd failed to disclose the open market purchase of 800 shares of common stock on August 1, 2011, and (iii) Isramco Negev 2 and Naphtha Holding Ltd failed to disclose the private transfer of 134,037 shares of Common Stock from Isramco Negev 2 to Naphtha Holding Ltd. on December 17, 2012.
The above described Reporting Persons may be deemed to be under the control of Haim Tsuff, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President.
Based solely on review of the copies of forms received by the Company with respect to 2013, the Company believes that all of the filing obligations of officers, directors and 10% Stockholders under Section 16(a) during 2013 have been fulfilled for any such transaction occurring.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company currently consists of six (6) members. The six persons named below, who are each currently serving as directors, have been nominated by the Board of Directors for election to hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and have been qualified.
It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote FOR the election of the persons named below as directors of the Company, unless authority to do so is withheld. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the nominees named. If events not now known or anticipated make any of the nominees unwilling or unable to serve, the proxies will be voted (in the discretion of the holders of such proxies) for other nominees not named herein in lieu of those unwilling or unable to serve. The Board of Directors is not aware of any circumstances likely to cause any nominee to become unavailable for election.
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NAME | | AGE | | POSITION |
Haim Tsuff | | 56 | | Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director |
| | | | |
Joseph From | | 61 | | Director |
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Max Pridgeon | | 47 | | Director |
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Nir Hasson | | 38 | | Director |
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Frans Sluiter | | 47 | | Director |
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Asaf Yarkoni | | 39 | | Director |
The following describes at least the last five years of business experience of the directors standing for re-election. The descriptions include any other directorships at public companies held during the past five years by these directors.
Haim Tsuff has been a director of the Company since January 1996 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since May 1996.Mr. Tsuff was also appointed President in 2012. Mr. Tsuff is the sole director and owner of United Kingsway Ltd. and Chairman of YHK General Manager Ltd. (which entity effectively controls Equital, J.O.E.L., Naphtha Holding) and may be deemed to control the Company. Mr. Tsuff brings to our Board significant experience in international business, including the energy industry and finance.
Joseph From was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors in June 2010. Mr. From is employed as a drilling manager at Star Energy, a UK based energy company with a primary focus on gas storage development and the UK’s second largest onshore oil producer, a position that he has held since June 2007. Prior to joining Star Energy, from August 1998 to April 2007, Mr. From served as General Manager at Equital, an affiliate of the Company, where he was in charge of oil and gas activities and operations, including drilling and production and economic evaluation of oil and gas projects. From 1997 through 1998, he served as Chief Engineer (Oil and Gas division) at the Company where he oversaw drilling on onshore wells in Israel. Mr. From’s petroleum industry background and experience provides the Board with the experience and breadth needed to consider the options that are available in determining drilling/exploration issues.
Max Pridgeon has been a director of the Company since April 2001. Since December 2002, Mr. Pridgeon has served as a director and executive officer of Griffin Decorations, a business which he founded. From March 1995 through December 2002, he served as director of MAXIM Wholesale and Marketing Co., a company which he founded. Concurrently, from February 1999, Mr. Pridgeon has also served as a manager of sales for Europe and the Middle East for Blenfin XI, Netherlands, a company that engages in the distribution of wooden picture frames. From April 1996 through January 1999, Mr. Pridgeon served as a property acquisitions consultant to M.A. Realistic Estate, Netherlands, a company engaged in the ownership and management of hotels in the Netherlands. From September 1989 through March 1995, Mr. Pridgeon served as account manager and then export manager at VERNO Holland, a company engaged in the marketing and distribution of oil paintings. Mr. Pridgeon’s experience in managing and overseeing a diversified business practice equip him with the skill set needed by our Board.
Nir Hasson was appointed to the board in August 2014. Mr. Hasson is the Director of Enterprise Sales at TrapX Security, a cyber security startup that provides protection against advanced threats, a position he has held since June 2014. Prior to TrapX, Mr. Hasson was employed by Jungo LTD, a company that was acquired by Cisco Systems in 2013, and Jungo Connectivity LTD, a spinoff coming from Jungo LTD’s acquisition, in the positions of Director of Business Development from 2013 to 2014 and World Wide Sales Manager from 2010 to 2013. Prior to joining Jungo LTD, Mr. Hasson was employed by Check Point Software Technologies LTD, in the positions of Project Manager from 2007 to 2008, Team Leader from 2006 to 2007 and VoIP Security Engineer from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Hasson was also employed by Intel Corp as a Software Engineer between 2002 and 2004. Mr. Hasson’s experience business development, entrepreneurship and cyber security provide the Board with the experience and skill set need by the Board.
Frans Sluiterwas elected to the board in 2011. Mr. Sluiter is employed as a Senior Manager at Accenture, a position he has held since December 2006. Prior to joining Accenture, Mr. Sluiter was a Partner and Project Manager at Singularity, LLC, responsible for overseeing SAP process integration. From 2003 to 2006, he served at Intelligroup, from 2004 onwards as Senior Vice President responsible for business development and project delivery for onsite and offshore SAP services. Throughout his career, Mr. Sluiter has acquired extensive experience working with clients in a variety of industries, including Oil and Gas. His broad corporate experience and connections in the industry add to the value he brings to the board.
Asaf Yarkoni was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors in December 2011. Mr. Yarkoni is employed as a Chief Financial Officer of StorOne, a start-up company involved in Storage solutions. Mr. Yarkoni is a certified public accountant with over four years of experience with a “Big Four” accounting firm and, prior to his employment at StorOne he served as the Integration and Business Development Manager at IBM and was the Chief Financial Officer of Storwize, a start-up company involved in the provision of data compression services that was acquired by IBM in 2010. Mr. Yarkoni has experience in public accounting and is familiar with the reporting requirements applicable to public companies, both in Israel and in the United States. Mr. Yarkoni brings significant financial and accounting knowledge and expertise to the Corporation and qualifies to serve as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the SEC. Mr. Yarkoni’s experience as a certified public accountant was instrumental in his appointment to stand for election to the Board and is expected to provide our board with a critical accounting perspective.
INFORMATION RELATING TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following individuals are not directors or director nominees, but served as executive officers of the Company or its subsidiaries during 2013.
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NAME | | AGE | | POSITION |
Edy Francis | | 37 | | Chief Financial Officer |
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Zeev Koltovskoy | | 38 | | Chief Accounting Officer |
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Anthony James | | 36 | | Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
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Curt L. Warnock | | 59 | | Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
The following describes at least the last five years of business experience of the executive officers.
Edy Francis was appointed Chief Financial Officer in August 2007. From December 2003 through August 2007, Mr. Francis was affiliated with the Tel Aviv based office of Brightman Almagor & Co., Certified Public Accountants and a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu where his areas of practice included auditing publicly traded companies, auditing internal controls and preparing tax assessments.
Zeev Koltovskoy was appointed Chief Accounting Officer in December 2012 after serving as the Company’s Director of Finance. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Koltovskoy served as Director of Finance for Israel Oil Company Ltd., an Israeli based affiliate, from June 2010 through August 2012. Prior to this, Mr. Koltovskoy worked for Allot Communications Ltd. as Assistant Controller and Compliance Manager from July 2009 through June 2010. From November 2005 through July 2009, Mr. Koltovskoy was employed at Deloitte Brightman Almagor & Company, certified public accountants, where he served in several positions including Audit Manager (August 2008 – July 2009).
Curt L. Warnock joined the company in October 2011 and serves as Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary and manages the human resources and land functions. From 2009 to 2011 he was a partner in the law firm of Warnock & Caskey, LLC. Prior to that he was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for a national electrical contracting company, Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. (IESC 2001-2009). Before IESC he was Senior Counsel for Burlington Resources Inc., a large independent oil and gas company in Houston (1986-2001). Before that he was Senior Counsel for Pogo Producing Company, an independent oil and gas company in Houston (1981-1986). Before Pogo Producing Company he was in private practice in Houston with the law firm of Culpepper and Conway (1979-1981). Mr. Warnock resigned from the Company in June 2013.
Anthony James joined the Company in May 2013 and was appointed Secretary of the Company in August 2013. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. James was employed at the law firm of Streit, Peterson, Hall & Keeney LLP in Houston, Texas as a partner (2013) and a participating associate (2010 to 2013). Prior to this, Mr. James was engaged in the practice of law as a solo practitioner from 2007 to 2010, where his practice focused on oil and gas related matters. In addition to his law practice, Mr. James also provided services as a professional landman on a contractual basis to onshore oil and gas companies from 2004 to 2007. Mr. James is licensed by the State Bar of Texas and is board certified in Oil, Gas & Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
All officers serve at the pleasure of the Board, subject to certain employment and consulting agreements as described more fully above in “Employment/Consulting Agreements”. There are no family relationships between any of the above directors or officers, and there is no arrangement or understanding between any of the above directors and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as a director or officer.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
INDEPENDENCE AND MEETINGS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Board met or acted by unanimous written consent on four occasions. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, with the exception of Itai Ram, each Board member attended all of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he served, held during the period for which he was a director or committee member, respectively. Mr. Ram attended a majority of the aggregate of all of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he served, held during the period for which he was a director or committee member, respectively. Mr. Ram resigned from the Board in 2014 and the Board appointed Mr. Nir Hasson to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Ram’s resignation.
The Board does not have a formal policy with respect to Board members’ attendance at annual stockholder meetings, though it encourages directors to attend such meetings. Messrs. Tsuff, Pridgeon and Yarkoni attended the Company’s 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Board of Directors reviewed the independence of each of the Company’s directors on the basis of the standards adopted by NASDAQ During this review, the Board considered transactions and relationships between the Company, on the one hand, and each director, members of his or her immediate family, and other entities with which he or she is affiliated, on the other hand. The purpose of this review was to determine which of such transactions or relationships were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent under the NASDAQ rules. As a result of this review, the Board of Directors affirmatively determined that each of the Company’s directors, other than Haim Tsuff and Josef From, are “independent directors” within the meaning of the NASDAQ rules.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
Mr. Tsuff has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company since 1996. The Board of Directors believes that its current leadership structure, in which the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are held by Mr. Tsuff, is appropriate at this time and provides the most efficient and effective leadership for Isramco. Combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles fosters clear accountability, effective decision-making and alignment on corporate strategy. The Company believes that any risks inherent in that structure are balanced by the oversight of our Board of Directors, a majority of which is comprised by independent directors, including the Company’s Lead Independent Director, Max Pridgeon. Given Mr. Tsuff’s past performance in the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, at this time the Board believes that combining these positions will continue to provide the appropriate and most effective leadership structure for the Company and does not impair the Board’s ability to continue to practice good corporate governance.
As noted above, the Board has appointed Max Pridgeon as its Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director chairs the executive sessions of the Board and is the principle liaison between the independent directors and Chief Executive Officer. The Lead Independent Director also is responsible for or required to participate in timing and agenda for Board and Committee meetings, requesting for and providing information to the independent directors, receive reports from the Nominating and Governance Committee and evaluation, along with the Compensation Committee and the Board the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.
As a result, the Company believes that the Lead Independent Director, along with the other independent directors of the Board, provide significant and appropriate oversight to all activities of the Company and the Board. Further, the Board believes that Mr. Tsuff’s significant holdings in the Company is sufficient motivation to minimize
excessive risk taking and aligns his interest in the best interest of the stockholders. Additionally, the Conflict Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, was specifically created to review all transactions among the Company and all related parties, including any affiliates of Mr. Tsuff.
The Board recognizes that no single leadership model is right for all companies and at all times and that, depending on the circumstances, other leadership models, such as a separate independent chairperson of the board, might be appropriate. As a result, the Board reviews the Company’s Board leadership structure annually.
GOVERNANCE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD COMMITTEE CHANGES
In 2013, the Board of Directors had five standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; the Conflict Committee; the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and the Independent Directors Committee.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has established guidelines requiring a majority of directors to be independent, as determined in accordance with the bylaws of the Company and applicable rules of the NASDAQ. Under such standards, the Board has determined that four of the six directors of the Company (Messrs. Pridgeon, Hasson, Sluiter and Yarkoni) are independent directors. Each of these four directors has also certified their belief that they meet such independence standards and all of the Company’s directors have certified that that they will annually attend at least one Board meeting in person unless specifically excused by the Company’s Chairman. Directors may only serve on a maximum of two other boards of directors of public companies. All of the Company’s directors have also participated in an initial orientation and continuing education thereafter.
THE LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
In 2012, the Board first elected a “Lead Independent Director,” as such term is defined in the Company’s bylaws and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. In 2013, Max Pridgeon was elected to this position. The Lead Independent Director chairs the executive sessions of the Board and is the principle liaison between the independent directors and Chief Executive Officer. The Lead Independent Director also is responsible for or required to participate in timing and agenda for Board and Committee meetings, requesting for and providing information to the independent directors, receive reports from the Nominating and Governance Committee and evaluation, along with the Compensation Committee and the Board the performance of the Chief Executive Officer. The Lead Independent Director also served as Chair of the Company’s Independent Director Committee, which was dissolved and its duties were incorporated into the Company’s Audit Committee in 2014.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The members of the Audit Committee in 2013 were Max Pridgeon, Frans Sluiter and Asaf Yarkoni. In 2014, the Audit Committee was expanded to include Max Pridgeon, Frans Sluiter, Asaf Yarkoni and Nir Hasson, being all of the Company’s independent directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Pridgeon, Mr. Sluiter, Mr. Hasson and Mr. Yarkoni met the independence criteria set out in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. The Board determined that Mr. Yarkoni qualifies as an independent director and an audit committee financial expert. The Audit Committee met five times in 2013.
Mr. Yarkoni serves as the Company’s “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the SEC. The Board has determined that Mr. Yarkoni is an independent director as defined in the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
In 2012 the Board adopted a new charter governing the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee, a copy of which is attached as an Exhibit to the Company’s 2012 Proxy Statement. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:
• Monitor and review the accuracy and fairness of the Corporation’s financial reports and monitor and ensure the adequacy of the Corporation’s systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance.
• Monitor the independence and performance of the Corporation’s independent auditors.
• Provide an avenue of communication between the independent auditors, management, accountants and the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct or authorize investigations into any matter within the scope of its responsibilities and it shall have direct access to the independent auditors as well as anyone in the organization. The Audit Committee also has the ability to retain, at the Corporation’s expense, special legal, accounting, or other consultants or advisors it deems necessary in the performance of its duties or to assist in the conduct of any investigation.
THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Max Pridgeon, Asaf Yarkoni and Haim Tsuff. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met twice in 2013. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a charter. By reason of Mr. Tsuff’s service on the Nominating Committee, all of the members of the Nominating Committee were not independent directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. However, Rule 5615 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules allows a “Controlled Company” to have a nominating committee that does not consist solely of independent directors. The Company believes that it was a “Controlled Company” in 2013 and continues to be a “Controlled Company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, since, at all times during 2013, a majority of the Company’s shares are controlled by Haim Tsuff, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. As a result, the Company maintains its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which does not consist solely of independent directors, in reliance upon NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers many factors when evaluating candidates for the nomination to the Board, with the goal of fostering a Board of Directors comprised of directors with a variety of experience and backgrounds. Important factors considered as part of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s evaluation include (without limitation): (i) roles and contributions valuable to the business community, (ii) personal qualities of leadership, character and judgment, and whether the candidate possesses and maintains a reputation in the community at large of integrity, trust, respect, competence and adherence to high ethical standards, (iii) relevant knowledge and diversity of Board members’ background and experience, (iv) whether the candidate has the time required for preparation, participation and attendance at meetings and (v) requirements relating to Board and Board committee composition under applicable law and NASDAQ listing standards. Depending upon the Company’s then-current needs, certain factors may be weighed more or less heavily than others. In considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the entirety of each candidate’s credentials, and does not have any specific minimum qualifications that must be met. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does believe that all members of the Board should have the highest character and integrity and sufficient time to devote to Company matters.
In addition to considering candidates proposed by officers or other directors of the Company as candidates for nomination as a director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers persons recommended by
Stockholders. In evaluating candidates proposed by Stockholders, the Nominating Committee uses the same selection criteria as it uses to evaluate other potential nominees. Recommendations should be submitted by Shareholders to the Secretary of the Company. Each recommendation should include a personal biography of the suggested candidate, an indication of the background or experience that qualifies such person for consideration, and a statement that such person has agreed to serve if nominated and elected. Stockholders who wish to nominate a person for election to the Board themselves, rather than recommending a candidate to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for potential nomination by the Board of Directors, must comply with applicable law. For additional information, see “Stockholder Proposals” below.
While the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance believe that it is essential that Board members represent diverse business backgrounds and experience. A background in or experience with the oil & gas industry is desirable, but not a precondition to nomination. In considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the entirety of each candidate’s credentials in the context of these standards. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should and do provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the Board to fulfill its responsibilities.
In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews the advisability of a director’s continued service on the Board when the director’s principal occupation or business association changes, or when circumstances arise which may raise questions about the director’s continuing qualifications in relation to the Board membership criteria referred to above. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: (i) reviews the resignation of any director, (ii) reviews the Board’s committee structure and recommends to the Board the appointment of committee members and chairs, (iii) defines and articulates the Company’s overall corporate governance structures, including the development and recommendation to the Board of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, (iv) reviews the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines periodically, and recommends changes as necessary to reflect sound governance practices and (v) review the Company’s positions and practices on significant issues of corporate public responsibility, such as protection of the environment and philanthropic contributions.
CONFLICT COMMITTEE
The Conflict Committee consists of Asaf Yarkoni and Frans Sluiter, two independent directors. Although the Conflict Committee does not have a written charter, its duties are identified and reflected in Company’s bylaws. Before any transaction between the Company and any officer or director of the Company, or between the Company and any entity controlled by or affiliated with an officer or director, such transaction must first be submitted for approval by the Conflict Committee. The Conflict Committee has, except as may be otherwise specified by the Board by unanimous written consent, all the power and authority of the Board of Directors in connection with approving and authorizing proposed transactions between the Company and any officer or director or entity controlled by or affiliated with any officer or director. The Conflict Committee examines all such conflict transactions in order to determine their significance to the Company and its investors, including minority shareholders, in light of all circumstances. The importance of the interest to the person having the interest, the relationship of the parties to the transaction with each other and the amount involved are among the factors considered in determining the significance of any transaction and whether to approve such transaction. In this role, the Conflict Committee has reviewed and approved sales of Company Common Stock to related parties, as well as all affiliated financing arrangements (see “Related Party Transactions” above) with related parties. The Conflict Committee met or acted by unanimous consent four times in 2013 and all related party transactions since January 2013 have been reviewed by Conflict Committee. The consideration of such materials by the Conflict Committee is evidenced in minutes of Conflict Committee meetings or by written consent.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
In 2013, the Compensation Committee consists of Max Pridgeon, Itai Ram and Joseph From and was responsible for reviewing the compensation arrangements in effect for the Company’s executive officers, including the Company’s Named Executed Officers. The Compensation Committee met twice in 2013. The Compensation Committee has a charter. We note that Itai Ram resigned in 2014. Mr. Nir Hasson was appointed to serve in the position vacated by Mr. Ram.
By reason of Joseph From’s service on the Compensation Committee, all of the members of the Compensation Committee are not independent directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Rule 5615 of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules allows a “Controlled Company” to have a compensation committee that does not consist solely of independent directors. The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules were recently amended to provide new requirements and requiring an annual certification of annual compliance with the rules. T The Company believes that it was a “Controlled Company” in 2013 and continues to be a “Controlled Company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, since, at all times during 2013, a majority of the Company’s shares are controlled by Haim Tsuff, the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. As a result, the Company maintains its Compensation Committee, which does not consist solely of independent directors, in reliance upon Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5615.
The Compensation Committee sets compensation policy and administers the Company’s compensation programs for the purpose of attracting and retaining skilled executives who will promote the Company’s business goals and build stockholder value. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding all forms of compensation to be provided to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, including stock compensation and bonuses.
The Compensation Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board for approval compensation arrangements for the Company’s other executive officers, key employees and non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee recommends all compensation awards (including incentive compensation awards), which are then subject to Board review and approval. The Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee the goals, objectives and compensation for all executive officers (including the Named Executive Officers) and key employees, except himself, and responds to requests for information from the Compensation Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer has no role in approving his own compensation. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews and recommends the compensation of non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee does not delegate its authority and has the sole responsibility of retaining outside counsel or other consultants for the purpose of executing its mandate.
THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR COMMITTEE
In 2013, the members of the Independent Directors Committee were Max Pridgeon, Asaf Yarkoni, Frans Sluiter and Itai Ram. The Independent Director Committee met five times in 2013. The purpose of the Independent Director Committee was to serve as a disinterested body of the Board exercising oversight and independent judgment to recommend to the Board those measures the Independent Director Committee reasonably believed to be in the long-term best interests of the Company, with a view towards protecting the interests of both the Company and its shareholders and with due regard to the interests of the minority shareholders of the Company. In 2014, the Independent Director Committee was dissolved and, in its place, the Audit Committee was expanded to include all of the Company’s independent directors and empowered to exercise all of the oversight and authority previously exercised by the Independent Director Committee. The Board believes that this change will serve the best interests of the Company, including minority shareholders.
TRADING COMPLIANCE CONTROL COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors has a committee consisting of Edy Francis, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Anthony James, the Company’s General Counsel and Secretary, both of whom are Named Executive Officers, as responsible for ensuring compliance with the Company’s stock trading and market communication policy. The Trading Compliance Control Committee is not a committee of the Board, but instead provides a monitoring and reporting function to the Board.
CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (the “Code of Conduct”) that applies to all of its employees. A copy of the Code of Conduct was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. If the Company makes any substantive amendment to the Code of Conduct or grants any waiver from a provision of the Code of Conduct to any executive officer or director, the Company will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver.
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board does not have a formal process for shareholders or interested parties to send communications to the Board. Due to the infrequency of shareholder or interested party communications to the Board, the Board does not believe that a formal process is necessary. Stockholders of the Company are encouraged to communicate directly with the members of the Board. Persons interested in communicating their concerns or issues to the independent directors may address correspondence to a particular director, or to the independent directors generally in care of the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, Mr. Haim Tsuff. Mr. Tsuff will forward all communications received to the appropriate director and/or Committee Chairman. If no particular director is named, letters will be forwarded, depending on the subject matter, to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Company personnel will not screen or edit such communications and will forward them directly to the intended member of the Board.
BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT
Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board, as a whole and through its committees, has the ultimate responsibility for the oversight of risk management. Senior officers attend meetings of the Board, provide presentations on operations, and are available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board, its committees, or any individual director. Additionally, our Board committees are charged with assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. The Audit Committee coordinates the Board’s oversight function of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and Code of Conduct. Management regularly reports to the Audit Committee on these areas.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporate this report by reference.
The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. These financial statements include the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, Stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 and the notes thereto.
REVIEW WITH MANAGEMENT. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with management.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSIONS WITH INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. The Audit Committee has discussed with M&B, the Company’s independent accountants, the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Accounting Standards), as amended, that includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of the Company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee has also received disclosures and the letter from M&B required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (that relates to the accountant’s independence from the Company and its related entities) and has discussed with M&B its independence from the Company.
CONCLUSION. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
MAX PRIDGEON
ASAF YARKONI
NIR HASSON
FRANS SLUITER
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
PROPOSAL 2
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act and the related rules of the SEC, the company is providing Stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation programs of our named executive officers (sometimes referred to as “say on pay”). Accordingly, you may vote on the following resolution at the meeting:
| |
| “RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion in the proxy statement relating to the Company’s 2014 annual meeting, is hereby approved.” |
This vote is non-binding. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee, which is comprised of independent directors, expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions to the extent they can determine the cause or causes of any significant negative voting results. Pursuant to the Shareholders’ vote in connection with the Company’s 2011 annual meeting of Shareholders, the Company will hold an advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation every three years. As a result, the next advisory (non-binding) vote on executive compensation will occur in connection with the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of Shareholders.
The primary objectives of our market based compensation program for the Named Executive Officers are to attract and retain qualified and experienced executive talent, provide appropriate incentives for the Company’s Named Executive Officers’ to apply their efforts in such a way that supports our financial performance objectives and business strategy, and to align their incentives with enhancement of shareholder value. In particular, our compensation program for Named Executive Officers is designed to reward superior job performance and individual initiative to help increase the Company’s oil and gas reserves, production rates, earnings per share and to manage operating costs.
Stockholders are encouraged to read the section of this proxy statement titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the accompanying compensation tables, and the related narrative disclosure.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF MALONE BAILEY, LLP
AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014
The Audit Committee has selected Malone Bailey, LLP (“M&B”) as the Company’s independent public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014. The Board has directed that such appointment be submitted for ratification by the Stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
It is anticipated that a member of M&B will be available at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
If the Shareholders do not ratify the selection of M&B as the Company’s independent public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment. However, even if the Shareholders do ratify the selection, the Audit Committee may still appoint a new independent public accounting firm at any time during the year if it believes that such a change would be in the best interests of Company and its Shareholders.
AUDIT FEES
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by M&B for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 and fees billed for other services rendered during 2013 and 2012.
| | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal 2013 | | Fiscal 2012 | |
Type of Service/Fee | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Audit Fees (1) | | $ | 345,000 | | $ | 345,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
Audit Related Fees (2) | | $ | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Tax Fees (3) | | $ | — | | $ | 23,980 | |
| | | | | | | |
All Other Fees (4) | | $ | — | | $ | 50,950 | |
(1) Audit Fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and the review of the interim financial statements included in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and for the services that are normally provided in connection with 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 the Company’s financial statements. This category includes fees related to consultation regarding generally accepted accounting principles.
(3) Tax Fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The fee includes the preparation of the Company’s income tax returns, franchise tax reports, and other tax filings.
(4) All Other Fees consist of fees for products and services not included in the above categories. Such fees were mainly attributable to FIN 48 compliance and for services associated with an I. R. S. audit of the Company’s 2006 tax returns.
The Audit Committee reviewed the non-audit services rendered for fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2012 as set forth in the above table and concluded that such services were compatible with maintaining the public accounting firm’s independence. The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit services and all non-audit services that Company’s independent public accounting firm is permitted to perform for Company under applicable federal securities regulations. As permitted by the applicable regulations, the Audit Committee’s policy utilizes a combination of specific pre-approval on a case-by-case basis of individual engagements of the independent public accounting firm and general pre-approval of certain categories of engagements up to predetermined dollar thresholds that are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee. Specific pre-approval is mandatory for the annual financial statement audit engagement, among others. None of the fees paid to the independent public accounting firm under the categories Audit-Related Fees, Tax and All Other Fees described above were approved by the Audit Committee after services were rendered pursuant to thede minimisexception established by the SEC.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF MALONE BAILEY, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not intend to present to the meeting any matters other than matters referred to herein, and as of this date Management does not know of any matter that will be presented by other persons named in the attached proxy to vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under the rules of the SEC, proposals of Shareholders intended to be presented at the 2015 annual meeting of Shareholders must be made in accordance with the bylaws of the Company and received by the Company at its principal executive offices for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for that meeting no later than July 28, 2015. Shareholder proposals not to be included in the Company’s proxy statement for the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of Shareholders must be made in accordance with the bylaws of the Company and received by the Company at its principal executive offices between July 28th, 2015 and August 26, 2015. In order to nominate directors for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of Shareholders, such nomination proposals must be made in accordance with the bylaws of the Company and received by the Company at its principal executive offices between July 28th, 2015 and August 26, 2015. The Board of Directors will review any Shareholder proposals that are filed as required and will determine whether such proposals meet applicable criteria for inclusion in its 2015 proxy statement.
The Company has not received any shareholder proposals for director or any other matter for inclusion in this proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The Company will pay the cost of the solicitation of proxies. Solicitation of proxies may be made in person or by mail, telephone, or telecopy by directors, officers, and employees of the Company. The Company may also engage the services of others to solicit proxies in person or by telephone or telecopy. In addition, the Company may also request banking institutions, brokerage firms, custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock held of record by such persons, and the Company will reimburse such persons for the costs related to such services.
It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to be present in person, you are respectfully requested to sign the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed stamped and addressed envelope as promptly as possible.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Haim Tsuff
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
President