UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, | ||
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.
297 West Henri De Tonti Boulevard
Tontitown, Arkansas 72770
(479) 361-9111
www.pamtransport.com
_______________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 24, 2012
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To our Stockholders:
The 20122015 annual meeting of stockholders of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PTSI” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, will be held at the principal executive offices located12225 Stephens Road, Warren, Michigan 48089, on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 297 West Henri De Tonti Boulevard, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770, on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 9:11:00 a.m. local time. The meeting is being held for the purpose of considering and voting on the following proposals:
1. | To elect eight directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified (the Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees named in the attached proxy statement proposal); |
2. | To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as PTSI’s independent registered public accounting firm for the next fiscal year (the Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal); and |
3. | Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. |
All stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 4, 2012,March 12, 2015, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
 | |
| DANIEL H. CUSHMAN | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
March 24, 2015
Your Vote Is Important Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, you are urged to promptlysubmit your proxy so that your shares may be voted in accordance with your wishes andthe presence of a quorum may be assured. Your prompt action will help us reduce theexpense of proxy solicitation. |
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Proxy Statement
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on May 24, 2012
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_______________
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
April 28, 2015
This proxy statement and form of proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (“PTSI” or the “Company”) for use at our annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the principal executive offices located12225 Stephens Road, Warren, Michigan 48089, on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 297 West Henri De Tonti Boulevard, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770, on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 9:11:00 a.m. local time, and at any or all adjournments or postponements of the meeting. The telephone number for our principal executive office is (479) 361-9111. This proxy statement and form of proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or about April 19, 2012.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2012
Our combined Proxy Statement and 20112014 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K, are available at www.envisionreports.com/PTSI.
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying notice of the Annual Meeting, including the election of directors, and ratification of the appointment of our independent public accounting firm, and consideration of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, April 4, 2012March 12, 2015 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote their shares at the meeting. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
What is the difference between a “stockholder of record” and a “street name” holder?
These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are a “stockholder of record.” If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, you are a “street name” holder.
Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
All stockholders as of the record date,Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who are “street name” holders will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting their ownership as of the record dateRecord Date in order to attend the meeting.
A proxy is your legal designation of another person, the “proxy,” to vote on your behalf. By completing and returning the enclosed proxy card, you are giving the persons appointed as proxies by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) the authority to vote your shares as indicated on the proxy card.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting business to be conducted at the meeting. As of the Record Date, 8,701,6077,427,115 shares of our common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Proxies that are received and marked as withholding authority, abstentions, and broker non-votes (where a bank, broker or nominee does not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a matter) will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be represented at the meeting.
How do I vote?
You may vote by mail or follow the alternative voting procedures described on the accompanying proxy card. If you complete, sign and return the proxy card, it will be voted as you direct. If no choice is specified on a signed proxy card, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, as set out below.
If you hold shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon. Under a recent amendment to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)current stock exchange rules, brokers no longerwho do not have theinstructions from their customers may not use their discretion in voting their customers’ shares on certain specific matters that are not considered to vote onbe “routine” matters, including the election of directors, because director elections, even if uncontested, are no longerexecutive compensation and other significant matters. The proposal in this Proxy Statement to elect directors is not considered to be a routine matter. Even though the Company’s stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, it is expected that brokers who are members of the NYSE will follow the NYSE rules governing proxy voting with respect to all proxies for all publicly traded companies. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act enacted on July 21, 2010, directs national securities exchanges to prohibit broker discretionary voting of uninstructed shares for certain matters, including shareholder votes on executive compensation. The NYSE and NASDAQ have amended or are in the process of amending their rules accordingly. Thus, if you do not give Therefore, without your broker or nominee specific instructions, including with respect to the election of directors, your shares maywill not be voted on those mattersthis matter and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval. Shares represented by such “broker non-votes”non-votes,” however, will however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum. You should follow the directions provided by your nominee regarding instructions on how to vote your shares.
The ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is considered a routine matter, and therefore, if beneficial owners fail to give voting instructions, brokers, banks and other nominees will have the discretionary authority to vote shares of our common stock with respect to this proposal.
If, as of the record date,Record Date, you are a stockholder of record and you attend the meeting, you may vote in person at the meeting. The authorized capital stock of PTSI consists of 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of the close of business on April 4, 2012,March 12, 2015, there were 8,701,6077,427,115 shares eligible to vote.
TableWhat Is A Broker Non-Vote?
Generally, a “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee that holds shares in “street name” for a customer is precluded from exercising voting discretion on a particular proposal because:
(1) | the beneficial owner has not instructed the nominee on how to vote, and |
(2) | the nominee lacks discretionary voting power to vote such issues. |
Under NASDAQ rules, a nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to the approval of contents
What are the Board’s recommendations?
Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with each proposal in this proxy statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote:
● | “FOR”the election of the nominated slate of |
● | “FOR”the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as PTSI’s independent registered public accounting firm. |
What vote is required to approve each proposal?
● | Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of our common stock representing a plurality of the shares of our common stock voting on the matter is required for the election of directors. Votes withheld and broker non-votes are not counted toward a nominee’s total number of votes. |
● | Other Proposals.For each other proposal, the affirmative vote of a majority of the |
Are there other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board of Directors does not know of any other matters that may come before the meeting, other than the Proposals described in this Proxy.proxy statement. Should any other matter requiring a vote of the stockholders arise and be properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy included with this proxy statement confers upon the persons named in the proxy and designated to vote the shares, discretionary authority to vote or otherwise act with respect to any such matter in accordance with their best judgment.
Can I revoke or change my proxy after I return my proxy card?
Yes. Any proxy may be revoked by a stockholder at any time before it is exercised at the Annual Meeting by delivering to our Secretary a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by voting in person at the meeting.
Who pays for this proxy solicitation?
All costs of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. Our directors, officers, and other employees may, without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailings or personal conversation, or by telephone, facsimile or electronic means. We willmay reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding soliciting material to the beneficial owners of our common stock.
Our Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “Bylaws”) provide that the number of directors shall not be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) members, with the precise number to be fixed by resolution of the stockholders or the Board of Directors. Currently, we have eight (8) directors. The Board of Directors has recommended eight nominees for election at the Annual Meeting.
How long do Directors serve?
Our Bylaws provide that each Director shall hold office until the Annual Meeting of stockholders held next after his election and until his successor has been duly elected and has qualified, or until his resignation, removal from office, or death. The stockholders of the Company elect successors for Directors whose terms have expired at the Annual Meeting. The Board elects members to fill new membership positions and vacancies in unexpired terms on the Board.
Do the stockholders elect the executive officers?
No. Executive Officers are elected by the Board and hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until the earlier of their death, retirement, resignation or removal.
Our Board of Directors encourages stockholders to attend the Annual Meeting. Whetheror not you plan to attend, you are urged to promptly submit your proxy.
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Our Board of Directors currently consists of eight directors. Members of our Board are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Our Board of Directors has nominated for re-election all of the current members of our Board who wish to stand for re-election.directors. The biography of each of the nominees below contains information regarding the person’s service as director, business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years, and the experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the Board to determine that the person should serve as a director.
Frederick P. Calderone | Director Since 1998 |
Frederick P. Calderone,, age 61,64, has served as a Vice President of CenTra, Inc. for the past 2124 years. CenTra is a transportation holding company headquartered in Warren, Michigan. Prior to joining CenTra, Mr. Calderone was a partner with Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells, Certified Public Accountants (now Deloitte & Touche LLP). Mr. Calderone is a certified public accountant and an attorney. He has served as a director of PTSI since May 1998. He has extensive experience in finance and accounting. Because he has served as director of PTSI for over tensixteen years, he has an enhanced knowledge of PTSI’s corporate governance, personnel matters and growth strategy. These experiences qualify him for service on the Board.
Daniel H. Cushman | Director Since 2009 |
Daniel H. Cushman, age 57,60, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2009. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Cushman served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CRST International, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (“CRST”), from July 2008 to July 2009, and as Vice President and General Manager of Dedicated Services for CRST from March 2008 to July 2008. From January 2007 to March 2008, Mr. Cushman was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Werner Enterprises in Omaha, Nebraska. From January 2002 to December 2006, he served as Executive Vice President Chief Marketing and Operations Officer for Werner Enterprise.Enterprises. These experiences and his knowledge of the day-to-day operations and management of the Company qualify him to serve on the Board and as a member of the Executive Committee of PTSI.
W. Scott Davis | Director Since 2007 |
W. Scott Davis,, age 49,52, is Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Clearview International, LLC, a data center business headquartered in Dallas, Texas. He has been an investor in Clearview since June 2009. He was a Partner and Senior Managing Director of Rock Financial Partners, LLC sincefrom April 2009.2009 to December 2013. From August 2006 to April 2009, he served as the President and sole owner of WS Davis, Inc., the company through which he performsperformed his consulting work. From 1987 to 2006, Mr. Davis worked for Stephens Inc., an investment banking firm, including serving as an Executive Vice President of Stephens Inc. from 2002 to 2006. Mr. Davis has served as a director of PTSI since August 2007. He has extensive experience in the investment banking industry. He currently serves onas Chairman of our Audit Committee and Compensation and Stock Option Committee. His extensive experience in financial statement analysis and review qualifies him to serve on the Board and as a member of the Audit Committee of PTSI.
Norman E. Harned | Director Since 2014 |
Norman E. Harned, age 74, retired as Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of CenTra, Inc. in 2007, after 35 years of service to CenTra and its predecessor companies. Prior to joining CenTra, Mr. Harned was a senior on the audit and tax staff of Haskins & Sells, Certified Public Accountants (later Deloitte, Haskins & Sells and now Deloitte & Touche LLP). Mr. Harned is a certified public accountant. He has served on the board of directors of Durarock Reinsurance, Ltd., a reinsurance company, since 1985. Mr. Harned became a director of PTSI in March 2014. He currently serves on the Audit Committee. His extensive experience as an executive in the transportation industry and his experience and certification as a professional accountant qualify him to serve on the Board and as a member of the Audit Committee of PTSI.
Franklin H. McLarty | Director Since 2014 |
Franklin H. McLarty, age 40, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of RML Automotive (formerly RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holdings) (“RML”), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers. He is also Senior Vice President and a board member of the McLarty Companies, a fourth-generation family transportation business. Prior to joining RML’s predecessor firm, McLarty-Landers LLC, in 2005, Mr. McLarty served as Vice President of McKibbon Hotel Group from 2003 to 2005 and previously as a managing director of Miami, Florida, based hotel company, Seaway Group. He currently serves on Seaway Group’s advisory board and is a board member of Tire Group International, LLC, a Miami-based international wholesale tire distributor. Mr. McLarty became a director of PTSI in May 2014. He currently serves on the Audit Committee. Mr. McLarty’s extensive financial and transportation-related experience as an executive in the automotive industry and his insight into the Company’s customer base qualify him to serve on the Board and as a member of the Audit Committee of PTSI.
Manuel J. Moroun | Director Since 2002 |
Manuel J. Moroun, age 84,87, is a principal shareholder and has served as Chief Executive Officer of CenTra, Inc., a holding company based in Warren, Michigan since 1970. Mr. Morounand has been a principal shareholder and officerserved as Chief Executive Officer of CenTra Inc. and its predecessor companies since 1954.1970. Mr. Moroun is a principal shareholder in other family owned businesses engaged in providing logistics and transportation services. Mr. Moroun has served as a director of PTSI since 2002. Mr. Moroun also has served as a director of Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: UACL) since 2004. HeManuel J. Moroun is the father of Matthew T. Moroun, a director of PTSI who has been nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting. He has more than fiftyMoroun. With over 50 years experience in thestarting and managing transportation industry. With over fifty years experience in transportation focused business strategy,businesses, Mr. Moroun offers an importantbrings the perspective and valuable insight of a successful transportation entrepreneur to our corporatethe Board’s role in evaluating the Company’s business strategy. This extensive experience qualifiesplanning and performance. These experiences qualify him for service on the Board.
Matthew T. Moroun | Director Since 1992 |
Matthew T. Moroun,, age 39, has served as the Chairman of our Board of Directors since 2007 and is a member of our Executive Committee. Mr. Moroun is a principal shareholder and41, has served as Vice Chairman and as a director of CenTra, Inc., a holding company based in Warren, Michigan, since 1993. Mr. Moroun is the principal shareholder and has served as Chairman of Oakland Financial Corporation, an insurance and real estate holding company based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and its subsidiaries, since 1996. Mr. Moroun is a principal shareholder in other family owned businesses engaged in providing logistics and transportation services. Mr. Moroun has served onas a director of PTSI since 1992 and as Chairman of the Board since 2007. Mr. Moroun has served as a director and as Chairman of the Board of Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: UACL) since 2004. HeMatthew T. Moroun is the son of Manuel J. Moroun, a director of PTSI who has been nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting. He hasMoroun. Mr. Moroun’s extensive leadership experience in the fields ofwith businesses providing transportation and insurance. Mr. Moroun’s vast leadershiplogistics services brings invaluable perspective and insight to the Board’s role of evaluating the Company’s business planning and performance. This experience at both public and private companies provideinsight qualify him with a unique background to understanding our industry and to provide us strategic oversight while servingfor service as a member and as the Chairman of ourthe Board of Directors
Daniel C. Sullivan | Director Since 1986 |
Daniel C. Sullivan,, age 71,74, has been a practicing attorney for over 48 years, specializing in transportation law for more than 4046 years. Mr. Sullivan has been a principal with the firm of Sullivan, Hincks & Conway, or its predecessor, presently located in Oak Brook, Illinois, since 1972. Mr. Sullivan has served as a director of PTSI since June 1986. Mr. Sullivan has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Universal Truckload Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: UACL) since November 2004. He currently serves on the Audit Committee of PTSI. He has extensive knowledge in the field of transportation law. His long history on the Board makesand experience in the transportation industry, including the financial imperatives of a truckload carrier operation and a related motor carrier broker operation, give him qualified to understandan in-depth understanding of PTSI’s customer base, industry structure, operating history, growth strategy and corporate governance. He serves on the CompensationThis knowledge and Stock Option Committee, and that service has enhanced his knowledge of public company executive compensation matters. These experiences qualifyexperience qualifies him for service on the Board and as a member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of PTSI.
Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named as proxies intend to vote all proxies received for the election of the eight director nominees. All of the nominees have indicated their willingness to serve on the Board of Directors. If any nominee should become unwilling or unavailable to serve, our Board may select a substitute nominee, and in that event the proxies intend to vote all proxies for the person selected. If a substitute nominee is not selected, the proxies intend to vote for the election of the remaining nominees. Our Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become unavailable to serve.
Your Board of Directors Recommends that Stockholders Vote
FOR
Each of the Nominees Named Above
Director Independence
Applicable NASDAQ listing standards generally require that a majority of our Board of Directors be independent. Recently, our Board of Directors reviewed the independence of directors and determined that four of our directors, Messrs. Conner, Davis, SullivanHarned, McLarty and WilkinsSullivan, meet the standards for independence required by applicable NASDAQ listing standards. In making this determination, our Board has concluded that none of the independent directors has a relationship that, in the opinion of our Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Because more than fifty percent (50%)50% of the voting power of our company is controlled by Matthew Moroun and a trust of which Mr. Matthew Moroun and Mr. Hal Briand are co-trustees,is a co-trustee, we have elected to be treated as a “controlled company” in accordance with Rule 5615(c) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. Accordingly, we are not subject to the Nasdaq Global Select MarketNASDAQ rules that would otherwise require us to have (i) a majority of independent directors on the board; (ii) a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; and (iii) a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors.
Board Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board of Directors has chosen to separate the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Mr. Matthew T. Moroun is the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Daniel H. Cushman is the CEOPresident and President.CEO. This separation of Chairman and CEO allows for greater oversight of PTSI by the Board. The Board is actively involved in oversight of risks that could affect PTSI. This oversight is conducted primarily through committees of the Board,Audit Committee, as disclosed in the committee description of each of the committees below and in the charters of each of the committees, butits charter, and by the full Board, which has retained responsibility for general oversight of risks. The Board satisfies this responsibility through full reports by eachour committee chairchairs regarding theeach committee’s considerations and actions, as well as through regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of particular risks within PTSI.
Board Meetings
During 2011,2014, our Board of Directors held threesix meetings. All directors, except Mr. Manuel J. Moroun, attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of our Board. All other directors attended more thanat least 75% of the meetings of our Board, including committees on which they then served, during the period that they served.
Board Committees
Our Board of Directors has, and appoints members to, three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Compensation Committee”), and the Executive Committee. The membership of these committees, as of April 16, 2012,March 15, 2014, was as follows:
Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Executive Committee | |
W. Scott Davis* | Daniel H. Cushman | Daniel H. Cushman | |
Norman E. Harned | Matthew T. | Matthew T. Moroun* | |
Franklin H. McLarty | |||
Daniel C. Sullivan |
_________________ * |
www.pamtransport.com under the caption of “Investors”.
The Audit Committee met four times in 2011.2014. The Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting process, internal controls and audit functions, and is directly responsible for the appointment, retention and compensation of our registered public accounting firm. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. ConnerMessrs. Davis, Harned and Mr. Davis,McLarty, who are members of the Audit Committee, are each qualified as an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Mr. Conner and Mr. Davis are independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards and the rules of the SEC. More information about the Audit Committee is included below under the heading “Audit Committee Report.”
Compensation Committee. Following the retirement of two of our independent directors effective as of our Annual Meeting in 2013, our Board of Directors elected to appoint our Chairman of the Board and our CEO as the two members of our Compensation Committee based on our status as a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Compensation Committee has three members and met one time in 2011.2014. The Compensation Committee assists our Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee'sCommittee’s responsibilities and authority include:
● | reviewing trends in management compensation and the competitiveness of our executive compensation programs; |
● | overseeing development of new compensation plans, and approving or recommending for determination by our Board of Directors revisions of existing plans; |
● | determining, or recommending for determination by our Board of Directors, the salaries, bonus and other compensation for executive officers and key employees other than our CEO; |
● | reviewing and making recommendations concerning long-term incentive compensation plans, including stock option and other equity-based plans; |
● | to the extent eligible to do so, acting as the committee of our Board of Directors that administers equity-based plans, incentive compensation plans and employee benefit plans; and |
● | reviewing and approving, or recommending to our Board of Directors for approval, compensation packages for new officers and severance arrangements for officers. |
The full Board of Directors revisions of existing plans;
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee exercises the authority of our Board of Directors in accordance with our bylawsthe Bylaws between regular meetings of our Board. The Executive Committee did not meet during 2011.2014.
At least a majority of our independent directors participate in the initial consideration of director nominees. These directors are independent, as independence for nominating committee members is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards. After these independent directors discuss and evaluate potential nominees, they recommend director nominees to the full Board of Directors for selection. Notwithstanding the foregoing,However, so long as the Company continues to be a controlled company (within the meaning of NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)), the Board of Directors may be guided by the recommendations of the Company’s majority stockholder in its nominating process.
Our Board will consider as potential nominees persons recommended by stockholders. Recommendations should be submitted to our Board of Directors in care of our Secretary, Lance K. Stewart,Allen W. West, at Post Office Box 188, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770. Each recommendation should include a personal biography of the suggested nominee, a description of the background or experience that qualifies the person for consideration, and a statement that the person has agreed to serve if nominated and elected.
Our Board has used an informal process to identify potential candidates for nomination as directors. Candidates for nomination have been recommended by an executive officer or director, and considered by our Board of Directors. Generally, candidates have been known to one or more of our Board members. Our Board of Directors has not adopted specific minimum qualifications that it believes must be met by a person it recommends for nomination as a director. The Board has determined that the Board as a whole must have the right diversity, mix of characteristics and skills for the optimal functioning of the Board in its oversight of the Company. In evaluating candidates for nomination, our Board of Directors will consider the factors it believes to be appropriate, which would generally include the candidate'scandidate’s independence, personal and professional integrity, business judgment, relevant experience and skills, including those related to transportation services, and potential to be an effective director in conjunction with the rest of our Board in collectively serving the long-term interests of our stockholders. Although our Board has the authority to retain a search firm to assist it in identifying director candidates, there has to date been no need to employ a search firm. Our Board of Directors does not evaluate potential nominees for director differently based on whether they are recommended to our Board by a stockholder.
Communications with Directors and Attendance at the Annual Meetings
Stockholders may communicate directly with our Board of Directors as a group by writing to our Board of Directors, care of the Secretary of PTSI, Post Office Box 188, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770. Our Secretary will review all of the correspondence and regularly forward to our Board of Directors a summary of the correspondence, and copies of all of the correspondence that, in his opinion, deals with the functions of our Board of Directors or any of its committees or that our Secretary otherwise determines requires the attention of our Board of Directors. Directors may at any time review a log of all of the correspondence that is addressed to our Board, and request copies of any and all of the correspondence.
Our Board of Directors has a policy of encouraging our directors to attend the annual meetings of the stockholders. In 2011, seven2014, all of our then current directors attended the annual meeting.
We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to all our directors, officers and employees, including our CEO and our chief financial and accounting officer. We have posted a copy of our Code of Ethics on our website atwww.pamtransport.comunder the caption “Investors”. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or NASDAQ listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
In 2014, Messrs. Conner, DavisMatthew T. Moroun and SullivanDaniel H. Cushman served as members of the Compensation Committee for allthe full year in accordance with NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)(1). Mr. Cushman is currently President and CEO of PTSI. Mr. Moroun is Chairman of the year. No memberBoard of Directors and our largest stockholder. Information regarding certain transactions between PTSI and entities controlled by Mr. Moroun is provided in the Compensation Committee is, or was during or prior to 2011, an officer or employeesection entitled “Transactions With Related Persons” on page 27 of PTSI or any of its subsidiaries.this proxy statement. None of our executive officers serves or served as a director or member of the compensation committee of another entity in a case where an executive officer of such other entity serves or served as a director or member of our Compensation Committee.
Each current member of the Audit Committee is independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards and the rules of the SEC. From May 2013 to March 2014, as permitted by Rule 5605(c)(2) of the NASDAQ listing standards, the Committee temporarily included one director, Frederick P. Calderone, who is not an independent director as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards. Because Mr. Calderone is employed by CenTra, Inc., a company owned by Matthew T. Moroun, our Chairman of the Board and controlling stockholder, and his father, Manuel J. Moroun, who is also a director of the Company, our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Calderone is not an independent director as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards. Mr. Calderone otherwise meets the criteria for audit committee members under the NASDAQ listing standards and the rules of the SEC. Based on his extensive financial and accounting experience and in order to maintain at least three members on the Audit Committee as required by the NASDAQ listing standards, the Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interests of the Company for Mr. Calderone to serve on the Audit Committee following the retirement of two previous members of the Audit Committee effective at our Annual Meeting in 2013 until an additional independent director was elected to our Board of Directors. Mr. Calderone served on the Audit Committee until the appointment of Norman E. Harned to the Committee on March 13, 2014.
The Audit Committee'sCommittee’s primary purpose is to assist the Board of Directors in overseeing:
● | the accounting and financial reporting process; |
● | audits of financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; and |
● | internal control and audit functions. |
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee supervises the relationship between us and our independent auditor, including having direct responsibility for the auditor'sauditor’s appointment, compensation and retention, reviewing the scope of its audit services, and approving audit and permissible non-audit services. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses the annual and quarterly financial statements, and reviews the activities of our internal audit function.
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used. Management is also responsible for testing the system of internal controls and reporting to the Audit Committee on any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that are found.
The Audit Committee discussed with PTSI'sPTSI’s independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, its judgments as to the quality and the acceptability of our financial reporting and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)(“PCAOB”), including the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Statement on Auditing StandardsStandard No. 61, as amended16 (Communications with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee and Grant Thornton also reviewed management'smanagement’s assessment which was included in management'smanagement’s report on internal control over financial reporting and Grant Thornton'sThornton’s opinion on the effectiveness of the company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.
The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton that firm'sfirm’s independence from management and us, and has received from Grant Thornton the written disclosures and letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as amended (Independence DiscussionsPCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees)Committees Concerning Independence). The Audit Committee has considered the compatibility of the provision of non-audit services with maintaining Grant Thornton'sThornton’s independence.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,2014, with both management and our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee'sCommittee’s review included a discussion of the quality and integrity of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates and judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,2014, for filing with the SEC.
Audit Committee Members
W. Scott Davis, Chairman
Norman E. Harned
Franklin H. McLarty
Daniel C. Sullivan
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement with management. Based on the review and discussion, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement for filing with the SEC.
Compensation Committee Members
Matthew T. Moroun, Chairman
Daniel C. Sullivan
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview
Our primary goal for the compensation of our executive officers is to create long-term value for our stockholders. Our compensation program is intended to attract, motivate, reward and retain the management talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and create long-term value for our stockholders, while at the same time making efficient use of our resources. The compensation of our executive officers is designed to reward financial and operating performance, to align their interests with those of our stockholders, and to encourage them to remain with us.
Our executive officers are Daniel H. Cushman Larry J. Goddard and Lance K. Stewart.
| Name | Age | Position | Years of Service |
| Daniel H. Cushman | 57 | President and Chief Executive Officer | 3 |
| Larry J. Goddard | 53 | Executive Vice President | 24 |
| Lance K. Stewart | 43 | Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | 23 |
Name | Age | Position | Years of Service |
Daniel H. Cushman | 60 | President and Chief Executive Officer | 6 |
Allen W. West | 47 | Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | 18 |
___________________________
Daniel H. Cushman. Mr. Cushman, age 57,60, has served as President and CEO since July 2009. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Cushman served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CRST International, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (“CRST”), from July 2008 to July 2009, and as Vice President and General Manager of Dedicated Services for CRST from March 2008 to July 2008. From January 2007 to March 2008, Mr. Cushman was Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Werner Enterprises in Omaha, Nebraska. From January 2002 to December 2006, he served as Executive Vice President Chief Marketing and Operations Officer for Werner Enterprises.
Larry J. GoddardAllen W. West. Mr. Goddard,West, age 53, has served as Executive Vice President since July, 2010. From 1991 until July, 2010, Mr. Goddard served as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Before 1991, Mr. Goddard served in various capacities with the Company and has been with the Company for the past 24 years. In 2011, Mr. Goddard filed for protection under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. In relation to this filing, 10,000 shares of the Company’s stock owned by Mr. Goddard were sold by the bankruptcy trustee in March 2012.
Elements of Compensation
We have three key elements of compensation: annual base salary, cash incentive compensation, and stock options.long-term equity incentives. Annual base salary is intended to attract and retain talented executives, and reward them for annual achievement. Cash incentive compensation is intended to motivate our executive officers to achieve specified financial results or superior performance. Stock optionsLong-term equity incentives are intended to align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders by linking compensation to stock price appreciation. In addition, when the criteria for vesting of optionsequity awards includes achieving specified financial results, stock optionsthe equity awards also serve the purpose of motivating our executive officers to achieve those results.
Determining Compensation
Historically, the compensation of our executive officers ishas been based primarily based uponon the judgment of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. TheFollowing the retirement of two of our former independent directors effective at our Annual Meeting on May 23, 2013, the Board of Directors appointed our Chairman, Mr. Matthew Moroun, and our CEO, Mr. Daniel Cushman, to the Compensation Committee in accordance with the exemption from the compensation committee considersindependence requirements for controlled companies under NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)(1). Currently, the Compensation Committee determines the compensation for our officers and key employees other than the CEO, while the Board of Directors makes all decisions regarding the CEO’s compensation and approves the equity awards to the named executive officers.
In determining compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee and the Board consider competitive market compensation paid by other companies, including truckload dry van carriers and other trucking companies, but it doesdo not attempt to maintain a specified target percentile within a peer group or otherwise rely on compensation paid by other companies to determine our executive compensation.
● | PTSI’s performance and growth; |
● | financial measurements such as revenue, revenue growth, net operating income and operating ratio, and trends in those measurements; |
● | leadership qualities; |
● | ability to achieve strategic objectives; |
● | scope and performance of business responsibilities; |
● | management experience and effectiveness; |
● | individual performance and performance as a management team; |
● | current compensation arrangements; and |
● | long-term potential to maintain and enhance value for our stockholders. |
The committeeBoard members generally doesdo not adhere to rigid formulas or react to short-term changes in business performance in determining the amount and mix of compensation elements. The committee striveselements but strive to achieve an appropriate mix between annual base salary, cash incentive compensation and stock optionslong-term equity incentives to meet our objectives.
The committee receivesBoard members receive regular updates on our business results from management and reviewsreview the quarterly financial statements and projections to assess whether executive compensation continues to be properly balanced with and supportive of our business objectives. The committeeBoard members also regularly reviewsreview information, including reported revenue, profit levels, market capitalization and disclosed governance practices, regarding comparably–sized companies in our industry to assess our comparative performance and organizational structure. The committee usesBoard members use management updates and peer information as tools to evaluate the connection between executive compensation and our performance as a business. This information is reviewed in a subjective manner. There is no implied direct or formulaic linkage between peer information and our compensation decisions. The committee takesBoard members take the view that a close connection between compensation and performance objectives encourages our executive officers to make decisions that will result in significant positive short-term and long-term returns for our business and our stockholders without providing an incentive either to take unnecessary risks or to avoid opportunities to achieve long-term benefits even though they may reduce short-term benefits for the executive officers, the business or our stockholders.
Based on these reports, the committeeBoard members regularly evaluatesevaluate both the short-term and long-term performance compensation for the executive officers to ensure alignment with our business objectives. The committee also works closely with management regarding long-term equity incentives, which emphasize stockholder returns while providing enhanced retention value for key executives.
Base Salary.Each of contentsour named executive officers receives an annual base salary to compensate him for services performed during the year. The base salary for each named executive is established based on the scope of his responsibilities, his level of experience and expertise, and his abilities to lead and direct the Company and achieve various financial and operational objectives. Our general compensation philosophy is to pay executive base salaries that are competitive with the salaries of executives in similar positions, with similar responsibilities, at comparable companies. We have not benchmarked our named executive officer base salaries against the base salaries at any particular company or group of companies. The initial base salary of our CEO was established in accordance with his employment agreement. Base salaries are reviewed and adjusted by the Compensation Committee or the Board, as applicable, on an annual basis after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and expectations. The base salaries paid to our named executive officers are set forth below in the “Summary Compensation Table” and the accompanying narrative disclosure.
Cash Incentive Compensation.The Compensation Committee’s and the Board’s practice is to award an annual cash bonus to each of the named executive officers as part of his annual compensation. Bonuses are intended to provide executives with an opportunity to receive additional cash compensation, and are based on individual performance and the Company’s performance. The Committee and the Board believe this practice provides an incentive for strong financial and operating performance and aligns the interests of management with the interests of our stockholders.
In August 2014, the Board approved a short-term cash incentive plan for 2014 for the Company’s named executive officers and certain other employees providing for cash bonus awards to be determined based on the achievement of certain operating ratio performance targets as of December 31, 2014. The amount of the bonus could vary from zero to 100% of base salary for Mr. Cushman, our CEO, and from zero to 60% of base salary for Mr. West, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Under the plan, if the Company’s operating ratio for 2014 was less than 97%, Mr. Cushman would receive a bonus ranging from 20% to 100% of his base salary and Mr. West would receive a bonus ranging from 20% to 60% of his base salary, with the applicable base salary being the executive’s base salary in effect at December 31, 2014. The maximum bonus would be earned at an operating ratio for 2014 of less than 93%. For purposes of the Plan, operating ratio equals the Company’s operating expenses for 2014, divided by the Company’s operating revenues for 2014, as each is determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, except that both operating revenues and operating expenses are reduced by the amount of fuel surcharge revenue. This plan modified and replaced a similar cash bonus incentive plan adopted by the Board in May 2014 that would have awarded bonuses to the Company’s named executive officers and certain other employees based on the achievement of certain similar operating ratio as well as revenue growth performance targets, with bonus amounts ranging from zero to 120% of base salary. The Company’s operating ratio for 2014 was 92.7%, resulting in cash bonuses to Messrs. Cushman and West of $470,028 and $150,010, respectively, representing the maximum bonus amount for which each executive was eligible. The terms of the plan provide that 50% of the bonus amount will be paid in 2015 and the remaining 50% of the bonus amount will be paid in equal installments of 12.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years.
During January 2014, as authorized by Board, the Compensation Committee awarded a discretionary cash bonus to Mr. Cushman in the amount of $224,500 and to Mr. West in the amount of $75,000. The terms of Mr. Cushman’s bonus provided that 30% of the bonus was paid immediately, while the remaining 70% will be paid in equal installments of 17.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years, subject to his continued employment with the Company. The terms of Mr. West’s bonus provided that 46.8% of the bonus was paid immediately, while the remaining 53.2% of the bonus will be paid in equal installments of 13.3% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years, subject to his continued employment with the Company.
During April 2013, the Compensation Committee awarded a discretionary cash bonus to Mr. Cushman in the amount of $180,000. The terms of the bonus provided that 40% of the bonus amount awarded was paid immediately, while the remaining 60% is to be paid at the rate of 15% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years, subject to his continued employment with the Company. The Compensation Committee also paid Mr. West, in his prior role with the Company, a one-time discretionary cash bonus of $5,000.
During April 2012, the Compensation Committee awarded a discretionary cash bonus to Mr. Cushman in the amount of $150,000. The terms of this bonus provided that one-half of the bonus amount awarded was paid during April 2012, while the remaining one-half is to be paid at the rate of 12.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years, subject to the executive’s continued employment with the Company.
Other Compensation
Long-Term Equity Incentives. Long-term equity incentives are awarded to our named executive officers as part of our overall compensation package, and have historically been provided through stock options granted under our 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”), which was adopted by the Board of Directors in March 2006 and approved by our stockholders in May 2006. The plan provides for the issuance of stock options for up to 750,000 shares of our common stock, subject to adjustments, to our officers, directors, key employees and consultants. On March 13, 2014, our Board of Directors adopted and on May 29, 2014, our stockholders approved an Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which authorizes grants of additional types of awards, including restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units, and unrestricted common stock. The shares which remained available under the 2006 Plan were carried over to the 2014 Plan and are reserved for the issuance of stock awards under the 2014 Plan.
The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that long-term equity incentives, such as stock options and restricted stock, are consistent with the Company’s philosophy and represent an additional vehicle for aligning management’s interests with the interests of our stockholders. When determining the amount of long-term incentive grants to be awarded to our named executive officers, the Board members consider, among other factors, the business performance of the Company, the responsibilities and performance of the executive, and the performance of our stock price.
On November 14, 2014, the Company issued restricted shares of our common stock to our executive officers and other key employees, including 5,000 shares to Mr. Cushman and 1,250 shares to Mr. West. The restricted shares vest in five equal installments, the first of which vested immediately and the remainder of which will vest on the anniversary of the grant date in each of the next four years. These restricted stock awards replaced awards in the same amounts granted on November 15, 2013, which were cancelled by the Board.
We did not grant any stock options to our executive officers in 2014 or 2013. On May 24, 2012, we granted stock options to our executive officers pursuant to the 2006 Plan with an exercise price of $10.90 per share based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Mr. Cushman received an option for 49,000 shares. The stock option grant vests in five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
Retirement and Health Benefits.We sponsor a retirement savings plan for all of our eligible employees, including our executive officers. The plan qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. This plan allows eligible employees to make tax deductible contributions to the plan. We make employer matching contributions to the plan for each eligible employee. The matching contributions are 50% of each participating employee’s voluntary contribution up to 3% of the participant’s compensation. These matching contributions vest at the rate of 20% each year until fully vested after five years.
We offer health, vision and dental insurance to our executive officers.
Perquisites. We allow each of our executive officers to use a company owned automobile. With the exception of this perquisite, our policy is to provide minimal, if any, perquisites to our executive officers. This helps set an example for all employees that personal expenses are not payable from company funds and helps to control expenses.
Post-Employment Compensation.We do not provide a defined benefit pension plan or post retirement health insurance coverage for our executive officers or any of our other employees. We do not offer deferred compensation plans, and do not have agreements that provide compensation to our executive officers based upon the occurrence of a change in control of PTSI.
Tax Deductibility of Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s chief executive officer or certain of the company’s other most highly compensated executive officers. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for “qualifying performance-based” compensation (compensation paid only if the individual’s or the company’s performance meets pre-established objective goals based on performance criteria approved by the stockholders). We periodically review the potential consequences of Section 162(m) and may structure some or all of the compensation for our executive officers so that it will not be subject to the deduction limitations of Section 162(m). None of the compensation paid to our executive officers for 2014 was structured to be “qualifying performance-based” compensation. For 2014, we were not precluded by Section 162(m) from deducting any compensation that we paid to our executive officers.
Share Ownership Guidelines
We do not have stock ownership requirements for our executive officers. However, each of our executive officers owns shares of our common stock as well as options to acquire shares of our common stock.
Role of Executive Officers in the Compensation Process
The elements of executive compensation are discussed at meetings of the Compensation Committee and the Board, with significant input from our Chairman of the Board and our CEO. Annual base salary is generally determined annually but may be determined for a multi-year period at the time that employment agreements are negotiated with our executive officers, if applicable. Cash incentive compensation and other bonuses and forms of stock-based compensation are discussed from time to time, but there is no set schedule for making determinations regarding these types of compensation. The committee and the Board retain considerable flexibility in deciding when to address these matters. In making its compensation decisions, the Board members will usually seek input from the executive officers. However, the Board makes the final decisions on compensation of our CEO and on equity awards to our executive officers, and the committee makes the final decisions on other compensation to our executive officers. The committee is authorized to utilize compensation consultants. Neither the committee nor the Board utilized a compensation consultant regarding 2014 executive compensation.
Stockholder Approvalof the Company’s Compensation Programs
At our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we held our second advisory vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as “say on pay.” Our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the “say on pay” resolution presented with more than 99% of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting voting to approve our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Board reviewed these voting results and, given the strong level of support, did not make any changes to our executive compensation program or principles in response to the vote. At our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, over 70% of the shares voted (excludes abstentions and broker non-votes) were in favor of our recommendation to hold the “say on pay” vote every three years. As such, the next stockholder vote on “say on pay” as well as the next stockholder vote on the frequency of future “say on pay” votes are scheduled for 2017.
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned by the executive officers for the three years ended December 31, 2014.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE | |||||||||
Name and Principal Position
| Year
| Salary ($) | Bonus ($) (1) | Stock Awards ($) (2) | Option Awards ($) (2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (3) | All Other Compensation ($) (4) | Total ($) | |
Daniel H. Cushmam | 2014 | 461,173 | 224,500 | 213,950 | - | 470,028 | 13,018 | 1,381,969 | |
| President and Chief | 2013 | 447,000 | 180,000 | 90,850 | - | - | 2,184 | 720,034 | |
| Executive Officer | 2012 | 437,000 | 150,000 | - | 296,940 | - | 2,184 | 886,124 | |
AllenW.West (5) | 2014 | 228,874 | 75,000 | 53,313 | - | 150,010 | 7,623 | 514,820 | |
| Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | 2013 | 173,486 | 5,000 | 22,713 | - | - | - | 201,199 | |
(1) | The amount shown for Mr. Cushman for 2014 represents a discretionary cash bonus that was awarded and paid at the rate of 30% during 2014 with the remaining 70% being paid at the rate of 17.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four years. The amount shown for Mr. West for 2014 represents a discretionary cash bonus that was awarded and paid at the rate of 46% during 2014 with the remaining 54% being paid at the rate of 13.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four years. Amounts shown for 2013 represent discretionary cash bonuses that were awarded and paid at the rate of 40% during 2013 with the remaining 60% being paid at the rate of 15% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four years. The amount shown for 2012 for Mr. Cushman represents a discretionary cash bonus that was awarded and paid at the rate of 50% during 2012 with the remaining 50% being paid at the rate of 12.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years. |
(2) | Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the value of stock and stock option awards are set forth under Note 12 “Stock-Based Compensation” to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for each respective year. The stock awards granted in 2013 were cancelled during 2014 and replaced by the 2014 stock awards. |
(3) | Amounts shown represent cash bonuses earned under a short-term incentive plan, which will be paid at the rate of 50% of the bonus amount during 2015 and the remaining 50% to be paid at the rate of 12.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years. |
(4) | Amounts shown represent employer matching contributions under our section 401(k) qualified retirement savings plan and the fair value of the use of company-owned automobiles. |
(5) | Mr. West was appointed as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer on June 3, 2013. Accordingly, the table reflects only Mr. West’s 2013 and 2014 compensation. |
Employment Agreements Include Annual Base Compensation
Daniel H. Cushman. We periodically enter into multi-year employment agreements with certain of our executive officers. On June 29, 2009, we entered into an employment agreement with our CEO and President, Mr. Cushman. We generally believe that it is beneficial to enter into employment agreements because they set forth the terms under which the executive officers are employed, include annual base salary and severance arrangements, and generally provide us with a certain level of protection from competition by our executive officers following termination of their employment with us. The employment agreements also typically require our executive officers to provide us with advance notice if they wish to resign. The annual base compensation for our CEO set forth in the employment agreement was determined by the Compensation Committee and recommended to, and approved by, our Board of Directors.
On June 29, 2009, or 2011.
| SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE | ||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) (1) | Option Awards ($) (2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | All Other Compensation ($) (3) | Total ($) | |||||
Daniel H. Cushman President and Chief Executive Officer | 2011 | 425,000 | 60,000 | - | - | 2,184 | 487,184 | |||||
| 2010 | 412,500 | 50,000 | 152,160 | - | 28,152 | 642,812 | ||||||
| 2009 | 190,769 | 55,000 | - | - | 13,965 | 259,734 | ||||||
Larry J. Goddard Executive Vice President | 2011 | 280,000 | 15,000 | - | - | 5,390 | 300,390 | |||||
| 2010 | 265,894 | 30,000 | 70,006 | - | 5,390 | 371,290 | ||||||
| 2009 | 245,210 | - | - | - | 5,390 | 250,600 | ||||||
Lance K. Stewart Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | 2011 | 170,000 | 25,000 | - | - | 2,405 | 197,405 | |||||
| 2010 | 147,949 | 15,000 | 52,838 | - | 1,908 | 217,695 | ||||||
| (1) | Amounts shown for 2011 and 2010 represent a discretionary cash bonus paid to each executive officer. During 2009, Mr. Cushman was paid $55,000 as a hiring bonus when he agreed to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer. This bonus was intended to cover expenses associated with the sale of his home in Nebraska, as well as, relocation costs related to his move to Northwest Arkansas. In the event that Mr. Cushman terminates his employment prior to June 28, 2012, he will be required to repay the entire amount. | |||||||||||
| (2) | Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the value of stock and stock option awards are set forth under Note 12 “Share-Based Compensation” to our 2010 consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Amounts shown for 2010 included performance-based options valued at $25,360, $6,606, and $5,288, respectively, for Messrs. Cushman, Goddard, and Stewart, as determined based on the expected outcome of the performance conditions. The maximum value of these performance-based options, assuming the highest level of performance, for Messrs. Cushman, Goddard, and Stewart, would have been $162,304, $50,720, and $40,576, respectively. | |||||||||||
| (3) | During 2011, other compensation for Mr. Cushman represents amounts paid as employer matching contributions under our section 401(k) qualified retirement savings plan. During 2011, other compensation for Mr. Goddard represents amounts paid as employer matching contributions under our section 401(k) qualified retirement savings plan and for health, vision and dental insurance premiums paid by the Company on his behalf. During 2011, other compensation for Mr. Stewart represents amounts paid as employer matching contributions under our section 401(k) qualified retirement savings plan. | |||||||||||
The annual base compensation for Mr. Cushman set forth in the employment agreement was determined by the Compensation Committee and recommended to, and approved by, our Board of Directors. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Cushman’s performance is reviewed annually for changes in base compensation and bonus. Mr. Cushman currently earns an annual salary of $470,000.
AllenW.West. The Company currently does not have a written employment agreement with Mr. Goddard.West. Mr. GoddardWest currently earns an annual salary of $280,000.
Our executive officers may also participate in bonus and other incentive plans that are approved from time to time by our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. The executive officers are also entitled to any fringe benefits that we may provide for our employees in the normal course of our business. Additional information regarding the employment agreements, including compensation payable to the executive officers on termination of employment and their non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations, is included below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”
Salary and Bonus Compared to Total Compensation
We have not established a proportion that salary and bonus should be of our executive officers'officers’ total compensation. As indicated in the Summary Compensation Table, the proportion for 20112014 that salary and bonus were of total compensation ranged from 98%84% to 100%88% for our executive officers.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to the named executive officers during fiscal year 2014. No stock options were granted to our executive officers during 2014. As of March 1, 2015, 361,000 shares of our common stock remain available for issuance under the 2014 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
Name | Grant Date | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
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Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Under-lying Options (#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daniel H. Cushman | 11/14/14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5,000 | - | - | 213,250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allen West | 11/14/14 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,250 | - | - | 53,313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used to calculate the value of stock and stock option awards are set forth under Note 12 “Stock-Based Compensation” to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. |
The restricted shares granted on November 14, 2014 vest in five equal installments, with the first 20% vesting immediately on the grant date and the remainder to vest 20% annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2011 Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2011,2014, regarding equity awards, including unexercised stock options, for each of the executive officers.
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards | |||||||||
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: # of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | |
Daniel H. Cushman | - | 29,400 (1) | - | 10.90 | 05/24/2022 | 4,000 | 207,360 (4) | - | - | |
4,000 (2) | 4,000 (2) | - | 11.22 | 11/30/2020 | - | - | - | - | ||
- | 800 (3) | - | 11.22 | 11/30/2020 | - | - | - | - | ||
Allen W. West | 400 (2) | 400 (2) | - | 11.22 | 11/30/2020 | 1,000 | 51,840 (4) | |||
25 (3) | 50 (3) | - | 11.22 | 11/30/2020 | - | - | - | - | ||
(1) | ||||||||||
Options granted on 5/24/2012 and vest at a rate of 20% annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. | ||||||||||
(2) | ||||||||||
Options granted on 11/30/2010 and vest at a rate of 20% annually | ||
(3) | Performance-based options granted on 11/30/2010 which were earned during the second quarter of 2011 as a result of meeting specified performance criteria during the second quarter of 2011. Performance-based options vest at a rate of 20% annually from the date the option was earned. | |
(4) | Based on | |
| NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014. |
TableOptions Exercised and Stock Vested
The following table contains information about stock options exercised and restricted stock awards vested by each of contents
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of shares acquired on exercise | Value realized on exercise ($) | Number of shares acquired on vesting | Value realized on vesting ($) | ||||||||||||
Daniel H. Cushman | 32,800 | 560,946 | 1,000 | 42,650 | ||||||||||||
Allen W. West | 1,250 | 15,875 | 250 | 10,663 | ||||||||||||
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control
Generally, employment agreements that we enter into with any of our executive officers provide for payments that may be made to the executive officers following termination of their employment. TheseThe potential payments for anyunder our employment agreement currently in effectwith Mr. Cushman and other payments to which are executive officers are entitled upon termination are discussed below and quantified in the tabletables that follows.follow. We do not have any agreements or plans that provide for payments to any of our executive officers based on the occurrence of a change in control of PTSI.
No Payments If There Is a Termination for Just Cause
In the event that one of our executive officers is terminated for just cause, including conviction of a crime, moral turpitude, gross negligence in the performance of duties, intentional failure to perform duties, insubordination, or dishonesty, we would have no obligation to pay base salary or benefits beyond the last day worked.
Payments Upon Death
In the event of the death of one of our executive officers, we would pay the executive officer thehis base salary through the date of death.
Payments Upon Disability
In the event that an executive officer becomes disabled and is unable to perform their duties, we may terminate theirhis employment. If Mr. Cushman’s employment is terminated due to disability, then he is entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for 6six months following the termination of his employment.
Payments Upon Termination Based on Our Best Interest
In the event that an executive officer is terminated by our Board of Directors based upon a determination that such action would serve the Company’s best interest, we would generally have no obligation to pay base salary or benefits beyond the last day worked. However, Mr. Cushman would be entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of 6six months following the termination of his employment, unless the Board of Directors elects to extend his Covenant Notcovenant not to Competecompete for one year, in which case he will be entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of 12 months.
Payments Upon Resignation, Including Retirement
Mr. Cushman has the right to resign by providing three months written notice of his intent to us. In the event that Mr. Cushman resigns and gives us the required three monthsresign. Following such notice, we may terminate histhe executive’s employment before the end of the three month notice period. Inperiod.In the event the officer resigns with the required three months notice or is terminated following such event,notice, Mr. Cushman iswould be entitled to receive his base salary and benefits through the end of the three month notice period.
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Cushman has agreed not to compete with, or solicit or retain business that is competitive with, our business, or that of specified affiliates of our directors, Mr. Manuel Moroun and Mr. Matthew Moroun, for one year after his employment with us terminates. Mr. Cushman has an additional condition that in the event he is terminated because such termination is in the best interest of the Company, the duration of his covenant not to compete is for six months, unless the Board of Directors elects to extend his covenant not to compete for one year, in which case he will be entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of 12 months. Mr. Cushman has also agreed that he will not at any time encourage, solicit or otherwise attempt to persuade any of our employees or any employees of the specified affiliates to leave our employment or employment with the specified affiliates. If Mr. Cushman were to hire from us one of our employees, he has agreed to pay us 30% of the employee'semployee’s first year'syear’s gross compensation. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Cushman has also agreed to maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary information.
Optionsand Stock Options
Messrs. Cushman Goddard and Stewart holdWest each holds options to acquire shares of our common stock that were granted on November 30, 2010, under our 2006 Stock Option Plan. In general, stock options granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan that are vested may be exercised within three months after termination of employment without cause. However, if the executive’s employment terminates due to death or disability, earned shares and vested shares may be exercised within one year after the date of termination, but not later than the expiration date of the option.
In November 2014, Messrs. Cushman and West each received restricted shares of our common stock, which vest in five equal installments, with the first 20% vesting immediately on the grant date and the remainder to vest 20% annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. In general, the unvested shares are forfeited at the time of termination. However, if the executive’s termination is without cause or is due to death, disability or retirement upon or after reaching age 65, all unvested shares of restricted stock held by the executive at the time of his termination would immediately become fully vested.
Table of Payments Upon Termination of Employment
The following table providestables provide information regarding amounts payable to theeach of our named executive officers in connection with a termination of their employment, including amounts payable under their employment agreements.his employment. The amounts shown assume that termination of employment was effective as of December 31, 2011,2014, the last business day of our 20112014 fiscal year, and include estimates of the amounts that would be paid. Amounts payable to Mr. Cushman under these provisionshis employment agreement would be paid in equal installments pursuant to the Company’s regularly scheduled payrolls. The actual amounts would only be determined upon an officer'sofficer’s termination of employment.
| Daniel H. Cushman | |||||||
| Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($)(1) | Resignation ($) | Retirement ($) | |
| Base Salary | - | - | 212,500 | 425,000 | 106,250 | - | |
| Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| All Other Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total: | - | - | 212,500 | 425,000 | 106,250 | - | |
| Larry J. Goddard | |||||||
| Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($) | Resignation ($) | Retirement ($) | |
| Base Salary | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| All Other Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total: | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Lance K. Stewart | |||||||
| Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($) | Resignation ($) | Retirement ($) | |
| Base Salary | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| All Other Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total: | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Daniel H. Cushman | ||||||
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($)(1) | Resignation ($) | Retirement ($) |
Base Salary | - | - | 235,000 | 470,000 | 117,500 | - |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - |
All Other Compensation (2) | - | 207,360 | 207,360 | 207,360 | - | 207,360 |
Total: | - | 207,360 | 442,360 | 677,360 | 117,500 | 207,360 |
(1) | Mr. Cushman is entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of six months following termination in the best interest of the Company, unless the Board of Directors elects to extend his covenant not to compete for one year, in which case he will be entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for a period of 12 months. This calculation assumes that the Board of Directors would elect to extend Mr. |
(2) | Represents unvested shares of restricted stock that would vest immediately upon termination, based on the closing market price of $51.84 per share of PTSI’s common stock on December 31, 2014 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market. |
Allen W. West | ||||||
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination | Just Cause ($) | Death ($) | Disability ($) | Best Interest of the Company ($) | Resignation ($) | Retirement ($) |
Base Salary | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | - | - | - | - | - | - |
All Other Compensation (1) | - | 51,840 | 51,840 | 51,840 | - | 51,840 |
Total: | - | 51,840 | 51,840 | 51,840 | - | 51,840 |
(1) | Represents unvested shares of restricted stock that would vest immediately upon termination, based on the closing market price of $51.84 per share of PTSI’s common stock on December 31, 2014 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market. |
Director Compensation for 2011
The following table provides information about the compensation of our directors for the year ended December 31, 2011.
| Name (1) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) (2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) (3) | Total ($) |
| Frederick P. Calderone | 15,400 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 27,676 |
| Frank L. Conner | 22,800 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 35,076 |
| W. Scott Davis | 18,400 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 30,676 |
| Christopher L. Ellis (4) | 11,200 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 23,476 |
| Manuel J. Moroun | 11,800 | - | 12,276 | - | - | 100,000 | 124,076 |
| Matthew T. Moroun | 105,400 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 117,676 |
| Daniel C. Sullivan | 16,000 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 28,276 |
| Charles F. Wilkins | 20,200 | - | 12,276 | - | - | - | 32,476 |
Name (1) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) (2) | Option Awards ($) (3) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) (4) | Total ($) |
Frederick P. Calderone | 29,300 | 10,020 | - | - | - | - | 39,320 |
W. Scott Davis | 38,050 | 10,020 | - | - | - | - | 48,070 |
Norman E. Harned | 27,300 | 10,020 | - | - | - | - | 37,320 |
Franklin H. McLarty | 20,082 | - | - | - | - | - | 20,082 |
Manuel J. Moroun | 28,700 | 10,020 | - | - | - | 100,000 | 138,720 |
Matthew T. Moroun | 104,950 | 10,020 | - | - | - | - | 114,970 |
Daniel C. Sullivan | 32,300 | 10,020 | - | - | - | - | 42,320 |
(1) | Our CEO and President, Mr. Cushman, who is also a director, has been omitted from this table because he receives no additional compensation for serving on our Board of Directors. Mr. Cushman’s compensation is included in the Summary Compensation Table. Messrs. Harned and McLarty were elected to the Board of Directors in March 2014 and May 2014, respectively. |
(2) | ||
The amounts shown represent the compensation expense that we recognized in |
(3) | As of December 31, |
(4) | ||
Amounts paid to Mr. Manuel Moroun for | ||
| Company renewed this agreement under the same terms and conditions for an additional five-year period. |
Compensation Arrangements for Non-employee Directors
Director compensation is determined by our Board of Directors. For 2011,2014, we paid our non-employee directors an annual retainer of $10,000,$30,000, in quarterly installments, and a feestock retainer valued at $10,000 based on the closing price of $1,800 for each meetingour common stock on March 31, 2014, the date of the Board or its committees that they attended in person, and $600 for each meeting that they attended by telephone.award. The Chairman of the Board, which is a non-officer position, iswas paid an annual retainer of $100,000;$100,000, and the Chairmanchairmen of theour Audit Committee isand our Compensation Committee were paid an additional annual retainerretainers of $4,000.$10,000 and $5,000, respectively. We reimburse our directors for expenses that they incur in attending Board and committee meetings, including expenses for food, lodging and transportation. Our directors are currently paid the same amounts for retainer and meeting fees as they were paid in 2011.
Under the proxy rules of the SEC, a person who directly or indirectly has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to a security is considered a beneficial owner of the security. Voting power is the power to vote or direct the voting of shares, and investment power is the power to dispose of or direct the disposition of shares. Shares as to which voting power or investment power may be acquired within 60 days are also considered as beneficially owned under the proxy rules.
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 31, 2012,3, 2015, regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by: (i) each person who is known to us to own beneficially more than five percent (5%)5% of our Common Stock; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) each of the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table of this annual report; and (iv) the total for our current directors and named executive officers as a group.
| Name or Group of Beneficial Owner | Shares Owned | Shares Held in Trust | Options Exercisable Within 60 Days | Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | Percent of Class (2) | |
| 5% Stockholders: | ||||||
| Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (3) | 633,531 | - | - | 633,531 | 7.28% | |
| Franklin Resources, Inc. (4) | 535,000 | - | - | 535,000 | 6.15% | |
| Directors and Named Executive Officers: | ||||||
| Frederick P. Calderone | - | - | 8,000 | 8,000 | * | |
| Frank L. Conner | 4,375 | - | 8,000 | 12,375 | * | |
| Daniel H. Cushman | 2,000 | - | 4,000 | 6,000 | * | |
| W. Scott Davis (5) | 26,000 | 2,500 | 4,000 | 32,500 | * | |
| Larry J. Goddard | 12,213 | - | 56,000 | 68,213 | * | |
| Matthew T. Moroun (6) | 4,715,373 | - | 10,000 | 4,725,373 | 54.24% | |
| Manuel J. Moroun (7) | - | - | 10,000 | 10,000 | * | |
| Lance K. Stewart | - | - | 1,500 | 1,500 | * | |
| Daniel C. Sullivan | 23,000 | - | 8,000 | 31,000 | * | |
| Charles F. Wilkins | - | - | 8,000 | 8,000 | * | |
| Directors and named executive officers as a group | 4,782,961 | 2,500 | 117,500 | 4,902,961 | 55.59% | |
| Total Outstanding Shares as of March 31, 2012 | 8,701,607 | |||||
Name or Group of Beneficial Owner | Shares Owned | Shares Held in Trust | Options Exercisable Within 60 Days | Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | Percent of Class (2) | ||||
5% Stockholders: | |||||||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (3) | 663,864 | - | - | 663,864 | 8.94% | ||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: | |||||||||
Frederick P. Calderone | 504 | - | - | 504 | * | ||||
Daniel H. Cushman | 3,000 | - | 4,000 | 7,000 | * | ||||
W. Scott Davis (4) | 20,504 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 28,004 | * | ||||
Norman E. Harned | 504 | - | - | 504 | * | ||||
Franklin H. McLarty | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
Matthew T. Moroun (5) | 1,227,877 | 3,092,000 | 12,000 | 4,331,877 | 58.23% | ||||
Manuel J. Moroun (6) | 4,504 | - | 12,000 | 16,504 | * | ||||
Daniel C. Sullivan | 23,504 | - | - | 23,504 | * | ||||
Allen W. West | 250 | - | 425 | 675 | |||||
Directors and named executive officers as a group | 1,280,647 | 3,094,500 | 33,425 | 4,408,572 | 59.09% | ||||
Total Outstanding Shares as of March 3, 2015 | 7,427,115 | ||||||||
* | Denotes less than one percent. | |||||||
(1) | The number of shares beneficially owned includes any shares over which the person has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the person can acquire within 60 days of March | 3, 2015. |
(2) | The percentages shown are based on the |
(3) | Based upon a Schedule 13G amendment, dated February 5, 2015, filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership, | |
(4) | ||
Includes 2,500 shares held in trusts for Mr. | ||
(5) | Includes | |
(6) | Does not include the | |
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are also required to furnish us with copies of the reports that they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of the reports furnished to us and representations received from our directors and executive officers, we believe that all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) for 20112014 were timely filed.
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011,2014, were audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. In 2011,2014, the Audit Committee selected Grant Thornton LLP as our principal independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2012.
Stockholders’ ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP to be our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 20122015 is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee may, at its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such change is in the best interests of PTSI and our stockholders.
We are not presently expecting that representatives of Grant Thornton LLP will attend the annual meeting of stockholders.
Your Board of Directors Recommends that Stockholders Vote
FOR
the Ratification of the Appointment of Grant Thornton LLP
as PTSI’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
for the 20122015 Calendar Year
The following table shows the fees for professional services of Grant Thornton for audit and other services they provided to us for 20112014 and 2010.
| 2011 | 2010 | ||
| Audit Fees (1) | $197,400 | $195,000 | |
| Audit-Related Fees | - | - | |
| Tax Fees | - | - | |
| All Other Fees | - | - | |
| Total Fees | $197,400 | $195,000 |
2014 | 2013 | |||||
Audit Fees (1) | $276,000 | $214,000 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | - | - | ||||
Tax Fees | - | - | ||||
All Other Fees | - | - | ||||
Total Fees | $276,000 | $214,000 |
(1) | Includes the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for |
The Audit Committee pre-approves audit services and non-audit services that are to be performed for us by our independent auditor. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to its chairman, or any two of its other members acting together, to approve, between meetings of the Audit Committee, audit services and permissible non-audit services. Approvals between meetings are required to be reported to the Audit Committee at its next meeting. In addition to there being engagement letters for audit services, the Audit Committee has determined that there should be an engagement letter for any non-audit services that are to be performed by the independent auditor. All of the services described in the table above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, and the authority delegated to members of the Audit Committee was not used.
We have a written policy requiring that our Audit Committee review and approve related person transactions that involve us and are of the type that are required to be disclosed in our proxy statement by SEC rules. A transaction may be a related person transaction if any of our directors, executive officers, owners of more than 5% of our common stock, or their immediate family have a material interest in the transaction and the amount involved exceeds $120,000. The policy authorizes the Audit Committee to approve a related person transaction if it determines that the transaction is at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained if the transaction had been with a person who is not related to us, or is in our best interest.
Mr. Matthew Moroun is Chairman of our Board of Directors, which is designated as a non-officer position, a memberChairman of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors, and our largest stockholder. Heis the controlling stockholder, Vice Chairman and a director of CenTra, Inc., a transportation holding company based in Warren, Michigan. He is also the Chairman and controlling stockholder of Oakland Financial Corporation, an insurance holding company, and its subsidiaries, based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Our director, Mr. Manuel Moroun, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of CenTra, and controls a trust that is the other major stockholder of CenTra. He is also a stockholder of Oakland Financial Corporation.
During 2011,2014, certain subsidiaries of CenTra and other companies owned or controlled by our directors, Mr. Manuel Moroun and Mr. Matthew Moroun, paid us a total of $3,861,023.$15,255,822. These payments represent freight transportation charges of $2,889,506,$14,307,803, maintenance services performed in our maintenance facilities of $435,597, charges paid by us to third parties on behalf of the subsidiaries and affiliates of CenTra and then charged back at the amount paid of $16,971,$66,919, real estate rent and upkeep of $375,608, and$128,700, leases of revenue equipment of $143,341.
During 2011,2014, we made payments to certain subsidiaries of CenTra and other companies owned or controlled by our directors, Mr. Manuel Moroun and Mr. Matthew Moroun, in the aggregate amount of $11,030,222.$15,328,613. These payments are described below.
Payments of $346,770$362,592 were made for real estate leases during 20112014 which include office and maintenance facilities in two states and trailer drop yards in thirteen states. The leases are generally month to month leases with automatic monthly renewal provisions.
Payments in the amount of $8,100$421 were made to certain subsidiaries of CenTra for freight transportation charges during 2011.
Payments in the amount of $93,164 for parts and labor charges incurred to repair our equipment and payments of $103,154$67,404 for management services were made to a subsidiary of CenTra during 2011.
We made payments to subsidiaries of Oakland Financial Corporation during 20112014 in the amount of $17,910$515,302 for insurance premiums paid pursuant to agreements to provide insurance coverage to certain of our independent contractors. The underlying agreements are made directly with the independent contractors. The full amount of these payments to the subsidiaries of Oakland Financial Corporation is recouped by us from the independent contractors.
We purchase physical damage insurance coverage on our tractors and trailers through an unaffiliated insurance broker, which is written by a subsidiary of Oakland Financial Corporation. During 2011,2014, we made payments for these policies in the amount of $1,452,690,$3,730,760, and received $1,580,180$2,864,531 in payments for claims filed.
We secure coverage for commercial auto and general liability insurance through an unaffiliated insurance broker, which is written by a subsidiary of Oakland Financial Corporation. In 20112014, we made premium payments of $9,008,434$10,411,048 for commercial auto liability and general liability coverage under these policies.
We purchase workers compensation insurance coverage through an unaffiliated insurance broker, which is written by a subsidiary of Oakland Financial Corporation. In 2014, we made payments of $241,086 for workers compensation coverage under this policy.
On December 6, 2007, we entered into a Consulting Agreement with Mr. Manuel Moroun. The agreement has an initialMoroun for a one-year term of one year, andthat automatically renewsrenewed for four additional one-year periods, unless earlier terminated due to death, disability or by mutual agreement.periods. During 2013, the Company renewed this agreement under the same terms and conditions for an additional five-year period. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Manuel Moroun provides us withprovided consultation and advice as to the management and operation of PTSI, and such other consulting activities as we may reasonably request and as are reasonably acceptable to him.requested. For the services that Mr. Manuel Moroun rendersrendered pursuant to the agreement, we paypaid him a consulting fee of $100,000 per year, which iswas paid in quarterly installments.
We believe that substantially all of the above transactions were entered into on terms at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained from persons who were not related to us, and each of the transactions was in our best interest. We expect to continue transactions with subsidiaries of CenTra and other companies owned or controlled by our directors, Mr. Manuel Moroun and Mr. Matthew Moroun, in 20122014 that are similar to those described above.
Additional information concerning us, including our financial statements, is provided in our 20112014 Annual Report to Stockholders that accompanies this proxy statement. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,2014, as filed with the SEC, is available to stockholders who make a written request for it to our Secretary, Lance K. Stewart,Allen West, at our principal executive office, Post Office Box 188, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770. Copies of exhibits filed with that report or referenced in it will be furnished to stockholders of record upon request and payment of our expenses in furnishing such documents.
In order for a proposal by a stockholder to be presentedincluded in the proxy statement at anthe 2016 annual meeting of our stockholders, the proposal must be included in the related proxy statement and proxy form. Any proposal to be presented at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders must be received at our principal executive office not later than December 20, 2012,November 25, 2015, the date that is 120 days before the first anniversary of the date of this Proxy Statement. The proposal should be directed to the attention of the Secretary, for consideration for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. Any such proposals must comply in all respects with the rules and regulations of the SEC.
In connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2013,2016, if we do not receive notice of a matter or proposal to be considered by MarchFebruary 8, 2013,2016, then the persons appointed by our Board of Directors to act as the proxies for such annual meeting (named in the form of proxy) will be allowed to use their discretionary voting authority with respect to any such matter or proposal at the annual meeting, if such matter or proposal is properly raised at the annual meeting and put to a vote.
We do not know of any matters to be brought before the meeting other than those described in this proxy statement. If any other matter properly comes before the meeting, the persons designated as proxies will vote on each such matter in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
| |
DANIEL H. CUSHMAN | |
| President and Chief Executive Office |
March 24, 2015
