SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT No.)
Filed by
the Registrant [X]
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the
appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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[ ] Confidential,
for Use of the
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Commission
Only (as permitted by
Rule
14a-6 (e) (2)
[X] Definitive
Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive
Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting
Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
Adams
Resources & Energy, 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):
[X] No fee
required.
[ ] 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 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 (Set
forth the amount of which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
(4) Proposed maximum
aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee
paid:
[ ] Fee paid
previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] 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:
ADAMS
RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
4400
POST OAK PARKWAY, SUITE 2700
Houston,
Texas 77027
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May
27, 2009
To our
Stockholders:
Notice is
hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Adams Resources &
Energy, Inc. will be held at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston, Texas,
on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., Houston time, for the following
purposes:
1. Elect
a Board of five Directors; and
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2.
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Transact
such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
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Further
information regarding the meeting and the above proposals is set forth in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. The close of business on April 9, 2009
has been fixed as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled
to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s)
thereof.
By Order
of the Board of Directors
/s/ David B.
Hurst
David B.
Hurst
Secretary
Houston,
Texas
April 9,
2009
NOTICE
REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS
FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING
TO
BE HELD ON MAY 27, 2009.
THE
COMPANY’S PROXY STATEMENT AND THE 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
ARE
ALSO AVAILABLE AT www.adamsresources.com
YOU
ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO BE
PRESENT, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY
PROMPTLY. THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE MAY BE USED FOR THAT
PURPOSE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU CAN VOTE EITHER IN PERSON OR
BY PROXY.
ADAMS
RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
4400
Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700
Houston,
Texas 77027
PROXY
STATEMENT
2009
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To
Be Held May 27, 2009
This
Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy are being furnished to stockholders in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Adams
Resources & Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for use at
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 4400 Post Oak Parkway,
Suite 2700, Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., Houston
time, and any and all adjournments thereof, (such meeting or adjournment(s)
thereof referred to as the “Annual Meeting”), for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy
Statement and the accompanying proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or
about April 9, 2009.
The
Company will pay the cost of solicitation of the proxies. In addition
to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone or
e-mail by directors, officers and employees of the Company, and arrangements may
be made with brokerage houses or other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to
send proxies and proxy material to their principals. Compensation and
expenses of any such firms, which are not expected to exceed $1,000, will be
borne by the Company.
VOTING
SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
At the
close of business on April 9, 2009, the record date of those entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the meeting, the Company had outstanding 4,217,596
shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share ("Common
Stock"). The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock on the record date is necessary to constitute
a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are
counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to
one vote on all issues requiring a stockholder vote at the Annual
Meeting. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes for the election
of directors. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes
of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote cast “AGAINST”
Item 1. Broker non-votes will not be counted in the tabulations of
the votes cast on Item 1 and will have no effect on the outcome of the
vote.
All shares represented by properly
executed or submitted proxies, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the
Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions on the proxies. If
no direction is indicated, the shares will be voted FOR the election as directors
of the nominees listed herein, and in the discretion of the persons named in the
proxy in connection with any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting. The enclosed proxy, even though executed and
returned, may nevertheless be revoked at any time before it is voted by the
subsequent execution and submission of a revised proxy, by written notice of
revocation to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth above or by
voting in person at the meeting. However, simply attending the Annual
Meeting and not voting will not revoke a proxy.
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
persons named as proxy holders in the enclosed proxy have been selected by the
Board of Directors to serve as proxies and will vote the shares represented by
valid proxies at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof. They have indicated that, unless otherwise specified in the
proxy, they intend to vote for the election as director each of the persons
named as a nominee listed below under “Nominees for Director” unless authority
to vote in the election of directors is withheld on each proxy. Each
nominee is currently a member of the Board of Directors. Each duly
elected director will hold office until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
or until his successor shall have been elected and
qualified. Although the Board of Directors of the Company does not
contemplate that a nominee will be unable to serve, if such a situation arises
prior to the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote
for the election of such other person as may be nominated by the Board of
Directors. Proxies cannot be voted in the election of directors for
more than five persons, as that is the number of nominees named
herein.
Nominees
for Director
The Board of Directors unanimously
recommends a vote FOR the election of
the nominees listed below.
For each
of the Company’s directors, the following table sets forth their names, ages,
principal occupations, other directorships of public companies held by them and
length of continuous service as a director.
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Principal
Occupation
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Director
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K.
S. Adams, Jr. (86)
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Chairman
of the Board
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1973
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and
Chief Executive
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Officer
of the Company
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E.
C. Reinauer, Jr. (73)
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International
Project Manager --
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1973
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Development
Alternatives, Inc.
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E.
Jack Webster, Jr. (88)
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Chairman
and CEO of Petrol
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1985
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Properties,
Inc.
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Frank
T. Webster (60)
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President
and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
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2004
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Larry
E. Bell (61)
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Risk
Manager --Frontier Oil Corporation
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2006
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All of
the directors other than Mr. Adams own less than one percent of the class of
shares outstanding. All of the directors have been engaged in
the principal occupations indicated above for the last five
years. There is no family relationship between Mr. E. Jack Webster,
Jr. and Mr. Frank T. Webster.
Independence
The
Company’s Board of Directors is comprised of a majority of independent directors
as defined under NYSE Amex Exchange listing standards. There are no family
relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of the
Company. The listing directors determined by the Board to be
independent are Mr. Reinauer, Mr. E. Jack Webster, Jr. and Mr. Bell. The Board
has determined that none of the designated independent directors has any
relationship that, under NYSE Amex rules, would preclude their service on any of
the standing committees of the Board. In making its determination,
the Board considered transactions and relationships between each director or his
immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries, including those reported
under “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and
“Transactions with Related Persons” below. The purpose of this review
was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were material
and, therefore, inconsistent with a determination that the director is
independent. In addition, the Board requires each of its members and
each of the director nominees to disclose in an annual questionnaire any
relationship they or their family members may have with the Company, its
subsidiaries, its independent accountants, directors and officers within the
past five years. The Board considers any such relationship in making its
determination. Mr. Adams and Mr. Frank T. Webster are considered
inside directors because of their employment with the Company.
Meetings
and Committees of the Board
In 2008,
the Board met four times and all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings
of the Board and the committees on which they served for the period in which
they held office. It is the Company’s policy that all persons
nominated for election to the Board at the time of the annual meeting be present
at such meeting. All directors attended the 2008 annual
meeting. The Board has three standing committees – the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating
Committee.
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Summary
of
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Committee
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Meetings
in
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Audit
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Retains
independent accountants and pre-approves their
services. Reviews and approves financial statements and
internal controls.
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Reinauer,
Jr.*
Bell**
Webster,
Jr.
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Seven
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Compensation
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Evaluates
the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and establishes the
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive
officers.
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Reinauer,
Jr.*
Bell
Webster,
Jr.
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Seven
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Nominating
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Identifies,
considers and recommends to the Board nominees for
directors.
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Reinauer,
Jr.*
Bell
Webster,
Jr.
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One
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______________________________
* Indicates
Committee chair
**
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Mr.
Bell is an independent director and is the Company’s designated Audit
Committee financial expert under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation
S-K.
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The
responsibilities of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating
Committee are described in each of the committees’ respective charters, which
were adopted by the respective committees and the Board. These
committee charters are available on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com. Copies may also be obtained by writing to Investor
Relations, Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite
2700, Houston, Texas 77027.
Nomination
Policy
The
Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors consists of current members
Messrs. Reinauer, E. Jack Webster, Jr., and Bell. Each of the members
of the Nominating Committee is independent, as defined in Section 121A of the
listing standards of the NYSE Amex Exchange.
The
Nominating Committee identifies and recommends to the Board nominees for
directors to be considered at the annual meeting of shareholders or to serve as
replacements in the event of a vacancy on the Board. The Committee
also considers nominees submitted by stockholders to the Secretary of the
Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s Bylaws. You
may obtain a copy of the Bylaws by writing to Adams Resources & Energy,
Inc., 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston Texas 77027,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, David Hurst. The Company’s Bylaws can
also be found on the Company’s website www.adamsresources.com.
In
identifying and evaluating candidates for nomination to the Board, the
Nominating Committee considers several factors, including education, experience,
knowledge, expertise, independence and availability to effectively carry out the
duties of a Board member. The qualifications and backgrounds of
prospective candidates are reviewed in the context of the current composition of
the Board to ensure the Board maintains the proper balance of knowledge,
experience and diversity to effectively manage the Company’s business for the
long-term interests of the shareholders. The Nominating Committee
initially identifies candidates for nomination through its and management’s
general industry contacts. It is not the policy of the Nominating
Committee to consider for nomination any director candidates recommended by
shareholders as no such request has ever occurred. The Nominating
Committee will review its policy position if such a request is
received. Shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors as
described hereinbelow.
In
connection with the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee has recommended the
Directors listed in this proxy.
Communications
with the Board
Any
stockholder may communicate with the Board, a committee of the Board, or any
individual director by sending written communication to them addressed to the
Board of Directors of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., a committee or such
individual director or directors, 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston
Texas 77027, Attention: Investor Relations Manager. All
communications will be forwarded to the Board, the Board Committee or such
individual director or directors in accordance with the request of the
shareholder.
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The
following table provides information regarding the executive officers of the
Company as of
April 9,
2009. The officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the
Board of Directors of the Company.
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K.
S. Adams, Jr.
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86
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Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
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F.
T. Webster
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60
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President and
Chief Operating Officer
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Richard
B. Abshire
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56
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Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
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K.
S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. established his
business interests beginning in 1947 with varying interests including
petroleum products marketing, trucking and oil and gas exploration and
production. Certain of Mr. Adams' personal holdings became the
basis of the Company when it made its initial public offering in
1974. In addition to his involvement with the Company, Mr.
Adams' other activities include farming, ranching, automobile dealerships,
and the National Football League franchise Tennessee
Titans.
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F.
T. “Chip” Webster was elected
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in May
2004. Mr. Webster was previously President and Chief Executive
Officer of Duke Capital Partners, a business unit of Duke
Energy. Prior to joining Duke, he was a partner and managing
director of Andersen’s energy corporate finance group. He also
spent 20 years in energy and corporate banking with First City
Bank-Houston where he was Executive Vice President. He is a member of the
Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Houston Producers’
Forum.
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Richard
B. Abshire joined the Company in 1985 and was previously employed by
Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Abshire is a Certified Public
Accountant in the State of Texas and he serves as the Company’s principal
financial and accounting officer.
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SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
The
following table sets forth the total compensation of the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and each of the Company’s other most highly compensated
executive officers during the three fiscal years ended December
31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, whose total annual salary and bonus for fiscal 2008
exceeded $100,000. There were no pension plans, stock options, shares
of restricted stock or other equity awards granted by the registrant during the
periods presented.
Name
and
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K.
S. Adams, Jr.
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2008
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$ |
236,250 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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$ |
23,666 |
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$ |
359,916 |
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Chairman
and Chief
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2007
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$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
20,462 |
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$ |
495,462 |
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Executive
Officer
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2006
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$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
16,239 |
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$ |
391,329 |
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F.
T. Webster
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2008
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$ |
385,000 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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$ |
23,435 |
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$ |
508,435 |
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President
and
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2007
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$ |
385,000 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
23,617 |
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$ |
658,617 |
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Chief
Operating Officer
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2006
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$ |
378,440 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
22,999 |
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$ |
551,439 |
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Richard
B. Abshire
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2008
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$ |
231,000 |
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$ |
100,000 |
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$ |
17,928 |
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$ |
348,928 |
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Vice
President and
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2007
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$ |
220,000 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
17,707 |
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$ |
487,707 |
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Chief
Financial Officer
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2006
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$ |
220,000 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
17,097 |
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$ |
387,097 |
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(1)
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Other
compensation includes employer matching contributions to the Company’s
401(K) savings plan, a car allowance, reimbursement for club dues and life
and disability insurance premiums. The named executive officers
receive no other perquisites or personal benefits. In 2008, Mr.
Adams received $12,875 in cash reimbursement for club dues. In
2008, Mr. Webster received $10,405 in cash reimbursement for club dues
including a $3,122 tax “gross-up”. Life and disability
insurance premiums paid on behalf of Messrs. Adams, Webster and Abshire
totaled $3,888, $3,829 and $3,527, respectively for
2008.
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Potential Payments
upon Termination or Change in
Control
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Mr. F. T.
Webster entered into an employment agreement with the Company in May
2004. Currently, he is to serve as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company and receive $385,000 as base annual salary through May
13, 2012. Mr. F. T. Webster is eligible to participate in any leave,
insurance and other employee benefit plans of the Company that may be in effect
from time to time for management-level employees. In addition, he is
eligible to earn annual performance bonuses at the sole discretion of the Board
of Directors and separately the Compensation Committee and the recommendation of
the Chairman of the Board. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster’s
employment is terminated due to his death, his estate will be entitled to
receive: (i) any earned and unpaid salary accrued through the date of his death;
(ii) any benefits due to applicable plans and programs of the Company; and (iii)
if applicable, any benefits due under or pursuant to workers
compensation. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster becomes disabled to the
extent that he is unable to perform his duties and responsibilities under his
employment agreement and such disability continues for a period of 90 days or an
aggregate of 120 days during any calendar year, the Company will have the right
to terminate the employment agreement upon 10 days’ prior written
notice. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster’s employment is terminated due
to his disability, Mr. Webster will be entitled to receive: (i) any earned and
unpaid salary accrued through the date of termination; (ii) any benefits due to
applicable plans and programs of the Company; and (iii) any benefits available
to him pursuant to applicable law. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster is
terminated for cause he will be entitled to receive; (i) any earned and unpaid
salary accrued through the date of termination of his employment; (ii) any
benefits due to applicable plans and programs of the Company; and (iii) any
benefits available to him pursuant to applicable law. In the event
Mr. F. T. Webster voluntarily resigns, he will be entitled to receive only any
earned and unpaid salary accrued through the actual date of acceptance of his
resignation by the Board of Directors. In the event Mr. F. T.
Webster’s employment is terminated without cause, he will be entitled to receive
the balance of his salary due under the employment agreement subject to offset
for amounts which he receives due to any other employment or work. If
there is a change of control of the Company and as a result of such change of
control Mr. F. T.
Webster’s employment agreement is terminated, then he will receive the greater
of: (i) the remaining salary due to him under his employment
agreement or (ii) a sum equal to $385,000 less applicable withholdings and
deductions. Mr. Webster is also eligible for three years of
uninterrupted participation in the Company or its successors, medical and dental
plans provided Mr. Webster pays for such plans at the then prevailing employee
rate. Mr. F. T. Webster’s original employment agreement was scheduled to
terminate May 13, 2007. The agreement was amended on various dates
and currently the termination date is extended to May 13, 2012 with all other
terms remaining as described herein. Mr. Webster’s annual base salary
is to remain at the current $385,000 level. Based upon a hypothetical
termination date of December 31, 2008, the severance benefits for Mr. F. T.
Webster would have been as follows:
Termination
due to
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Termination
due to
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Termination
for cause or
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Termination
without
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$1,296,342
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$7,404
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$7,404
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$1,296,346
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Effective
July 25, 2008, the Company entered into a Change of Control and Severance
Agreement with its Chief Financial Officer, Richard B. Abshire. This agreement
will terminate on July 25, 2012 if a Change of Control has not occurred on or
before that date. A Change of Control shall be deemed to have
occurred if KSA Industries, Inc., K. S. Adams, Jr., and their children and
grandchildren own less than 20% of the Company’s Common Stock. This
agreement provides that, if Mr. Abshire’s employment is terminated within 12
months following a Change in Control, by any event other than (i) by the Company
for Cause (as defined), (ii) by reason of death or disability, or (iii) by Mr.
Abshire’s initiative absent Good Reason (as defined), then the Company will pay
Mr. Abshire a lump sum severance payment, in cash, equal to two times Mr.
Abshire’s highest base salary (i.e., annualized regular earning
excluding any bonus) as in effect during the three-year period ending the last
day of the month immediately prior to the month in which the termination
occurs. Under Mr. Abshire’s Change of Control and Severance
Agreement, Cause means (i) with certain exception, Mr. Abshire’s willful and
continued failure to substantially perform his duties with the Company after a
written notice from the Board, or (ii) Mr. Abshire’s willful engaging in conduct
which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or
otherwise. Mr. Abshire will be deemed to have Good Reason if (i)
there is a material reduction or adverse alternation in his authority, duties or
responsibilities, (ii) a material diminution in his base salary, or he is asked
to relocate more than 50 miles from the Company’s current
headquarters. Based on a hypothetical termination date of December
31, 2008, the severance benefits for Mr. Abshire under the provisions of this
Agreement would have been $462,000.
COMPENSATION,
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The
Company’s executive compensation policies are designed to provide aggregate
compensation opportunities for its executive officers that are competitive in
the business marketplace and that are based upon Company and individual
performance.
Compensation
Philosophy
The
Company’s compensation philosophy has the following objectives and executive
compensation levels are determined in consideration thereof:
·
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Establish
and maintain a level of compensation that is competitive within the
Company’s industry.
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·
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Provide
an incentive mechanism for favorable
results.
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·
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Provide
a level of executive compensation that is consistent with the level of
compensation for non-executive
personnel.
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·
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Maintain
a compensation system that is consistent with the objectives of sound
corporate governance.
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Design
of Reward
Together
with the need to retain its executive officers, the Company’s compensation
program is designed to reward and create an incentive for the executive officers
provided the Company’s overall financial condition and liquidity is
sound. Executive compensation as a reward is generally considered as
a group rather than an individual achievement. This approach fosters
a team approach to management.
It is the
policy of the Company to pay all forms of compensation in cash. This
is believed to be the simplest, most readily understood approach and does not
expose the Company to potential future diminution of corporate
value. This policy also removes any issues regarding accounting and
the tax deductibility of executive compensation.
Elements
of Compensation
The
Company’s executive compensation program is comprised of the following
elements:
The
Company utilizes these three elements of executive compensation because these
elements are believed to be the minimum required in order to retain its
executive officer group. Compensation decisions are made solely by
the Company’s Compensation Committee without the use of compensation
consultants. Base salaries are initially determined based on
negotiations occurring at the time of the executive joining the
Company. In subsequent years, such levels may be adjusted based on
current competitive conditions. Discretionary bonuses are used as an
incentive for favorable results. The discretionary bonus may also
serve as a supplement to base salary levels, while allowing the Board to avoid
such expense during a year when earnings do not meet expectations. A
pre-defined formula bonus system is not utilized. This is because the
discretionary approach is believed to better align management with the long-term
interest of the Company rather than toward a set short-term formula
target.
The
determination of a discretionary bonus generally originates with a
recommendation from executive officers based on the Company’s compensation
philosophy. An important consideration for the recommended amount is
the level of salaries and bonuses paid to the Company’s non-executive officer
employees. The Company has a diverse group of non-executive employees
with levels of compensation consistent with industry practices and varying
responsibilities. Recommended bonus amounts are consistent with the
bonus amounts and concepts applied to non-executive employees. The
Compensation Committee retains final approval authority over such recommended
amounts. Discretionary bonuses may be awarded intermittently during
the year as warranted by current results. Such amounts are expensed
as incurred. Discretionary bonuses are anticipated to increase or
decrease with the prevailing trend for consolidated net earnings.
The
Company also provides employee benefits, primarily consisting of a 401(k) Plan
(discussed below) and an employer sponsored medical plan. The
benefits provided the executive officer group are no different than those
offered to non-executive employees. The Company does not provide
stock options or other common stock incentives. The Company does not
offer a defined benefit pension plan.
Perquisites
The Company provides the
following:
·
|
Club
Dues Reimbursement
|
·
|
Life
and Disability Insurance Premiums
|
Automobile
allowance and club dues reimbursements are paid to the executive officers
consistent with the payment of such amounts to non-executive
employees. The requirement to pay such amounts is negotiated with the
executive at the time of their initial employment. Life and
disability insurance premiums are paid on behalf of the executives consistent
with the payment of such insurance premiums for non-executive
employees.
Perquisite
amounts are not considered annual salary for bonus purposes.
401(k)
Plan
Consistent with the Company’s desire to
provide financial security in retirement, the Company offers a 401(k) plan to
its employees, including its executive officers. As described in
footnote (1) to the Summary Compensation Table, the Company makes a matching
contribution to the plan. In 2008, the Company matched 100% of
employee contributions up to 3% of compensation and matched 50% of employee
contributions from 3% to 5% of compensation, subject to the current annual limit
of $9,200. This policy conforms with the IRS allowed safe harbor
rules for matching contributions.
Employment
and Severance Agreements
The Company has an employment agreement
with Mr. F. T. Webster. His agreement expires on May 13,
2012. The agreement contains no automatic extensions. Mr. Webster’s
employment agreement contains conditions of employment and entitles him to
participate in the Company’s leave, insurance and other employee benefit plans
of the Company that may be in effect from time to time for management-level
employees of the Company. Mr. Webster’s employment agreement also
provides for severance payments in certain cases of termination. For
additional information concerning Mr. F. T. Webster’s employment agreement, see
“Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control — Employment
Agreements” above.
The Company has a Change of Control and
Severance Agreement with Mr. Abshire. His agreement expires on July
25, 2012. For additional information concerning Mr. Abshire’s
agreement, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control –
Employment Agreements” above.
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Mr.
Adams’ base salary, discretionary bonus and benefits for each of the past three
years are presented in the table above. The methodology for
establishing such levels of compensation is consistent with the methodology
utilized for other executive officers. As the major shareholder of
the Company, Mr. Adams is acutely aware of the need to balance the goal of
reinvesting available cash flow to build the Company’s equity base with the need
to attract and retain key employees.
Internal
Revenue Code 162(m) Considerations
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, limits a company’s ability to
deduct compensation paid in excess of $1 million to the Chief Executive Officer
and the next four highest paid officers in any year, unless the compensation
meets certain performance requirements. The Company has no officers
receiving compensation in excess of $1 million.
REPORT
OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The following report of the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall not be deemed to be
“soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to the SEC’s
proxy rules, except for the required disclosure in this Proxy Statement, or
subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates by reference into any filing made by the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of Messrs. Reinauer,
E. Jack Webster, Jr. and Bell. The duties and responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee are set forth in a written charter adopted by the Board
of Directors and such charter is available on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com. Each of the members of the Compensation
Committee is independent, as defined in Section 121A of the listing standards of
the American Stock Exchange.
We have
reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s above Compensation
Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) and based on our review and discussions
with management, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be
included in this proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008.
E. C. Reinauer, Jr.
Chairman
E. Jack Webster, Jr.
Larry E. Bell
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Directors
who are employees of the Company do not receive fees or any other compensation
for their services as directors. Directors who are not employees
received cash compensation as presented in the table below. Director
fees are paid on a quarterly basis. Directors are also reimbursed for
direct out-of-pocket expenses in connection with travel associated with meeting
attendance. There were no stock awards, option awards, non-equity
incentive plans, pension plans or other non-qualified deferred compensation or
other forms of compensation during
2007.
NAME
|
|
CASH FEES
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
E.
C. Reinauer, Jr.
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
E.
Jack Webster, Jr.
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Larry
E. Bell
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During
2008 none of the members of the Compensation Committee was an officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or was formerly an officer
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had any relationship requiring
disclosure by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2008. No executive
officer of the Company served as a member of the Compensation Committee (or
other board committee performing equivalent functions) of another entity that
had an executive officer serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors
or the Compensation Committee.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Deloitte & Touche LLP performed the
audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended
2008. The scope and all fees associated with audit and other services
performed by Deloitte & Touche are pre-approved by the Audit Committee on an
annual basis. The aggregate fees billed for 2008 and 2007 are set
forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
of Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
$ |
634,253 |
|
|
$ |
514,747 |
|
Subsidiary
Company audits
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Audit
Related Fees -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SFAS
No. 157 Implementation
|
|
|
4,300 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Internal
control advisory
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
37,742 |
|
Total
Audit fees and Audit Related Services
|
|
|
638,553 |
|
|
|
582,489 |
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
638,553 |
|
|
$ |
582,489 |
|
The Audit
Committee, established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange
Act has the responsibility to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its
fiduciary responsibilities as to accounting policies and reporting practices of
the Company and its subsidiaries and the sufficiency of the audits of all
Company activities. This committee is the Board's agent in ensuring
the integrity of financial reports of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the
adequacy of disclosures to stockholders. The Audit Committee is the
focal point for communication between other directors, the independent auditors
and management as their duties relate to financial accounting, reporting and
controls. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing the financial
transactions of the Company involving any related parties.
Audit
Committee Pre-Approval Policies
The Audit
Committee has established a policy intended to clearly define the scope of
services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accountants
for non-audit services. This policy relates to audit services,
audit-related services, tax and all other services which may be provided by the
Company’s independent registered public accountants and is intended to assure
that such services do not impair the auditor’s independence. The
policy requires the pre-approval by the Audit Committee of all services to be
provided by the Company’s independent registered public
accountants. Under the policy, the Audit Committee will annually
review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent
registered public accountants. The Audit Committee may delegate
pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or
members to whom such authority is delegated is required to report to the Audit
Committee at its next meeting any services which such member or members has
approved. The policy also provides that the Audit Committee will
pre-approve the fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent
registered public accountants.
All of
the services provided by the Company’s principal accounting firm described in
the table above were approved in accordance with this policy and the Audit
Committee has determined that the independent registered public accountants’
independence has not been compromised as a result of providing these services
and receiving the fees for such services as noted above.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
April 9,
2009
To the
Board of Directors:
The Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors currently consists of Messrs. Reinauer, E.
Jack Webster, Jr. and Bell. The duties and responsibilities of the
Audit Committee are set forth in a written charter adopted by the Board of
Directors, a copy of which is and available on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is
independent, as defined in Section 121A of the listing standards of the NYSE
Amex.
We have
reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31,
2008.
The audit committee received from and
discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the written disclosure and the letter
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board in Rule 3600T. These items relate to that firm’s
independence from the company. The audit committee received from and
discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the written disclosure and the letter
required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit
Committees Concerning Independence. The audit committee monitored
auditor independence, reviewed audit and non-audit services performed by
Deloitte & Touche LLP and discussed with the auditors their
independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions
referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the financial
statements referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
E. C.
Reinauer, Jr., Chairman
E. Jack
Webster, Jr.
Larry E.
Bell
TRANSACTIONS
WITH RELATED PERSONS
Mr. K. S. Adams, Jr., Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and certain of his family limited partnerships and
affiliates have participated as working interest owners with the Company’s
subsidiary, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation. Mr. Adams and
such affiliates participate on terms no better than those afforded the
non-affiliated working interest owners. In recent years, such related party
transactions generally result after the Company has first identified oil and gas
prospects of interest. Typically the available dollar commitment to
participate in such transactions is greater than the amount management is
comfortable putting at risk. In such event, the Company first determines the
percentage of the transaction it wants to obtain, which allows a related party
to participate in the investment to the extent there is excess
available. In those instances where there was no excess availability
there has been no related party participation. Similarly, related
parties are not required to participate, nor is the Company obligated to offer
any such participation to a related or other party. When such related
party transactions occur, they are individually reviewed and approved by the
Audit Committee comprised of the independent directors on the Company’s Board of
Directors. During 2008, such related party investment commitments
totaled approximately $6.7 million in those oil and gas projects where a related
party was also participating in such investment. As of December 31,
2008, the Company owed a combined net total of $89,000 to these related
parties. In connection with the operation of certain oil and gas
properties, the Company also charges such related parties for administrative
overhead primarily as prescribed by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society
Bulletin 5. Such overhead recoveries totaled $134,600 in
2008. A synopsis of each proposed transaction that involves a related
party is presented to the Audit Committee for their
review. Documentation of the Audit Committee’s conclusions is noted
in the committee minutes.
The Company also enters into certain
transactions in the normal course of business with other affiliated
entities. These transactions with affiliated companies are on the
same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with
unrelated entities. For the year ended December 31, 2008 the
affiliated entities charged the Company $51,000 of expense reimbursement and the
Company charged the affiliates $97,000 for expense
reimbursements.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company held of record on April 9, 2009, (i) the executive
officers, (ii) by beneficial owners of more than five percent of the Common
Stock, (iii) and by all officers and directors as a group. Unless
otherwise stated below, the address of each beneficial owner listed on the table
is c/o Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700,
Houston, Texas 77027. Unless otherwise indicated, each person named
below has sole voting and investment power over all shares of Common Stock
indicated as beneficially owned.
Name
and address
|
|
Shares
of Common Stock
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Of Class
|
|
K.
S. Adams, Jr.
|
|
|
2,080,887 |
(1) |
|
|
49.3 |
% |
E.
C. Reinauer, Jr.
|
|
|
7,873 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Frank
T. Webster
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
E.
Jack Webster, Jr.
|
|
|
15,189 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard
B. Abshire
|
|
|
13,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Larry
E. Bell
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FMR
Corp.
|
|
|
421,700 |
(2) |
|
|
9.9 |
% |
82
Devonshire St.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston,
MA 02109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dimensional
Fund Advisors LP
|
|
|
258,055 |
(3) |
|
|
6.1 |
% |
6300
Bee Cave Road
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Austin
TX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
2,125,849 |
|
|
|
50.4 |
% |
as
a group (6 persons)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes
1,644,275 shares owned by KSA Industries, Inc., 324,680 shares owned by
Mr. Adams directly, 7,973 shares owned by the Estate of Mrs. Adams and
103,959 shares held in trusts for Mr. Adams’ grandchildren, with Mr. Adams
serving as trustee.
|
(2)
|
Based
on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed February 12,
2009. Beneficial owners associated with FMR Corp. include
Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
and Edward C. Johnson 3d.
|
(3)
|
Based
on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed February 9,
2009.
|
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3
and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company during its most recent
fiscal year and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company with
respect to its most recent fiscal year, and written representations from
reporting persons that no Form 5 was required, the Company believes that all
required Form 3, 4 and 5 reports for transactions occurring in 2008 were timely
filed.
CODE
OF ETHICS
The
Company has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to all
officers, directors and employees, including the Company’s principal executive
officer, principal financial and accounting officer, and persons performing
similar functions (the “Principal Officers”). A copy of the Code of
Ethics is posted on the Company’s website at www.adamsresources.com and the
Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form
8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of its Code of Ethics
with respect to its Principal Officers by posting such information on this
Internet website.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Appointment
of Auditors
The
present intention of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is to appoint
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accountants, to audit
the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31,
2009. Deloitte & Touche LLP was first appointed as the Company’s
auditors in 2002. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will
be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will be given an
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.
Shareholders
Proposals
Under the
rules of the SEC, in order to be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy
statement, all shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing by December 1,
2009 to Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., c/o
Investor Relations Manager, 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston, Texas
77027. The notice should contain the text of any proposal, the name
and address of the stockholder as it appears in the books of the Company, the
number of common shares of the Company that are beneficially owned by the
stockholder, and any material interest of the shareholder in such
business. If a shareholder submits a proposal for consideration at
the 2010 annual meeting after December 1, 2009, the Company’s proxy for the 2010
annual meeting may confer discretionary authority to vote on such matter without
any discussion of such matter in the proxy statement for the 2010 annual
meeting.
Other
Matters
The
Company knows of no matters to be presented for consideration at the Annual
Meeting other than those described above. If other matters are
properly presented to the meeting for action, it is intended that the persons
named in the accompanying proxy, and acting pursuant to authority granted
thereunder, will vote in accordance with their best unanimous judgment on such
matters.
Number
of Proxy Statements and Annual Reports
Only one
copy of this Proxy Statement and the annual report accompanying this Proxy
Statement will be mailed to stockholders who have the same address unless the
Company receives a request that the stockholders with the same address are to
receive separate Proxy Statements and Annual Reports. These additional copies
will be supplied at no additional cost to the requesting
stockholder.
REGARDLESS
OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE REPRESENTED AT THE
MEETING, AND YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY
CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
By Order
of the Board of Directors
/s/ David B.
Hurst
David B.
Hurst
Secretary
Houston,
Texas
April 9,
2009