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. )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement
  
Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  
Definitive Proxy Statement
  
Definitive Additional Materials
  
Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

 

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required
  
Fees paid previously with preliminary materials
  
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.

801 Travis St., Suite 1425

Houston, Texas 77002

 

August 15, 2022April 28, 2023

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

We cordially invite you to attend our 20222023 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be held at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Tuesday, September 20, 2022June 27, 2023 at our corporate offices located at 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

At this year’s annual meeting, the agenda will include the election of onetwo Class A director, consideration of, and voting on, an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock,C directors, the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022, an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, an advisory vote with respect to the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please refer to the enclosed proxy statement for detailed information on the proposal and other important information about Houston American Energy Corp.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU VOTE YOUR SHARES, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE OUR AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. WE PRESENTLY HAVE AVAILABLE A NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES THAT ARE, IN THE JUDGMENT OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT OUR COMPANY’S ORDINARY NEEDS ARISING FROM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS TO SUPPORT GROWTH AND DRILLING INITIATIVES, EQUITY COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS THAT SERVE TO INCENTIVIZE KEY PERSONNEL AND REDUCE CASH COMPENSATION DEMANDS OF KEY PERSONNEL AND PERIODIC STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE FROM TIME TO TIME.

FAILURE TO TIMELY SECURE THE NECESSARY VOTES TO ACT ON THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED SHARES WILL LIKELY RESULT IN THE COMPANY INCURRING OTHERWISE UNNECESSARY EXPENSE TO SOLICIT SHAREHOLDER VOTES, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS. PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW PROPOSAL TWO AND THE INTRODUCTORY DESCRIPTION THERETO IN THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR PROMPT SUBMISSION OF YOUR VOTE.

 

We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting, but we know that not every stockholder will be able to do so. Whether or not you plan to attend, please complete, sign and return your proxy, or vote by telephone or via the Internet according to the instructions on the proxy card, so that your shares will be voted at the annual meeting.

 

 Sincerely,
  
 STEPHEN HARTZELL
 Chairman of the Board

 

 

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.

801 Travis St., Suite 1425

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

NOTICE OF 20222023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

AUGUST 15, 2022June 27, 2023

 

 

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

The annual meeting of stockholders of Houston American Energy Corp. will be held at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Tuesday, September 20, 2022June 27, 2023 at our corporate offices located at 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002. The purpose of the annual meeting is to:

 

1. Elect onetwo Class A directorC directors to hold office until the 20252026 annual shareholders meeting.

 

2. Approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock to 20,000,000 shares.

3. Ratify the selection of Marcum, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 20222023 fiscal year.

3. Approve, in an advisory and non-binding vote, the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

4. Approve, in an advisory and non-binding vote, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

5. Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 15, 2022April 28, 2023 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and any and all adjourned sessions thereof. Our stock transfer books will remain open.

 

Your vote is very important. To ensure that your vote is recorded promptly and to avoid the unnecessary waste of company resources seeking shareholder votes, PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES as soon as possible. If you are a stockholder of record, please complete, sign and mail the proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If your shares are held in “street name”, that is held for your account by a broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted.

 

 By Order of the Board of Directors,
  
 STEPHEN HARTZELL
 Chairman

Houston, Texas

August 15, 2022

April 28, 2023

 

 

 

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.

801 Travis St., Suite 1425

Houston, Texas 77002

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

Our board of directors is soliciting your proxy for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at our corporate offices, located at 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022June 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time and at any and all adjourned sessions of the annual meeting.

 

We are mailing our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021,2022, to our stockholders with this notice and proxy statement (including the form of proxy) on or about August 18, 2022.May 5, 2023.

 

Record Date and Quorum Requirements

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 15, 2022April 28, 2023 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. The majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the record date must be present in person or by proxy to have a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. Shares of common stock represented by proxy (includes shares which abstain, withhold the vote or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists for a matter presented at the annual meeting. At the close of business on August 15, 2022,April 28, 2023, we had 9,928,33810,906,353 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote

 

Items to be Voted Upon, Voting Your Shares and Votes Required

 

Stockholders will be voting upon four matters as well as any other business that may properly come before the meeting. The specific items to be voted on are:

 

PROPOSAL 

BOARD RECOMMENDATION

 

PAGE REFERENCE

Proposal 1: Election of onetwo Class A directorC directors FOR NOMINEENOMINEES Page 4
Proposal 2: Amendment to certificate of incorporation to increase authorized shares of common stock☑   FORPage 6
Proposal 3: Ratification of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm FOR Page 86
Proposal 4:3: Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation FOR Page 97
Proposal 4: Advisory vote with respect to the frequency of advisory votes to approve named executive officer compensationONE YEARPage 8

 

In order to be elected as a director, a nominee for director must receive a plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting. Approval of the proposed amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes eligible to be cast at the annual meeting. Ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm and advisory approval of compensation of named executive officers will each require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. The alternative receiving the highest number of votes will be treated as receiving advisory approval of the frequency of advisory votes on compensation of named executive officers.

 

Your vote is very important. If you do not vote your shares, you will not have an impact with respect to the issues to be voted on at this annual meeting. If your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you should receive instructions from your nominee which you must follow in order to vote your shares.

 

 

 

Shares that abstain from voting on a particular proposal will not be counted as votes “in favor” of such proposal, and will also not be counted as votes cast or shares voting on that proposal. If you do not provide voting instructions with respect to shares held in “street name”, your broker may vote your shares in its discretion with respect to routine, or discretionary, items but cannot vote your shares on non-discretionary items. The election of directors, and the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation and the advisory vote with respect to the frequency of advisory votes on compensation of named executive officers are non-discretionary items. The proposed amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase authorized shares of common stock and approval of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm areis a discretionary items.item. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will have no effect on the voting on a proposal that requires the affirmative vote of a certain percentage of the votes cast or shares voting on a proposal but will have the effect of a vote against proposals requiring the affirmative vote of all shares entitled to vote. However, abstentions are considered to be present or represented in determining whether a quorum exists on a given matter.

 

Submitting Your Proxy

 

If you complete and submit your proxy, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented by your proxy in accordance with your instructions. If you submit a proxy card but do not fill out the voting instructions on the proxy card, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented by your proxy as follows:

 

 FOR the election of the director nominee;
FOR approval of the proposed amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock;nominees;
   
 FOR the ratification of the selection of Marcum LLP as our registered public accounting firm; and
   
 FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers.
ONE YEAR for the frequency of advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

To ensure that your vote is recorded promptly, please vote as soon as possible. To vote by proxy, please complete, sign and mail the proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

 

Stockholders that attend the annual meeting and wish to vote in person will be given the opportunity to vote. If you want to vote shares that are held in “street name” or are otherwise not registered in your name, you will need to obtain a “legal proxy” from the holder of record and present it at the annual meeting.

 

Revoking or Changing Your Proxy

 

You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before it is voted. For a stockholder “of record”, meaning one whose shares are registered in his or her own name, to revoke or change a proxy, the stockholder may submit another properly signed proxy, which bears a later date; deliver a written revocation to our corporate secretary; or attend the annual meeting and vote in person.

 

If you are a beneficial owner of our common stock, and not the stockholder of record (for example your common stock is registered in “street name” with a brokerage firm), you must follow the procedures required by the holder of record, which is usually a brokerage firm or bank, to revoke or change a proxy. You should contact the stockholder of record directly for more information on these procedures.

 

Other Information

 

We will bear the expenses of soliciting proxies. Our officer and certain other employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, e-mail or other means. We may reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to stockholders.

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, which is not part of the proxy soliciting materials, is included with this Proxy Statement.

2

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The table below shows the number of our shares of common stock beneficially owned as of August 15, 2022April 28, 2023 by:

 

 each person or group known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
   
 each director and nominee for director;
   
 each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading “Executive Compensation” below; and
   
 all of our current directors and executive officers of the company as a group.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by each 5% holder, director or executive officer is determined by the rules of the SEC, and the information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the person or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the person or entity can acquire within 60 days of August 15, 2022April 28, 2023 through the exercise of any stock option or other right. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of common stock held by each person or entity, any shares that the person or entity has the right to acquire within 60 days after August 15, 2022April 28, 2023 are deemed to be outstanding with respect to such person or entity but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any other person or entity. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity has sole investment and voting power (or shares such power with his or her spouse) over the shares set forth in the following table. The inclusion in the table below of any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares. As of August 15, 2022,April 28, 2023, there were 9,928,33810,906,353 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially Owned

  

Percentage of
Common Stock
Outstanding

 
John Terwilliger(1)*  

1,195,545

(2)  

11.4

%
James Schoonover*  404,043(3)  

4.0

%
Stephen Hartzell*  

66,480

(4)   
Keith Grimes*  

64,400

(5)   
All current directors and executive officers as a group (4 persons)  

1,730,468

(6)  

16.0

%

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares of

Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

  

Percentage of

Common Stock

Outstanding

 
John Terwilliger(1)*  1,147,540(2)  10.1%
James Schoonover*  439,043(3)  3.9%
Stephen Hartzell*  84,480(4)   
Keith Grimes*  82,400(5)   
All current directors and executive officers as a group (4 persons)  1,753,463(6)  14.8%

 

*Director of our company
Less than 1% of the shares of total common stock outstanding as of August 15, 2022.April 28, 2023.
(1)Address is 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002.
(2)Includes (a) 476,000428,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, and (b) 48,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.
(3)Includes (a) 214,667234,667 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, and (b) 46,400 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.
(4)Includes 62,00080,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(5)Includes 62,00080,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options.
(6)Includes (a) 814,667822,667 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, and (b) 94,400 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants.

3

 

PROPOSAL 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, each as amended to date, provide for the classification of our board into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible. The Class A, Class B and Class C directors are currently serving until the annual meeting of stockholders that will be held in 2022,2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for a full term of three years to succeed those whose terms are expiring. Our board has fixed the number of directors at four. There is currently one Class A director, one Class B director and two Class C directors.

 

Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named as proxy will vote all proxies received FOR the election of the personpersons named as nomineenominees below as Class AC director for a term of three years, until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2025;2026; and until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

The nomineenominees listed below isare currently serving as a directordirectors and hashave indicated that he isthey are willing to continue to serve, if elected. The independent directors of the board nominated the candidatecandidates for election. If a nominee should become unavailable, the person named as proxy will vote all proxies received for a substitute nominee designated by the board, unless instructions are given to the contrary. The board has no reason to believe that either of the nomineenominees will become unavailable.

 

In the section below, we provide the names and biographical information about the Class A nomineeC nominees and each other member of the board.

 

There are no family relationships among any of our directors, nominee for director and executive officers.

 

NomineeNominees for Election as Class A DirectorC Directors Continuing in Office until 20252026
  

R. Keith GrimesJohn Terwilliger

Age: 6575

Director Since: 20122020

Mr. GrimesTerwilliger has served as our President and CEO, and as a director, since 2008,December 2020. Mr. Terwilliger is the company’s founder and served as its President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board from 2001 to 2015 and continued, in various senior executive capacities at New Tech Global and its predecessors, Sierra Hamilton LLC and Hamilton Engineering, LLC. New Tech Global is an international service providera non-executive role, to provide oil and gas explorationprospect and production companies offering specialized technical consultingoperations services to the company from 2015 until his appointment as an officer in 2020. Mr. Terwilliger has more than 40 years’ experience in oil and E&P technology to operators worldwide. Mr. Grimes has served as Chief Operating Officer of New Tech Global since 2020. Previously, Mr. Grimes managed all eastern hemisphere operations of Expro Group, a global well testinggas management and subsea engineering company, and served in numerous leadership roles with Halliburton for 20 years. Mr. Grimes holds a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University.operations.

 

Mr. GrimesTerwilliger brings to our board over 40 years of broad domestic and international energy industry experience as well as essential insight and guidance from an inside perspective as a petroleum engineerresult of his key and senior executiveongoing role in acquiring and managing our asset portfolio, his central role in managing all aspects of operations of our company and his resulting understanding ofposition as our industry, international operations, engineering, geological and operational challenges encountered in our business.largest shareholder.

Class B Director Continuing in Office until 2024

Stephen Hartzell

Age: 68

Director Since: 2005

Mr. Hartzell is the owner and President of S.P. Hartzell, Inc., a professional independent consulting exploration geology firm, and is an owner operator of Southern Star Exploration, LLC, an independent oil and gas company. From 1978 to 1986, Mr. Hartzell served as a petroleum geologist, division geologist and senior geologist with Amoco Production Company, Tesoro Petroleum Corporation, Moore McCormack Energy and American Hunter Exploration. Mr. Hartzell received his B.S. in Geology from Western Illinois University and an M.S. in Geology from Northern Illinois University.

Mr. Hartzell brings to our board over 40 years of broad experience in the oil and gas industry, covering geology, operations management and asset management, and his resulting understanding of our industry, operating environment, key drivers of operational success and specific geological characteristics and challenges encountered in operations.

4

Class C Directors Continuing in Office until 2023
  

James Schoonover

Age: 6566

Director Since: 2018

Mr. Schoonover is a private investor and served as our Chief Executive Officer and President from June 2018 to December 2021 and has served as a Director since April 2018. From 2016 to June 2018, Mr. Schoonover served as Chief Operating Officer of Encompass Compliance Corporation, an OTC Market traded company providing compliance and risk mitigation services to U.S. employers. Previously, from February 2014 to July 2015, Mr. Schoonover served as National Sales Director for Cordant Health Services, a consolidator of independent toxicology laboratories, and, from 1998 to December 2012, as Chief Marketing Officer of MedTox Scientific, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed provider of specialized laboratory testing services and on-site/point-of-collection testing devices. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Schoonover served as Chairman of the Board of H2O For Life, a non-profit organization focused on service-learning opportunities for students. Mr. Schoonover holds a B.A. degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

 

Mr. Schoonover brings to our board over 40 years of broad business and management experience, covering operations, sales and marketing and finance, and is a long time investor in our company.

Class B Director Continuing in Office until 2024
  

John TerwilligerStephen Hartzell

Age: 7469

Director Since: 20202005

Mr. Terwilliger has served as our President and CEO, and as a director, since December 2020. Mr. TerwilligerHartzell is the company’s founderowner and served as its President Chief Executive Officerof S.P. Hartzell, Inc., a professional independent consulting exploration geology firm, and Chairmanis an owner operator of the Board from 2001 to 2015 and continued, in a non-executive role, to provideSouthern Star Exploration, LLC, an independent oil and gas prospectcompany. From 1978 to 1986, Mr. Hartzell served as a petroleum geologist, division geologist and operations services to the companysenior geologist with Amoco Production Company, Tesoro Petroleum Corporation, Moore McCormack Energy and American Hunter Exploration. Mr. Hartzell received his B.S. in Geology from 2015 until his appointment asWestern Illinois University and an officerM.S. in 2020. Mr. Terwilliger has more than 40 years’ experience in oil and gas management and operations.Geology from Northern Illinois University.

 

Mr. TerwilligerHartzell brings to our board over 40 years of broad experience in the oil and gas industry, covering geology, operations management and asset management, and his resulting understanding of our industry, operating environment, key drivers of operational success and specific geological characteristics and challenges encountered in operations.

Class A Director Continuing in Office until 2025

R. Keith Grimes

Age: 66

Director Since: 2012

Mr. Grimes has, since 2008, served in various senior executive capacities at New Tech Global and its predecessors, Sierra Hamilton LLC and Hamilton Engineering, LLC. New Tech Global is an international service provider to oil and gas exploration and production companies offering specialized technical consulting and E&P technology to operators worldwide. Mr. Grimes has served as Chief Executive Officer of New Tech Global since February 2023, previously served as Chief Operating Officer of New Tech Global from 2020 to 2023 and, since 2020, has served as a director of New Tech Global. Previously, Mr. Grimes managed all eastern hemisphere operations of Expro Group, a global well testing and subsea engineering company, and served in numerous leadership roles with Halliburton for 20 years. Mr. Grimes holds a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University.

Mr. Grimes brings to our board over 40 years of broad domestic and international energy industry experience as well as essential insighta petroleum engineer and guidance from an inside perspective as a result ofsenior executive and his key and ongoing role in acquiring and managing our asset portfolio, his central role in managing all aspects of operationsresulting understanding of our companyindustry, international operations, engineering, geological and his position asoperational challenges encountered in our largest shareholder.business.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

 

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE NOMINEENOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SET FORTH IN THIS PROPOSAL 1.

 

In considering your vote with respect to the election of directors pursuant to Proposal 1, you should consider the discussions of “Executive Compensation” and “Corporate Governance” and the other discussions contained in this Proxy Statement.

 

5

 

PROPOSAL 2

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO

INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

What am I voting on? Approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue from 12 million shares to 20 million shares.
Vote required: A majority of shares outstanding.
Effect of abstentions (non-vote): Same as a vote AGAINST.
Recommendation of board: The board recommends that shareholders vote FOR this proposal.

Why it is important to vote your shares for this proposal: The board’s recommendation to vote FOR this proposal is based upon its determination that the company lacks adequate available authorized shares to carry out ordinary functions associated with operation of our company and similarly positioned companies.

As is common among publicly traded companies, we ordinarily utilize our common stock to attract and incentivize employees, directors and consultants, to pursue acquisitions and similar transactions and to raise capital to support operations and growth. We presently have less than 1 million shares available for issuance and are, thus, severely limited in our ability to use our equity for ordinary corporate purposes. If the proposal is not approved and implemented, we expect that we will either be required to forego opportunities that our board otherwise determines are in the best interests of our company and our shareholders or will be required to utilize our finite cash resources in lieu of utilizing common equity or will be required to pursue other transaction structures that may be less favorable to our company and our shareholders.

Why I should consider the 2021 vote on this matter in determination whether, and how, to vote: In 2021, we submitted an identical proposal to our shareholders to approve the proposed amendment to increase our authorized shares. Of the shares voted during 2021, 82.5% voted in favor of the proposal. However, as the shares voted only amounted to 48.8% of our total common stock outstanding, the proposal failed to meet the voting threshold required under Delaware law. We devoted substantial company resources seeking to secure the necessary vote on this matter, including hiring a third party proxy solicitation firm and making supplemental mailings to shareholders. In order to avoid such a use of company resources, our board of directors urges every shareholder to vote on this proposal as soon as possible.

General

Our Board has unanimously adopted and is submitting for stockholder approval an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 12,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Share Increase”). Approval of the Authorized Share Increase will grant the Board the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to carry out the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation after the date stockholder approval for the amendment is obtained.

The additional 8,000,000 shares of common stock will have a par value of $0.001 per share. We are currently authorized to issue 22,000,000 shares of capital stock, 12,000,000 of which are designated as common stock and 10,000,000 of which are designated as “blank check” preferred stock.

As of the record date, 9,928,338 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and 1,035,877 shares of our common stock were subject to outstanding warrants and options, thereby leaving 1,035,785 shares of common stock unassigned and authorized for potential issuance. In addition to the shares underlying outstanding warrants and options, 236,000 shares are reserved for issuance with respect to future awards under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.

The proposed amendment will not change the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for issuance.

6

Rights of Additional Authorized Shares of Common Stock

The additional shares of common stock resulting from the Authorized Share Increase, if and when issued, would be part of the existing class of common stock and would have rights and privileges identical to our common stock currently outstanding.

Potential Advantages of the Authorized Share Increase

Our Board believes that the authorized number of shares of common stock should be increased to provide sufficient shares of common stock for such corporate purposes as may be determined by our Board to be necessary or desirable. We do not have any plans, arrangements or understandings for the remaining portion of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock that will be available following Authorized Share Increase. However, the Company expects to continue to need additional external financing to provide additional working capital.

Once authorized, the additional shares of common stock may be issued with approval of our Board but without further approval of our stockholders, unless applicable law, rule or regulation requires stockholder approval.

Potential Disadvantages of the Authorized Share Increase

Future issuances of common stock or securities convertible into common stock could have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share, book value per share, voting power and percentage interest of holdings of current shareholders. In addition, the availability of additional shares of common stock for issuance could, under certain circumstances, discourage or make more difficult efforts to obtain control of the Company. The Board is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company. This proposal is not being presented with the intent that it be used to prevent or discourage any acquisition attempt, but nothing would prevent the Board from taking any appropriate actions not inconsistent with its fiduciary duties.

Procedure for Effecting the Authorized Share Increase

If this proposal is approved by our stockholders, our Board will cause the Authorized Share Increase to be implemented by filing an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Division of Corporations. The Authorized Share Increase will become effective on the date that it is filed.

Discretionary Authority of the Board to Abandon Authorized Share Increase

The Board reserves the right to abandon the Authorized Share Increase without further action by our stockholders at any time before the effectiveness of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, even if the Authorized Share Increase has been authorized by our stockholders at the Meeting. By voting in favor of the Authorized Share Increase, you are expressly also authorizing our Board to determine not to proceed with, and abandon, the Authorized Share Increase if it should so decide.

Annex Relating to the Authorized Share Increase

The text of the form of the articles of amendment relating to this proposal, which we would file with the Delaware Division of Corporations to effect the Authorized Share Increase, is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.

Required Vote and Recommendation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, will be required to approve and adopt the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote AGAINST the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE TO 20,000,000.

7

PROPOSAL 3

 

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Our board, on the recommendation of the audit committee, has selected the firm of Marcum LLP (“Marcum”) as our registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2022.2023. Marcum has served as our registered public accounting firm since 2018. Although stockholder approval of the board’s selection of Marcum is not required by law, the board believes that it is advisable to give stockholders an opportunity to ratify this selection. If this proposal is not approved at the annual meeting, the board will reconsider its selection of Marcum.

 

Representatives of Marcum are expected to be present at the annual meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

 

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF MARCUM AS OUR REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022.2023.

 

In considering your vote with respect to the ratification of our selection of Marcum LLP as our registered public accounting firm pursuant to Proposal 3,2, you should consider the discussion of “Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and the other discussions contained in this Proxy Statement.

 

8

PROPOSAL 43

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our shareholders to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

As described in detail below under the heading “Executive Compensation,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and motivate our named executive officers who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our named executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of annual and long-term strategic and corporate goals, and the realization of increased shareholder value. Please read the “Executive Compensation” and related information in this proxy statement for additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the compensation of our named executive officers in 2021.2022.

 

We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officer as described in this proxy statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we will ask our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 20222023 Annual Shareholders Meeting pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

 

Although the “say-on-pay” vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on us, we value the opinions of our shareholders and we will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 

97

 

PROPOSAL 4

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES

ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to provide holders of common stock with a separate advisory (non-binding) vote for the purpose of asking them to express their preference for the frequency of future say-on-pay votes. The holders of common stock may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on executive compensation once every one, two or three years or may abstain from voting. We are required to solicit shareholder votes on the frequency of future say-on-pay proposals at least every six years, although we may seek shareholder input more frequently.

The frequency period that receives the most votes (every one, two or three years) of the common stock represented and entitled to vote at the meeting will be deemed to be the recommendation of the shareholders. Nonetheless, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the board or the company, the board may decide that it is in the best interests of the holders of our common shareholders and the company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently that the option selected by a plurality of the holders of our common stock.

The board has considered the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation and believes that a vote every year is the most appropriate alternative for the company. In reaching its recommendation, our board considered the ownership structure and the elements of our compensation programs.

You may cast your vote by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting in response to the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the holders of common stock determine, on an advisory basis, whether the preferred frequency for holding an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative disclosure and related material, set forth in the company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, should be every year, every two years or every three years.”

The option (i.e., one year, two years or three years) that receives the highest number of votes cast by the holders of common stock will be considered to be the shareholders’ preferred frequency for the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers.

OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “ONE YEAR” WITH RESPECT TO THE FREQUENCY OF NON-BINDING STOCKHOLDER VOTES TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. Proxies for common stock solicited by the board will be a vote for the of every one year unless shareholders specify a contrary choice in their proxies. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast and will not have a positive or negative effect on the outcome of Proposal 4.

8

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Executive Compensation Table

 

The following table includes information concerning compensation for the two years ended December 31, 20212022 for our CEO (the “Named Executive Officer”), being our only executive officers during the latest year:

Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)
  

Option
Awards
($)(3)

  

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(4)

  All Other
Compensation
($)
  

Total

($)

 
John Terwilliger, CEO(1)(2) 2021  120,000         243,077   15,081      378,158 
  2020  101,667         195,220   6,538      303,425 

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

  

Salary
($)

  

Bonus
($)

  

Stock
Awards
($)

  

Option
Awards
($)(1)

  

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)

  

All Other
Compensation
($)

  

Total

($)

 
John Terwilliger, CEO  2022   135,000   200,000         17,725      352,725 
   2021   120,000         243,077   15,081      378,158 

(1)Mr. Terwilliger was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer and President in December 2020.
(2)Mr. Terwilliger’s compensation includes amounts paid or earned prior to his appointment as an officer.
(3)The amounts included in the Option Awards column reflects the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The Company’s FASB ASC Topic 718 assumptions used in these calculations are set forth in Note 6 to the Financial Statements included in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022.
(4)(2)The amounts consists of production payments under our Production Incentive Compensation Plan and with respect to revenues from prospects in Colombia.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table includes certain information with respect to unexercised options previously awarded to the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2021.2022.

 

    Option Awards (1)  Stock Awards 
                  Number    Market Value of 
    Number of   Number of         of Shares   Shares 
    Securities
Underlying
   Securities
Underlying
         or Units of Stock   or Units of Stock 
  Grant Unexercised Options   Unexercised Options   Option
Exercise
  Option
Expiration
  That Have Not   That Have Not 
Name Date Exercisable   Unexercisable   Price  Date  Vested     Vested 
                        
John Terwilliger 07/22/21    150,000   $1.77  07/22/31    $ 
  11/11/20 150,000      1.45  11/10/30      
  06/13/19 40,000      2.71  06/13/29      
  03/20/18 40,000      3.75  03/20/28      
  06/10/14 48,000      5.19  06/10/24      
  06/11/13 48,000      3.84  06/10/23      
  06/10/12 48.000      20.63  06/10/22      

    Option Awards (1) Stock Awards 
Name 

Grant

Date

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised Options

Exercisable

  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised Options

Unexercisable

  

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

 
                    
John Terwilliger 07/22/21  150,000     $1.77  07/22/31    $ 
  11/11/20  150,000      1.45  11/10/30      
  06/13/19  40,000      2.71  06/13/29      
  03/20/18  40,000      3.75  03/20/28      
  06/10/14  48,000      5.19  06/10/24      

 

 

(1)All numbers of securities and exercise price are adjusted to reflect a 1-for-12.5 reverse stock split effected in July 2020.

 

10

Employment Arrangements

 

Mr. Terwilliger does not have an employment agreement with the company. Mr. Terwilliger presently receivesTerwilliger’s annual cash compensation ofsalary was increased from $120,000 to $180,000 in September 2022. Additionally, Mr. Terwilliger receives periodic bonuses and option grants as determined by our Compensation Committee and participates in health insurance and other benefit plans available to all company employees. During 2022, Mr. Terwilliger was paid a $200,000 bonus which was approved by our Compensation Committee and reflected Mr. Terwilliger’s efforts in establishing and increasing our interest in the CPO-11 block and the commencement of drilling on, and production from, the block. No stock options were granted to Mr. Terwilliger during 2022.

 

Equity Incentive Plans

 

Our board of directors and shareholders have adopted the Houston American Energy Corp. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), the Houston American Energy Corp. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), and the Houston American Energy Corp. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan” and, together with the 2008 Plan and the 2017 Plan, the “Plans”).

 

Giving effect to our 2020 1-for-12.5 reverse stock split, 480,000 shares, 400,000 shares and 500,000 shares, respectively, of common stock are reserved for issuance pursuant to grants of stock options and restricted stock under the 2008, 2017 and 2021 Plans. The 2008 Plan has expired and no new option grants may be made under that plan although options granted under the 2008 Plan remain outstanding and exercisable. The Plans are administered by our Compensation Committee and provide that key employees, consultants and directors are eligible to participate therein.

 

During 2021, we granted options to purchase 150,000 shares to John Terwilliger, our Chief Executive Officer. Those options were exercisable for ten years at $1.77 per share, the market price on the grant date, and vest one year from the date of grant. No other stock2022, no option grants were made to named executive officers during 2021.our Named Executive Officers.

 

Production Incentive Compensation Plan

 

In August 2013, our compensation committee adopted a Production Incentive Compensation Plan (the “PIC Plan”). The purpose of the PIC Plan is to encourage employees and consultants participating in the PIC Plan to identify and secure for our company participation in attractive oil and gas opportunities.

 

Under the PIC Plan, the committee may establish one or more pools (each a “Pool”) and designate employees and consultants to participate in those Pools and designate prospects and wells, and a defined percentage of our revenues from those wells, to fund those Pools. Only prospects acquired on or after establishment of the PIC Plan, and excluding all prospects in Colombia, may be designated to fund a Pool. The maximum percentage of our share of revenues from a well that may be designated to fund a Pool is 2% (the “Pool Cap”); provided, however, that with respect to wells with a net revenue interest (“NRI”) to the 8/8 of less than 73%, the Pool Cap with respect to such wells shall be reduced on a 1-for-1 basis such that no portion of our revenues from a well may be designated to fund a Pool if the NRI is 71% or less.

 

Designated participants in a Pool will be assigned a specific percentage out of our revenues assigned to the Pool and will be paid that percentage of such revenues from all wells designated to such Pool and spud during that participant’s employment or services with our company. In no event may the percentage assigned to our chief executive officer relative to any well within a Pool exceed one-half of the applicable Pool Cap for that well. Payouts of revenues funded into Pools shall be made to participants not later than 60 days following year end, subject to the committee’s right to make partial interim payouts. Participants will continue to receive their percentage share of revenues from wells included in a Pool and spud during the term of their employment or service so long as revenues continue to be derived by our company from those wells even after termination of employment or services of the participant; provided, however, that a participant’s interest in all Pools shall terminate on the date of termination of employment or services where such termination is for cause.

 

In the event of certain changes in control of our company, the acquirer or survivor of such transaction must assume all obligations under the PIC Plan; provided, however, that in lieu of such assumption obligation, the committee may, at its sole discretion, assign overriding royalty interests in wells to substantially mirror the rights of participants under the PIC Plan. Similarly, the committee may, at any time, assign overriding royalty interests in wells in settlement of obligations under the PIC Plan.

 

The PIC Plan is administered by our compensation committee which shall consult with our chief executive officer relative to Pool participants, prospects, wells and interests assign although the committee will have final and absolute authority to make all such determinations.

 

During 2021,2022, no awards were made under the PIC Plan.

 

In addition to awards under our PIC Plan, we previously granted to Mr. Terwilliger a 1.5% interest in all revenues derived from prospects in Colombia.

 

During 2021,2022, cash payments totaling $15,081$17,725 were made to Mr. Terwilliger under the PIC Plan and with respect to Colombian prospects.

 

11

Pension Benefits

 

We do not maintain any retirement plans or otherwise provide any retirement benefits of any nature for our executives or employees.

Clawback Policy

Our Board has adopted a Clawback Policy covering compensation paid to our executive officers. Under this policy, in the event a restatement of our financial statements is made due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under U.S. securities laws, any performance-based cash compensation paid and any performance-based equity awards granted to such officer with respect to the period covered by the restatement will be recalculated and the board may seek recoupment of any excess compensation.

 

Termination or Change in Control Payments

 

We are party to a Change in Control Agreement (the “Change in Control Agreement”) with our President and Chief Executive Officer, John Terwilliger. Pursuant to the Change in Control Agreement, if we undergo a change in control and Mr. Terwilliger is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 90 days prior to or within 12 months following a change in control, Mr. Terwilliger is entitled to (i) a lump sum cash severance payment equal to 250% of his average annual cash compensation (including salary and bonuses) during the three years ending on the termination date, and (ii) acceleration of vesting of all unvested time-based stock options.

 

Pension BenefitsPay Versus Performance

 

We do not maintain any retirement plans or otherwise provide any retirement benefitsAs required by Section 953(a) of any naturethe Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid (“CAP”) and certain financial performance of our company.

Year
(a)
 

Summary Compensation Table Total for Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) (1)
(b)

  

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (2)
(c)

  

Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) (3)
(d)

 

Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (4)
(e)

 

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return (5)
(f)

  

Net Income (Loss) (millions) (6)
(h)

 
2022 $352,725  $751,294  n/a n/a $196.57  $(0.74)
2021 $378,158  $323,512  n/a n/a $81.71  $            (1.02)

(1)The dollar amounts reported in column (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Terwilliger (our CEO and President) for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “Executive Compensation - Summary Executive Compensation Table.”
(2)The dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Terwilliger, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Terwilliger during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to Mr. Terwilliger’s total compensation for each year to determine the compensation actually paid:

Year 

Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO

($)

  

Reported Value of Equity Awards (a)

($)

  

Equity Award Adjustments (b)

($)

  

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO

($)

 
2022 $352,725  $0  $398,569  $751,294 
2021 $323,512  $(243,077) $               188,431  $323,512 

(a)The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
(b)The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:

Year 

Year End Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in the Year

($)

  

Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years

($)

  

Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year

($)

  

Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year

($)

  

Fair Value at the End of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year

($)

  

Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation

($)

  

Total

Equity

Award

Adjustments

($)

 
2022 $0  $   0  $   0  $398,569  $   0  $   0  $398,569 
2021 $187,733  $0  $0  $697  $0  $0  $188,431 

(3)The Company did not have any other named executive officers in the covered fiscal years.
(4)The Company did not have any other named executive officers in the covered fiscal years.
(5)The cumulative Total Shareholder Return is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between our company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by our company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period. No dividends were paid on stock or option awards in 2021 or 2022.
(6)The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income (loss) reflected in our consolidated audited financial statements for the applicable year.

Description of Pay Versus Performance Relationships

The following graphs show the relationship between the CAP for our executives or employees.PEO and our total shareholder return and net income over the prior two fiscal years ending December 31, 2021 and 2022, as reported in the tables above. Total shareholder return values are measured from December 31, 2020, based on an assumed fixed investment of $100.

 

Director Compensation Table

 

The following table provides compensation information for the year ended December 31, 20212022 for each member of our Board of Directors:

 

Name 

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash

($)

 

Stock Awards

($)

 

Option Awards

($) (1)(2)

  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
  

All Other
Compensation

($)

 

Total

($)

  

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash

($)

 

Stock Awards

($)

 

Option Awards

($) (1)(2)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)

 

All Other
Compensation

($)

 

Total

($)

 
Stephen Hartzell  12,000      32,410         44,410   18,750      76,192         94,942 
Keith Grimes  12,000      32,410         44,410   18,750      76,192         94,942 
James Schoonover  12,000      67,500         79,500   9,000      76,192         85,192 

 

 

(1)Reflects the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The Company’s FASB ASC Topic 718 assumptions used in these calculations are set forth in Note 6 to the Financial Statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022.2023.
  
(2)The following are the aggregate number of option awards outstanding that have been granted to each of our non-employee directors as of December 31, 2021,2022, the last day of the 20212022 fiscal year: Mr. Hartzell: 66,066;80,000; Mr. Grimes: 65,236;80,000; and Mr. Schoonover: 213,334.234,667.

 

Standard Director Compensation Arrangements

 

We compensate non-employee members of the board through a mixture of cash and equity-based compensation. Cash compensation arrangements for our non-employee directors consist of the following payments: (i) annual retainer of $9,000; (ii) annual retainer for service on each board committee of $3,000; (iii) annual retainer for service as chair of the audit committee of $3,750; and (iv) annual retainer for service as chair of the compensation committee of $3,750. Each of the annual retainers is payable in equal quarterly installments. We also reimburse expenses incurred by non-employee directors to attend board and committee meetings.

 

On the date of the initial appointment or election of each non-employee director, and on the date of each annual meeting thereafter, each non-employee director receives a stock option grant to purchase 20,000 shares (pro-rated if appointment or election is other than at an annual meeting of stockholders) of our common stock at a price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Option grants to directors vest 20% on the date of grant and 80% nine months from the date of grant.

 

Directors who are also our employees do not receive cash or equity compensation for service on the board in addition to compensation payable for their service as employees of Houston American Energy.

 

12

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The Board and Board Meetings; Annual Meeting Attendance

 

The board consists of four directors. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021,2022, the board held a total of 1112 meetings (including telephonic meetings and committee meetings). Each of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the board, including meetings of all committees on which he served. Our corporate governance guidelines provide that directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. All of our directors attended our 20212022 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Board Independence

 

The board has determined that each of the directors, with the exception of Messrs. Terwilliger and Schoonover, qualify as “independent” as defined by applicable NYSE American and SEC rules. In making this determination, the board has concluded that none of these members has a relationship that, in the opinion of the board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Stephen Hartzell has served as lead director since March 2007 and as Chairman since 2018 and presides over meetings of the independent directors.

 

Board Committees

 

The board currently has, and appoints members to, two standing committees: the audit committee and the compensation committee. Each member of these committees is independent as defined by applicable NYSE American and SEC rules. The current members of the committees are identified below:

 

Director 

Audit

 

Compensation

Stephen Hartzell   (Chair)
Keith Grimes (Chair) (Chair)  

 

Audit Committee

 

The audit committee is composed of two independent directors, Messrs. Grimes and Hartzell, both of whom meets the independence and financial literacy requirements as defined by applicable NYSE American and SEC rules. The audit committee assists the board in its general oversight of our financial reporting, internal controls, legal compliance, ethics programs and audit functions, and is directly responsible for the appointment, evaluation, retention and compensation of the registered public accounting firm. The board has determined that Mr. Grimes qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

The audit committee acts under the terms of a written charter initially adopted in May 2006, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.houstonamerican.com/corporategovernance.html . The audit committee met 5 times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.2022. For more information regarding the audit committee, please refer to the “Report of Audit Committee” beginning on page 16.17.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The compensation committee, which is appointed by the board, is composed of two non-employee independent directors as defined by applicable NYSE American rules. The committee is responsible for establishing and administering the policies that govern both annual compensation and equity ownership. It reviews and approves salaries, bonus and incentive compensation, perquisites, equity compensation, and all other forms of compensation for our executive officers, including our chief executive officer. The compensation committee is also responsible for reviewing and administering our incentive compensation plans, equity incentive programs and other benefit plans. It periodically reviews and makes recommendations to the board with respect to director compensation.

 

The compensation committee acts under the terms of a written charter adopted in June 2013, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.houstonamerican.com/corporategovernance.html. The compensation committee held 1 meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.2022.

13

 

Nomination of Directors

 

The board of directors does not maintain a standing nominating committee. Instead, the board has adopted, by resolution, a process of nominating directors wherein nominees must be selected, or recommended for the board’s selection, by a majority of the independent directors with independence determined in accordance with NYSE American standards. Because of the relatively small size of the company and the board and the current demands on the independent directors, the board determined that the nomination process would best be carried out, while maintaining the independence of the nominating process, by drawing upon the resources of all board members with the requirement that nominees be selected by a majority of the independent directors.

 

In the event of a vacancy on the board, the process followed by the independent directors in nominating and evaluating director candidates includes requests to board members and others, which may include search firms, for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by members of the board.

In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion inboard, consistent with the board’s slate of recommended director nominees, the independent directors apply criteria adopted by the board. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and industry, experience, diligence, absence of conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of all stockholders. No specific weights are assigned to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. The board does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity of nominees. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will best allow the board to fulfill its responsibilities.

The board may utilize the services of a search firm to help identify candidates for director who meet the qualifications outlined above.described below.

 

Stockholders may recommend individuals to the independent directors for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting their names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials and a statement as to whether the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation has beneficially owned more than 5% of our common stock for at least a year as of the date such recommendation is made, to Independent Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Houston American Energy Corp, 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002. Assuming that appropriate biographical and background material has been provided on a timely basis, the stockholder-recommended candidates will be evaluated by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as it follows for candidates recommended by our board or others. If the board determines to nominate a stockholder-recommended candidate and recommends his or her election, then his or her name will be included in the proxy card for the next annual meeting.

 

Stockholders also have the right under our bylaws to directly nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the board, by following the procedures set forth under “Deadline for Submission of Stockholder Proposals for the 20232024 Annual Meeting” on page 18. Candidates nominated by stockholders in accordance with the procedures set forth19.

Director Criteria and Diversity

In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the bylawsboard’s slate of recommended director nominees, the independent directors apply criteria adopted by the board. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and industry, experience, diligence, absence of conflicts of interest and the ability to think independently and act in the interests of all stockholders. No specific weights are assigned to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. While we seek a board composition that reflects a diverse set of skills, experience, knowledge and perspectives pertinent to our business, the board does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity of nominees. We believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge, background and abilities that will not be includedbest allow the board to fulfill its responsibilities. Each of our current directors possess distinct financial, executive management and/or oil and gas operating, engineering or geological expertise and experience pertinent to our business.

Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 28, 2023)
  Female  Male 
Gender  0   4 
Demographic Background:        
White  0   4 

When nominating candidates to fill future vacancies on our board, we intend to seek to include in our proxy cardthe candidate pool suitably qualified women and people of color for the next annual meeting.consideration.

 

Communicating with the Independent Directors

 

Our board will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by stockholders, and will respond if and as appropriate. Our lead independent director, Mr. Hartzell, is primarily responsible for monitoring communications from stockholders and for providing copies or summaries to the other directors as he considers appropriate.

 

Communications are forwarded to all directors if they relate to important substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that the lead independent director, with the assistance of our counsel, considers to be important for the directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances and matters as to which we tend to receive repetitive or duplicative communications.

 

Stockholders who wish to send communications on any topic to the board should address such communications to Houston American Energy Corp, Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002.

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Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight Role

 

Stephen Hartzell presently serves as our “Lead Independent Director” and as our Chairman of the Board. We believe that such a leadership structure is appropriate for our company given the small size of our company and our need to control costs and facilitate rapid response to market opportunities.

 

Our board provides high level oversight with respect to our risk management activities, consisting principally of interfacing with management with regard to proper risk management policies and implementation of those policies. In general, the board familiarizes itself with the risk management policies being pursued and the actual transactions carried out in that regard so as to assure that the policy is sound and the transactions undertaken are consistent with the policy. Given our position as a non-operator of our various properties, decisions regarding entry into derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk is typically vested in the property operators and, therefore, the board believes that our company and management has little discretion with regard to risk management transactions.transactions at the property level.

 

Anti-Hedging Policy

 

Under the terms of our Insider Trading Policy, all directors and executive officers are prohibited from engaging in any hedging transaction involving shares of our securities, such as puts, calls or short sales.

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a written code of conduct and ethics that applies to all our directors, officers and employees, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial and accounting officer. A current copy of the code can be found on our website at www.houstonamerican.com/corporategovernance.html. In addition, we intend to post on our website or file under cover of Form 8-K all disclosures that are required by law or NYSE American listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.

 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Bridge Loan FinancingOur independent directors review the terms of any proposed related party transactions to determine the fairness to our company of such transactions and retains the power to approve or reject any such transactions.

 

In September 2019, we issued promissory notes (the “Bridge Loan Notes”) with a total principal amount of $621,052, an original issue discount of 5%, warrants (the “Bridge Loan Warrants”) to purchase 1,180,000 shares of common stock, and a term of 120 days to James Schoonover, our then Chief Executive Officer and a director, and John Terwilliger, a 10% shareholder. Net proceeds received for the Bridge Loan Notes and Warrants totaled $590,000.

The Bridge Loan NotesThere were unsecured obligations bearing interest at 12.0% per annum and payable interest only on the last day of each calendar month with any unpaid principal and accrued interest being payable in full on January 16, 2020.

The Bridge Loan Notes were subject to mandatory prepayment from and to the extent of (i) 100% of net proceeds we received from any sales, for cash, of equityno related party transactions undertaken during 2021 or debt securities (other than Bridge Loan Notes), (ii) 100% of net proceeds we received from the sale of assets (other than sales in the ordinary course of business); and (iii) 75% of net proceeds we received from the sale of oil and gas produced from our Hockley County, Texas properties. Additionally, we had the option to prepay the Bridge Loan Notes, at our sole election, without penalty. The holders of the Bridge Loan Notes waived mandatory prepayment at the end of each month during 2019.2022.

During 2020, interest expense paid in cash totaled $3,350. The Bridge Loan Notes were repaid in full in January 2020.

15

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or “Section 16(a)”, requires that directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of any registered class of a company’s equity securities, or “reporting persons,” file with the SEC initial reports of beneficial ownership and report changes in beneficial ownership of common stock and other equity securities. Reporting persons holding our stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

 

Based solely on our review of copies of these reports, and written representations from such reporting persons, we believe that all filings required to be made by reporting persons of our stock were timely filed for the year ended December 31, 20212022 in accordance with Section 16(a).

 

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Report of Audit Committee

 

The audit committee is responsible for assessing the information provided by management and our registered public accounting firm in accordance with its business judgment. 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 reports to the audit committee on any deficiencies found. Our registered public accounting firm was responsible for auditing the financial statements and for reviewing the unaudited interim financial statements.

 

The audit committee reviewed with our registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plan of the audit. In addition, it met with our registered public accounting firm to discuss the results of Marcum LLP’s examination, the evaluation of our system of internal controls, the overall quality of our financial reporting and such other matters as are required to be discussed under generally accepted auditing standards. The audit committee has also received from, and discussed with, our registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).

 

The audit committee discussed with Marcum LLP that firm’s independence from management and our company, including the matters in the written disclosures and the letter required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The audit committee has also considered the compatibility of audit related and other services with the auditors’ 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, 20212022 with both management and our registered public accounting firm. The audit committee’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, and the board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20212022 for filing with the SEC.

 

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

Keith Grimes, Audit Committee Chair

Stephen Hartzell, Audit Committee Member

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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

 

The following table summarizes the fees of Marcum LLP, our registered public accounting firm in 2021 and 2020,2022, respectively, billed to us for each of the last two fiscal years:

 

Fee Category FY 2021 FY 2020  FY 2021  FY 2022 
Audit Fees (1) $148,041  $123,500  $148,041  $131,240 
Audit-Related Fees  25,750      25,750   22,970 
Tax Fees            
All Other Fees            
Total Fees $173,791  $123,500  $173,791  $154,210 

 

(1)Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our financial statements, the review of the interim financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

All fees set forth in the table above were approved by our audit committee.

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our registered public accounting firm. This policy generally provides that we will not engage our registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the audit committee or the engagement is entered into pursuant to one of the pre-approval procedures described below.

 

From time to time, the audit committee may pre-approve specific types of services that are expected to be provided by our registered public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount.

 

The committee’s practice is to consider for approval, at its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, all audit and non-audit services proposed to be provided by our registered public accounting firm. In situations where a matter cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled committee meeting, the chairman of the committee has been delegated authority to consider and, if appropriate, approve audit and non-audit services or, if in the chairman’s judgment it is considered appropriate, to call a special meeting of the committee for that purpose.

 

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

 

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding”. This means that only one copy of our annual report and proxy statement will be sent to stockholders who share the same last name and address. Householding is designed to reduce duplicate mailings and save significant printing and postage costs.

 

If you receive a household mailing this year and would like to receive additional copies of our annual report and/or proxy statement, please submit your request in writing to: Houston American Energy Corp., 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Secretary or by calling Houston American Energy at (712) 222-6966. Any stockholder who wants to receive separate copies of the proxy statement in the future, or who is currently receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for his or her household, should contact his or her bank, broker, or other nominee record holder.

 

1718

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

FOR THE 20232024 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Any stockholders who wish to submit a proposal, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, for inclusion in the proxy materials for our 20232024 annual meeting of stockholders must ensure that it is received by our corporate secretary at our corporate headquarters, which are located at 801 Travis St., Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77002, no later than April 17, 2023.January 5, 2024.

 

Our by-laws also establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders who wish to nominate candidates for election as directors or otherwise propose business for consideration at a stockholders meeting. We must receive a notice regarding stockholder nominations for director or other business at our corporate headquarters not less than 70 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s stockholder meeting, provided, however, that in the event that the date of an annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 70 days, from the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting, notice by a stockholder, to be timely, must be so delivered not earlier than the 90 days prior to such annual meeting and not later than 70 days prior to such annual meeting or 10 days following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. Any such notice must contain certain specified information concerning the persons to be nominated or proposed business and the stockholder submitting the nomination or business, all as set forth in our by-laws. The presiding officer of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge any director nomination or business not made in compliance with such advance notice requirements.

 

Any stockholders wishing to submit proposals intended to be presented at our 20232024 annual meeting of stockholders that are not submitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-8 must ensure that they are received by us not later than July 12, 2023April 18, 2024 and not earlier than June 22, 2023.March 29, 2024. The persons designated in the proxy card will be granted discretionary authority with respect to any stockholder proposal not timely submitted to us.

 

To comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than April 28, 2024.

 By Order of the Board of Directors,
  
 STEPHEN HARTZELL
 Chairman

August 15, 2022

April 28, 2023

 

THE BOARD ENCOURAGES STOCKHOLDERS TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. A PROMPT RESPONSE WILL GREATLY FACILITATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY VOTE THEIR STOCK PERSONALLY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SENT IN THEIR PROXIES.

 

1819

ANNEX A

FORM OF

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.

* * * * * * * *

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation resolutions were duly adopted summarizing a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of said Corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and calling a meeting of the shareholders of said Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolutions summarizing the proposed amendment are as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation be amended to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 12,000,000 to 20,000,000.

SECOND: That, in accordance with the resolution set forth in ONE above, ARTICLE IV, paragraph 1 of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation be amended to give effect to an increase in the authorized shares of the Corporation’s common stock and to read in full as follows:

“1. Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of stock which the Company shall have authority to issue is 30,000,000, consisting of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).”

THIRD: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, an annual meeting of the stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.

FOURTH: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FIFTH: This amendment shall become effective on the date filed with the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by its President this ___ day of ___________ 2022.

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.
By:
John F. Terwilliger, President

 

 

HOUSTON AMERICAN ENERGY CORP.

801 Travis St., Suite 1425

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Proxy for Annual Meeting of Shareholders

to be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022June 27, 2023

 

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

 

The undersigned hereby appoints John Terwilliger and Steve Hartzell, and each of them, with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as Proxies in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to vote at an Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Houston American Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on Tuesday, September 20, 2022,June 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, in the manner designated below, and, in their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, all of the shares of the Company’s common stock that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present.

 

(1)Election of directors: 
   
 NomineesFOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOWForWITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FORAgainstAbstain
  (except as marked to the contrary below) ALL NOMINEES LISTED BELOW
   
 INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominees, strike a line through the nominee’s name in the list below.1(a)John Terwilliger (Class C)
   
 R. Keith Grimes1(b)James Schoonover (Class A Director Nominee)
(2)Proposal to amend certificate of incorporation to increase authorized shares of common stock
FORAGAINSTC) ABSTAIN
        
(3)(2)Proposal to ratify the appointment of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm
 FORAGAINST ABSTAIN
        
(4)(3)Proposal to approve, on an advisory or non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our proxy statement

1 Year2 Years3 YearsAbstain
        
(4)FORAGAINSTProposal regarding frequency of advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers ABSTAIN
 
(5)In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
 GRANT AUTHORITYWITHHOLD AUTHORITY

 

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR MANAGEMENT’S NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED IN THIS PROXY, FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND 3, FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3,“ONE YEAR” IN PROPOSAL 4 and 5 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO ANYSUCH OTHER MATTERSBUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY BROUGHTCOME BEFORE THE SHAREHOLDERS AT THE MEETING.

 

Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or corporate officer, please indicate the capacity in which signing.

DATED:__________________________ , 2023

Signature:____________________________________

Signature if held jointly:_________________________

DATED:__________________________ , 2022
Signature:____________________________________
Signature if held jointly:_________________________

 

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE

 

20