def14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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 Rule 14a-11 (c) or Rule 14a-12. |
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
(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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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 amount on which filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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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 offering fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of the filing. |
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Amount previously paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
Notice of 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement
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Please Complete, Sign, Date
And Return Your Proxy Promptly |
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006
10:00 A.M.
Westin Stonebriar Resort
1549 Legacy Drive
Frisco, Texas 75034
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
5300 TOWN AND COUNTRY BLVD.
SUITE 500
FRISCO, TEXAS 75034
April 14, 2006
Dear Comstock Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Comstock Resources,
Inc. The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at the Westin
Stonebriar Resort at 1549 Legacy Drive in Frisco, Texas. Your Board of Directors and management
look forward to greeting those of you who are able to attend in person. We have included a map and
directions to the meeting site on the back page of this proxy statement.
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You will find enclosed the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders on the following page
that identifies two proposals for your action. |
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At the meeting we will present a report on Comstocks 2005 operating results and on
other matters of interest to you. |
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You will find enclosed our 2005 Annual Report, which includes our financial
statements. |
Your vote is important. The Board of Directors appreciates and encourages stockholder
participation in Comstocks affairs. Whether or not you can attend the meeting, please read the
Proxy Statement carefully, then sign, date and return the enclosed proxy promptly in the envelope
provided, so that your shares will be represented at the meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Sincerely,
M. Jay Allison
Chairman of the Board and President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
5300 Town and Country Blvd.
Suite 500
Frisco, Texas 75034
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 10, 2006
The 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Comstock Resources, Inc. will be held at the Westin
Stonebriar Resort at 1549 Legacy Drive in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at 10:00
a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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To elect two Class C directors to serve a term of three years until their successors
are duly elected and qualified; |
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To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for 2006; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any
adjournments thereof. |
You must be a stockholder of record at the close of business on April 12, 2006 to be entitled
to vote at the annual meeting.
Your participation in Comstocks affairs is important. Our officers will be present to
respond to questions from stockholders. To ensure your representation, if you do not expect to be
present at the meeting, please sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return to us promptly. A
stamped envelope has been provided for your convenience. The prompt return of proxies will ensure
a quorum and save us the expense of future solicitation.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Roland O. Burns
Secretary
April 14, 2006
IMPORTANT
TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD
AND RETURN IT AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF
MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON, YOU MAY
WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
Frisco, Texas 75034
PROXY STATEMENT FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 10, 2006
INTRODUCTION
Our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to encourage your participation in the voting
at the annual meeting and to obtain your support on the proposals being voted on. You are invited
to attend the annual meeting and vote your shares directly. However, even if you do not attend,
you may vote by proxy, which allows you to direct another person to vote your shares at the meeting
on your behalf. Our principal executive offices are located at 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite
500, Frisco, Texas 75034.
This Proxy Solicitation
There are two parts to this solicitation: the proxy card and this proxy statement. The proxy
card is the means by which you actually authorize another person to vote your shares in accordance
with your instructions. We are first sending the notice, this proxy statement, and the proxy card
on or about April 14, 2006 to all stockholders entitled to vote.
This proxy statement provides you with a variety of information on the proposals and other
matters that you may find useful in determining how to vote. It is divided into six sections
following this Introduction:
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Voting, page 2 |
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, page 3 |
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Proposals to be Voted Upon, page 4 |
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Corporate Governance Matters, page 6 |
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Executive Compensation, page 8 |
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Other Matters, page 15 |
For your reference, a table showing the performance of our common stock over the past five
years is included on page 14.
We are soliciting your proxy for the 2006 annual meeting and will pay for soliciting these
proxies. Our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by
other electronic means of communication. We have also retained American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company to assist in distributing proxy solicitation materials. We will reimburse brokers and
other nominees for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in forwarding these proxy materials
to you if you are a beneficial owner.
The Annual Meeting
The annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the Westin Stonebriar Resort in
Frisco, Texas, beginning at 10:00 a.m. local time. A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a
valid meeting. A majority of our common stock must be represented at the annual meeting, whether
in person or by proxy, for a quorum to exist.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in determining whether or not there is a
quorum at the annual meeting. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker votes on some matters on the
proxy card but not on other matters because he does not have the authority to do so. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will not be counted when tabulating the votes cast on the election of the
directors.
Stockholders
On April 12, 2006, we had 42,980,762 issued and outstanding shares of common stock, held by
352 holders of record and approximately 18,600 beneficial stockholders. Such shares are
eligible to vote at the annual meeting.
You are entitled to one vote at the annual meeting for each share of our common stock that you
owned of record at the close of business on April 12, 2006. The number of shares you own (and may
vote) is listed on the enclosed proxy card.
VOTING
How to Vote Your Shares
You may vote your shares at the annual meeting in person or by proxy. To vote in person, you
must attend the annual meeting, and obtain and submit a ballot, which will be provided at the
meeting. To vote by proxy, you must complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card.
The proxy card is fairly simple to complete, with specific instructions right on the card. By
completing and submitting it, you will direct the designated persons (known as proxies) to vote
your shares at the annual meeting in accordance with your instructions. The Board of Directors has
appointed M. Jay Allison and Roland O. Burns to serve as the proxies for the annual meeting.
Your proxy will be valid only if you sign, date and return it so that it is received before
the annual meeting. If you complete all of the proxy card except the voting instructions, then the
designated proxies will vote your shares for the election of the nominated directors and for
the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. If any
nominee for election to the Board of Directors is unable to serve, which is not anticipated, or if
any other matters properly come before the meeting, then the designated proxies will vote your
shares in accordance with their best judgment. The Board of Directors knows of no matters, other
than those described above, to be presented for consideration at the annual meeting.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by any of the following means:
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Notifying our Corporate Secretary in writing of such revocation; |
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Submitting a properly completed and later dated proxy; or |
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Attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Your attendance at the annual
meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy; you must vote your shares at the meeting for
your proxy to be revoked. |
Where to Find Voting Results
We will publish the voting results in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter
of 2006, which we intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) in
August 2006.
2
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth stockholder information as of April 12, 2006, for persons known
to us to be large stockholders (5% or more), directors or executive officers. Ownership of our
common stock is shown in terms of beneficial ownership. A person generally beneficially owns
shares if he or she has either the right to vote those shares or dispose of them. More than one
person may be considered to beneficially own the same shares. In this proxy statement, unless
otherwise noted, a person has sole voting and dispositive power for those shares shown as
beneficially owned by him or her. Shares shown as beneficially owned by our directors or executive
officers include shares that they have the right to acquire by exercising options on or before June
11, 2006. The percentages shown in this proxy statement compare the persons beneficially owned
shares with the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding on April 12, 2006
(42,980,762 shares) plus the number of unissued shares as to which such person has the right to
acquire voting or dispositive power on or before June 11, 2006.
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Shares Beneficially Owned |
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Name of Beneficial Owner(1) |
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M. Jay Allison |
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1,910,604 |
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4.3 |
% |
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Roland O. Burns |
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647,722 |
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1.5 |
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Director, Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
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Mack D. Good |
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80,000 |
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Chief Operating Officer |
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David K. Lockett |
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33,536 |
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Director |
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Cecil E. Martin, Jr. |
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41,399 |
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Director |
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Stephen E. Neukom |
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51,000 |
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Vice President of Marketing |
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Richard G. Powers |
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26,000 |
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Vice President of Land |
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Daniel K. Presley |
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77,500 |
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Vice President of Accounting |
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Richard D. Singer |
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20,000 |
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Vice President of Financial Reporting |
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David W. Sledge |
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64,864 |
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Director |
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Michael W. Taylor |
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35,000 |
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Vice President of Corporate Development |
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Nancy E. Underwood |
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38,000 |
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Director |
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All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (12 Persons) |
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3,035,625 |
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6.8 |
% |
Wellington Management Company, LLP(4) |
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3,062,921 |
(3) |
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7.1 |
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The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.(5) |
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2,532,625 |
(3) |
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5.9 |
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Neuberger Berman, Inc.(6) |
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2,266,200 |
(3) |
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5.3 |
% |
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Indicates less than one percent. |
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Unless otherwise noted, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Comstock Resources,
Inc., 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco, Texas 75034. |
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Includes shares issuable pursuant to stock options which are presently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of April 12, 2006 in the following amounts: Mr.
Allison1,050,000 shares; Mr. Burns318,750 shares; Mr. Lockett-30,000 shares; Mr.
Martin-30,000 shares, Mr. Neukom-22,500 shares; Mr. Presley50,000 shares; Mr.
Sledge30,000 shares; Ms. Underwood-30,000 shares; and all executive officers and
directors1,561,250 shares. |
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Represents shares held on December 31, 2005, based on filing on Schedule 13G filings
dated February 14, 2006. |
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The address of Wellington Management Company, LLP is 75 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. |
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The address of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is 249 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15222. |
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The address of Neuberger Berman, Inc. is 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158. |
3
PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED UPON
(1) Election of Directors
On the agenda for the annual meeting will be the election of two Class C directors each to
serve a term of three years beginning at this annual meeting. The nominees receiving the greatest
number of votes cast will be elected. So, if you do not vote for a particular nominee on your
proxy card, your vote will not count either for or against the nominee. A broker non-vote
will also have no effect on the outcome since only a plurality of votes actually cast is required
to elect a director. Our Board of Directors presently consists of six members comprised of three
classes (Class A, B and C). Directors are elected in classes to serve terms of three years. The
current Class C directors, whose terms will expire at the annual meeting, are Roland O. Burns and
David K. Lockett. The Class A directors, whose terms expire in 2007, are Cecil E. Martin, Jr. and
Nancy E. Underwood. The Class B directors, whose terms expire in 2008, are M. Jay Allison and
David W. Sledge.
The Board of Directors has nominated Roland O. Burns and David K. Lockett for re-election to
the Board of Directors.
Nominees for Three-Year Term
ROLAND O. BURNS, (46) Director, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
Mr. Burns has been our Senior Vice President since 1994, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
since 1990 and our Secretary since 1991 and a director since 1999. Mr. Burns also serves as Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Bois dArc Energy, Inc. From 1982 to 1990,
Mr. Burns was employed by the public accounting firm, Arthur Andersen. During his tenure with
Arthur Andersen, Mr. Burns worked primarily in the firms oil and gas audit practice. Mr. Burns
received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Mississippi in 1982 and is a Certified Public
Accountant.
DAVID K. LOCKETT, (51) Director
Mr. Lockett has served as a director since 2001. Mr. Lockett has been a Vice President of
Dell Inc. and has managed Dells Small and Medium Business Group since 1996. Mr. Lockett has been
employed by Dell Inc. for the last 13 years and has spent the past 25 years in the technology
industry. Mr. Lockett also serves as a director of Bois dArc Energy, Inc. Mr. Lockett received a
B.B.A. degree from Texas A&M University in 1976.
Directors Continuing in Office
M. JAY ALLISON, (50) President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Mr. Allison has been a director since 1987, and our President and Chief Executive Officer
since 1988. Mr. Allison was elected Chairman of our Board of
Directors in 1997. From 1987 to 1988,
Mr. Allison served as our Vice President and Secretary. From 1981 to 1987, he was a practicing oil
and gas attorney with the firm of Lynch, Chappell & Alsup in Midland, Texas. He received B.B.A.,
M.S. and J.D. degrees from Baylor University in 1978, 1980 and 1981, respectively. Mr. Allison
also serves as Chairman of the Board of directors of Bois dArc Energy, Inc. and currently serves
on the Board of Regents for Baylor University and on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army in
Dallas, Texas.
4
CECIL E. MARTIN, JR., (64) Director
Mr. Martin has served as a director since 1989. Mr. Martin is an independent commercial real
estate investor who has primarily been managing his personal real estate investments since 1991.
From 1973 to 1991, he also served as Chairman of a public accounting firm in Richmond, Virginia.
Mr. Martin also serves as a director of Bois dArc Energy, Inc. and was recently appointed to the
board of directors of Crosstex Energy, Inc. and Crosstex Energy, L.P. Mr. Martin holds a B.B.A.
degree from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
DAVID W. SLEDGE, (49) Director
Mr. Sledge has served as a director since 1996. Mr. Sledge is presently managing personal oil and
gas investments. He served as an area operations manager for Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. from May
2004 until January 2006. From October 1996 until May 2004, Mr. Sledge managed his personal
investments in oil and gas exploration activities. Mr. Sledge is a past director of the
International Association of Drilling Contractors and is a past chairman of the Permian Basin
chapter of this association. Mr. Sledge also serves as a director of Bois dArc Energy, Inc. He
received a B.B.A. degree from Baylor University in 1979.
NANCY E. UNDERWOOD, (55) Director
Ms. Underwood has served as a director since 2004. Ms. Underwood is owner and President of
Underwood Financial Ltd., a position she has held since 1981. Ms. Underwood holds B.S. and J.D.
degrees from Emory University and practiced law at an Atlanta, Georgia based law firm before
joining Underwood Development Corporation in 1981. Ms. Underwood is involved civically in the
Dallas community and currently serves on the boards of the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
Foundation, the Dallas Historical Society and the Dallas County Advisory Board of the Salvation
Army.
There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the re-election of Mr. Burns and Mr.
Lockett. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be so voted unless stockholders specify
otherwise in their proxies.
(2) Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the audit committee, has appointed Ernst &
Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial
statements for 2006. Stockholders are being asked to ratify this appointment. Ernst & Young LLP
has served in this capacity since 2003. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be
present at the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to
do so, and will be available to answer your questions.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR such ratification. Proxies solicited
by the Board of Directors will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise in their proxies.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present or
represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary for ratification of the
appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.
5
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Board of Directors has adopted a set of corporate governance guidelines and a code of
business conduct and ethics. The governance principles and the code are available on our website
at www.comstockresources.com, and are available upon written request to our corporate secretary.
Determinations of Director Independence
Under rules adopted by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), we must have a majority of
independent directors. No board member qualifies as independent unless the Board of Directors
affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with us (either directly or
as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us). In
evaluating each directors independence, the Board of Directors considers all relevant facts and
circumstances and relationships and transactions between each director, his or her family members
or any business, charity or other entity in which the director has an interest in us, our
affiliates, or our executives. As a result of this review, the Board of Directors affirmatively
determined that Mr. Lockett is independent from us and our management. Of the directors continuing
in office, the Board has determined that Messrs. Martin and Sledge and Ms. Underwood are
independent according to the NYSEs rules.
Board of Director Meetings and Committees
Our Board of Directors held seven meetings during 2005. We have four standing committees: the
audit committee, the compensation committee, the corporate governance / nominating committee and
the executive committee. During 2005, the audit committee held five meetings and the executive
committee, the compensation committee and the corporate governance / nominating committee each held
one meeting. All of our directors attended all of the board and their respective committee
meetings during 2005. All of our directors are strongly encouraged to attend the annual meeting of
stockholders. All of our directors attended the 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. Each of the
independent directors presides at the executive sessions of non-management directors on a rotating
basis.
Adoption of Written Charters
Effective July 31, 2003, the Board of Directors adopted new charters for the audit committee,
the compensation committee and the corporate governance / nominating committee. A copy of the
charter for each committee is available on our website at www.comstockresources.com. The
charters of these committees are also available upon written request to our corporate secretary.
The Audit Committee
The primary responsibility of the audit committee is to assist the Board of Directors in
overseeing management and the independent registered public accounting firm in fulfilling their
responsibilities in the financial reporting process of our company. The members of the audit
committee are Messrs. Martin (Chairman), Lockett and Sledge.
The Board of Directors, in its reasonable business judgement, has determined that all three
members of the audit committee are independent under the listing standards of the NYSE and the
rules of the Commission. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Martin is an
audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the Commission. Please read the Audit Committee Report included in this proxy
statement for additional information.
6
Compensation Committee
The primary duties of the compensation committee are to assist the Board of Directors in
establishing remuneration arrangements for executive officers and directors and to administer our
executive compensation programs. The members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Sledge
(Chairman), Lockett and Martin.
The Board of Directors, in its reasonable business judgement, has determined that all three
members of the compensation committee are independent under the listing standards of the NYSE and
the rules of the Commission. None of the members of the compensation committee are, or have been,
employees of Comstock, or are employees of any entity for which an executive officer serves on the
Board of Directors. Please read the Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation,
included in this proxy statement for additional information.
Corporate Governance / Nominating Committee
The primary duties of the corporate governance / nominating committee are to assist the Board
of Directors in identifying and evaluating candidates for members on our Board of Directors and to
nominate candidates for election to our Board of Directors. The members of the corporate
governance / nominating committee are Messrs. Lockett (Chairman), Sledge and Ms. Underwood.
The Board of Directors, in its reasonable business judgement, has determined that all three
members of the corporate governance / nominating committee are independent under the listing
standards of the NYSE and the rules of the Commission.
Director Nominations Process
As indicated above, the nominating functions of the Board of Directors are handled by the
corporate governance / nominating committee pursuant to its charter. In evaluating nominees for
membership on the board, the corporate governance / nominating committee applies the board
qualification standards set forth in our corporate governance guidelines. Under these
qualification standards, the corporate governance / nominating committee will take into account
many factors, including education, business, governmental and civic experience, diversity,
communication, interpersonal and other required skills, independence, wisdom, integrity, an
understanding and general acceptance of our current corporate philosophy, a valid business or
professional knowledge and experience that can bear on our problems and deliberations, an inquiring
mind, the willingness to speak ones mind and ability to challenge and stimulate management, future
orientation and the willingness to commit the required time and energy.
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although
the corporate governance / nominating committee may consider such other factors as it may deem are
in the best interests of us and our stockholders. The corporate governance / nominating committee
evaluates each individual in the context of the Board of Directors as a whole, with the objective
of recommending nominees who can best perpetuate the success of the business, be an effective
director in conjunction with the full board, and represent stockholder interests through the
exercise of sound judgement using their diversity of experience in these various areas.
Our corporate governance / nominating committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the
Board of Directors, and whether any vacancies on the board are expected due to retirement or
otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the corporate
governance / nominating committee will consider various potential candidates who may come to the
attention of the committee through current board members, professional search firms, stockholders
or other persons. Each candidate brought to the attention of the corporate governance / nominating
committee, regardless of who recommended such candidate, is considered on the basis of the criteria
set forth in our corporate governance guidelines.
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As stated above, the corporate governance / nominating committee will consider candidates
proposed for nomination by our stockholders. Stockholders may propose candidates by submitting the
candidates name and qualifications for board membership to: Corporate Governance / Nominating
Committee, care of Roland O. Burns, Corporate Secretary, Comstock Resources, Inc., 5300 Town and
Country Boulevard, Suite 500, Frisco, Texas 75034. Although the corporate governance / nominating
committee does not require the stockholder to submit any particular information regarding the
qualifications of the stockholders candidate, the level of consideration that the corporate
governance / nominating committee will give to the stockholders candidate will be commensurate
with the quality and quantity of information about the candidate that the nominating stockholder
makes available to the committee.
Director Compensation
In 2005, our non-employee directors received directors fees of $52,500 per year. In
addition, the chairman of each committee received an additional retainer as follows: audit -
$30,000, compensation $12,500 and corporate governance / nominating $6,000. In 2006, the
director fees for our non-employee directors will increase to $55,500. The additional retainer
paid to the chairman of each committee will remain the same, except the additional retainer to be
paid to the audit committee chairman which was increased to $40,000. Each director also receives
an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock when the director is initially elected or
appointed to the Board of Directors and receives an option grant each year at the annual meeting to
purchase an additional 10,000 shares of common stock. In addition, we reimburse our directors for
expenses, including travel, they incur in connection with attending board or committee meetings.
Our executive officers do not receive additional compensation for serving on the Board of
Directors.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers, directors and
persons who own more than 10% of our common stock to file with the Commission and the NYSE initial
reports of ownership of our common stock and other equity securities, and reports of certain
transactions in our securities. Such persons are required by the Commission regulations to furnish
us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. The Commission regulations require us to
identify anyone who filed a required report late during the most recent fiscal year. Based upon a
review of these records and amendments thereto, all of these filing requirements for 2005 were
timely met.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This section provides summary information regarding the compensation of M. Jay Allison, our
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and our four most highly compensated
officers other than Mr. Allison, who are Roland O. Burns, our Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer; Mack D. Good, our Chief Operating Officer; Richard G.
Powers, our Vice President of Land; and Michael W. Taylor, our Vice President of Corporate
Development (collectively, the named executive officers).
The named executive officers had their salaries reviewed and established in 2005 for 2006.
This is consistent with our compensation principles for executive officers which is described in
more detail in the Compensation Committees Report on Executive Compensation on page 11. In 2006,
the named executive officers received cash bonuses for their performance in 2005. In 2005, we
awarded a total of 296,000 shares of restricted stock to the named executive officers. The
executive officers receive medical, group life insurance and other benefits including matching
contributions under our 401(k) plan that are available generally to all of our salaried employees.
8
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation earned during each of our
last three fiscal years by each of the named executive officers.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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Long-Term Compensation |
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Restricted |
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Stock |
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Annual Compensation($) |
|
Stock |
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Option |
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All Other |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Other(1) |
|
Awards ($) |
|
Awards (#) |
|
Compensation (6) |
M. Jay Allison, |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
393,750 |
|
|
$ |
2,045,459 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
6,012,500 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
80,317 |
|
President and Chief |
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2004 |
|
|
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375,000 |
|
|
|
1,188,054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,403,000 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
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76,288 |
|
Executive Officer |
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2003 |
|
|
|
345,000 |
|
|
|
1,126,209 |
|
|
|
|
|
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5,460,000 |
(4) |
|
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|
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72,338 |
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Roland O. Burns, |
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2005 |
|
|
$ |
267,500 |
|
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$ |
678,553 |
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$ |
|
|
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$ |
2,437,500 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
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$ |
44,688 |
|
Senior Vice President and |
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2004 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
534,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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4,201,200 |
(3) |
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|
|
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|
38,750 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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2003 |
|
|
|
202,000 |
|
|
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433,153 |
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|
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2,184,000 |
(4) |
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36,050 |
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Mack D. Good, |
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2005 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
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$ |
300,000 |
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$ |
|
|
|
$ |
975,000 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
26,750 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
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2004 |
|
|
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175,000 |
|
|
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215,000 |
|
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|
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1,001,500 |
(5) |
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23,750 |
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2003 |
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159,000 |
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180,000 |
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30,000 |
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21,825 |
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Richard G. Powers, |
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2005 |
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|
$ |
168,000 |
|
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
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$ |
195,000 |
(2) |
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$ |
21,150 |
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Vice President of Land |
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2004 |
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160,000 |
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135,000 |
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|
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|
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400,600 |
(5) |
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20,500 |
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|
|
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2003 |
|
|
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151,000 |
|
|
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130,000 |
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23,000 |
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19,650 |
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Michael W. Taylor, |
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2005 |
|
|
$ |
177,500 |
|
|
$ |
190,000 |
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$ |
|
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$ |
325,000 |
(2) |
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$ |
21,675 |
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Vice President of |
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2004 |
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169,000 |
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136,000 |
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500,750 |
(5) |
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20,950 |
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Corporate Development |
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2003 |
|
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164,000 |
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130,000 |
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|
|
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22,500 |
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21,550 |
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(1) |
|
The value of all perquisites provided to each executive officer by us did not exceed the
lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such officers salary and bonus for the year. |
|
(2) |
|
Restricted stock grants in 2005 were made to Messrs. Allison, Burns, Good, Powers and Taylor
for 185,000 shares, 75,000 shares, 30,000 shares, 6,000 shares and 10,000 shares,
respectively. Such shares vest on January 1, 2010. |
|
(3) |
|
Restricted stock grants in 2004 were made to Mr. Allison and Mr. Burns for 100,000 shares and
40,000 shares, respectively. These shares vest on January 1, 2009. The value of these
restricted stock grants on the date of grant were $2,003,000 and $801,200 for Mr. Allison and
Mr. Burns, respectively. Also reflected in restricted stock awards in 2004 are 1,000,000
Class C units in Bois dArc Energy, LLC which was at the time of grant a 60% owned subsidiary,
which were awarded to each of Mr. Allison and Mr. Burns. The value of the Class C unit awards
to each of Mr. Allison and Mr. Burns was determined to be $3,400,000 based on a report
prepared by an independent valuation specialist. The Class C units were converted to 500,000
shares of restricted stock of Bois d Arc Energy, Inc. in connection with Bois dArc
Energys conversion to a corporation and initial public offering and vest over a five-year
period with service to Bois dArc Energy. |
|
(4) |
|
Restricted stock grants in 2003 were made to Mr. Allison and Mr. Burns for 300,000 shares and
120,000 shares, respectively. One-third of such grants vest on each of January 1, 2006, 2007
and 2008. |
|
(5) |
|
Restricted stock grants in 2004 were made to Messrs. Good, Powers and Taylor for 50,000
shares, 20,000 shares and 25,000 shares, respectively. One-fourth of such shares vest on
January 1, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. |
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(6) |
|
This amount represents matching contributions under our 401(k) profit sharing plan and life
insurance policy premiums paid by us for the benefit of our executive officers pursuant to our
Executive Life Insurance Plan. Participants in this plan will, upon retirement, receive an
assignment of the policies including their full cash surrender value. Therefore, these
amounts represent the full premiums we paid for these policies. |
9
None of the named executive officers were granted stock options for our common stock
during 2005.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of our named
executive officers option exercises in 2005 and unexercised options at December 31, 2005.
OPTION EXERCISES IN 2005/OPTIONS HELD AT YEAR END
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Number of Securities |
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Value of Unexercised |
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Shares |
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Underlying Unexercised |
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In-the-Money Options |
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Acquired on |
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Value |
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Options at Fiscal Year End |
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at Fiscal Year End(1) |
Name |
|
Exercise |
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Realized |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
M. Jay Allison |
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525,000 |
|
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$10,373,836 |
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1,050,000 |
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$24,529,300 |
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Roland O. Burns |
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100,000 |
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$1,937,330 |
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318,750 |
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$7,547,831 |
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Mack D. Good |
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93,000 |
|
|
|
$1,677,048 |
|
|
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Richard G. Powers |
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
$3,029,228 |
|
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Michael W. Taylor |
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|
144,000 |
|
|
|
$2,478,252 |
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|
(1) |
|
The last sale price for a share of common stock as reported by the NYSE on
December 31, 2005 was $30.51 and the exercise price of the options in the table ranged from
$3.88 to $18.20 per share. |
Employment Agreements
Effective June 1, 2002, we entered into employment agreements with M. Jay Allison, our
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Roland O. Burns, our Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Under the agreements, we have agreed to employ each of
Messrs. Allison and Burns for a term of three years. As of each anniversary of the agreements, the
agreements will automatically be extended for an additional year, so that the remaining term of the
agreements will be three years as of each June 1. The agreements provide that the base salary for
Messrs. Allison and Burns will be no less than $425,000 and $290,000, respectively. Each of the
agreements provides for the payment of severance benefits if the employee is terminated without
cause, in an amount equal to 150% of his salary and bonus for the fiscal year, plus continued
medical benefits for 18 months. If there is a change of control of Comstock and the executive
terminates employment within six months thereafter (or is terminated by Comstock without cause at
any time thereafter), the severance benefit payable to the employee is 300% of his salary and
highest annual bonus.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
In 2001, we adopted a supplemental retirement plan called the Executive Life Insurance
Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide supplemental retirement benefits to all of our
executive officers. Under this plan, we contribute five percent (5%) of each participants annual
compensation to purchase a variable universal life insurance policy. During employment, the
participants may designate a beneficiary to receive payment of the death benefit (reduced by the
amount of the premiums paid by us, which are repaid to us), but have no other rights of ownership
in the policy. Upon a participants retirement on or after four years of service or upon a change
of control of Comstock, the policy will be transferred to the participant.
10
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Program Components
Our philosophy is to provide a comprehensive compensation program to attract, retain and
reward key members of management who contribute to our success and to motivate the management team
in the development and execution of current and long-term business strategies and goals. The three
primary components of our executive compensation are base salary, cash bonuses and stock-based
incentives. Stock options and restricted stock grants are made available to key employees under
the 1999 Long-term Incentive Plan. Executives also participate in certain benefit plans available
to all salaried employees. We believe that a significant portion of our executive officers
compensation should be linked to our stocks performance and, in keeping with that objective, a
substantial portion of the compensation package is comprised of restricted stock grants.
Comstocks strategic results in 2005 exceeded the Board of Directors goals for the year. In view
of these results, the compensation committee believes the compensation paid to our executive
officers in 2005 was appropriate.
Base Salary
In 2005, base salaries for executive officers were based upon the individuals
responsibilities, experience and expected performance, taking into account among other things, the
individuals initiative, contributions to Comstocks overall performance, managerial ability and
handling of special projects. These same factors are applied by the Chief Executive Officer, with
the assistance of the executive officers, to establish base salaries for other key management
employees. Base salaries for executive officers generally are reviewed annually for possible
adjustment, but are not necessarily changed that often. The compensation committee also uses
industry comparisons to ensure that the base salaries for the executive officers remain competitive
in keeping with the objective of retaining key members of management.
Bonuses
In 2005, the compensation committee approved cash bonuses for its executive officers
based on Comstocks performance during 2005. The compensation committee reviewed the 2005 bonus
awards to employees that were recommended by our Chief Executive Officer and approved them without
change.
Stock-Based Awards
Comstocks named executive officers and other key employees are eligible to receive
stock-based awards under the 1999 Long-term Incentive Plan. The objectives of the plan are to
attract and retain key employees, and to motivate them to achieve long-range goals. Awards in 2005
to executive officers consisted entirely of restricted stock grants. Other key employees received
stock options. Because employees compensation from stock-based awards is based on our stock price
performance, the compensation committee believes stock-based awards create a strong incentive to
improve long-term financial performance and increase shareholder value. Stock-based awards are
forfeitable if such individuals do not remain employees for the vesting period, which is typically
a four to five-year period.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
For his performance in 2005, a cash bonus of $2.0 million was paid to Mr. Allison. As
with all executive officers, Mr. Allisons bonus compensation is linked to individual performance
and our corporate performance. Mr. Allison also received a long-term award of restricted stock
grants of 185,000 shares which will not vest until January 1, 2010. Based upon the strategic
accomplishments of Comstock and the individual achievement of Mr. Allison, the compensation
committee believes that the salary, bonus and restricted share awards to Mr.
11
Allison are fair and
competitive. Comstock achieved a number of strategic objectives under Mr. Allisons leadership
during 2005 including a $191 million strategic acquisition, a $121 million stock offering and the
completion of the initial public offering of Bois dArc Energy, Inc. (Bois dArc Energy).
$1 Million Deduction Limit
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally limits the
corporate income tax deduction for compensation paid to each executive officer shown in the summary
compensation table in the proxy statement of a public company to $1 million, unless the
compensation is performance-based compensation and qualifies under certain other exceptions. Our
policy is primarily to design and administer compensation plans which support the achievement of
long-term strategic objectives and enhance shareholder value. Where it is consistent with our
compensation philosophy, the compensation committee will also attempt
to structure compensation programs that are tax-advantageous to us. Awards of stock
options under the 1999 Long-term Incentive Plan qualify as performance based compensation. The
restricted stock awards and our cash compensation do not qualify.
Bois dArc Energy, Inc.
Comstock owns 48% of Bois dArc Energy, a publicly-held company which conducts
exploration, development and production operations in state and federal waters of the Gulf of
Mexico. At Bois dArc Energys formation in 2004, Messrs. Allison and Burns received awards of
options and restricted units in Bois dArc Energy. Other than the options and restricted units
granted in connection with the formation in 2004, Bois dArc Energy has not paid any salary, bonus
or other compensation to Mr. Allison and Mr. Burns. In 2005, Comstock received $150,000 in
compensation for financial, human resources and administration services that it provided to Bois
dArc Energy.
Submitted
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
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David W. Sledge, Chairman
David K. Lockett
Cecil E. Martin, Jr.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
As of December 31, 2005, the following persons served on the compensation committee:
David W. Sledge (chairman), David K. Lockett and Cecil E. Martin, Jr. None of the members of the
compensation committee are, or have been, employees of Comstock or are employees of any entity for
which an executive officer serves on the Board of Directors.
Audit Committee Report
The audit committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing: (1) the integrity of
Comstocks financial statements, (2) Comstocks compliance with legal and regulatory requirements,
(3) the independence, qualifications and performance of Comstocks independent registered public
accounting firm and (4) Comstocks performance of its internal audit function. The Board of
Directors has made a determination that the members of the audit committee satisfy the requirements
of the NYSE listing standards as to independence, financial literacy and experience. The Board of
Directors also determined that Mr. Martin is an audit committee financial expert, as defined by
the rules of the Commission. In 2003, the Audit Committee established a procedure for receiving
and addressing anonymous complaints regarding financial or accounting irregularities. The Audit
Committee set up a toll free ethics and compliance hotline managed by an independent third party.
This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to enable employees to communicate concerns
to management without fear of retaliation.
12
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of
Comstocks financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal
controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws
and regulations. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing
an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Consistent with its oversight role, the audit committee met with Ernst & Young
LLP with and without management present to discuss the results of their examinations and
evaluations of Comstocks internal controls. The audit committee also reviewed and discussed
Comstocks progress on complying with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Boards Auditing Standard No. 2 regarding the audit of internal
control over financial reporting.
Ernst & Young LLP served as Comstocks independent registered public accounting firm
during 2005, and the audit committee has recommended, and the Board of Directors has approved, the
reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
for 2006. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the annual meeting and will have
the opportunity to make a statement and respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
In performing its oversight role, the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the
audited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm.
The committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with
Audit Committees, as currently in effect. The committee has received the written disclosures and
the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by Independence Standards Board No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as currently in effect, and has discussed with Ernst & Young
LLP, the firms independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to in the above paragraph, the audit
committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The members of the audit committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of
auditing or accounting for Comstock and are not experts in auditor independence standards. Members
of the audit committee rely without independent verification on the information provided to them
and on the representations made by management and Comstocks registered public accounting firm.
Accordingly, the audit committees oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine
that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or
appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting
standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the audit committees considerations
and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of Comstocks financial statements
has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial
statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or that Ernst
& Young LLP is in fact independent. The independent registered public accounting firm is
responsible for performing an audit of the financial statements and of managements assessment the
effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the
standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
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Cecil E. Martin, Jr., Chairman
David K. Lockett
David W. Sledge
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13
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder
return on our common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2005 with the cumulative return
on the New York Stock Exchange Index and an index composed of all publicly traded oil and gas
companies within SIC Code 1311, consisting of 212 companies. The graph assumes that $100 was
invested in each category on the last trading day of 2000 and that dividends, if any, were
reinvested.
Value of $100 Investment made on December 31, 2000:
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|
|
2001 |
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
2005 |
Comstock |
|
$ |
47 |
|
|
$ |
63 |
|
|
$ |
131 |
|
|
$ |
149 |
|
|
$ |
207 |
|
Public Oil & Gas
Producers |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
287 |
|
New York Stock Exchange |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
118 |
|
14
OTHER MATTERS
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Fees
We have retained Ernst & Young LLP as our registered public accounting firm, as recommended by
the audit committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
The table set forth below indicates the amounts billed by Ernst & Young LLP during 2004 and
2005 for services provided to us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
2005 |
Audit fees |
|
$ |
555,992 |
|
|
$ |
636,604 |
|
Audit related fees1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax fees2 |
|
|
63,395 |
|
|
|
16,260 |
|
All other fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
619,387 |
|
|
$ |
652,864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements. |
|
(2) |
|
Tax fees include fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
Audit Committees Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures
The audit committees policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit
services, audit related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is detailed as to
the particular service or category of service and is subject to a specific engagement
authorization. The audit committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and
management to report on the actual fees charged for each category of service at audit committee
meetings throughout the year.
During the year, circumstances may arise when it becomes necessary to engage the independent
registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original
pre-approval. In those instances, the audit committee requires specific pre-approval authority
from the chairman of the audit committee, who must report on such approvals at the next scheduled
audit committee meeting.
All fiscal year 2005 audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered
public accounting firm were pre-approved.
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Stockholder Proposals
Any stockholder who desires to submit a proposal for presentation at the 2007 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders and wishes to have such proposal (a Rule 14a-8 Proposal) included in our proxy
materials, must submit the Rule 14a-8 Proposal to us at our principal executive offices no later
than December 21, 2006, unless we notify the stockholder otherwise. Only those Rule 14a-8
Proposals that are timely received by our Corporate Secretary and proper for stockholder action
(and otherwise proper) will be included in our proxy materials.
Any stockholder who desires to submit a proposal for action at the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, but does not wish to have such proposal (a Non-Rule 14a-8 Proposal) included in our
proxy materials, must submit such Non-Rule 14a-8 Proposal to Comstock at our principal executive
offices no later than March 4, 2007, unless we notify the stockholder otherwise. If a Non-Rule
14a-8 Proposal is not received on or before March 4, 2007, then we intend to exercise our
discretionary voting authority with respect to Non-Rule 14a-8
Proposals. Discretionary voting
authority is the ability to vote proxies that stockholders have executed and returned to us, on
matters not specifically reflected in our proxy materials, and on which stockholders have not had
an opportunity to vote by proxy.
Written request for inclusion of any stockholder proposal should be addressed to: Roland O.
Burns, Corporate Secretary, Comstock Resources, Inc., 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500,
Frisco, Texas 75034. Comstock recommends that such proposal be sent by certified mail with return
receipt requested.
There were no stockholder proposals submitted for the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Householding Information
Unless we have received contrary instructions, we may send a single copy of this proxy
statement and notice of annual meeting to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if
we believe the stockholders are members of the same family. Each stockholder in the household will
continue to receive a separate proxy card. This process, known as householding, reduces the
volume of duplicate information received at any one household and helps to reduce our expenses.
However, if stockholders prefer to receive multiple sets of our disclosure documents at the same
address this year or in future years, the stockholders should follow the instructions described
below, and we will send a separate copy to each stockholder.
If the shares are registered in the name of the stockholder, the stockholder should contact us
at 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco, Texas 75034, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone
number (800) 877-1322 to inform us of their request. If a bank, broker or other nominee holds the
shares, the stockholder should contact the bank, broker or other nominee directly.
Stockholder Communications
Interested parties may communicate directly with the entire Board of Directors or with our
outside directors by submitting a letter addressed to the member or members of the Board of
Directors to whom the communication is addressed, to Roland O. Burns, Corporate Secretary, Comstock
Resources, Inc., 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco, Texas, 75034. All such
communications, other than unsolicited commercial solicitations or communications, will be
forwarded to the appropriate director for review.
16
Annual Report
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the
SEC, will be sent to any stockholder without charge upon request. You may forward written requests
to Investor Relations, Comstock Resources, Inc., 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco,
Texas, 75034. Oral requests may be made by calling our principal executive offices at (800)
877-1322. Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K is also available on the SECs website
www.sec.gov http://www.sec.gov and our
website www.comstockresources.com.
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Roland O. Burns
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Secretary |
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Frisco, Texas
April 14, 2006
17
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 10, 2006
10:00 a.m.
at the Westin Stonebriar Resort
Directions to the
Westin Stonebriar Resort
1549 Legacy Drive
Frisco, Texas 75034
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 10, 2006
The undersigned hereby appoints M. Jay Allison and Roland O. Burns, and each of them with full power of substitution, attorneys, agents and proxies of the
undersigned to vote as directed on the reverse the shares of stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Comstock Resources, Inc. to be held Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at
10:00 a.m. and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote upon or act with respect to such shares of stock
and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys, their
substitutes, or any of them, may lawfully do by virtue hereof.
(To be Signed on Reverse Side.)
FORM OF PROXY
XPLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
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WITHHOLD |
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FOR ALL |
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AUTHORITY FOR |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT |
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NOMINEES |
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ALL NOMINEES |
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(See instructions below) |
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1.
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Election of
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NOMINEES: |
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Two (2) Class C
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Roland O. Burns |
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Directors(term
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David K. Lockett |
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expires in 2009):
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INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for the individual nominee, mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill in the circle
next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: X
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Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for 2006. |
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3. |
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In their discretion on such other matters which may properly come before this meeting. |
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 and 2.
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. If your stock is jointly owned, both parties must sign.
Fiduciaries and representatives should so indicate when signing, and when more than one is named, a majority should sign.