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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REX American Resources Corporation

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7720 Paragon Road
Dayton, Ohio 45459

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on June 6, 2018

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of REX American Resources Corporation will be held at the Company’s corporate offices located at 7720 Paragon Road, Dayton, Ohio 45459 on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, for the following purposes:

1. Election of seven members to the Board of Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified.

2. Advisory vote on executive compensation.

3. Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 24, 2018 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

 

 

 

     

 

By Order of the Board of Directors


E
DWARD M. K RESS
Secretary

Dayton, Ohio
May 2, 2018

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Shareholders Meeting to be Held on June 6, 2018

The Proxy Statement, 2017 Annual Report and other soliciting materials are
available at www.rexamerican.com by clicking on “Investors” and then clicking on
the “Annual Reports” and “2018 Proxy” links.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.


 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION
7720 Paragon Road
Dayton, Ohio 45459

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

Mailing Date
May 2, 2018

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of REX American Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“REX” or the “Company”), for use for the purposes set forth herein at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2018 and any adjournments thereof. All properly executed proxies will be voted as directed by the shareholder on the proxy card. If no direction is given, proxies will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations and, in the discretion of the proxy holders, in the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. Any proxy may be revoked by a shareholder by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company or in person at the Annual Meeting at any time prior to the voting thereof.

We have one class of stock outstanding, namely Common Stock, $.01 par value, of which there were 6,449,834 shares outstanding as of April 24, 2018. Only holders of Common Stock whose names appeared of record on the books of the Company at the close of business on April 24, 2018 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote per share.

A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy with respect to shares held in a fiduciary capacity (or “street name”) that indicates the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares on a particular matter.

If you hold shares in street name, you must vote by giving instructions to your broker or nominee. Without your instructions, your broker or nominee is permitted to use its own discretion and vote your shares on certain routine matters but is not permitted to use discretion to vote on non-routine matters, such as Item 1 (election of directors) and Item 2 (advisory vote on executive compensation) in the Notice of Annual Meeting. We urge you to give voting instructions to your broker on all voting items.

Fiscal Year

All references in this Proxy Statement to a particular fiscal year are to REX’s fiscal year ended January 31. For example, “fiscal 2017” means the period February 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018.


 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1)

Seven directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Unless otherwise directed, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote each proxy for the election of the nominees listed below. All nominees are presently directors of REX and have given their consent to being named as a candidate.

If at the time of the Annual Meeting any nominee is unable or declines to serve, the proxy holders will vote for the election of such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may recommend. We have no reason to believe that any substitute nominee will be required.

Directors are elected by a majority of votes cast unless the election is contested, in which case directors are elected by a plurality vote. A majority of votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect. If a non-incumbent nominee receives a greater number of votes cast “against” than cast “for”, that non-incumbent nominee is not elected to the Board. Any incumbent director nominee who receives a greater number of votes cast “against” than votes “for” shall continue to serve as a “holdover director” under Delaware law, but shall tender his or her resignation as a director. Within 90 days, the Board will decide, after taking into account the recommendation of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and excluding the nominee in question, whether to accept the resignation. The Board will promptly disclose its decision on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Set forth below is certain information with respect to the nominees for director, including the experience, qualifications and skills we believe these individuals bring to the Board and qualify them to serve as directors.

STUART A. ROSE, 63, was appointed our Executive Chairman of the Board and Head of Corporate Development in 2015. Mr. Rose had served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since our incorporation in 1984 as a holding company. Prior to 1984, Mr. Rose was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Rex Radio and Television, Inc., which he founded in 1980 to acquire the stock of a corporation which operated four retail stores. Mr. Rose’s past leadership and current position provides the Board with essential insight into the Company’s strategic activities.

ZAFAR RIZVI, 68, was appointed our Chief Executive Officer and a director in 2015. Mr. Rizvi has been our President and Chief Operating Officer since 2010, was Vice President from 2006 to 2010, and has been President of Farmers Energy Incorporated, our alternative energy investment subsidiary, since 2006. From 1991 to 2006, Mr. Rizvi was Vice President—Loss Prevention. Mr. Rizvi’s knowledge of the Company’s alternative energy investments and operations provides the Board with operational perspective and promotes efficiencies in communications between management and the Board.

EDWARD M. KRESS, 68, has been our Secretary since 1984 and a director since 1985. Mr. Kress has been a partner of the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP (formerly Chernesky, Heyman & Kress P.L.L.), our legal counsel, since 1988. Mr. Kress has practiced law in Dayton, Ohio since 1974. Mr. Kress, a lawyer and our legal counsel, provides the Board with critical legal advice and perspective.

DAVID S. HARRIS, 58, has been a director since 2004 and Lead Director since 2015. Mr. Harris has served as President of Grant Capital, Inc., a private investment company, since 2002. During 2001, Mr. Harris served as a Managing Director in the investment banking division of ABN Amro Securities LLC (ABN). From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Harris served as a Managing Director and Sector Head of the Retail, Consumer and Leisure Group of ING Barings LLC (ING). The investment banking operations of ING were acquired by ABN in 2001. From 1986 to 1997 Mr. Harris served in various capacities as a member of the investment banking group of Furman Selz LLC. Furman Selz was acquired by ING in 1997. Mr. Harris is also a director of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. where he is Chairman of the Audit Committee and serves on the Compensation Committee. Prior to its sale in 2015, Mr. Harris was a director of Steiner Leisure Limited, a worldwide provider in the fields of beauty, wellness and education. Mr. Harris served on the Audit Committee of Steiner Leisure Limited and was Chairman of its Compensation Committee.

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Mr. Harris’ experience in investment banking, corporate finance and capital markets is valuable to the Board in developing strategy and evaluating senior management.

CHARLES A. ELCAN, 54, has been a director since 2003. Mr. Elcan has served as a partner of Frisco Partners since 2017. Mr. Elcan was previously a founder of, and President until 2017 of, China Healthcare Corporation, organized in 2008 to build and operate hospitals in China. Mr. Elcan was Executive Vice President—Medical Office Properties of Health Care Property Investors, Inc. (HCP), a real estate investment trust specializing in health care related real estate, from 2003 to 2008, and served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of MedCap Properties, LLC, a real estate company located in Nashville, Tennessee that owned, operated and developed real estate in the healthcare field, from 1998 to 2003. (HCP acquired MedCap Properties in 2003.) From 1992 to 1997, Mr. Elcan was a founder and investor in Behavioral Healthcare Corporation (now Ardent Health Services LLC), a healthcare company that owns and operates acute care hospitals. Mr. Elcan, a founder of health care real estate companies, brings to the Board entrepreneurial experience.

MERVYN L. ALPHONSO, 77, has been a director since 2007. Mr. Alphonso retired as Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Central State University in 2007, a position he held since 2004. Mr. Alphonso has over 30 years of experience in the banking industry. He was President, Dayton District, KeyBank National Association from 1994 to 2000 and held various management positions with KeyBank of New York, N.A., Crocker National Bank and Bankers Trust Company. Mr. Alphonso served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Alphonso’s experience in the banking industry and as a chief financial officer provides the Board with financial management expertise.

LEE FISHER, 66, has been a director since 2011. Mr. Fisher was appointed Dean of Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2017, after serving a year as Interim Dean. Prior to his appointment as Interim Dean, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of CEOs for Cities, a non-profit national organization of urban leaders focused on revitalizing American cities, and currently serves as Senior Advisor to Forward Cities, the successor organization to CEOs for Cities. Mr. Fisher is also a Senior Fellow with the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and an Urban Scholar with the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Mr. Fisher served as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio from 2007 to 2011, including as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. Mr. Fisher was a director of REX from 1996 to 2006. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Families and Children, a private non-profit human services organization, from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Fisher was a partner in the law firm of Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP from 1995 to 1999, served as Ohio Attorney General from 1991 to 1995, State Senator and State Representative, Ohio General Assembly, from 1981 to 1990, and practiced law with Hahn Loeser & Parks from 1978 to 1990. Mr. Fisher was formerly a director of OfficeMax Incorporated. Mr. Fisher brings to the Board experience and understanding of law, government, public affairs, economic development, and regulatory and public policy.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors consisted of eight directors prior to April 29, 2018, when it was reduced to seven directors due to the death of Lawrence Tomchin, our retired President and Chief Operating Officer. The Board has determined that four of the seven directors, David S. Harris, Charles A. Elcan, Mervyn L. Alphonso and Lee Fisher, are independent within the meaning of Section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Listed Company Manual.

To be considered independent, the Board must determine that the director has no material relationship with the Company, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company, including commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and family relationships, among others. Our Board has established the following guidelines, consistent with Section 303A.02 of the NYSE listing standards, to assist it in determining independence of directors.

 

 

A director who is an employee, or whose immediate family member (as defined in such guidelines) is an executive officer, of the Company is not independent until three years after the end of such employment relationship.

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A director who receives, or whose immediate family member receives, more than $120,000 during any 12-month period in direct compensation from the Company, other than director or committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (not contingent in any way on continued service), is not independent until three years after he or she does not receive more than $120,000 of such compensation during any 12-month period. (Compensation received by an immediate family member for service as a non-executive employee need not be considered in determining independence under this test.)

 

 

A director who is employed, or whose immediate family member is employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of the Company’s present executives at the same time serve on that company’s compensation committee is not independent until three years after the end of such service or the employment relationship.

 

 

A director who is an employee, or whose immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company that makes payments to, or receives payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues, is not independent until three years after falling below such threshold.

Messrs. Harris, Tomchin, Alphonso and Fisher have no relationships with the Company other than being a director. Mr. Elcan has only an indirect, immaterial relationship with the Company.

Coal Refinement LLC, a company owned by Mr. Elcan’s brother, is a minority investor in REX’s refined coal business and receives commissions from a subsidiary of REX. During fiscal 2017, REX paid Coal Refinement LLC $305,949 in commissions. Because Charles Elcan has no financial interest or involvement in Coal Refinement LLC, nor any involvement in REX’s business activities with Coal Refinement LLC, the Board has determined that the relationship is not a material relationship affecting Charles Elcan’s independence.

Our Board of Directors held two meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2018. The average attendance by incumbent directors at Board and Board Committee meetings was 100%.

Directors are invited and encouraged to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each director attended 100% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which he served during fiscal year 2017.

The non-management directors have the opportunity to meet in executive sessions without management following Audit Committee and Board meetings. The presiding director for each executive session is the independent Lead Director.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board is responsible for periodically evaluating the leadership structure of the Company’s Board of Directors, including whether to combine or separate the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board recognizes that different structures may be appropriate at different times or under different circumstances and believes it is important to retain the flexibility to have structures best suited to the Company’s specific characteristics or circumstances. If the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are held by the same person, or if the Chairman is not independent, the Board will annually elect an independent director to serve in a lead capacity.

In 2015, the Board appointed Zafar Rizvi Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Rizvi was also appointed a director to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. Rizvi succeeded Stuart A. Rose as Chief Executive Officer, who had served as Chairman and CEO since 1984. Mr. Rose was appointed Executive Chairman and Head of Corporate Development. The Board believes this leadership structure is appropriate and will provide consistent oversight and implementation of corporate strategy, operations and executive succession.

In 2015, the Board elected David S. Harris to serve as Lead Director. The Lead Director’s responsibilities include, among others, the following:

 

 

Preside at all meetings of the Board at which the Executive Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors.

 

 

Serve as principal liaison between the Executive Chairman and the independent directors.

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Approve information sent to the Board, meeting agendas for the Board, and meeting schedules to assure there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items.

 

 

Authority to call meetings of the independent directors.

 

 

Be available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication with shareholders

Board Role in Risk Oversight

The Board administers its risk oversight function principally through the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees financial, legal, regulatory and operational risks and risk management. The Committee receives periodic reports from members of senior management who supervise day-to-day risk management activities on specific risks to the Company, risk management and risk mitigation. The Audit Committee reports to the full Board as appropriate. Overall review of risk is inherent in the full Board’s consideration of long-term strategies and in the transactions and other matters presented to the Board. The Board’s role in risk oversight has no effect on its leadership structure.

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Executive Committee.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee assists Board oversight of the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent accountants’ qualifications and independence, and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent accountants. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, retention and oversight of the work of the independent accountants. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Harris (Chairman), Alphonso and Fisher. All members of the Audit Committee are independent within the meaning of applicable NYSE listing standards and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Board has determined that Mr. Harris and Mr. Alphonso are each an audit committee financial expert as defined by applicable SEC rules and that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate within the meaning of NYSE listing standards. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2017.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has direct responsibility to review and approve CEO compensation, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO compensation and compensation plans, and administers the Company’s stock plans. The Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a written charter. The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Harris (Chairman), Alphonso and Fisher. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of applicable NYSE listing standards. The Compensation Committee met two times during fiscal 2017.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become Board members consistent with criteria approved by the Board, recommends for the Board’s selection a slate of director nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, develops and recommends to the Board the Corporate Governance Guidelines applicable to the Company, and oversees the evaluation of the Board and management. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee acts pursuant to a written charter. The members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Alphonso (Chairman), Harris and Fisher. All members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are independent within the meaning of applicable NYSE listing standards. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee met one time during fiscal 2017.

The Board seeks director candidates who possess the background, skills and expertise to make a significant contribution to the Board, the Company and shareholders. In identifying and evaluating director candidates, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may consider a number of attributes, including experience, skills, judgment, accountability and integrity, financial literacy, time, industry knowledge, networking/contacts, leadership, independence from management and other factors it deems relevant. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee also considers diversity of professional

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experience, skills and individual qualities and attributes in identifying director candidates. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews the desired experience, mix of skills and other qualities to assure appropriate Board composition, taking into account the current directors and specific needs of the Company and the Board. The Company is committed to a policy of inclusiveness. In performing its responsibilities for identifying, screening and recommending candidates to the Board, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee should (i) insure that candidates with a diversity of ethnicity and gender are included in each pool of candidates from which Board nominees are chosen and (ii) seek diverse candidates by including in the candidate pool (among others) individuals from non-executive corporate positions and non-traditional environments. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may solicit advice from the Executive Chairman, the CEO and other members of the Board.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by our shareholders. Shareholders must submit the name of a proposed shareholder candidate to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee at our corporate offices by the date specified under “Shareholder Proposals.”

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is empowered to exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board, other than the power to fill vacancies on the Board or on any Board committee and the power to declare dividends. The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Rose and Rizvi. The Executive Committee took one action during fiscal 2017.

Code of Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Committee Charters

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our employees, officers and directors. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics has been filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004 and is posted on our website www.rexamerican.com .

We have adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines addressing director qualification standards, director responsibilities, director access to management and independent advisors, director compensation and other matters. A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines is posted on our website www.rexamerican.com .

The charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee are posted on our website www.rexamerican.com .

Procedures for Contacting Directors

Shareholders and interested parties may communicate with the Board, the non-management directors as a group, or a specific director by writing to REX American Resources Corporation, 7720 Paragon Road, Dayton, Ohio 45459, Attention: Board of Directors, Non-Management Directors or [Name of Specific Director]. All communications will be forwarded as soon as practicable to the specific director, or if addressed to the Non-Management Directors to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, or, if addressed to the Board, to the Chairman of the Board or other director designated by the Board to receive such communications.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The objectives of our executive compensation program are to motivate and retain our key employees, to tie annual incentives to corporate performance and profitability, and to provide long-term incentives for executives to create shareholder value.

We considered the results of the shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation in 2017. We believe the approval received shows that shareholders support our executive compensation decisions and policies.

Elements of Executive Compensation

The elements of our executive compensation program are discussed below.

Base Salary. Base salaries of our executive officers reflect individual job responsibilities, with consideration for past contributions and length of service. Base salary levels generally are set at levels below that of salaries paid to executive officers of other public companies in the ethanol industry in recognition of their annual incentive opportunities. For comparative purposes, we review base salaries paid by companies in our industry peer group. We do not engage in benchmarking in setting or adjusting base salaries. Base salaries of our CEO, Mr. Rizvi, our CFO, Mr. Bruggeman, and our Executive Chairman, Mr. Rose, were unchanged for fiscal 2017.

Annual Incentive Program. Our annual incentive program is designed to reward executive officers for corporate performance and to incentivize those individuals to contribute to corporate profitability. Annual incentives are based on corporate performance and profitability measures. There are no individual performance goals or objectives.

For fiscal 2017, the annual incentive opportunities for our executive officers were based upon and determined as a specific percentage of our Net Income, subject to individual maximum payouts for the year. The specific percentage of Net Income for each executive officer was determined on a scaled basis considering each officer’s overall responsibilities and contributions to corporate performance and operations. We define Net Income as net income attributable to REX Common Shareholders (after tax), adjusted by a multiplier and then adding back incentive and stock compensation expense.

We chose the foregoing measures to incentivize our executive officers to grow profits. Specific quantitative corporate performance factors and measures for determining individual annual incentive awards are described under “Employment Agreements” and “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” following the Summary Compensation Table.

The annual incentive program for executive officers includes a “clawback” provision. For purposes of computing awards under the program, in the event of a loss in any fiscal year, income utilized in computing awards in subsequent years is reduced dollar for dollar until the cumulative reduction equals the amount of the earlier loss. In the year the earlier loss is fully recovered, individual caps on annual incentive payouts are increased 100% to enable some or all of a foregone incentive award for a prior loss year(s) to be recouped. We believe the clawback ensures that executive incentive awards are paid based on cumulative Net Income (net of losses) and provides incentive to focus on long-term, sustained earnings growth.

Annual incentive awards are determined and paid on a formula basis without discretion to increase or decrease award amounts.

Long-Term Incentive Awards. In fiscal 2015, our Board of Directors adopted and shareholders approved the REX 2015 Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan provides for grants of a variety of long-term incentives to officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company, including restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rights, unrestricted stock and performance awards payable in cash or stock. The Incentive Plan replaced the Company’s 1995 and 1999 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plans. We have not granted stock options since 2004.

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To strengthen the link between our annual incentive program and long-term corporate performance, one-third of the annual incentive award earned by each executive officer is paid in an award of restricted stock under the Incentive Plan. Restricted stock exposes executives to both upside and downside equity performance risk.

Employment, Termination and Change in Control Arrangements

We have employment agreements with each of our named executive officers which cover base salary, annual incentive award opportunities, and potential payments upon termination or change in control. Upon a termination without cause, or for good reason within 12 months following a change in control, the executive is entitled to his salary for the remainder of the employment period, and a cash payment equal to 200% of the total incentive bonus paid for the prior fiscal year, but not less than $500,000. The Compensation Committee determined these payment amounts based upon competitive practices at the time the employment agreements were approved. The purpose of providing these severance benefits is to compensate executives in the event of a termination of employment not reflective of individual performance and to assure that executives focus on a smooth transition of management and operation of the Company in the event of a change in control.

Stock Award Grant Policy

The Board and the Compensation Committee believe that establishing fixed grant dates in advance, to the extent possible, is important to assure the integrity of the stock-based award granting process. Accordingly, the Board and the Compensation Committee determined that the annual grant of restricted stock awards to non-employee directors, and the restricted stock grants to executive officers in payment of one-third of their annual incentive award earned for the fiscal year, will be made on June 15 of each year.

Role of Executive Officers in Determining Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors determines the compensation paid to our CEO and other executive officers. Our CEO recommends base salary levels and annual incentive opportunities for non-executive officers. All annual incentive payments to executive officers are approved by the Compensation Committee.

Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows a federal income tax deduction to a public company for compensation paid in excess of $1 million in any taxable year to the company’s chief executive officer or any of its other four highest paid executive officers. This limitation formerly did not apply to “performance-based” compensation, as defined under federal tax laws, under a plan approved by shareholders.

For 2017, the annual incentive awards payable to Messrs. Rizvi, Bruggeman and Rose were made under the REX 2015 Incentive Plan to qualify the awards as “performance-based” compensation.

For 2018, the annual incentive awards payable to Messrs. Rizvi, Bruggeman and Rose will be subject to Section 162(m) based upon changes to the Internal Revenue Code as a result of the passage of the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”).

The Compensation Committee considers anticipated tax treatment when reviewing executive compensation, but does not limit executive compensation to amounts deductible under Section 162(m) in order to maintain flexibility to structure compensation programs.

Determinations for 2018

The Compensation Committee made the following determinations and changes with respect to REX’s executive compensation program for fiscal 2018:

 

 

The performance goals and formula for determining annual incentive award opportunities under the 2015 Incentive Plan and executive officers’ employment agreements will be computed based upon an

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amount equal to Net Income using a 1.33 multiplier less a one-time cumulative adjustment of $22,000,000 at the same individual percentages and subject to the same individual maximums for the fiscal year as set forth in the employment agreements.

 

 

The 1.33 multiplier to after-tax earnings approximates pre-tax earnings using an estimated GAAP tax rate after passage of the Tax Act (assuming no tax credits). Incentive awards will be affected by fluctuations from the estimated GAAP tax rate.

 

 

The Compensation Committee will review the multiplier and formula annually

The Compensation Committee believes that incentive awards based on after-tax earnings better encourages executives to focus on overall corporate profitability and to maximize net income and earnings per share.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of REX American Resources Corporation has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the proxy statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

D AVID S. H ARRIS
M
ERVYN L. A LPHONSO
L
EE F ISHER

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and our other most highly compensated executive officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Stock
Awards (1)

 

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation (2)

 

All Other
Compensation (3)

 

Total

Zafar Rizvi(4),

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$

 

225,000

 

 

 

$

 

659,439

 

 

 

$

 

1,318,880

 

 

 

$

 

200

 

 

 

$

 

2,203,519

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$

 

225,000

 

 

 

$

 

535,391

 

 

 

$

 

1,070,783

 

 

 

$

 

200

 

 

 

$

 

1,831,374

 

and President

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

$

 

222,152

 

 

 

$

 

490,198

 

 

 

$

 

980,397

 

 

 

$

 

200

 

 

 

$

 

1,692,947

 

Douglas L. Bruggeman,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$

 

275,700

 

 

 

$

 

329,720

 

 

 

$

 

659,440

 

 

 

$

 

200

 

 

 

$

 

1,265,060

 

Vice President—Finance,

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$

 

275,700

 

 

 

$

 

267,696

 

 

 

$

 

535,391

 

 

 

$

 

200

 

 

 

$

 

1,078,987

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

$

 

275,700

 

 

 

$

 

245,099

 

 

 

$

 

490,198

 

 

 

$

 

200

 

 

 

$

 

1,011,197

 

Stuart A. Rose(5),

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$

 

154,500

 

 

 

$

 

483,589

 

 

 

$

 

967,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,605,267

 

Executive Chairman of

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$

 

154,500

 

 

 

$

 

392,620

 

 

 

$

 

785,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,332,361

 

the Board

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

$

 

154,500

 

 

 

$

 

359,479

 

 

 

$

 

718,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,232,936

 

 

 

(1)

 

Represents one-third of award earned by the named executive officer under our annual incentive program payable in restricted stock with a vesting period of three years based on the closing price of REX Common Stock as of the applicable grant date. See “Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

 

(2)

 

Amounts in this column reflect two-thirds of incentive awards earned under our annual incentive program paid in cash. See “Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

 

(3)

 

Amounts in this column reflect $200 401(k) matching contribution on behalf of each named executive officer other than Mr. Rose.

 

(4)

 

Mr. Rizvi was appointed Chief Executive Officer on June 2, 2015.

 

(5)

 

Mr. Rose served as Chief Executive Officer until June 2, 2015 and thereafter served as Executive Chairman of the Board.

Employment Agreements

We have employment agreements with Zafar Rizvi, our Chief Executive Officer and President, Douglas L. Bruggeman, our Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Stuart A. Rose, our Executive Chairman of the Board and Head of Corporate Development. The employment agreements were effective as of February 1, 2015 for a period of two years through January 31, 2017, and automatically renew for subsequent one year periods unless earlier terminated by resignation, death, total disability or termination for cause, or unless terminated by either party upon 180 days’ notice.

Mr. Rizvi’s fiscal 2017 employment agreement provided for:

 

 

An annual base salary of $225,000.

 

 

The opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus equal to 3% of Net Income, using a 1.54 multiplier subject to a maximum incentive bonus of $2,000,000 in any fiscal year.

Mr. Bruggeman’s fiscal 2017 employment agreement provided for:

 

 

An annual base salary of $275,700.

 

 

The opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus equal to 1.5% of Net Income, using a 1.54 multiplier subject to a maximum incentive bonus of $1,500,000 in any fiscal year.

Mr. Rose’s fiscal 2017 employment agreement provided for:

 

 

An annual base salary of $154,500.

 

 

The opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus equal to 2.2% of Net Income, using a 1.54 multiplier subject to a maximum incentive bonus of $1,500,000 in any fiscal year.

10


 

Effective for fiscal 2018, each employment agreement was amended to reflect an annual incentive bonus opportunity computed based upon an amount equal to 133% of Net Income (as compared to 154% of Net Income for fiscal 2017), less a one-time cumulative adjustment of $22,000,000, at the same individual percentages and subject to the same individual annual maximums stated above.

Each employment agreement also provides for:

 

 

In the event of termination by us without cause, as defined, the employee is entitled to (i) the balance of his salary for the remainder of the employment period, (ii) a cash bonus payment equal to 200% of the total incentive bonus paid for the prior fiscal year, but in no event less than $500,000 and (iii) the right to exercise any awards held under any incentive plan maintained by us whether or not such award is otherwise exercisable or has vested.

 

 

In the event of termination by us for cause, as defined, the employee is entitled to (i) his salary computed pro rata to the date of termination and (ii) bonus payment computed pro rata based on the date of termination.

 

 

In the event of termination due to death, total disability or voluntary termination of employment, the employee or his estate is entitled to (i) his salary computed pro rata to the date of termination, (ii) bonus payment computed pro rata based on the date of termination and (iii) the right to exercise any awards held under any incentive plan maintained by us whether or not such award is otherwise exercisable or has vested and, in the case of voluntary termination, if the employee has 20 years of service and has attained age 55.

 

 

In the event the employee terminates employment for good reason, as defined, within 12 months following a change in control, as defined, the employee is entitled to (i) the balance of his salary for the remainder of the employment period, (ii) a cash bonus payment equal to 200% of the total incentive bonus paid for the prior fiscal year, but in no event less than $500,000 and (iii) the right to exercise any awards held under any incentive plan maintained by us whether or not such award is otherwise exercisable or has vested.

 

 

The right to participate in all employee benefit plans.

 

 

Restrictions on the use of confidential information, and restrictions on competition for a period of one year following termination of employment.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning grants of awards to each named executive officer in fiscal 2017 under our annual incentive program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

Threshold

 

Target (1)

 

Maximum

Zafar A. Rizvi

 

 

$

 

0

 

 

 

$

 

1,606,174

 

 

 

$

 

2,000,000

 

Douglas L. Bruggeman

 

 

$

 

0

 

 

 

$

 

803,087

 

 

 

$

 

1,500,000

 

Stuart A. Rose

 

 

$

 

0

 

 

 

$

 

1,177,861

 

 

 

$

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

(1)

 

Target amounts are not determinable at the time of grant. SEC rules require us to provide a representative amount based on the previous fiscal year’s performance if the target amount is not determinable. Target amounts shown are representative amounts based on the previous fiscal year’s (2016) performance.

Mr. Rizvi’s annual incentive award opportunity for fiscal 2018, which is set forth in his employment agreement, is earned at 3% of Net Income (as previously defined), subject to a maximum $2,000,000 incentive payout for the year.

Mr. Bruggeman’s annual incentive award opportunity for fiscal 2018, which is set forth in his employment agreement, is earned at 1.5% of Net Income, subject to a maximum $1,500,000 incentive payout for the year.

11


 

Mr. Rose’s annual incentive award opportunity for fiscal 2018, which is set forth in his employment agreement, is earned at 2.2% of Net Income, subject to a maximum $1,500,000 incentive payout for the year.

For fiscal 2017, Mr. Rizvi earned an annual incentive award of $1,978,319, Mr. Bruggeman earned an annual incentive award of $989,160, and Mr. Rose earned an annual incentive award of $1,450,767. These incentive awards were based on REX achieving $39,706,000 of Net Income, multiplied by 154%.

One-third of each executive’s annual incentive award (Mr. Rizvi $659,439, Mr. Bruggeman $329,720 and Mr. Rose $483,589) will be paid in an award of restricted stock based on the closing price of REX common stock on June 15, 2018 vesting in one-third installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant. The two-thirds balance of each executive’s annual incentive award (Mr. Rizvi $1,318,880, Mr. Bruggeman $659,440 and Mr. Rose $967,178) was paid in cash.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2017 Year-End

The following table sets forth information concerning restricted stock that has not vested for each named executive officer outstanding as of the end of fiscal 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Stock Awards

 

Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have not Vested

 

Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock That Have not Vested (1)

Zafar A. Rizvi

 

 

 

11,065

 

 

 

$

 

903,457

 

Douglas L. Bruggeman

 

 

 

5,533

 

 

 

$

 

451,769

 

Stuart A. Rose

 

 

 

8,114

 

 

 

$

 

662,508

 

 

 

(1)

 

Based on the closing price of REX common stock on January 31, 2018.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The employment agreements with our named executive officers provide for the following compensation payable upon termination of employment:

 

  In the event of termination without cause, or in the event the executive terminates employment for good reason within 12 months following a change in control, the executive is entitled to (i) the balance of his salary for the remainder of the employment period, (ii) a cash bonus equal to 200% of the total incentive bonus paid for the prior fiscal year, but not less than $500,000 and (iii) the right to exercise any awards under any incentive plan whether exercisable or unexercisable, vested or unvested.

 

o

 

“Good reason” includes a reduction in the executive’s salary or bonus opportunity, significant diminution in the executive’s position, authority or duties, work relocation outside the Dayton, Ohio metropolitan area, and our breach of the employment agreement.

 

o

 

“Change in control” includes any person acquiring 25% or more of outstanding REX common stock, incumbent directors or their Board approved successors ceasing to constitute a majority of the REX board of directors, or a merger or other reorganization resulting in less than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the surviving or resulting company being owned by REX shareholders determined immediately prior to the event.

 

 

In the event of termination due to death, total disability or voluntary termination, the executive or his estate is entitled to (i) his salary computed pro rata to the date of termination, (ii) bonus payment computed pro rata based on the date of termination and (iii) the right to exercise any awards under any incentive plan whether exercisable or unexercisable or vested or unvested, assuming in the case of voluntary termination the executive has 20 years of service and attained age 55.

 

 

In the event of termination by us for cause, the executive is entitled to his salary and bonus payment computed pro rata to and based upon the date of termination.

12


 

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If the employment of our executive officers were terminated without cause, or terminated for good reason following a change in control, our executive officers would have been entitled to the following lump sum amounts as of January 31, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Salary (1)

 

Incentive
Award (2)

 

Accelerated Vesting
of Restricted Stock (3)

 

Total

Zafar A. Rizvi

 

 

$

 

225,000

 

 

 

$

 

3,956,638

 

 

 

$

 

903,457

 

 

 

$

 

5,085,095

 

Douglas L. Bruggeman

 

 

$

 

275,700

 

 

 

$

 

1,978,320

 

 

 

$

 

451,769

 

 

 

$

 

2,705,789

 

Stuart A. Rose

 

 

$

 

154,500

 

 

 

$

 

2,901,534

 

 

 

$

 

662,508

 

 

 

$

 

3,718,542

 

 

 

(1)

 

Salary from February 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019.

 

(2)

 

200% of total incentive award earned for fiscal 2017.

 

(3)

 

Dollar value of unvested restricted stock.

Termination on Death, Total Disability or Voluntary Termination. If the employment of our executive officers were terminated due to death, total disability or voluntary termination, our executive officers or their estates would be entitled to the following lump sum amounts as of January 31, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Salary

 

Incentive
Award

 

Accelerated Vesting
of Restricted Stock

 

Total

Zafar A. Rizvi

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,978,319

 

 

 

$

 

903,457

 

 

 

$

 

2,881,776

 

Douglas L. Bruggeman

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

989,160

 

 

 

$

 

451,769

 

 

 

$

 

1,440,929

 

Stuart A. Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,450,767

 

 

 

$

 

662,508

 

 

 

$

 

2,113,275

 

In their employment agreements, our executive officers are subject to non-competition provisions for a period of one year following termination of employment for any reason, as well as confidentiality provisions.

All unvested shares of restricted stock automatically vest upon death, total disability, termination of employment without cause, voluntary termination of employment after 20 years of service and attaining age 55, termination of employment for good reason within 12 months following a change in control, and any other event specified in an applicable employment agreement. In the event of a change in control, unvested restricted stock will be subject to the definitive agreement governing the change in control.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2017

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our non-employee directors for fiscal 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash

 

Stock
Awards (1)

 

Total

Lawrence Tomchin

 

 

$

 

45,000

 

 

 

$

 

25,000

 

 

 

$

 

70,000

 

Edward M. Kress

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

25,000

 

 

 

$

 

25,000

 

Charles A. Elcan

 

 

$

 

45,000

 

 

 

$

 

25,000

 

 

 

$

 

70,000

 

David S. Harris

 

 

$

 

75,000

 

 

 

$

 

50,000

 

 

 

$

 

125,000

 

Mervyn L. Alphonso

 

 

$

 

50,000

 

 

 

$

 

25,000

 

 

 

$

 

75,000

 

Lee Fisher

 

 

$

 

50,000

 

 

 

$

 

25,000

 

 

 

$

 

75,000

 

 

 

(1)

 

The aggregate number of outstanding restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors of REX that have not vested at January 31, 2018 are 672 shares for each of Messrs. Tomchin, Kress, Elcan, Alphonso and Fisher and 1,344 shares for Mr. Harris.

Director Compensation Arrangements

Directors who are not officers or employees of REX are paid an annual retainer of $45,000 per year (plus reasonable travel expenses) and a $5,000 per year retainer if they serve on one or more Board

13


 

committees. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Director are each paid an additional $12,500 per year retainer, both of which retainers are currently paid to Mr. Harris in his dual capacity.

Non-employee directors receive an annual $25,000 grant of restricted stock under the 2015 Incentive Plan based on the closing price of REX common stock on the date of grant vesting in one-third installments on the first three anniversaries of the grant. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Director each receive an additional $12,500 annual grant of restricted stock with a vesting period of three years, both of which grants are currently received by Mr. Harris in his dual capacity.

Compensation Policies and Risk

We believe the compensation policies and practices for our employees do not encourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Our compensation program consists of fixed and variable components. The fixed portion, base salary, provides stable income regardless of Company performance or stock price. The variable portion, annual incentive and restricted stock awards, rewards both short-term and long-term corporate performance.

Prior to fiscal 2017, our annual incentive program was based on the Company’s earnings before income taxes. We began using after-tax income as our annual incentive performance measure for fiscal 2017. We believe that basing annual incentives on after-tax income better encourages executives to focus on growing profits and earnings per share. We cap each executive’s total annual incentive award which we believe reduces the incentive to engage in excess risk taking as incentive payments are limited. We annually review our incentive performance measures and formula.

Long-term performance is reflected in restricted stock awards that vest in installments over three years and grow in value if our stock price increases over time. We believe that our restricted stock awards and the clawback provision in our annual incentive program create a disincentive to engage in short-term risk taking which could ultimately harm the Company’s long-term performance and stock price.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)

 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)

 

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected I Column (a))
(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

 

 

 

29,415

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

511,174

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

29,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

511,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Includes the REX American Resources Corporation 2015 Incentive Plan.

 

(2)

 

Consists of 29,415 shares of restricted stock awarded but not vested under the 2015 Incentive Plan at January 31, 2018. Restricted stock has no exercise price.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pay Ratio

We are committed to internal pay equity to incentivize all our employees and to maximize shareholder value. In furtherance of that goal, and consistent with the requirements of Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, the Compensation Committee reviewed a comparison of our CEO’s annual total compensation in fiscal year 2017 to that of all other Company employees for the same period.

For fiscal 2017, the annual total compensation of our CEO was $2,203,519 and the annual total compensation of the employee identified at the median of our Company (excluding the CEO), was $51,306.

14


 

Therefore, the ratio of annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual compensation for fiscal 2017 was 43 to 1.

The calculation of annual total compensation of all employees (including full and part-time employees) was determined in the same manner as the “Total Compensation” shown for our CEO in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 10 of this Proxy Statement. Pay elements that were included in the annual total compensation for each employee are salary/hourly wage, bonus and 401K matching contributions.

Our calculation includes all employees of REX and its consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017. We determined the compensation of our median employee by: (i) calculating the annual total compensation described above for each of our employees and annualizing the base salary/wages of all permanent employees who were hired in 2017 but did not work for the entire year, (ii) ranking the annual total compensation of all employees except for the CEO from lowest to highest, and (iii) since we had an even number of employees when not including the CEO, determining the average of the annual total compensation of the two employees ranked at the median.

This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records and the methodology described above.

15


 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(Item 2)

We are asking shareholders to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers disclosed in the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement. This non-binding advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” vote, is required not less than once every 3 years, pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act. REX has determined to obtain this non-binding advisory vote on a yearly basis.

Our executive compensation program is designed to motivate and retain our key employees and to reward both annual and long-term corporate performance. We believe our executive compensation program appropriately aligns named executive officers’ incentives with the interests of shareholders. Accordingly, we are asking you to vote on the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.”

While this vote is not binding on the Company or the Board of Directors, we value the opinion of shareholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future executive compensation decisions.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the compensation of our named executive officers.

16


 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of April 24, 2018 (the record date for the Annual Meeting), certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of REX Common Stock by each director and nominee for director, each named executive officer, all directors and executive officers as a group and those persons or groups known by us to own more than 5% of our Common Stock.

For purposes of this table, a person is considered to “beneficially own” any shares if the person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, has (or has the right to acquire within 60 days after April 24, 2018) sole or shared power (i) to vote or to direct the voting of the shares or (ii) to dispose or to direct the disposition of the shares. Unless otherwise indicated, voting power and investment power are exercised solely by the named person or shared with members of his household.

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Address

 

Common Stock
Beneficially Owned

 

Number

 

Percent (1)

Stuart A. Rose(2)

 

 

 

573,528

 

 

 

 

8.9

%

 

7720 Paragon Road,

 

 

 

 

Dayton, OH 45459

 

 

 

 

Zafar A. Rizvi(3)

 

 

 

42,237

 

 

 

 

*

 

7720 Paragon Road,

 

 

 

 

Dayton, OH 45459

 

 

 

 

Douglas L. Bruggeman(4)

 

 

 

22,471

 

 

 

 

*

 

7720 Paragon Road,

 

 

 

 

Dayton, OH 45459

 

 

 

 

Edward M. Kress(5)

 

 

 

39,772

 

 

 

 

*

 

One South Main Street, Suite 1300,

 

 

 

 

Dayton, OH 45402

 

 

 

 

David S. Harris(6)

 

 

 

1,528

 

 

 

 

*

 

24 Avon Road,

 

 

 

 

Bronxville, NY 10708

 

 

 

 

Lawrence Tomchin(7)

 

 

 

113,084

 

 

 

 

1.8

%

 

7720 Paragon Road,

 

 

 

 

Dayton, OH 45459

 

 

 

 

Charles A. Elcan(8)

 

 

 

15,724

 

 

 

 

*

 

3100 West End Avenue, Suite 500,

 

 

 

 

Nashville, TN 37203

 

 

 

 

Mervyn L. Alphonso(9)

 

 

 

764

 

 

 

 

*

 

3830 Kennent Square,

 

 

 

 

Suwanee, GA 30024

 

 

 

 

Lee Fisher(10)

 

 

 

764

 

 

 

 

*

 

15925 Shaker Blvd.,

 

 

 

 

Cleveland, OH 44120

 

 

 

 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group(11) (9 persons)

 

 

 

1,104,446

 

 

 

 

12.5

%

 

BlackRock, Inc.(12)

 

 

 

775,024

 

 

 

 

12.0

%

 

JP Morgan Chase & Co.(13)

 

 

 

501,659

 

 

 

 

7.8

%

 

270 Park Avenue,

 

 

 

 

New York, NY 10017

 

 

 

 

Renaissance Technologies LLC(14)

 

 

 

522,700

 

 

 

 

8.1

%

 

800 Third Avenue,

 

 

 

 

New York, NY 10022

 

 

 

 

17


 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Address

 

Common Stock
Beneficially Owned

 

Number

 

Percent (1)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(15)

 

 

 

553,413

 

 

 

 

8.6

%

 

Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road,

 

 

 

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group(16)

 

 

 

415,136

 

 

 

 

6.4

%

 

100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355

 

 

 

 

55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

One percent or less

 

(1)

 

Percentages are calculated on the basis of the number of shares outstanding on April 24, 2018 plus the number of shares of restricted stock awarded to the person or group that will vest within 60 days after April 24, 2018.

 

(2)

 

Includes 443,854 shares held by the Stuart Rose Family Foundation, an Ohio nonprofit corporation of which Mr. Rose is the sole member, chief executive officer and one of three members of the board of trustees, the other two being members of his immediate family, and 3,380 shares of restricted stock.

 

(3)

 

Includes 4,610 shares of restricted stock.

 

(4)

 

Includes 2,305 shares of restricted stock.

 

(5)

 

Includes 5,000 shares held by Mr. Kress as a co-trustee of the Tomchin Family Trust, 2,000 shares held by Mr. Kress as co-trustee of the Restated Brian Brooks Trust II and 359 shares of restricted stock.

 

(6)

 

Includes 718 shares of restricted stock.

 

(7)

 

Includes 359 shares of restricted stock and 282 shares held by Mr. Tomchin’s wife.

 

(8)

 

Includes 359 shares of restricted stock.

 

(9)

 

Includes 359 shares of restricted stock.

 

(10)

 

Includes 359 shares of restricted stock.

 

(11)

 

Includes 1,104,446 shares of restricted stock.

 

(12)

 

Based on a Schedule 13G filing dated January 17, 2018. BlackRock, Inc., as parent holding company of BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Fund Advisors (beneficially owns 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of class reported), BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., Blackrock Investment Management, LLC, Blackrock International Limited and Blackrock Japan Co., Ltd. has sole power to vote 761,108 shares and sole power to dispose of 775,024 shares.

 

(13)

 

Based on a Schedule 13G filing dated January 25, 2018. JPMorgan Chase & Co., as parent holding company of JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., has sole power to vote 456,727 shares and sole power to dispose of 495,459 shares.

 

(14)

 

Based on a Schedule 13G filing dated February 13, 2018. Renaissance Technologies LLC and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation, on behalf of certain funds and accounts managed by Renaissance Technologies LLC, have sole power to vote 522,700 shares and sole power to dispose of 522,700 shares.

 

(15)

 

Based on a Schedule 13G filing dated February 9, 2018. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, a registered investment adviser, furnishes investment advice to four registered investment companies and serves as investment manager or sub-adviser to certain other commingled funds, group trusts and separate accounts. In its or its subsidiaries’ role as investment adviser, sub-adviser and/or manager, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries may possess voting and/or investment power over the shares owned by these funds, trusts and accounts. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries has sole power to vote 540,700 shares and sole power to dispose of 553,413 shares. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.

 

(16)

 

Based on a Schedule 13G filing dated February 7, 2018, The Vanguard Group, a registered investment advisor, has the sole power to vote 6,306 shares, shared power to vote 529 shares, sole power to dispose of 408,660 shares and shared power to dispose of 6,476 shares.

18


 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of REX Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We believe that during fiscal 2017 all filing requirements applicable to our directors and executive officers were timely met.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

During fiscal 2017, REX paid the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, of which Edward M. Kress is a partner, a total of $455,844 for legal services. Mr. Kress is a member of our Board of Directors.

We believe the fees paid to Dinsmore & Shohl LLP for legal services were comparable to terms that we could have obtained from unaffiliated third parties and fair to the Company.

Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons

We review all financial transactions, arrangements or relationships between REX and our directors, executive officers, their immediate family members and our significant shareholders to determine the materiality of the related person’s interest, whether it creates a conflict of interest, and whether it is on terms comparable to arm’s length dealings with an unrelated party or otherwise fair to us. We have developed internal controls and processes for identifying related party transactions, including annual director and officer questionnaires. All related party transactions are reviewed by our legal counsel for disclosure in our proxy statement. Related party transactions are reviewed and approved by our CEO, unless our legal counsel determines that the amount involved, persons involved, significance or other aspects of the transaction require review and approval by the disinterested members of our Board of Directors.

19


 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte & Touche LLP served as REX’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2018, and has served in that capacity since 2002. It is anticipated that representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders and to make a statement if they desire to do so.

The Board of Directors annually appoints the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company after receiving the recommendations of the Audit Committee, typically following the Annual Meeting. No recommendation of the Audit Committee has been made concerning the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2019.

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed REX for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2018 and 2017 by Deloitte & Touche LLP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal
2017

 

Fiscal
2016

Audit Fees(1)

 

 

$

 

536,179

 

 

 

$

 

442,852

 

Audit-Related Fees(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Fees(3)

 

 

$

 

274,150

 

 

 

$

 

137,850

 

All Other Fees(4)

 

 

$

 

2,032

 

 

 

$

 

2,145

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

812,361

 

 

 

$

 

582,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. This category included fees related to the audit of our internal control over financial reporting required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(2)

 

Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.”

 

(3)

 

Tax Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

(4)

 

All Other Fees consist of fees paid for a web based accounting research tool.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee will generally pre-approve a list of specific services and categories of services, including audit, audit-related, tax and other services, for the upcoming or current fiscal year, subject to a specified dollar limit. Any material service not included in the approved list of services, and all services in excess of the pre-approved dollar limit, must be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Our independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee all services performed and fees charged to date by the firm pursuant to the pre-approval policy. None of the fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm for Audit-Related, Tax and Other Services described above were approved by the Audit Committee after the services were rendered pursuant to the de minimus exception under SEC rules.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee assists Board oversight of the integrity of the financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee is comprised of nonemployee directors who meet the independence and

20


 

financial experience requirements of applicable NYSE listing standards and SEC rules. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter.

Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the Company’s systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K with management, including a discussion of the quality and the acceptability of the Company’s financial reporting and controls.

The Committee reviewed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality and the acceptability of the Company’s financial reporting and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards , Vol. 1. AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm’s independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the independent registered public accounting firm’s written disclosures and letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence.

The Committee also discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee meets periodically with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2018 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AUDIT COMMITTEE
     
D
AVID S. H ARRIS , Chairman
M
ERVYN L. A LPHONSO
L
EE F ISHER

21


 

OTHER BUSINESS

Solicitation of Proxies

The Company will bear the entire expense of this proxy solicitation. Arrangements will be made with brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxy solicitation materials to their principals and the Company will, upon request, reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. Officers and other regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies by mail, in person or by telephone.

Other Matters

The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those mentioned above. If other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof, the proxy holders will vote the proxies thereon in their discretion.

Shareholder Proposals

Proposals by shareholders intended to be presented at REX’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must, in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, be received by the Secretary of the Company at 7720 Paragon Road, Dayton, Ohio 45459 on or before January 2, 2019 in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for that meeting. Shareholder proposals intended to be submitted at the 2019 Annual Meeting outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 will be considered untimely under Rule 14a-4(c)(1) if not received by us at our corporate offices on or before March 18, 2019. If we do not receive timely notice of such proposal, the proxy holders will vote on the proposal, if presented at the meeting, in their discretion.

Shareholder recommendations for director candidates must be received by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee at our corporate offices on or before January 1, 2019 to be considered for nomination in connection with the 2019 Annual Meeting. Names submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

 

 

 

     

 

By Order of the Board of Directors


E
DWARD M. K RESS
Secretary

May 2, 2018
Dayton, Ohio

22


 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

June 6, 2018

 

GO GREEN

e-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.astfinancial.com to enjoy online access.

 

NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL :
The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card
are available at www.rexamerican.com

 

Please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.

 

 

â   Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.   â

 

00003333333330000000   

1

060618

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH DIRECTOR, AND
“FOR” ITEM 2.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors and will be voted as directed herein. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations.   1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
  INSTRUCTION: Please mark your vote for each nominee separately
            FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
      Stuart A. Rose     o o o
                 
      Zafar Rizvi     o o o
                 
      Edward M. Kress     o o o
                 
      David S. Harris     o o o
                 
      Charles A. Elcan     o o o
                 
      Mervyn L. Alphonso     o o o
                 
      Lee Fisher     o o o
                 
    2. ADVISORY VOTE on executive compensation. o o o
             
             
             
             
    3. IN THEIR DISCRETION the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.
             
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. o          

 

Signature of Shareholder      Date:     Signature of Shareholder      Date:   

 

Note:

Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0  

 

 

 

PROXY

 

REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION

Proxy for Annual Meeting of Shareholders
June 6, 2018

 

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Stuart A. Rose and Zafar Rizvi and each of them proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all the shares of Common Stock of REX AMERICAN RESOURCES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. and any adjournments thereof.

 

(Continued, and to be signed, on the other side)

  1.1  14475
 
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