def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary proxy statement. |
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Confidential, for use of the Commission only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)). |
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Definitive proxy statement. |
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Definitive additional materials. |
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Soliciting material pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date
of its filing. |
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Amount previously paid: |
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Form, schedule or registration statement no.: |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960
Houston, Texas 77098
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Contango Oil &
Gas Company, which will be held at 3700 Buffalo Speedway, Second Floor, Houston, Texas 77098, on
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time.
At the Annual Meeting you will be asked to vote on the following matters:
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To elect our board of directors to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in
2009; |
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To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent auditors of the
Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009; and |
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To conduct any other business that is properly raised at the Annual Meeting. |
Stockholders who owned shares of Contango Oil & Gas Companys common stock, par value $0.04
per share, at the close of business on October 10, 2008 are entitled to receive notice of and to
attend and vote at the meeting.
As a stockholder of Contango Oil & Gas Company, you have the right to vote on the proposals
listed above. Please read the Proxy Statement carefully because it contains important information
for you to consider when deciding how to vote. Your vote is important.
This year,
you have three options in submitting your vote prior to the Annual Meeting date:
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You may sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope;
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You may vote over the Internet at the
address shown on your proxy card; or |
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You may vote by Telephone using the phone number shown on
your proxy card. |
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please date, sign and return
the enclosed proxy card promptly or vote over the Telephone or Internet. A postage-paid return
envelope is enclosed for your convenience. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you can, if
you wish, revoke your proxy and vote in person. If you have any questions, please contact us
through our Website at www.contango.com, send us an e-mail at contango@contango.com
or write us at 3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960, Houston, Texas 77098.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Kenneth R. Peak
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Houston, Texas
October 14, 2008
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960
Houston, Texas 77098
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOVEMBER 12, 2008
To our Stockholders:
The board of directors (the Board) of Contango Oil & Gas Company, a Delaware corporation
(the Company or Contango), is furnishing you with this Proxy Statement in connection with its
solicitation of your proxy, in the form enclosed, for use at the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) to be held at 3700 Buffalo Speedway, Second Floor, Houston,
Texas 77098, on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, for the purposes set forth
in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We are distributing this Proxy Statement to you on or about October 20, 2008, together with
the accompanying proxy card and the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008.
We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend,
please complete, date and sign the proxy card and return it promptly in the return envelope
provided, or you may vote over the Telephone or Internet by following the instructions on the proxy
card or other enclosed proxy material.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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Q:
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Who is asking for my proxy? |
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A:
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Your proxy is being solicited by our Board for use at our Annual Meeting.
Our directors, officers or employees may also solicit proxies on behalf of our Board,
in person or by telephone, facsimile, mail or e-mail. If our directors, officers or
employees solicit proxies, they will not be specially compensated. Contango will pay
all costs and expenses of this proxy solicitation. |
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2.
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Q.
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What are stockholders being asked to vote on? |
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A:
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At our Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to vote: |
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§ To elect our Board of Directors to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2009; |
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§ To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent auditors
of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009; and |
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§ On any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment of the Annual Meeting. |
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3.
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Q.
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Who is entitled to vote? |
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A:
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The record of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting was taken
at the close of business on October 10, 2008 (the Record Date). As of the Record
Date, the Company had outstanding 16,749,292 shares of common stock, par value $0.04
per share (the Common Stock). |
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Q:
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How many shares may vote at the Annual Meeting? |
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A:
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Each record holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share of
Common Stock owned on the Record Date. |
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5.
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Q:
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How do I vote my shares? |
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A:
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A proxy card is included with the proxy materials being sent to you. The
proxy card allows you to specify how you want your shares voted as to each proposal
listed. The proxy card provides space for you to: |
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§ Vote for, or withhold authority to vote for, each nominee for director; and |
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§ Vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the ratification of the
appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent public accountants for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. |
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If the proxy card is properly signed and returned to us, shares covered by the
proxy card will be voted in accordance with the directions you specify on the card.
The person named as proxy on the proxy card is Kenneth R. Peak, the Companys
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Any
stockholder who wishes to name a different person as his or her proxy may do so by
crossing out Mr. Peaks name and inserting the name of another person to act as his
or her proxy. In such a case, the stockholder would have to sign the proxy card
and deliver it to the person named as his or her proxy, and that person would have
to be present and vote at the Annual Meeting. Any proxy card so marked should not
be mailed to the Company. |
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If you return a signed proxy card without having specified any choices, Mr. Peak,
named as proxy, will vote the shares represented at the Annual Meeting and any
adjournment thereof as follows: |
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§ FOR the election of each nominee for director; |
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§ FOR ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent
public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009; and |
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§ At the discretion of Mr. Peak, as proxy, on any other matter that may
properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment of the Annual
Meeting. |
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6.
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Q:
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How does the Board recommend I vote? |
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A:
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The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the matters to
be voted on at the Annual Meeting. |
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Our executive officers and directors who own shares of Common Stock have advised us
that they intend to vote their shares in favor of the proposals presented in this
Proxy Statement. As of the Record Date, executive officers and directors
collectively beneficially owned or had voting control over 3,938,227 shares of
Common Stock, representing approximately 23% of the total shares entitled to vote.
See Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. |
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7.
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Q:
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What vote is required? |
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A:
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Proposal 1, the election of directors, will require an affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and voting at the Annual Meeting.
Proposal 2, the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP
as independent public accountants, will require an affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares present in person or by proxy and voting at the Annual Meeting. |
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8.
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Q:
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What is a quorum? |
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A:
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Presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of holders of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by all record holders of the Companys
Common Stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is
not present, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned from time to time until a quorum is
obtained. |
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9.
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Q:
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What is the effect of an abstention or a broker non-vote? |
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A:
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Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the
presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. A broker non-vote
occurs when a nominee holding shares of the Companys Common Stock for a beneficial
owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have
discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions
from the beneficial owner. Abstentions are counted in tabulations of the votes cast
on proposals presented to stockholders as a vote against, whereas broker non-votes are
not counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved. |
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10.
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Q:
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What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card? |
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A:
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If your shares are registered differently or in more than one account, you
will receive more than one proxy card. Sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that
all your shares are voted. |
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11.
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Q:
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Can I revoke my proxy? |
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A:
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You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Annual
Meeting by filing with or transmitting to our corporate secretary either a notice of
revocation or a properly created proxy bearing a later date. You also may attend the
Annual Meeting and revoke your proxy by voting your shares in person. |
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12.
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Q:
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How will the Company solicit proxies? |
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A:
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Proxies may be solicited in person, by telephone, facsimile, mail or e-mail
by directors, officers and employees of the Company without additional compensation.
The Company will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials
to stockholders. |
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13.
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Q:
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How can a stockholder communicate with the Companys independent directors? |
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A:
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The Audit Committee is authorized to receive communications from
stockholders. Mail should be addressed to the Independent Directors in care of the
Chairman of the Audit Committee, Contango Oil & Gas Company, 3700 Buffalo Speedway,
Suite 960, Houston, Texas 77098. Mail will not be opened but will be forwarded to the
Chairman of the Audit Committee or the named independent director. Mail addressed to
the Board of Directors will be delivered to Kenneth R. Peak, Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Mr. Peak is not an independent
director. |
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, we will present the nominees named below and recommend that they be
elected to serve as directors until the next annual stockholders meeting or until their successors
are duly elected and qualified. Each nominee has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement
and to serve if elected.
Your proxy will be voted for the election of the five nominees named below unless you give
instructions to the contrary. Your proxy cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the
number of nominees named.
Nominees
Presented below is a description of certain biographical information, occupations and business
experience for the past five years of each person nominated to become a director. Five directors
are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. All nominees are current directors standing for
reelection to the Board. If any nominee should become unavailable for election, your proxy may be
voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board, or the Boards size may be reduced
accordingly. The Board is unaware of any circumstances likely to render any nominee unavailable.
Directors of the Company hold office until the next annual stockholders meeting, until successors
are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee or nominating committee charter.
Instead, the Board has adopted, by Board resolution, a process of nominating directors wherein
nominees must be selected, or recommended for the Boards selection, by a majority of independent
directors as defined in Section 803(A) of the American Stock Exchange listing standards. The Board
believes that the independent members of the Board can satisfactorily carry out the responsibility
of properly selecting or approving nominees for the Board without the formation of a standing
nominating committee. Each Board member other than Kenneth R. Peak is an independent director.
The Board will also consider nominees recommended by stockholders. The Companys Bylaws contain
provisions which address the process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for
election to the Board of Directors at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The procedures include a
requirement that notices regarding a persons nomination be received in writing from the
stockholder and by the Companys Secretary not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the
first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting. Moreover, the notice must include such
nominees written consent to be named in the Companys proxy statement and to serve if elected.
Minimum qualifications include extensive entrepreneurial experience and a solid understanding of
financial statements. Each nominee below has been recommended by the Board.
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Director |
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Age |
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Position |
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Since |
Kenneth R. Peak
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63 |
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Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
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1999 |
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B.A. Berilgen
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60 |
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Director
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2007 |
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Jay D. Brehmer
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43 |
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Director
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Charles M. Reimer
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Director
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2005 |
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Steven L. Schoonover
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Director
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2005 |
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Kenneth R. Peak. Mr. Peak has been Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary of Contango since its formation in September 1999. Mr. Peak entered the energy
industry in 1972 as a commercial banker and held a variety of financial and executive positions in
the oil and gas industry prior to founding Contango in 1999. Mr. Peak served as an officer in the
U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1971. Mr. Peak received a BS in physics from Ohio University in 1967, and
an MBA from Columbia University in 1972. He also serves as a director of Patterson-UTI
Energy, Inc., a provider of onshore contract drilling services to exploration and production
companies in North America.
B.A. Berilgen. Mr. Berilgen was appointed a director of Contango in July 2007. Mr. Berilgen
has served in a variety of senior positions during his 38 year career. Currently he is Chief
Exectuive Officer of Patara Oil & Gas LLC, an independent oil and gas exploration and production
company. Prior to that he was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rosetta Resources
Inc., a company he founded in 2005. Mr. Berilgen was also previously the Executive Vice President
of Calpine Corp. and President of Calpine Natural Gas L.P. from October 1999 through June 2005. In
June 1997, Mr. Berilgen joined Sheridan Energy, a public oil and gas company, as its President and
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Berilgen attended the University of Oklahoma, receiving a B.S. in
Petroleum Engineering in 1970 and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering / Management Science.
Jay D. Brehmer. Mr. Brehmer has been a director of Contango since October 2000. Mr. Brehmer
is currently a founding partner of Southplace LLC, a provider of private-company middle-market
corporate finance advisory services. Prior to that, he was Managing Director of Houston Capital
Advisors LP, a boutique financial advisory, merger and acquisition investment bank. From November
2002 until August 2004, he advised various energy and energy-related companies on corporate finance
and merger and acquisition activities through Southplace, LLC. From May 1998 until November 2002,
Mr. Brehmer was responsible for structured-finance energy related transactions at Aquila Energy
Capital Corporation. Prior to joining Aquila, Mr. Brehmer founded Capital Financial Services,
which provided mid-cap companies with strategic merger and acquisition advice coupled with prudent
financial capitalization structures. Mr. Brehmer holds a BBA from Drake University in Des Moines,
Iowa.
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Charles M. Reimer. Mr. Reimer was elected as a director of Contango in 2005. Mr. Reimer is
President of Freeport LNG Development, L.P, and has experience in exploration, production,
liquefied natural gas (LNG) and business development ventures, both domestically and abroad.
From 1986 until 1998, Mr. Reimer served as the senior executive responsible for the VICO joint
venture that operated in Indonesia, and provided LNG technical support to P. T. Badak.
Additionally, during these years he served, along with Pertamina executives, on the board of
directors of the P.T. Badak LNG plant in Bontang, Indonesia. Mr. Reimer began his career with Exxon
Company USA in 1967 and held various professional and management positions in Texas and Louisiana.
Mr. Reimer was named President of Phoenix Resources Company in 1985 and relocated to Cairo, Egypt,
to begin eight years of international assignments in both Egypt and Indonesia. Prior to joining
Freeport LNG Development, L.P. in December 2002, Mr. Reimer was President and Chief Executive
Officer of Cheniere Energy, Inc.
Steven L. Schoonover. Mr. Schoonover was elected as a director of Contango in 2005. Mr.
Schoonover was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Cellxion, L.L.C., a company
specializing in construction and installation of telecommunication buildings and towers, as well as
the installation of high-tech telecommunication equipment. From 1990 until its sale in November
1997 to Telephone Data Systems, Inc., Mr. Schoonover served as President of Blue Ridge Cellular,
Inc., a full-service cellular telephone company he co-founded. From 1983 to 1996, he served in
various positions, including President and Chief Executive Officer, with Fibrebond Corporation, a
construction firm involved in cellular telecommunications buildings, site development and tower
construction. Mr. Schoonover has been awarded, on two occasions with two different companies,
Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine and USA Today. Mr.
Schoonover graduated from Ohio University in 1967 with a BFA in Communications for Organizations
and received his Juris Doctor from Creighton University in 1972. He is currently a member of the
Texas Bar.
All directors and nominees for director of the Company are United States citizens. There are
no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We believe that good corporate governance is important to assure that the Company is managed
for the long term benefit of its stockholders. The Board and management are committed to good
business practices, transparency in financial reporting and the highest level of corporate
governance and ethics. During the past year, the Board has reviewed existing corporate governance
policies and practices of other public companies. It has specifically reviewed the provisions of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the
listing standards and rules of the American Stock Exchange.
The Board has reaffirmed existing policies and initiated actions adopting policies consistent
with new rules and listing standards. In particular, we have:
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A majority of independent directors. |
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An Audit Committee consisting solely of independent directors. |
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Adopted a formal Audit Committee Charter in May 2000, a copy of which is available
on the Companys website at www.contango.com, which is reviewed annually by the
Audit Committee. |
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An Audit Committee empowered to engage independent auditors. |
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Provided the Audit Committee with access to independent auditors, legal counsel and
all management and employee levels. |
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Established executive sessions for the Board of Directors consisting exclusively of
independent directors. |
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Adopted a Code of Ethics that satisfies the definition of code of ethics under the
rules and regulations of the SEC, a copy of which is available on the Companys
website. The Code of Ethics applies to all of the Companys employees, including its
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, and controller. |
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Adopted a formal whistleblower protection policy. |
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Adopted a formal process for stockholders to communicate with the independent
directors. |
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Expanded disclosures regarding critical accounting policies. |
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Determined chief executives officers compensation by the independent directors. |
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No history of personal loans to officers and directors. |
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Taken appropriate Board and management action to achieve timely compliance with
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding controls and procedures over
financial reporting. |
Board Operations and Organization
Mission Statement. The Companys primary objective is to maximize stockholder value, while at
all times observing the highest ethical standards. The Company will pursue this objective through
participation in the energy industry.
Corporate Authority & Responsibility. All corporate authority resides in the Board, as the
representative of the stockholders. Authority is delegated to management by the Board in order to
implement the Companys mission. Such delegated authority includes the authorization of spending
limits and the authority to hire employees and terminate their services. The independent members
of the Board retain responsibility for selection, evaluation and the determination of compensation
of the chief executive officer of the Company, oversight of the succession plan, approval of the
annual budget, assurance of adequate systems, procedures and controls, and all matters of corporate
governance. Each Board member other than Mr. Peak is independent. Additionally, the Board
provides advice and counsel to senior management.
Compensation of Directors. Directors who are not employees are compensated in the form of
both a cash payment and Company equity. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, each outside
director received a quarterly retainer of $ 8,000 payable in cash, and an annual retainer of
$36,000 payable in Common Stock of the Company valued as of the day immediately preceding the date
of the annual stockholder meeting (subject to rounding up or down such that the number of shares
issued to each Director is evenly divisible by two). One-half of the shares vested immediately,
and one-half vest in one year. The Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional
quarterly retainer of $3,000 payable in cash. Each outside director also received a $1,000 cash
payment for each Board meeting and separately scheduled Audit Committee meeting attended.
Compensation of directors is determined exclusively by Mr. Peak, after comparing the compensation
of directors at our peer group of companies.
Director Compensation Table. The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the
Company to non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008:
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Change in |
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Pension Value |
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and Nonqualified |
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Fees earned |
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or paid |
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in cash |
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Earnigns |
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Compensation |
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Total |
Name (1) |
|
($) (2) |
|
($) (3) |
|
($) (4) |
|
($) |
|
($) (5) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
B.A. Berilgen |
|
$ |
49,000 |
|
|
$ |
36,015 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
85,015 |
|
Jay D. Brehmer |
|
$ |
62,000 |
|
|
$ |
36,015 |
|
|
$ |
36,897 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
134,912 |
|
Charles M. Reimer |
|
$ |
49,000 |
|
|
$ |
36,015 |
|
|
$ |
21,278 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
106,293 |
|
Steven L. Schoonover |
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
36,015 |
|
|
$ |
21,278 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
107,293 |
|
Darrell W.
Williams (6) |
|
$ |
42,000 |
|
|
$ |
36,015 |
|
|
$ |
26,258 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
104,273 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Kenneth R. Peak, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is not included in this
table as he is an employee of the Company. The compensation he received as an employee of the
Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes fees earned in fiscal year 2008 but paid in fiscal year 2009. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts shown represent expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements
contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008
(2008 Consolidated Financial Statements) related to restricted stock awards in the current
fiscal year (no restricted stock awards were granted in previous years), in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R),
for restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors during fiscal year 2008,
excluding any assumptions for future forfeitures. There were no actual forfeitures of
non-employee director restricted stock awards in fiscal year 2008 and all other assumptions
used to calculate the expense amounts shown above are set forth in Note 16 to the 2008
Consolidated Financial Statements. One-half of the shares granted vested immediately on the
date of grant and one-half vest on the day immediately preceding the date of the following
years annual meeting. Of the $36,015 in stock awards for each non-employee director, $18,005
was the grant date fair value of the 828 shares of restricted stock granted in fiscal year
2008 that vested in fiscal year year 2008, and $18,010 was the grant date fair value of the
2,104 shares of restricted stock granted in fiscal year 2007 that vested in fiscal year 2008. |
|
(4) |
|
The amounts shown represent expense recognized in the 2008 Consolidated Financial Statements
that relate to option awards granted in prior fiscal years, in accordance with SFAS 123R, excluding any
assumption for future forfeitures. No option awards were granted during fiscal year 2008.
There were no actual forfeitures of non-employee director stock options in fiscal year 2008.
The assumptions used to calculate the expense amounts shown for stock options granted in
fiscal year 2008 are set forth in Note 16 to the 2008 Consolidated Financial Statements. |
|
(5) |
|
The Company has no deferred compensation plan. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Williams is not running for re-election to serve as a director for fiscal year 2009. |
Board Size. In general, smaller to mid-size boards are more cohesive, work better together
and tend to be more effective monitors than larger boards. Our Bylaws currently provide for at
least three and not more than seven directors.
Annual Election of Directors. In order to create greater alignment between the Boards and
our stockholders interests and to promote greater accountability to the stockholders, directors
are elected annually.
Meetings. Our Board has meetings as necessary. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008,
the Board held fourteen meetings. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, the Board passed
resolutions by unanimous written consent on seven occasions. Mr. Brehmer and Mr. Schoonover
attended 100% of all Board and applicable committee meetings.
Mr. Reimer attended 89% of all Board and applicable committee
meetings and Mr. Berilgen
attended 92% of all Board meetings. Mr. Williams, who was ill a portion of the year,
8
attended approximately 71% of all Board meetings. We encourage our Board to attend our annual
meeting of stockholders. During fiscal year 2007, the Company had six directors, five of which
were present at the 2007 annual meeting.
Committee Structure. It is the general policy of the Company that the Board as a whole will
consider all major decisions. As a consequence, the Company does not have a compensation
committee, and the committee structure of the Board is limited to the Audit Committee. The Board
may form other committees as it determines appropriate.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee was established by the Board for the purpose of
overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and audits of the
financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of independent
public accountants to conduct audits of our financial statements, reviews with the accountants the
plan and results of the auditing engagement, approves other professional services provided by the
accountants and evaluates the independence of the accountants. The Audit Committee also reviews
the scope and adequacy of our system of internal controls and procedures over financial reporting.
Members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brehmer (Audit Committee Chairman), Reimer and
Schoonover. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as independence for audit committee
members is defined in the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange. The Audit Committee
met formally four times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The Board has determined that
Mr. Brehmer is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the SEC.
More information about the Companys corporate governance practices and procedures is
available on the Companys website at www.contango.com.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
FIVE NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS OF CONTANGO, TO SERVE UNTIL
THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OR UNTIL
THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE DULY ELECTED AND QUALIFIED.
9
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF OUR AUDITORS
The Board has appointed Grant Thornton LLP, independent public accountants, for the
examination of the accounts and audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ending June
30, 2009. Grant Thornton LLP also served in such capacity for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
At the Annual Meeting, the Board will present a proposal to the stockholders to approve and ratify
the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP. The Board expects that representatives of Grant Thornton LLP
will be present and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire, and to respond
to appropriate questions. The Audit Committee will consider the failure to ratify its selection of
Grant Thornton LLP as independent public accountants as a direction to select other auditors for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.
Fees
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered to us by Grant Thornton LLP for the years
ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
Category of Service |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
259,528 |
|
|
$ |
242,025 |
|
Audit-Related
Fees |
|
|
148,617 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
148,660 |
|
|
|
89,410 |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
556,805 |
|
|
$ |
331,435 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Audit Fees for the years ended June 30,2008 and 2007 were for professional services
rendered in connection with the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements, statutory
and subsidiary audits, issuance of consents, assistance with and review of documents filed with the
SEC, and the audits of managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal
control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting.
Audit-Related Fees for the year ended June 30, 2008 were for professional services rendered
in connection with issuance of consents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the
SEC related to the various asset sales the Company had during the year and the potential spin-out
of a subsidiary.
Tax Fees for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were for services related to tax
compliance, including the preparation of tax returns and claims for refund; and tax planning and
tax advice, including assistance with tax audits, tax advice related to property sales, and
technical advice from tax authorities.
Grant Thornton LLP did not provide to us any financial information systems design or
implementation services during years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
All of the 2008 audit and non-audit services provided by Grant Thornton LLP were pre-approved
by the Audit Committee. The non-audit services which were pre-approved by the
10
Audit Committee were also reviewed to ensure compatibility with maintaining the accounting
firms independence.
The Audit Committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures related to the
provision of audit and non-audit services. Under these procedures, the Audit Committee selects and
appoints outside auditors, considers the independence and effectiveness of the outside auditors,
approves the fees and other compensation to be paid to the outside auditors and is responsible for
oversight of the outside auditors and reviews any revisions to the estimates of audit and non-audit
fees initially approved. The Audit Committee receives the written disclosures required by
generally accepted auditing standards. The Audit Committee annually requires the outside auditors
to provide the Audit Committee with a written statement delineating all relationships between the
outside auditors and the Company. The Audit Committee actively engages in a dialogue with the
outside auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the
objectivity and independence of the outside auditors. The Audit Committee recommends that the
Board of Directors take appropriate action in response to the outside auditors report to satisfy
itself of the outside auditors independence. The scope of services and fees are required to be
compatible with the maintenance of the accounting firms independence, including compliance with
SEC rules and regulations.
The Audit Committee, as permitted by its pre-approval policy, from time to time delegates the
approval of certain permitted services or classes of services to a member of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee then reviews the delegates pre-approval decisions on an annual basis.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
11
OTHER INFORMATION
Executive Officers
The following sets forth the names, ages and positions of our executive officers together with
certain biographical information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Kenneth R. Peak
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lesia Bautina
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Controller |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sergio Castro
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
Vice President and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Duncan
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
President and Chief Operating Officer
of Contango Operators, Inc. |
Kenneth R. Peak. Mr. Peak has been Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary of Contango since its formation in September 1999. Mr. Peak entered the energy
industry in 1972 as a commercial banker and held a variety of financial and executive positions in
the oil and gas industry prior to founding Contango in 1999. Mr. Peak served as an officer in the
U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1971. Mr. Peak received a BS in physics from Ohio University in 1967, and
an MBA from Columbia University in 1972. He also serves as a director of Patterson-UTI Energy,
Inc., a provider of onshore contract drilling services to exploration and production companies in
North America.
Lesia Bautina. Ms. Bautina joined Contango in November 2001 as Controller and was appointed
Vice President and Controller in August 2002. In July 2005, Ms. Bautina was promoted to Senior
Vice President. Prior to joining Contango, Ms. Bautina worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen
LLP from 1997 to 2001. Her primary experience is accounting and financial reporting for
exploration and production companies. Ms. Bautina received a degree in History from the University
of Lvov in the Ukraine in 1990 and a BBA in Accounting in 1996 from Sam Houston State University,
where she graduated with honors. Ms. Bautina is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the
Petroleum Accounting Society of Houston.
Sergio Castro. Mr. Castro joined Contango in March 2006 as Treasurer and was appointed Vice
President and Treasurer in April 2006. Prior to joining Contango, Mr. Castro spent two years as a
consultant for UHY Advisors TX, LP. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Castro was a lead credit analyst for
Dynegy Inc. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Castro worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen LLP, where he
specialized in energy companies. Mr. Castro was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1993 as
an E-6, where he served onboard a nuclear powered submarine. Mr. Castro received a BBA in
Accounting in 1997 from the University of Houston, graduating summa cum laude. Mr. Castro is a
Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Marc Duncan. Mr. Duncan joined Contango in June 2005 as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Contango Operators, Inc. In July 2008, Mr. Duncan was elected President and Chief Operating
Officer of Contango Resources Company. Mr. Duncan has over 25 years of experience in the energy
industry and has held a variety of domestic and international engineering and senior-level
operations management positions relating to natural gas and oil exploration, project development,
and drilling and production operations. Prior to joining Contango, Mr.
12
Duncan served in a senior executive position with USENCO International, Inc. and related
companies in China and Ukraine from 2000-2004 and as a senior project and drilling engineer for
Hunt Oil Company from 2004-2005. He holds an MBA in Engineering Management from the University of
Dallas, an MEd from the University of North Texas and a BS in Science and Education from Stephen F.
Austin University.
Our executive officers are elected annually by the Board and serve until their successors are
duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. All executive officers
of the Company are United States citizens. There are no family relationships between any of our
directors or executive officers.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Philosophy. The Companys compensation philosophy is to pay for performance. Accordingly, the
Companys executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain highly qualified
executives and to motivate them to maximize stockholder return. It is intended to provide overall
competitive compensation levels and incentive pay levels that vary based on the achievement of
company-wide performance objectives and individual performance. In particular, the incentive
compensation of Mr. Peak, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is determined by the
independent directors of the Board, and is based predominantly upon the achievement of corporate
performance objectives, and the achievement of these objectives has a significant impact on the
incentive compensation of each other senior executive officer. The compensation packages for the
other executive officers are determined by Mr. Peak.
In establishing the corporate performance objectives, the Company uses metrics that it
believes investors use in determining whether to purchase the Companys stock: value creation per
share, earnings per share, growth of gas and oil reserves at economic finding and development
costs, return on equity, and achievement of high standards in health and safety and environmental
stewardship. As a result, compensation is driven by the achievement of the same or similar results
the Company believes its investors are looking for. The Board has not set specific targets for
these metrics.
Corporate Performance Objectives. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, the Companys
corporate performance objectives consisted of (i) being accident free in operated wells, (ii)
earning an economic rate of return of 25% or greater, (iii) growing shareholder value from $40 per
share to $50 per share or higher, (iv) implementation of strategic options and alternatives (v)
passing Sarbanes-Oxley audit with no material weaknesses and five or fewer significant
deficiencies, and (vi) starting up the Companys EI 11H platform and associated pipeline. The
Company believes these metrics are important to its stockholders, and that a focus on achieving
them should eventually manifest itself in an increase in stockholder value. During fiscal year
2008, a year in which the Company met or exceeded all six corporate performance objectives, the
Companys stock price increased over 150%.
Senior Executive Review Process. Mr. Peak conducts an annual review of the base salary, bonus
and equity awards made to each executive officer. In each case, Mr. Peak takes into account the
executives scope of responsibilities and experience and balances these against competitive
compensation levels, including retention requirements and succession planning with respect to each
executive.
13
Mr. Peak works closely with each executive officer on a daily basis. Mr. Peak evaluates each
executive with respect to contribution and performance, strengths, weaknesses, development plans
and succession potential. Based upon this personal evaluation, Mr. Peak makes his own assessment
and determines compensation for each executive officer. The independent members of the Board of
Directors retain responsibility for selection, evaluation and the determination of compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer. The independent directors have set Mr. Peaks base salary at $150,000
per year. Mr. Peak is evaluated solely with respect to the Companys performance as a whole.
Components of Senior Executive Compensation. The primary elements of annual compensation for
senior executives are base salary, cash bonuses (which fall within the SECs definition of
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for the purposes of the Summary Compensation Table and
otherwise) and equity awards. Each component is addressed in the context of individual and Company
performance and competitive conditions. In determining competitive compensation levels, the
Company analyzes data that includes information regarding the general natural gas and oil
exploration and production industry. As described further below, senior executives also receive
other forms of compensation, including various benefit plans made available to all of the Companys
employees, but these are not independently evaluated in connection with the annual determination of
senior executive compensation. None of the executive officers have an agreement with the Company
that govern aspects of their compensation, as described below under Employment and Severance
Agreements.
Aggregate compensation for each senior executive is designed to align the executives
incentives with the long-term interests of the Companys stockholders. The Company only has six
employees and as a result, our executives are required to manage a number of different
responsibilities and projects. It is therefore difficult to find companies where executives are
asked to perform several different functions as they do at the Company. The Company uses cash
bonuses to reward performance, and uses equity awards to create incentives for future performance.
Contango does not look to assign a fixed weighting to any individual component of compensation, as
it believes that aggregate compensation for each executive must be tailored to meet the competitive
characteristics applicable to the executives personal and professional circumstances, as well as
the performance of the Company. Mr. Peak has the discretion to modify the individual components of
compensation for each senior executive, and the Board of Directors has the discretion to modify the
individual components of compensation for Mr. Peak.
Mr. Peaks base salary has been $150,000 since the Companys inception in 1999. This is
significantly less than market value for the Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer positions in public oil and gas companies the size of Contango. Mr. Peak prefers
a below median salary level with the opportunity to earn larger bonuses and equity awards. This
results in Mr. Peak assuming greater risk, because as discussed below, bonuses and equity awards
are linked to Company performance. Should the Company not perform well in a given year, Mr. Peaks
bonus and equity awards would reflect such lower level of performance. In 2003, for example, Mr.
Peak did not receive a bonus.
Base Salary. Base salaries are a fundamental component of the Companys compensation system
and competitive salary levels are necessary to attract and retain well qualified executives. Mr.
Peak determines base salaries for executive officers by evaluating the responsibilities of the
position, the experience of the individual, the performance of the individual, and the competitive
marketplace for similar management talent. Mr. Peaks salary review process includes a comparison
of base salaries for comparable positions at companies of similar type, size and financial
performance.
14
Mr. Peak may make base salary adjustments on a periodic basis to maintain the desired levels
of base salaries for the Companys executives. Mr. Peak determines annual salary adjustments by
evaluating the competitive marketplace and the performance of Contango and the executive officers,
as well as any increased responsibilities assumed by the executive officers. Although Mr. Peak does
not give specific weight to any particular factor, the most weight is given to the executives
performance (in determining whether to adjust above or below the current salary level), and a
significant but lesser weight is given to the comparative data. Salary adjustments generally are
determined and implemented on a 12-month cycle, but Mr. Peak may undertake more frequent
adjustments as he deems appropriate. Additionally, the Board of Directors may adjustment Mr.
Peaks base salary for the same reasons.
Effective July 1, 2007, Mr. Peak increased the base salaries of Mr. Duncan, Ms. Bautina and
Mr. Castro. The fiscal year 2008 average base salaries of those executive officers increased over
the previous years levels as a result of a combination of factors, including individual
performance, excellent performance by the Company, increased responsibilities, and the increased
competition for experienced people holding similar positions in the industry.
Bonuses. All executives, including Mr. Peak, are eligible to receive a cash incentive bonus
tied directly to the Companys achievement of financial, operational, and strategic objectives and
the executives personal achievements. In fiscal year 2008, all executives received a cash
incentive bonus. Bonuses, like annual salary, are determined by Mr. Peak on an annual basis.
There is no target bonus potential established at the beginning of
each fiscal year. Mr. Peak bases executive bonuses on
managements achievement during the fiscal year, and on corporate
objectives common in the oil and gas industry including (i) value creation per share,
(ii) increases in cash flow and earnings,
(iii) growth in reserves per share and production per share while maintaining an acceptable ratio of
debt to capitalization and (iv) control of costs throughout the Company. Mr. Peak believes that
bonuses should be greater than market, when salaries are below industry median pay levels.
Based on the Companys performance, the independent directors awarded Mr. Peak a $7.5 million
cash bonus for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The award was made in recognition of the
performance of the Company during the 2008 fiscal year from an operating, liquidity and balance
sheet perspective. The independent members of the Board cited as their basis for compensation, the
sale of the eastern and western Arkansas Fayetteville Shale leases in separate transactions to
Petrohawk and XTO, the sale of the Companys ten percent limited partnership interest in the
Freeport LNG facility, the successful completion of two Like Kind Exchange transactions under
Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code for additional
interests in the Dutch and Mary Rose
discoveries, the 335% increase in gas and oil reserves held by the Company during the period, the
150% increase in the price of the Companys common stock during the period, accident-free
operations for the operated wells of the Company, and the successful completion of the pipeline and
platform infrastructure for the Dutch and Mary Rose discoveries, all of which contributed to the
increase in the stock price of the Company during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Equity Awards. Contangos equity compensation program for senior executive employees includes
two forms of long-term incentives: restricted stock and stock options. Award size and frequency is
based on each executives demonstrated level of performance and Company performance over time. Mr.
Peak annually reviews award levels to ensure their competitiveness. In making individual awards,
Mr. Peak considers industry practices, the recent performance of each executive, the value of the
executives previous awards and the Companys views on executive retention and succession.
15
Historically, stock option awards were the Companys primary form of equity incentives.
Contango selected this form because it tied future performance of the Company to the ultimate value
received by the employee. Beginning in 2006, however, as the Companys stock price continued to
grow, the Company began including restricted stock to its equity incentive compensation, since
fewer shares of stock are required to achieve the same level of employee compensation and thus less
overall dilution in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. During the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008, no equity awards were granted to the Companys executive officers.
Equity Award Mechanics. Equity awards are granted pursuant to the Companys 1999 Stock
Incentive Plans. For Mr. Peak, awards are made by the Board of Directors, at the recommendation of
Mr. Peak, at a regularly scheduled meeting or by unanimous written consent. For executive
officers, awards are made by Mr. Peak. Awards typically fall into two categories: annual awards
and new hire and promotion awards. New hire and promotion awards are made on the date of hire or
promotion, and annual awards are made in June. From time to time the Board of Directors or Mr.
Peak may make grants at other times in connection with employee retention or otherwise.
All stock option awards have a per share exercise price equal to the closing price of our
Common Stock on the grant date. Stock option awards and restricted stock awards vest upon the
passage of time. Neither Mr. Peak nor the Board of Directors has granted, nor do they intend in the
future to grant, equity awards in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information.
Similarly, the Company has not timed, nor does it intend in the future to time, the release of
material nonpublic information based upon equity award grant dates.
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans. The Company does not have a deferred compensation
program, pension benefits, a retirement plan, or any sort of post retirement healthcare plan.
Additionally, the Company does not have any potential post-employment payments resulting from termination
or a change in control of the Company.
Perquisites and Other Benefits. The Company annually reviews the perquisites that senior
executives receive. In general, such perquisites are limited. Other than as described in the
Summary Compensation Table below, the Companys senior executives receive no benefits that
are not otherwise available to all of its employees.
Regulatory Considerations. It is the Companys policy to make reasonable efforts to cause
executive compensation to be eligible for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code. Under
Section 162(m), the federal income tax deductibility of compensation paid to the Companys Chief
Executive Officer and to each of its four other most highly compensated executive officers may be
limited to the extent that such compensation exceeds $1 million in any one year. Under Section
162(m), the Company may deduct compensation in excess of $1 million if it qualifies as
performance-based compensation, as defined in Section 162(m). For fiscal year 2008, compensation
paid to certain of the Companys executive officers exceeded $1 million and therefore limited the
deductibility by the Company of a portion of such compensation.
Employment and Severance Agreements. We have no employment or severance agreement with any
executive officer.
16
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT
The Board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above
with management. Based on such review and discussion with management, the Board has recommended
that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated
by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Board of Directors
B.A. Berilgen
Jay D. Brehmer
Charles M. Reimer
Steven L. Schoonover
Darrell W. Williams
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation of the principal
executive officer (PEO), the principal financial officer (PFO), and the three most highly
compensated executive officers (other than the PEO and PFO) who earned at least $100,000 for the
fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (collectively, the Named Executive Officers).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name and Principal Position(s) |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Awards ($) |
|
Awards
($)(1) |
|
Compensation
($)(2) |
|
Compensation
($)(3) |
|
Total ($) |
Kenneth R. Peak |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
967,624 |
|
|
$ |
7,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,548 |
|
|
$ |
8,637,172 |
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
860,954 |
|
|
$ |
800,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,012 |
|
|
$ |
1,829,966 |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lesia Bautina |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
$ |
47,495 |
|
|
$ |
80,337 |
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,377,832 |
|
Senior Vice President and Controller |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
47,495 |
|
|
$ |
107,128 |
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
604,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sergio Castro |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,125 |
|
|
$ |
40,167 |
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
747,292 |
|
Vice President and Treasurer |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,125 |
|
|
$ |
40,167 |
|
|
$ |
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
297,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Duncan |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
$ |
23,755 |
|
|
$ |
23,374 |
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,297,129 |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer, |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
23,741 |
|
|
$ |
78,765 |
|
|
$ |
350,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
677,506 |
|
Contango Operators, Inc. and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contango Resources Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These amounts do not reflect compensation actually received by the
Named Executive Officer. The amounts shown represent expense
recognized in the 2008 and 2007 Consolidated Financial Statements
that relate to option awards granted in prior fiscal years, in
accordance with SFAS 123R, excluding any assumption for future
forfeitures. There were no actual forfeitures of stock options by any
Named Executive Officers in fiscal years 2008 and 2007. The
assumptions used to calculate the expense amounts shown for stock
options granted in fiscal years 2008 and 2007 are set forth in Note 16
to the 2008 and 2007 Consolidated Financial Statements, respectively. |
17
|
|
|
(2) |
|
These amounts reflect the annual performance-based cash incentive
compensation awards earned for services rendered in fiscal years 2008
and 2007. The amounts were paid pursuant to the senior executive bonus
program described in Compensation Discussion and Analysis Bonuses. |
|
(3) |
|
This amount represents monthly golf club membership dues paid for by
the Company. None of the remaining Named Executive Officers received
perquisites with an incremental cost to the Company in excess of
$10,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2007. |
The Summary Compensation Table should be read in conjunction with the preceding Compensation
Discussion and Analysis, which provides detailed information regarding our compensation philosophy
and objectives. For the Named Executive Officers, the amount of salary relative to total
compensation averaged approximately 7.0% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 and 19% for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
Grants of Plan Based Awards Table
There were no grants of awards made to Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008.
18
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
The following table sets forth certain information concerning outstanding equity awards for
each Named Executive Officer as of June 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market |
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Value of |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares or |
|
Shares or |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
Units of |
|
Units of |
|
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Stock that have |
|
Stock that have |
Name |
|
Excerciseable |
|
Unexcerciseable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
not vested (#) |
|
not vested ($) |
Kenneth R.
Peak |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.82 |
|
|
|
05/27/09 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
187,500 |
|
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
$ |
10.23 |
|
|
|
06/20/10 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,333 |
|
|
|
66,667 |
|
|
$ |
21.00 |
|
|
|
02/07/12 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lesia
Bautina |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
|
07/12/12 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.20 |
|
|
|
05/27/09 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,750 |
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
$ |
9.30 |
|
|
|
06/20/10 |
(2) |
|
|
3,334 |
|
|
$ |
309,795 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sergio
Castro |
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
8,334 |
|
|
$ |
11.55 |
|
|
|
03/02/11 |
(6) |
|
|
500 |
|
|
$ |
46,460 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc
Duncan |
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
$ |
9.30 |
|
|
|
06/20/10 |
(2) |
|
|
1,667 |
|
|
$ |
154,898 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These options were granted on May 27, 2004 and vest at a rate of
one-third on the date of grant, and one-third on the next two annual
anniversaries of the grant date. On September 4, 2008, Mr. Peak
exercised 200,000 of these options. |
|
(2) |
|
These options were granted on June 20, 2005 and vest at a rate of
one-fourth per year, beginning on June 20, 2006. |
|
(3) |
|
These options were granted on February 7, 2007 and vest at a rate of
one-third on the date of grant, and one-third on the next two annual
anniversaries of the grant date. |
|
(4) |
|
These options were granted on July 12, 2002 and vest at a rate of
one-fifth on the date of grant, and one-fifth on the next four annual
anniversaries of the grant date. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents restricted stock granted on July 5, 2006. The restricted
stock vest in three equal parts starting on the date of grant, and
were fully vested on July 5, 2008. The values contained in this
column were calculated by multiplying the number of shares by $92.92,
which was the closing price of the Companys common stock reported on
the American Stock Exchange on the last trading day of the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2008. |
|
(6) |
|
These options were granted on March 2, 2006 and vest at a rate of
one-third per year, beginning on March 2, 2007. |
19
Option Exercises, Sales and Stock Vested Table
The following table sets forth certain information concerning all exercises and sales of stock
options and vesting of restricted stock for each Named Executive Officer during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
Number of |
|
Value |
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Realized on |
|
Options |
|
Realized on |
|
Acquired on |
|
Realized on |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
Exercise ($) (1) |
|
Sold (#) |
|
Sale ($) (2) |
|
Vesting (#) |
|
Vesting ($) (3) |
Kenneth R. Peak |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,261,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lesia Bautina |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,117,000 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
$ |
123,888 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sergio Castro |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
$ |
456,982 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
$ |
18,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Duncan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,466,000 |
|
|
|
1,667 |
|
|
$ |
61,962 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The value realized equals the difference between the option
exercise price and the sale price of Common Stock at the time of exercise,
multiplied by the number of shares for which the option was exercised.
|
|
(2) |
|
The value realized equals the difference between the option exercise
price and the sale price of Common Stock at the time of the sale,
multiplied by the number of options sold. These options were
purchased by the Company in February 2008. |
|
(3) |
|
The value realized equals the closing price of Common Stock on the
vesting date, multiplied by the number of shares that vested. |
Equity Compensation Plans and Other Compensation Arrangements
The following table provides information as of June 30, 2008 about our Common Stock that may
be issued upon the exercise of stock options and warrants. The plan
listed below expires in August 2009. The Company intends to present
a new plan to stockholders at the 2009 Annual Meeting, to be voted on
at that time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
securities to be |
|
Weighted-average |
|
securities reserved |
|
|
issued upon |
|
exercise price |
|
for future issuance |
|
|
exercise of |
|
of outstanding |
|
under equity |
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
options, warrants |
|
compensation |
Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights |
|
and rights |
|
plans |
Plan approved by stockholders (1) |
|
|
855,667 |
|
|
$ |
11.57 |
|
|
|
568,666 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The Company has no equity compensation plans that have not been
approved by the stockholders. |
The Company may periodically grant additional cash bonuses, new stock option grants and/or
restricted stock awards to provide continuing incentive for future performance. In making the
decision to make additional grants and/or awards, the independent directors and the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer would consider factors such as the size of previous grants/awards and
20
the
number of stock options and shares of stock already held and the degree to which increasing
that ownership stake would provide the additional incentives for future performance, the
likelihood that the grants/awards would encourage the executive officer to remain with the Company
and the value of the executives service to the Company.
The Independent Directors of the Board of Directors
B.A. Berilgen
Jay D. Brehmer
Charles M. Reimer
Steven L. Schoonover
Darrell W. Williams
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following tables show the ownership of our Common Stock as of October 10, 2008 by (i) each
person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii)
each of our non-employee nominee directors, (iii) our executive officers and (iv) our executive
officers and nominee directors taken together as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each person
named in the following table has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares listed next to
his name.
Our 5% Stockholders
To the Companys knowledge, the following stockholders beneficially owned more than 5% of our
outstanding shares of Common Stock, as set forth below, as of October 10, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of Beneficial |
|
Percent |
Title Of Class |
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Ownership (2) |
|
Of Class |
Common Stock |
|
Kenneth R. Peak |
|
|
3,155,177 |
|
|
|
18.31 |
% |
Common Stock |
|
Sellers Capital Master Fund, Ltd (3) |
|
|
2,818,654 |
|
|
|
16.35 |
% |
Common Stock |
|
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (US) (4) |
|
|
1,232,884 |
|
|
|
7.15 |
% |
21
Directors and Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of Beneficial |
|
Percent |
Title Of Class |
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Ownership (2) |
|
Of Class |
|
|
|
|
Directors Who Are Not Employees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Jay D. Brehmer (5) |
|
|
7,678 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Common Stock |
|
B.A. Berilgen |
|
|
4,159 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Common Stock |
|
Charles M. Reimer (6) |
|
|
254,933 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
% |
Common Stock |
|
Steven L. Schoonover (7) |
|
|
292,480 |
|
|
|
1.70 |
% |
Common Stock |
|
Darrell W. Williams (8) |
|
|
9,230 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Kenneth R. Peak (9) |
|
|
3,155,177 |
|
|
|
18.31 |
% |
Common Stock |
|
Lesia Bautina (10) |
|
|
176,237 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
% |
Common Stock |
|
Sergio Castro (11) |
|
|
11,333 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Common Stock |
|
Marc Duncan (12) |
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executives Combined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
All current directors and executive officers
as a group (9 persons) |
|
|
3,938,227 |
|
|
|
22.85 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
Unless otherwise noted, the address of the members of the Board and our executive officers is
3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960, Houston, Texas 77098. |
|
(2) |
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person
and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common Stock
subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008 are deemed
outstanding. Applicable percentages are based on 16,749,092 shares
outstanding on October 10, 2008, adjusted as required by the rules. To
the Companys knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this
table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person
named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect
to the shares set forth opposite such persons name. |
|
(3) |
|
Sellers Capital Master Fund, Ltd.s address is 161 N. Clark Street, Suite 4700, Chicago, IL
60601. |
|
(4) |
|
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (US)s address is 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
10036. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 1,500 shares which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 8,000 shares which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 12,000 shares which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 3,000 shares which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 320,833 shares which are currently exercisable
or will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. These are the same shares listed
for Mr. Peak on the list of stockholders who beneficially own greater than 5% of the Companys
stock. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 113,750 shares which are currently exercisable
or will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 8,333 shares which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 18,750 shares which are currently exercisable or
will be exercisable within 60 days of October 10, 2008. |
22
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 requires our officers and directors and persons who
own more than 10% of our Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with
the SEC. These persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section
16(a) reports they file. Based on our review of the copies of such reports, we believe that all
officers and directors of the Company were in compliance with such filing requirements during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. On or about September 20, 2007, Sellers Capital Master Fund, Ltd.
(Sellers) filed a Form 3 and Form 4 with the SEC reporting purchase and sale transactions from
March 6, 2007, when Sellers first acquired 10% of our Common Stock, through September 4, 2007.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Charles M. Reimer, a director of the Company, is President of Freeport LNG Development, L.P.
(Freeport LNG), a limited partnership formed to develop a 1.5 billion cubic feet per day
(Bcf/d) liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in Freeport, Texas. On February 5,
2008, the Company sold its 10% limited partnership interest in Freeport LNG. for $68.0 million
to a third party. The Company does not have any remaining interest in Freeport LNG.
In
February 2008, the Company purchased 16,000 options from Darrell
W. Williams for $882,550 and 10,000
shares of Contango common stock from Jay D. Brehmer for $663,900. Both Mr. Williams and Mr.
Brehmer were directors of the Company . The Company also purchased
50,000 options from Lesia Bautina,
8,333 options from Sergio Castro and 25,000 options from Marc Duncan,
all executive officers of the Company, for $3,117,000, $456,982 and
$1,466,000, respectively.
Related Person Transaction Policies and Procedures
The Company has instituted policies and procedures for the review, approval and
ratification of related person transactions as defined under SEC rules and regulations. Our
Audit Committee Charter requires management to inform the Audit Committee of all related
person transactions. In order to identify any such transactions, among other measures, the
Company requires its directors and officers to complete questionnaires identifying
transactions with any company in which the officer or director or their family members may
have an interest. In addition, our Code of Ethics requires that the Audit Committee review
and approve any related person transaction before it is consummated.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The
Audit Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors,
which met four times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The Audit Committee
consists of three members, Jay D. Brehmer (Chairman), Charles M. Reimer and Steven L. Schoonover,
each of which is independent as defined in Section 803(A) of the American Stock Exchange listing
standards. The Board of Directors has designated Mr. Brehmer as the audit committee financial
expert as defined by SEC rules. The Audit Committee assists, advises and reports regularly to the
Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities related to:
|
|
|
The integrity of the Companys financial statements |
|
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The Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements |
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The independent auditors qualifications and independence |
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The performance of the Companys outside auditors |
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In meeting its responsibilities, the Audit Committee is expected to provide an open channel of
communication with management, the outside auditors and the Board. The Audit Committees
specific responsibilities are set forth in its charter, as amended. The Audit Committee Charter
was amended February 16, 2006.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Contangos audited consolidated balance sheet
as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 and consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders
equity for the three years ended June 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 with Contangos management. The
Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, Contangos independent auditors, the matters
required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, (concerning the
accounting methods used in the financial statements).
The Audit Committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from
Grant Thornton LLP required by Independent Standards Board No. 1 (concerning matters that may
affect an auditors independence), and has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP their independence.
Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Contangos Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This report is submitted on behalf of the Audit Committee.
Jay D. Brehmer, Chairman
Charles M. Reimer
Steven L. Schoonover
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS IN 2009
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at next years annual meeting of
stockholders must be received by Kenneth R. Peak at Contango Oil & Gas Companys principal office
located at 3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960, Houston, Texas 77098 no later than June 23, 2009. If
the date of the annual meeting for 2009 is moved by more than 30 days from the date of this years
Annual Meeting, then the deadline for receiving stockholder proposals shall be a reasonable time
before the Company begins to print and mail the proxy statement for the 2009 annual meeting.
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ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES FOR NEXT YEARS ANNUAL MEETING
The Company advises stockholders that, until further notice, June 23, 2009 is the date after
which notice of a stockholder-sponsored proposal submitted outside the processes of Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e. a proposal to be presented at the next annual
meeting of stockholders that has not been submitted for inclusion in the Companys Proxy Statement)
will be considered untimely under the SECs proxy rules.
OTHER PROPOSED ACTIONS
The Board is not aware of any other business that will come before the Annual Meeting, but if
any such matters are properly presented, the proxies solicited hereby will be voted in accordance
with the best judgment of the persons holding the proxies. All shares represented by duly executed
proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting.
AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN
THIS PROXY STATEMENT REFERS TO CERTAIN DOCUMENTS OF THE COMPANY THAT ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR
DELIVERED HEREWITH. SUCH DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM THIS PROXY
STATEMENT IS DELIVERED, UPON ORAL OR WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHOUT CHARGE, DIRECTED TO KENNETH R. PEAK,
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY, 3700 BUFFALO SPEEDWAY, SUITE 960, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098, TELEPHONE
NUMBER (713) 960-1901. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD
BE MADE BY NOVEMBER 7, 2008.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Kenneth R. Peak
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
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[Form of Proxy]
CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
CALLED FOR NOVEMBER 12, 2008
The undersigned stockholder(s) of CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, having
received the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement dated October 14, 2008,
hereby appoints Kenneth R. Peak as Proxy, with the power to appoint a substitute and hereby
authorizes him to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CONTANGO OIL &
GAS COMPANY to be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, at 3700 Buffalo
Speedway, Second Floor, Houston, Texas 77098, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all
shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote thereat on all matters set
forth below, as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL OF THE DIRECTORS NOMINATED
BY THE BOARD AND FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS. THE PERSON NAMED AS PROXY WILL USE HIS DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER REFERRED
TO IN PROPOSAL 3. THIS PROXY IS REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED.
IMPORTANT PLEASE SIGN ON THE OTHER SIDE
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(1) THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
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[ ] FOR all nominees listed
below, except as indicated to
the contrary below.
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[ ] AUTHORITY WITHHELD
to vote for all nominees listed
below.
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Nominees:
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Kenneth R. Peak
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Jay D. Brehmer
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Steven L. Schoonover
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B.A. Berilgen
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Charles M. Reimer |
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(Instruction: To vote against any nominee, write that nominees name in the space provided below.)
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(2) |
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Ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP independent public accountants for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. |
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[ ] FOR
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[ ] AGAINST
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[ ] ABSTAIN |
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(3) |
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IN HIS DISCRETION, THE PROXY IS AUTHORIZED
TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING |
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PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS |
PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING PREPAID |
ENVELOPE. |
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Dated:
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, 2008 |
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Signature |
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Signature |
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(Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.
When joint tenants hold shares, both should sign.
When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please set
forth your full title. If signer is a
corporation, please sign the full corporate name
by president or other authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.) |