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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 Section 240.14a-12 |
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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. |
(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which the transaction applies: |
(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: |
(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
(5) |
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 offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: |
(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
(3) |
Filing Party: |
(4) |
Date Filed: |
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To elect three Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2011, or until their successors are elected and qualify; |
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To ratify the reappointment of Hein & Associates LLP as independent auditors for 2008; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly be presented at the meeting or at any adjournment(s) of the meeting. |
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the Companys 2008 Proxy Statement; |
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the proxy card; |
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the Companys Annual Report to Shareholders and Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007; and |
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any amendments to the foregoing materials that are required to be furnished to shareholders. |
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To elect three Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2011, or until their successors are elected and qualify; |
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To ratify the reappointment of Hein & Associates LLP as independent auditors for 2008; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournment(s) of the meeting. |
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giving written notice of the revocation to Stephen C. Taylor, our President, at Natural Gas Services Group, Inc., 2911 South County Road 1260, Midland, Texas 79706; |
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voting in person at the meeting; or |
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voting again by submitting a new proxy card bearing a later date. |
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FOR the proposal to elect the three nominated Directors for terms expiring 2011, as set forth on page 4 of this Proxy Statement; and |
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FOR the proposal to ratify the reappointment of Hein & Associates LLP as independent auditors for 2008, as set forth on page 33 of this Proxy Statement. |
Terms Expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting |
Terms Expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting |
Terms Expiring at the 2010 Annual Meeting |
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Charles G.
Curtis Gene A. Strasheim Stephen C. Taylor |
William F. Hughes, Jr. Alan A. Baker |
Paul
D. Hensley John W. Chisolm Richard L. Yadon |
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assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities as they relate to our accounting policies, internal controls, financial reporting practices and legal and regulatory compliance; |
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hiring independent auditors; |
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monitoring the independence and performance of our independent auditors; |
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maintaining, through regularly scheduled meetings, a line of communication between the Board, our financial management and independent auditors; and |
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overseeing compliance with our policies for conducting business, including ethical business standards. |
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assisting the Board in overseeing the management of our human resources; |
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evaluating our Chief Executive Officers performance and compensation; |
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formulating and administering our overall compensation principles and plans; and |
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evaluating management. |
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generally overseeing the governance of the Board and its committees; |
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interpreting the Governance Guidelines, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other similar governance documents adopted by the Board; and |
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overseeing the evaluation of the Board and its committees. |
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identifying individuals qualified to become board members, consistent with the criteria approved by the Board; |
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recommending Director nominees and individuals to fill vacant positions; and |
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overseeing executive development and succession and diversity efforts. |
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we will comply with all laws, rules and regulations; |
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our Directors, officers and employees are to avoid conflicts of interest and are prohibited from competing with us or personally exploiting our corporate opportunities; |
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our Directors, officers and employees are to protect our assets and maintain our confidentiality; |
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we are committed to promoting values of integrity and fair dealing; and that |
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we are committed to accurately maintaining our accounting records under generally accepted accounting principles and timely filing our periodic reports. |
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rewards performance and talents necessary to advance our company objectives and further the interests of our shareholders; |
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is fair and reasonable and appropriately applied to each executive officer; and |
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is competitive with compensation programs offered by our competitors. |
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provide a competitive level of current annual income that attracts and retains qualified executives at a reasonable cost to us; |
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retain and motivate executives to accomplish our company goals; |
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provide long-term incentive compensation opportunities at levels appropriate for the respective responsibilities and performance of each executive; |
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align compensation and benefits with our business strategies and goals; |
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encourage the application of a decision making process that takes into account both short-term and long-term risks and the sometimes volatile nature of our industry; and |
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align the financial interests of our executives with those of our shareholders through the potential grant of equity based rewards. |
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base salary; |
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cash bonuses under our incentive cash bonus program; |
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stock option grants; |
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retirement and other benefits generally available to all of our employees; and |
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limited perquisites. |
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stock awards; |
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defined benefit pension plans; |
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tax gross-ups; |
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employee stock purchase/ownership plans; |
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supplemental executive retirement plans/benefits; or |
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deferred compensation plans. |
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our general knowledge of executive compensation levels in the natural gas compression industry; |
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each executives individual performance and the overall performance of Natural Gas Services Group; and |
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specific company financial metrics and the application of specific weights to such metrics. |
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the individual performance, leadership, business knowledge and level of responsibility of our officers; |
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the particular skill-set and longevity of service of the officer; |
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the effectiveness of the officer in implementing our overall strategy; |
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the general level of competitive compensation packages; |
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cash flows from operations; |
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earnings per share; |
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our market share in the rental of natural gas compression units; and |
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the market value of our common stock. |
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total revenues; |
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EBITDA; and |
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net income before taxes. |
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total revenues; |
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EBITDA; and |
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net income before taxes. |
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($)(1) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (2) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
Total ($) |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(a) |
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(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
|
(i) |
|
(j) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen C.
Taylor |
2007 |
$ | 207,982 | | | $ | 270,106 | (4) | $ | 89,250 | | $ | 10,168 | $ | 577,506 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman, |
2006 |
173,615 | | | 216,000 | (5) | 87,500 | | 8,994 | 486,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
President and
Chief |
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Executive
Officer |
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Earl R.
Wait |
2007 |
112,500 | | | 12,023 | (6) | 33,469 | | 19,766 | 177,758 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice
President |
2006 |
100,769 | | | | 39,375 | | 18,490 | 158,634 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounting |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul D.
Hensley |
2007 |
130,500 | | | | 43,078 | (7) | | 12,582 | 186,160 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Director, |
2006 |
130,500 | | | | 50,680 | (8) | | 13,551 | 194,731 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice
President Technology |
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James R.
Hazlett |
2007 |
115,000 | | | | 34,213 | | 9,573 | 158,786 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice
President |
2006 |
105,615 | | | | 40,250 | | 7,723 | 153,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical
Services |
(1) |
The amounts in column (f) reflect the dollar amounts recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, in accordance with FAS 123(R), associated with stock option grants under our 1998 Stock Option Plan and the stock option grant to Mr. Taylor under his employment agreement and thus include amounts associated with grants made in 2007 and prior to 2007. Assumptions used to calculate these amounts are included in footnote 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and in footnote 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. |
(2) |
The amounts in column (g) reflect the cash bonus awards to the named executive officers under our Incentive Cash Bonus Program, which is discussed in further detail on page 14 under the caption Short-Term Incentives Incentive Cash Bonus Program. |
(3) |
The amounts shown in column (i) include matching contributions made by Natural Gas Services Group to each named executive officer under our 401(k) plan and the aggregate incremental cost to Natural Gas Services Group of perquisites provided to our named executive officers as follows: |
Name |
|
Year |
|
Automobile Allowance |
|
Personal Use of Company Provided Automobiles |
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Additional Incremental Portion of Health Insurance Premiums Paid for Officers Only |
|
401(k) Plan |
|
Total (a) |
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Stephen C.
Taylor |
2007 |
$ | | $ | 1,237 | $ | 956 | $ | 5,690 | $ | 10,168 | |||||||||||||||
2006 |
| 4,566 | 927 | 1,766 | 8,994 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Earl R.
Wait |
2007 |
9,000 | | 4,727 | 3,564 | 19,766 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
9,000 | | 4,581 | 2,909 | 18,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Paul D.
Hensley |
2007 |
| 2,145 | 3,651 | 3,915 | 12,582 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
| 3,464 | 2,895 | 4,582 | 13,551 | |||||||||||||||||||||
James R.
Hazlett |
2007 |
| 923 | 4,727 | 1,393 | 9,573 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
| 1,041 | 4,582 | | 7,723 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
2007 |
$ | 9,000 | $ | 4,305 | $ | 14,061 | $ | 14,562 | $ | 52,089 | |||||||||||||||
2006 |
$ | 9,000 | $ | 9,071 | $ | 12,985 | $ | 9,257 | $ | 48,758 |
(a) |
The amounts reflected in this column include a nominal cash Christmas bonus paid to each of the named executive officers in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007. |
(4) |
This amount reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, in accordance with FAS 123(R), for 15,000 shares of common stock that vested on January 13, 2007 under the stock option granted to Mr. Taylor in August 2005 under his employment agreement and for 7,500 shares of common stock that vested on November 21, 2007 under the stock option granted to Mr. Taylor on November 21, 2006 under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(5) |
This amount reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, in accordance with FAS 123(R), for 15,000 shares of common stock that vested on January 13, 2006 under the stock option granted to Mr. Taylor in August 2005 under his employment agreement. |
(6) |
This amount reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, in accordance with FAS 123(R), for 1,666 shares of common stock that vested on November 21, 2007 under the stock option granted to Mr. Wait on November 21, 2006 under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(7) |
This amount reflects the cash bonus awarded to Mr. Hensley under Natural Gas Services Groups Incentive Cash Bonus Program. Pursuant to the employment agreement between Mr. Hensely and Screw Compression Systems, Inc., our former subsidiary, which expired according to its own terms on January 3, 2008, the amount awarded to Mr. Hensley was calculated using a base salary of $126,700 and a target award opportunity of up to 40%. |
(8) |
This amount reflects the cash bonus awarded to Mr. Hensley under Natural Gas Services Groups Incentive Cash Bonus Program. Pursuant to the employment agreement between Mr. Hensely and Screw Compression Systems, Inc., our former subsidiary, which expired according to its own terms on January 3, 2008, the amount awarded to Mr. Hensley was calculated using a base salary of $126,700 and a target award opportunity of up to 40%. |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
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Name (a) |
|
Grant Date (b) |
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Threshold ($) (c) |
|
Target ($) (d) |
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Maximum ($) (e) |
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Threshold (#) (f) |
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Target (#) (g) |
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Maximum (#) (h) |
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All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (i) |
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All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Option (#) (j) |
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Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) (k) |
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Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (l) |
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Stephen C.
Taylor |
N/A |
|
$ | 105,000 | $ | 105,000 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Earl R.
Wait |
N/A |
|
$ | 39,375 | $ | 39,375 | |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Paul D.
Hensley |
N/A |
|
$ | 50,680 | $ | 50,680 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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James R.
Hazlett |
N/A |
|
$ | 40,250 | $ | 40,250 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
No amounts are shown in column (c) because there is no minimum bonus amount under our Incentive Cash Bonus Program, or the IBP. The amounts shown in column (d) reflect the product of the target award opportunity for each executive under our IBP, times the executives base salary and are based on the assumption that all three components of the company financial objective portion of the IBP (total revenues, EBITDA and net income before taxes) will be met and each executive will receive the full amount of the individual performance portion of the IBP. The amounts shown in column (e) match the amounts shown in column (d) because there are no circumstances under which any executive would be entitled to a cash bonus award under the IBP that exceeds the target amount. These amounts are based on each executives current salary and position. More information regarding the IBP and the calculation of awards is provided under the caption Short-Term Incentives Incentive Cash Bonus Program on page 14. |
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
|
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares of Stock that Have Not Vested ($) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares or Other Rights that Have Not Vested (#) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares or Other Rights that Have Not Vested ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
|
(i) |
|
(j) |
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Stephen C.
Taylor |
30,000 |
15,000 | (1) | 0 | $ | 9.22 | 8/06/2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7,500 |
7,500 | (2) | 0 | $ | 14.22 | 11/21/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earl R.
Wait |
15,000 |
0 | 0 | $ | 3.25 | 4/12/2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1,666 |
3,334 | (3) | 0 | $ | 14.22 | 11/21/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul D.
Hensley |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
James R.
Hazlett |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(1) |
This portion of the stock option granted to Mr. Taylor in August 2005 became fully exercisable on January 13, 2008. |
(2) |
This portion of the stock option granted to Mr. Taylor in November 2006 will become fully exercisable on November 21, 2008. |
(3) |
Under terms of the stock option granted to Mr. Wait in November 2006, 1,666 shares became exercisable on November 21, 2007; 1,666 shares will become exercisable on November 21, 2008; and the remaining 1,668 shares will become fully exercisable on November21, 2009. |
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
|
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized on Vesting |
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(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
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Stephen C.
Taylor |
0 | $ | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Earl R.
Wait |
2,500 | 32,139 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
700 | 10,262 | ||||||||||||||||||
323 | 4,738 | ||||||||||||||||||
200 | 2,950 | ||||||||||||||||||
200 | 2,952 | ||||||||||||||||||
100 | 1,480 | ||||||||||||||||||
300 | 4,443 | ||||||||||||||||||
677 | 10,053 | ||||||||||||||||||
Paul D.
Hensley |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
James R.
Hazlett |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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for cause; |
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the mental or physical incapacity or inability of Mr. Taylor to perform his duties for a period of 120 or more consecutive days or for multiple periods totaling 180 or more days during any twelve-month period; |
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the death of Mr. Taylor; or |
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the voluntary retirement or resignation of Mr. Taylor. |
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the dissolution, merger or consolidation of Natural Gas Services Group; |
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the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Natural Gas Services Group; |
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the recapitalization or any other type of transaction which resulted in 51% or more of the common stock of Natural Gas Services Group being changed into, or exchanged for, different securities of Natural Gas Services Group, or other securities in other entities; or |
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any change in the duties, functions, responsibilities or authority of Mr. Taylor or any decrease in his base salary. |
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a single lump sum cash payment equal to 200% of his base salary; |
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immediate vesting of all unvested stock options; |
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continued health care and insurance benefits and premium payments for a period of 18 months from the date of termination; |
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bonuses or individual incentive compensation not yet paid but earned prior to the year of termination; |
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bonuses or individual incentive compensation earned during the fiscal year, prorated to reflect the date of termination; and |
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immediate vesting of 100% of all other compensation plans or bonus or incentive plans that Mr. Taylor contributed to at the date of termination, except to the extent covered by the benefits listed above. |
Potential Payments and other Benefits upon a Change of Control or Severance |
|
Fundamental Change |
|
Termination Upon Fundamental Change |
|
Voluntary Resignation or Retirement |
|
Death |
|
Incapacity or Inability to Perform Duties |
|
Termination for Cause |
|
Termination Without Cause |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compensation: |
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Salary |
$ | | $ | 420,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 420,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Short-Term
Incentive Compensation-Cash Bonus Under IBP |
| 105,000 | | | | | 105,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term
Incentive Stock Option Grants |
54,106 | 54,106 | 54,106 | 54,106 | 54,106 | | 54,106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
401(k)
Plan |
| 8,583 | | | | | 8,583 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medical
Benefits |
| 5,209 | | | | | 5,209 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Life
Insurance Benefits |
| 1,135 | | | | | 1,135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 54,106 | $ | 594,033 | $ | 54,106 | $ | 54,106 | $ | 54,106 | | $ | 594,033 |
Name | Fees Earned Or Paid ($)(1) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($)(2)(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
||||||||||||||||
Charles G.
Curtis |
$ | 18,750 | | $ | 24,695 | | | | $ | 43,445 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gene A.
Strasheim |
25,000 | (4) | | 24,695 | | | | 49,695 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
William F.
Hughes |
18,750 | | 24,695 | | | | 43,445 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Richard L.
Yadon |
18,750 | | 24,695 | | | | 43,445 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Alan A.
Baker |
18,750 | | 24,695 | | | | 43,445 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
John W.
Chisholm |
18,750 | | 24,695 | | | | 43,445 |
(1) |
Our non-employee Directors are paid a quarterly cash fee for their attendance at each meeting of our Board of Directors. The cash fee payable to our non-employee Directors is $3,750 per quarter. Each of our non-employee Directors received a cash fee payment of $3,750 for each quarter in 2007 totaling $15,000. Additionally, each of our non-employee Directors received the cash fee of $3,750 payable to him for the last quarter of 2006 during the first quarter of 2007. |
(2) |
On December 31, 2007, each of our non-employee Directors was granted a stock option to purchase 2,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $19.61 per share, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2007. These stock options were granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. The stock options are exercisable for a term of ten years from the date of grant and are exercisable immediately upon being granted. |
(3) |
The amounts set forth in column (d) represent the dollar amounts we recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for 2007 in accordance with FAS 123(R) with respect to the stock options granted to our non-employee Directors. The grant date fair value, as calculated in accordance with FAS 123(R), for the stock options granted to our non-employee Directors in 2007 was $24,695 for each option grant. |
(4) |
Mr. Strasheim served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee in 2007, and as a result, he received an additional cash fee of $1,250 per quarter, totaling $5,000. Additionally, Mr. Strasheim was paid a cash fee of $1,250 for his services as Chairman of the Audit Committee payable in the fourth quarter of 2006 during the first quarter of 2007. |
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a Director, officer or employee of Natural Gas Services Group or a nominee to become a Director; |
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an owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock; |
|
certain family members of any of the above persons; and |
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any entity in which any of the above persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in which such person has a 5% or greater ownership interest. |
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the related partys relationship to Natural Gas Services Group and interest in the transaction; |
|
the material terms of the proposed transaction; |
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the benefits to Natural Gas Services Group of the proposed transaction; |
|
the availability of other sources of comparable properties or services; and |
|
whether the proposed transaction is on terms comparable to terms available to an unrelated third party or to employees generally. |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) |
Percent of Class |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alan A.
Baker 2702 Briar Knoll Court Sugar Land, Texas 77479 |
5,000 | (2) | * | |||||||
John W.
Chisholm 539 Green Isle Beach Montgomery, Texas 77356 |
5,000 | (3) | * | |||||||
Charles G.
Curtis 1 Penrose Lane Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 |
78,857 | (4) | * | |||||||
Paul D.
Hensley 3005 N. 15th Street Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 |
326,829 | 2.70 | % | |||||||
William F.
Hughes, Jr. 42921 Normandy Lane Lancaster, California 93536 |
205,000 | (5) | 1.69 | % | ||||||
Gene A.
Strasheim 165 Huntington Place Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 |
15,000 | (6) | * | |||||||
Stephen C.
Taylor 2911 South County Road 1260 Midland, Texas 79706 |
53,500 | (7) | * | |||||||
Richard L.
Yadon 4444 Verde Glen Ct. Midland, Texas 79707 |
212,000 | (8) | 1.75 | % | ||||||
Earl R.
Wait |
40,036 | (9) | * | |||||||
2911 South
County Road 1260 |
||||||||||
Midland, Texas
79706 |
||||||||||
James R.
Hazlett 2911 South County Road 1260 Midland, Texas 79706 |
51,976 | * | ||||||||
Keeley Asset
Management Corp. 401 South LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois 60605 |
1,560,000 | (10) | 12.91 | % | ||||||
All Directors
(and nominees) and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
993,198 | (11) | 8.13 | % |
* |
Less than one percent. |
(1) |
The number of shares listed includes all shares of common stock owned by, or which may be acquired within 60 days of April 22, 2008 upon exercise of warrants and options held by the shareholder (or group). Beneficial ownership is calculated in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares of common stock are held directly with sole voting and investment powers. As of April 22, 2008, none of the shares of common stock owned by our officers and Directors had been pledged as collateral to secure repayment of loans. |
(2) |
Includes 2,500 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of a stock option granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(3) |
All of such shares of common stock may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(4) |
Includes 15,000 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(5) |
Includes 190,500 shares of common stock indirectly owned by Mr. Hughes through the William and Cheryl Hughes Family Trust and 12,500 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are co-trustees of the William and Cheryl Hughes Family Trust and have shared voting and investment powers with respect to the shares held by the trust. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are beneficiaries of the trust along with their two children. |
(6) |
Includes 10,000 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(7) |
Includes 52,500 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted to Mr. Taylor as an inducement for his employment and under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(8) |
Includes 12,500 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(9) |
Includes 16,666 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. |
(10) |
As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2008, Keeley Asset Management Corp., an investment adviser, and Keeley Small Cap Value Fund, Inc., an investment company, have shared voting and dispositive powers with respect to such shares. |
(11) |
Includes 126,666 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options. |
A. |
Purpose |
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the integrity of the Companys financial statements; |
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the Companys financial reporting process; |
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the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
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the independent auditors qualifications and independence; and |
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the performance of the Companys internal audit function and independent auditors. |
B. |
Structure and Membership |
l. |
Number. The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three members of the Board of Directors. |
2. |
Independence. Except as otherwise permitted by the applicable rules of the American Stock Exchange, each member of the Audit Committee shall be independent as defined by such rules. |
3. |
Financial Literacy. Each member of the Audit Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Companys balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, at the time of his or her appointment to the Audit Committee. In addition, at least one member must have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individuals financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors (in which case disclosure of such determination shall be made in the Companys annual report filed with the SEC), at least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an audit committee financial expert (as defined by applicable SEC rules). |
4. |
Chair. Unless the Board of Directors elects a Chair of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee shall elect a Chair by majority vote. |
5. |
Compensation. The compensation of Audit Committee members shall be as determined by the Board of Directors. No member of the Audit Committee may receive, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than fees paid in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board. |
6. |
Selection and Removal. Members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may remove members of the Audit Committee from such committee, with or without cause. |
C. |
Authority and Responsibilities |
The Audit Committee shall discharge its responsibilities, and shall assess the information provided by the Companys management and the independent auditor, in accordance with its business judgment. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Companys financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the Companys financial statements and for reviewing the Companys unaudited interim financial statements. The authority and responsibilities set forth in this Charter do not reflect or create any duty or obligation of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct any audit, to determine or certify that the Companys financial statements are complete, accurate, fairly presented, or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or applicable law, or to guarantee the independent auditors report. |
1. |
Selection. The Audit Committee shall be solely and directly responsible for appointing, evaluating, retaining and, when necessary, terminating the engagement of the independent auditor. In its evaluation of the independent auditor, the Audit Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the full Board of Directors. The Audit Committee shall also, with respect to its review of the independent auditor, review and evaluate the lead partner and other senior members of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee shall take into account the opinions of management and the Companys internal auditors. The Audit Committee may, in its discretion, seek stockholder ratification of the independent auditor it appoints. |
2. |
Independence. The Audit Committee shall take, or recommend that the full Board of Directors take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the independent auditor. In connection with this responsibility, the Audit Committee shall obtain and review a formal written statement from the independent auditor describing all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company, including the disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. The Audit Committee shall actively engage in dialogue with the independent auditor concerning any disclosed relationships or services that might impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor. |
3. |
Additional Independence Procedures. The Audit Committee shall: |
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confirm the regular rotation of the lead audit partner and reviewing partner as required by Section 203 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
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confirm that the CEO, controller, CFO (or other persons serving in similar capacities) were not employed by the independent auditor, or if employed, did not participate in any capacity in the audit of the Company, in each case, during the one-audit-year period preceding the date of initiation of the audit, as required by Section 206 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and |
|
annually consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, there should be regular rotation of the independent audit firm. |
4. |
Quality Control Review. Obtain and review a report from the independent auditor at least annually regarding (a) the auditors internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues raised by the most recent quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, (c) any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and (d) all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor, including considering whether the auditors quality controls are adequate and whether |
the types of non-audit services provided are compatible with maintaining the auditors independence. |
5. |
Compensation. The Audit Committee shall have sole and direct responsibility for setting the compensation of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee is empowered, without further action by the Board of Directors, to cause the Company to pay the compensation of the independent auditor established by the Audit Committee. As part of its evaluation of compensation for the independent auditor, the Audit Committee shall compare the fees paid for audit services to those paid by peer companies as a means of assessing whether the scope of audit work is sufficient. |
6. |
Preapproval of Services. The Audit Committee shall preapprove all audit services to be provided to the Company, whether provided by the principal auditor or other firms, and all other services (review, attest and non-audit) to be provided to the Company by the independent auditor; provided, however, that de minimis non-audit services may instead be approved in accordance with applicable SEC rules. |
7. |
Oversight. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee shall have sole and direct responsibility for overseeing the work of the independent auditor, including resolution of disagreements between Company management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. In connection with its oversight role, the Audit Committee shall, from time to time as appropriate, receive and consider the reports required to be made by the independent auditor regarding: |
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critical accounting policies and practices; |
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alternative treatments within generally accepted accounting principles for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed with Company management, including ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; and |
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other material written communications between the independent auditor and Company management. |
8. |
Review and Discussion. The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with the Companys management and independent auditor the Companys audited financial statements, including the matters about which Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU §380) requires discussion and the disclosure under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
9. |
Recommendation to Board Regarding Financial Statements. The Audit Committee shall consider whether it will recommend to the Board of Directors that the Companys audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. |
10. |
Audit Committee Report. The Audit Committee shall prepare an annual committee report for inclusion where necessary in the proxy statement of the Company relating to its annual meeting of security holders. |
11. |
Independent Auditor Review of Interim Financial Statements. The Audit Committee shall direct the independent auditor to use its best efforts to perform all reviews of interim financial information prior to disclosure by the Company of such information and to discuss promptly with the Audit Committee and the Chief Financial Officer any matters identified in connection |
with the auditors review of interim financial information which are required to be discussed by applicable auditing standards. The Audit Committee shall direct management to advise the Audit Committee in the event that the Company proposes to disclose interim financial information prior to completion of the independent auditors review of interim financial information. |
12. |
Earnings Release and Other Financial Information. The Audit Committee shall discuss generally the types of information to be disclosed in the Companys earnings press releases, as well as in financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts, rating agencies and others. |
13. |
Quarterly Financial Statements. The Audit Committee shall discuss with the Companys management and independent auditor the Companys quarterly financial statements, including the Companys disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
14. |
Oversight. The Audit Committee shall coordinate the Board of Directors oversight of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting, the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and the Companys code of conduct. The Audit Committee shall receive and review the reports of the CEO and CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and the applicable rules thereunder) and Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act. |
15. |
Procedures for Complaints. The Audit Committee shall establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
16. |
Related-Party Transactions. The Audit Committee shall review all related party transactions on an ongoing basis, and all such transactions must be approved by the Audit Committee. |
17. |
Additional Powers. The Audit Committee shall have such other duties as may be delegated from time to time by the Board of Directors. |
1. |
Meetings. The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary in order to perform its responsibilities; provided, however, that the Audit Committee shall meet at least quarterly. The Audit Committee may also act by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting (except for its required quarterly meetings.) The Audit Committee shall keep such records of its meetings as it shall deem appropriate. |
2. |
Reports to Board. The Audit Committee shall report regularly to the Board of Directors. |
3. |
Charter. At least annually, the Audit Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter. |
4. |
Independent Advisors. The Audit Committee is authorized, without further action by the Board of Directors, to engage such independent legal, accounting and other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. Such independent advisors may be the regular advisors to the Company. The Audit Committee is empowered, without further action by the Board of Directors, to cause the Company to pay the compensation of such advisors as established by the Audit Committee. |
5. |
Investigations. The Audit Committee shall have the authority to conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the scope of its responsibilities as it shall deem |
appropriate, including the authority to request any officer, employee or advisor of the Company to meet with the Audit Committee or any advisors engaged by the Audit Committee. |
6. |
Funding. The Audit Committee is empowered, without further action by the Board of Directors, to cause the Company to pay the ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. |
7. |
Annual Self-Evaluation. At least annually, the Audit Committee shall evaluate its own performance and report its findings to the Board of Directors. |
NATURAL GAS
SERVICES GROUP, INC. |
Electronic Voting Instructions You can vote by Internet or telephone! Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 28, 2008. |
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Graphic of Computer |
Vote by Internet Log on to the Internet and go to www.investorvote.com/NGS Follow the steps outlined on the secured website. |
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Graphic of Telephone |
Vote by telephone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico any time on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call. Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message. |
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. x |
A |
Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2. |
1. |
Election of Directors: |
For |
Withhold |
For |
Withhold |
For |
Withhold |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
01
Charles G. Curtis |
o |
o |
02
Gene A. Strasheim |
o |
o |
03
Stephen C. Taylor |
o |
o |
For |
Against |
Abstain |
||||||||||||
2. Ratification of the Reappointment of Hein & Associates LLP as Independent Auditors for 2008. |
o |
o |
o |
Date
(mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. |
Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. |
Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. |
/ / |