Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned
issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer smaller reporting company or emerging growth company. See definitions of “large
accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
As of June 30, 2016, which is the last business day of the registrant’s
most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates
computed by reference to the closing sales price at which the common equity was last sold on the NYSE MKT Exchange (the “Exchange”)
was $5,595,030.
As of the close of business on April 27, 2017, there were 26,905,631
shares of DGSE Companies, Inc. common stock issued and outstanding.
DGSE Companies, Inc. (the “Company” or “DGSE”)
is filing this Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as originally
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 14, 2017 (the “Original Form 10-K”),
to add information required in Part III of its Annual Report on Form 10-K because a definitive proxy statement containing such
information may not be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by the Form 10-K. The reference on the cover
of the Original Form 10-K to the incorporation by reference to portions of its definitive proxy statement into Part III of the
Original Form 10-K is hereby deleted. In addition, Item 15 of Part IV is being amended solely to add as exhibits certain new certifications
in accordance with Rule 13a-14(a) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Except as described above, no other changes have been made to the
Original Form 10-K. This Amendment No. 1 continues to speak as of the date of the Original Form 10-K and the Company has not
updated the disclosure herein to reflect any events that occurred at a later date other than as expressly stated herein. Accordingly,
this Amendment No. 1 should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and with the Company’s filings made with
the SEC subsequent to the filing of the Original Form 10-K.
Unless the context requires otherwise,
references to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer specifically to DGSE Companies, Inc.
PART III
ITEM 10.
|
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
|
Board of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table lists the name and age of each member of the
Board, each executive officer and each other significant employee, their respective terms of office and the position(s) he or she
currently holds as of the date of the filing of this Amendment No. 1 to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2016 (“Fiscal 2016”).
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Director or
Officer Since
|
|
Position
|
John R. Loftus
|
|
47
|
|
2016
|
|
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bret A. Pedersen
|
|
55
|
|
2017
|
|
Officer and President Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joel S. Friedman (1)
|
|
48
|
|
2017
|
|
Lead Independent Director and Chairman of the Compensation Committee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alexandra C. Griffin (1)
|
|
27
|
|
2017
|
|
Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jim R. Ruth (1)
|
|
52
|
|
2017
|
|
Director and Chairman of the Compliance, Governance and Nominating Committee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William E. LerRoy
|
|
60
|
|
2016
|
|
Director
|
|
(1)
|
Member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee,
and Compliance, Governance and Nominating Committee.
|
The following paragraphs summarize each nominee’s principal
occupation, business affiliations and other information.
John R. Loftus
was appointed Chief Executive Officer and
President and elected as Chairman of the Board on December 12, 2016. From 2015 to 2015, Mr. Loftus was the Chief Executive Officer
of Elemetal, LLC (“Elemetal”), a global precious metals company focusing on the recovery, refining, and minting of
precious metals and providing retail and wholesale investment possibilities and DGSE’s largest shareholder and was responsible
for for Elemetal’s operations. Prior to Elemetal, Mr. Loftus was the founder of NTR Metals, LLC, a precious metals refiner
for jewelers, pawnbrokers, and metal industries customers worldwide. Previous to his work at NTR Metals, Mr. Loftus was a commodities
floor trader and holds an M.B.A. from the SMU Cox School of Business.
Bret A. Pedersen
was appointed Chief Financial Officer on
January 17, 2017. Mr. Pedersen has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southwest Texas State University. Having been a
CPA for over twenty years, he has extensive experience in reporting, analyzing, and financially controlling companies. He has been
serving in the capacity as a Financial Controller for the past twenty years. Two years prior to being employed by DGSE, Mr. Pedersen
was the Financial Controller, from 2014 to 2016, for Payson Petroleum, Inc. which is the parent company of Payson Operating, LLC.
Prior to Payson Petroleum, Mr. Pedersen was the Financial Controller, from 2009 to 2014, for Iron Creek Ventures, Inc.
Joel S. Friedman
has served as Lead Independent Director
and Chairman of the Compensation Committee since January 18, 2017. Mr. Friedman has his undergraduate degree from the University
of North Texas and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the SMU Cox School of Business. Mr. Friedman is a Senior Vice
President – Mortgage Originations Development with Citi, where he has served since 2012.
Alexandra
C. Griffin
has served as a director and as Chairman of the Audit Committee since January 17, 2017. Ms. Griffin has a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has
been with
PrimeLending
since December 2014 and is currently an Accounting Supervisor. Prior to PrimeLending, Ms. Griffin worked as a Senior Accountant
for NTR Metals, LLC from 2012 to 2014. Ms. Griffin is a CPA skilled in financial analysis and financial statement reporting in
accordance with GAAP.
Jim R. Ruth
has served as a director
and as Chairman of the Compliance and Nominating Committee since January 17, 2017. Mr. Ruth is currently the President and Chief
Executive Officer of OppMetrix. From 2010 to 2015 he was the Executive Vice President- Sales and Marketing, Strategic Planning
of OppMetrix. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Michigan and holds a Masters of Business Administration
from the SMU Cox School of Business.
William E. LeRoy
has served as a director
since 2016. Mr. Leroy is currently the Chief Executive Officer and on the Board of Managers of Elemetal, LLC. Mr. LeRoy has served
in such role since 2012. From 2007 until 2012, Mr. LeRoy served as President of Ohio Precious Metals, LLC, a precious metals refinery
that became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elemetal in 2012. Mr. Leroy has worked his entire professional career in the precious
metal industry including sales and management positions in electroplating and capital equipment industries. Prior to joining Elemetal,
Mr. Leroy served as National Sales Manager for Handy&Harman and Managing Director for H&H Singapore. Mr. Leroy holds a
B.S. in Marketing from The Ohio State University. Mr. LeRoy was elected to the Board because of his extensive experience in the
precious metal industry.
None of the individuals listed above have been involved in a legal
proceeding as defined by Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors or our executive
officers.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and officers
and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock to file with the SEC reports of beneficial ownership
on Forms 3 and changes in beneficial ownership of our common stock and other equity securities on Forms 4 or Forms 5. SEC regulations
require all officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto
furnished to us during, and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to us with respect to, Fiscal 2016, and any written representations
from reporting persons that no Form 5 is required, we are not aware of any person who, at any time during Fiscal 2016, was a director,
officer or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our common stock who failed to file on a timely basis, as disclosed in the above
forms, reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during Fiscal 2016 except for Nabil J. Lopez, who had one late Form
4 filing reporting one transaction.:
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transactions Not
|
|
|
Known Failures
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Reported On a
|
|
|
to File a Required
|
|
Name
|
|
Late Reports
|
|
|
Timely Basis
|
|
|
Form
|
|
Matthew M. Peakes
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
J. Marcus Scrudder
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Michael J. Noel
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
William E. LeRoy
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
John R. Loftus
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Joel S. Friedman
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Alexandra C. Griffin
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Jim R. Ruth
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Board Composition
Matthew
M. Peakes tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer effective as of December 10,
2016. On December 12, 2016, John R. Loftus was elected to the position of the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors
.
All three of our independent directors elected at our annual stockholders
meeting held on December 7, 2016 resigned. On January 12, 2017, J. Marcus Scrudder tendered his resignation as Lead Independent
Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee to the Board of Directors of DGSE and the other committees of the Board on which he
served. On January 12, 2017, Michael J. Noel tendered his resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of DGSE and Chairman
of the Compliance, Governance and Nominating Committee to the Board of Directors of DGSE and the other committees of the Board
on which he served. On January 12, 2017, Douglas J. Lattner tendered his resignation as a member of the Board and Chairman
of the Compensation Committee to the Board and the other committees of the Board on which he served. The resignation of all three
of our independent directors caused us to be temporarily out of compliance with the continued listing requirements of the NYSE
MKT, which require that 50% of the members of the Board are independent and that the audit committee of the Board be comprised
of at least two members, all of whom are independent. On January 17 and January 18, 2017, we elected new independent directors
Joel S. Friedman, Alexandra C. Griffin, and Jim R. Ruth to the Board.
Our Board is currently composed of five directors. Our Board has
determined that current board members Joel S. Friedman, Alexandra C. Griffin, and Jim R. Ruth are “independent” under
the standards of the SEC and the NYSE MKT. Under applicable SEC and NYSE MKT rules, the existence of certain “related person”
transactions above certain thresholds between a director and us are required to be disclosed and preclude a finding by our Board
that the director is independent. In addition to transactions required to be disclosed under SEC rules, our Board considered certain
other relationships in making its independence determinations, and determined in each case that such other relationships did not
impair the director’s ability to exercise independent judgment on our behalf.
Our directors are elected at an annual meeting of our shareholders
by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors, except in the case of vacancy, which can be filled by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors. Each director is elected to serve until the annual meeting of shareholders
following his or her election or until he or she chooses to resign from his position.
Board Meetings
Our Board meets as often as necessary to perform its duties and
responsibilities. During Fiscal 2016, the Board met five times in person or telephonically. All members of our Board were present
at and participated in all meetings. In addition, our Board acted by written consent three times. Management also regularly conferred
with directors between meetings regarding our affairs.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A)
of the Exchange Act, consisting of all three independent directors of our Board, was chaired by J. Marcus Scrudder during Fiscal
2016, who was also an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation
S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act. Mr. Scrudder was “independent,” as defined by the listing standards of the
Exchange during Fiscal 2016 and following his resignation on January 12, 2017, Alexandra C. Griffin was elected to fill his seat.
Ms. Griffin is an “audit committee financial expert”, as the term is defined by the listing standards of the Exchange.
The other members of the Audit Committee during Fiscal 2016 were Douglas J. Lattner and Michael J. Noel and upon their resignations
on January 12, 2017, Joel S. Friedman and Jim R. Ruth filled their vacancies. The Audit Committee is primarily tasked with overseeing
our financial reporting process, evaluation of independent auditors and, where appropriate, exercising its duty to replace our
independent auditors. Management is responsible for preparing our financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible
for auditing those financial statements. During Fiscal 2016, the Audit Committee met five times in person or telephonically.
In addition to their regular activities, the Audit Committee is
available to meet with the independent auditors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer whenever a special
situation arises and meets as often as necessary to perform its duties and responsibilities. The charter for the Audit Committee
is available under the “Investors” menu of our corporate website at www.DGSECompanies.com. We certify that we have
adopted a formal written audit committee charter and that the Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the charter
annually.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management and Whitley Penn LLP (“Whitley Penn”), our independent registered accounting firm, and all
matters required to be discussed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU
Section 380, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T.
The Audit Committee has received written disclosures and the letter
from Whitley Penn required by applicable rules of the PCAOB regarding Whitley Penn’s communications with the Audit Committee
concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with Whitley Penn its independence.
Based on the review and discussions noted in the preceding two paragraphs,
the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
be included in our annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC.
The Audit Committee acts pursuant to our Audit Committee Charter.
Each of the members of the Audit Committee qualifies as an independent director under the current listing standards of the Exchange.
Compensation Committee
On August 31, 2012, the Board approved the creation of a Compensation
Committee comprised of our independent directors. During Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee was chaired by Douglas J. Lattner.
The Compensation Committee is currently chaired by Joel S. Friedman and is primarily concerned with reviewing, approving and determining
the compensation of our executive officers to ensure that we employ ethical compensation standards and that our executive officers
are fairly compensated based upon their performance and contribution to us. The Compensation Committee meets as often as necessary
to perform its duties and responsibilities. During Fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee met one time in person or telephonically.
We have adopted a formal written Compensation Committee Charter, and the Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of
the charter annually. The charter for the Compensation Committee is available under the “Investors” menu of our corporate
website at www.DGSECompanies.com.
Compliance, Governance, and Nominating Committee
On January 17, 2013, the Board approved the creation of a Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee comprised of our independent directors, and on February 20, 2015, the Board approved a resolution
which changed the name of this committee to the Compliance, Governance, and Nominating Committee, and also delegated certain additional
responsibilities to the committee. During Fiscal 2016, the Compliance, Governance and Nominating Committee was chaired by Michael
J. Noel. The Compliance, Governance, and Nominating Committee is chaired by Jim R. Ruth and is primarily concerned with matters
relating to the Company’s director nominations process and procedures, developing and maintaining the Company’s corporate
governance policies, monitoring the Company’s compliance with its code of conduct and ethics, and any related matters required
by the federal securities laws. The Compliance, Governance, and Nominating Committee meets as often as necessary to perform its
duties and responsibilities. During Fiscal 2016, the Compliance, Governance, and Nominating Committee met three times. We have
adopted a formal written Compliance, Governance, and Nominating Committee Charter, and the Compliance, Governance, and Nominating
Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the charter annually. The charter for the Compliance, Governance and Nominating
Committee is available under the “Investors” menu on our corporate website at www.DGSECompanies.com.
Leadership
Pursuant to our bylaws, the Chairman of our Board shall be and is
our Chief Executive Officer. On June 11, 2014, the Board passed a resolution to create the role of Lead Independent Director. During
Fiscal 2016, the Lead Independent Director was J. Marcus Scrudder. Following his resignation, the independent directors elected
Joel S. Friedman to fill that role. The Lead Independent Director consults with the Chairman in setting the schedule and agenda
for Board meetings, coordinates and moderates executive sessions of the independent directors, acts as a liaison between the independent
directors and the Chairman, and assists the Board and officers in providing oversight for the Company’s governance guidelines
and policies. As noted above, Mr. Friedman also serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee.
Pursuant to our bylaws, the Chairman of our Board and Chief Executive
Officer presides, when present, at all meetings of the shareholders and at all meetings of our Board. The Chairman of our Board
and Chief Executive Officer generally supervises over our affairs, has general and active control of all of our business and sees
that all orders and resolutions of our Board and our shareholders are carried into effect. We have determined this leadership structure
appropriate given the need for a centralized model of oversight.
Risk Oversight
Like other companies, we face a variety of risks, including investment
risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk. Our Board believes an effective risk management system should: (i) timely identify
the material risks that we face; (ii) communicate necessary information with respect to material risks to senior executives
and, as appropriate, to the Board or the relevant committee of our Board of Directors; (iii) implement appropriate and responsive
risk management strategies consistent with our risk profile; and, (iv) integrate risk management into decision-making. Our Board
is tasked with overseeing risk oversight, and periodically meets with management and advisors regarding the adequacy and effectiveness
of our risk management processes and to analyze the most likely areas of future risk for us. In addition to the formal compliance
program, our Board encourages management to promote a corporate culture that incorporates risk management into our corporate strategy
and day-to-day business operations.
Code of Business Conduct & Ethics and Related Party Transaction
Policy
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies
to our directors, officers and employees, as well as a Related Person Transaction Policy, that applies to our directors (and director
nominees), executive officers (or persons performing similar functions), and certain of our family members, affiliates, associates
and/or related persons, as well as stockholders owning at least 5% of our Common Stock. The latest copies of our Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics, and Related Person Transaction Policy are available under the “Investors” menu on our corporate
website at www.DGSECompanies.com. Any transactions between us and our officers, directors, principal shareholders, or other affiliates
have been on terms no less favorable to us than the Board believes could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties on an arms-length
basis. We intend to disclose future amendments to these policies, or waivers of such provisions, at the same location on our website
and also in public filings.
Shareholder Communication
Shareholders may send communications to our Board, individual directors
or officers through our Investor Relations Department, Attn: Mr. Bret A. Pedersen, Chief Financial Officer, c/o DGSE Companies,
Inc., 13022 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75240, by phone at 972-587-4049, or via email at investorrelations@dgse.com. Mr. Pedersen
will forward all shareholder communications that, in his judgment, are appropriate for consideration by members of our Board. Comments
or questions regarding our accounting, internal controls or auditing matters will be referred to members of the Audit Committee.
Comments or questions regarding the nomination of directors and other corporate governance matters will be referred to our Compliance,
Governance, and Nominating Committee.
ITEM 11.
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
|
Our Board is responsible for establishing
and administering our executive compensation and employee benefit programs in the context of our overall goals and objectives.
This Board’s duty has been delegated to the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”)
in accordance with the Compensation Committee’s Charter. The Compensation Committee reviews the executive compensation program
at least annually and approves appropriate modifications to executive officer compensation, including specific amounts and types
of compensation. The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing the compensation of the CEO and CFO. The Compensation
Committee establishes the annual compensation of the non-employee directors and oversees our equity compensation plans, including
the administration of our stock-based compensation plans.
The objectives of our compensation program
are to: (i) provide a competitive, comprehensive compensation package to attract, retain and motivate highly talented personnel
at all levels of our organization; and, (ii) provide incentives and rewards for implementing and accomplishing our short-term and
long-term strategic and operational goals and objectives. Therefore, we strive to structure compensation packages that are competitive
within the industry, while maintaining and promoting our interests, as well as the interests of our shareholders.
We believe that specific levels of executive
compensation should reflect the responsibilities of each position within our Company, the relative value of the position and the
competition for quality, key personnel in our industry. Our executive compensation program includes three primary components:
|
·
|
Base
salary
. Base salary is the guaranteed element of an executive’s annual cash compensation. The level of base salary reflects
the Compensation Committee’s assessment of the employee’s long-term performance, his or her skill set and the market
value of that skill set.
|
|
·
|
Annual
cash bonus opportunities
. Performance-based incentive cash bonuses are intended to reward executives for achieving specific
financial and operational goals both at a corporate and an individual level.
|
|
·
|
Long-term
incentive awards
. Long-term incentives are provided through grants of stock options and restricted stock units intended to
encourage our executives to take steps that they believe are necessary to ensure our long-term success, and to align their interests
with our other shareholders.
|
Advice of Compensation Consultant
In February 2015, as part of a set of corporate governance reforms
that the Board implemented, the Compensation Committee recommended and the Board approved an Executive Compensation Policy. As
part of this policy the Compensation Committee is required to retain an independent compensation consultant at least once every
three years to review the Company’s compensation philosophy and plan to ensure that the criteria, factors, and policies and
procedures for determining compensation comport with current best practices. Such consultant shall make recommendations to the
Compensation Committee and/or the entire Board regarding any appropriate actions to better align executive and director compensation
with shareholder interests and long-term value creation. Accordingly, in 2016, the Compensation Committee retained an independent
compensation consultant, Paradox Compensation Advisors (“Paradox”), to analyze our executive compensation program as
compared to our peers. Paradox also advised the Compensation Committee regarding appropriate elements of a competitive executive
compensation structure, including fixed and at-risk elements, short-term and long-term incentives, and cash and equity components.
Paradox reported the results of its analysis of our total executive compensation packages for positions held by members of our
executive leadership team, as well as specific components of these packages, as compared to executives holding similar positions
as similar-sized companies and/or labor market peers in related industries.
Summary Compensation Table
The following tables and discussion sets forth the compensation
paid or accrued to our Chief Executive Officer (or person acting in a similar capacity), and our two most highly compensated executive
officers other than our Chief Executive Officer (“Named Executive Officers”), for all services rendered to us by these
individuals in all capacities for Fiscal 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015.
Name and
|
|
Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Awards ($)
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew M. Peakes
|
|
2015
|
|
|
82,385
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82,385
|
|
Former Chief
|
|
2016
|
|
|
315,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81,000
|
|
|
|
315,474
|
|
Executive Officer (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
|
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|
|
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|
Nabil J. Lopez
|
|
2015
|
|
|
177,662
|
|
|
|
12,360
|
|
|
|
775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
190,797
|
|
Former Chief
|
|
2016
|
|
|
148,291
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
148,291
|
|
Financial Officer (2)
|
|
|
|
|
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Steven R. Patterson
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
Former Acting Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
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Financial Officer (3)
|
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John R. Loftus
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2016
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-
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-
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Chief Executive
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Officer (4)
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(1)
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Matthew M. Peakes was elected as the Company’s
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President upon the resignation of James D. Clem on September 15, 2015. Mr.
Peakes resigned from his position as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President on December 10, 2016.
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(2)
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Nabil J. Lopez was elected as Chief Financial Officer
and member of the Board on November 4, 2015. Prior to this election, Mr. Lopez served as the Company’s Senior Vice
President and Controller. Mr. Lopez resigned his position as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board on August 15, 2016.
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(3)
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Steven R. Patterson was elected as Acting Chief Financial
Officer on August 15, 2016. Mr. Patterson’s election is strictly on a contractual basis and not as an employee. His firm
was paid $9,000 per week.
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(4)
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John R. Loftus was elected as the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and President on December 12, 2016 upon the resignation of Matthew M. Peakes on
December 10, 2016. Mr. Loftus has chosen not to receive a salary at this time.
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Employment Agreements
There are no Employment Agreements as of December 31, 2016.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
In March 2016, the Compensation Committee granted
162,720 RSUs to the Company’s independent Board members. Each RSU is convertible into one share of Common Stock, par value
$0.01, of the Company without additional payment pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated March
24, 2016, between the Issuer and each recipient (the “RSU Award Agreement”). One-fourth (or 40,680) of the RSUs vested
and were exercisable as of the date of the grant, and an additional one-fourth of the RSUs (calculated using the total number of
RSUs at the time of grant) vested and were exercisable at the end of each subsequent quarter ending December 31, 2016, subject
to each recipients continued status as an Independent Board Member on each such date and other terms and conditions of set forth
in the RSU Award Agreement. Upon resignation of service of the recipient to the Company, other than by reason of death or disability,
any RSUs that had not vested would have been forfeited and the award of such units would have terminated. As of December 31, 2016,
all RSUs held by the independent Board members were fully vested.
On April 27, 2016, the Board awarded Matthew
Peakes, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, and Nabil J. Lopez, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer,
a total of 75,000 and 50,000 RSUs, respectively, as compensation for their service as executives of the Company. For Mr. Peakes,
one-fourth (or 18,750), and for Mr. Lopez, one-fourth (or 12,500) of the RSUs were to vest ratably in equal annual installments
over a four year period beginning on April 27, 2017, subject to a continued status as an employee on each such date and other terms
and conditions set forth in the RSU Award Agreement, dated April 27, 2016. Each vested RSU is convertible into one share of our
Common Stock, par value $0.01, without additional consideration. Upon termination of service of the employee, other than by death
or disability, any RSUs that have not vested will be forfeited and the award of such units shall terminate. As a result of his
resignation effective August 15, 2016, 50,000 RSUs awarded to Mr. Lopez were forfeited. In addition to the RSU grant above for
Matthew Peakes and Nabil Lopez, the compensation committee granted an additional 75,000 and 50,000, respectively, performance based
RSUs to the executives that were to vest ratably over a four year period beginning April 27, 2017 if certain financial performance
criteria are achieved. As a result of his resignation effective August 15, 2016, 50,000 RSUs awarded to Mr. Lopez were forfeited.
The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding
RSUs that have not vested for each name executive officer as of the end of Fiscal 2016:
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Market Value of
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Number of
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Securities
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Securities
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Underlying
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Underlying
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Unvested RSUs as
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RSU
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RSU
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Name and
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Unvested
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of December 31,
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Exercise
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Vesting
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Principal Position
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RSUs (#)
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2016
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Price ($)
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Date
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Matthew M. Peakes
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150,000
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$
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186,000
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(1
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)
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(2
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Former Chief Executive Officer
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1)
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All stock issued pursuant to RSUs will be granted
at no cost to the recipient. The Company will recognize stock compensation expense based on the market price of the stock on the
date that it issues, pursuant to the RSUs.
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2)
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On April 27, 2016, the Compensation Committee awarded
Matthew Peakes, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, a total of 75,000 RSUs as compensation for his service as
an executive of the Company. For Mr. Peakes, one-fourth (or 18,750), of the RSUs were to vest ratably in equal annual installments
over a four year period beginning on April 27, 2017, subject to a continued status as an employee on each such date and other
terms and conditions set forth in the RSU Award Agreement, dated April 27, 2016. In addition, the Compensation Committee granted
an additional 75,000 performance based RSUs to Mr. Peakes that were to vest ratably over a four year period beginning April 27,
2017 if certain financial performance criteria are achieved.
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Compensation of Directors
During 2016, each director was paid $36,000 per year, to be
paid in $9,000 quarterly increments due on the last day of each quarter. In addition, each director was paid $5,000 per month,
from February through June, for time spent on a Special Committee to consider transactions relating to the Elemetal Agreement as
referenced in the Related Party Tranactions. In addition, each independent director was issued 40,680 RSUs per annum in equity
awards that vest ratably over a one year period at the end of each quarter. Similar to the RSUs granted to management and certain
employees, if the independent directors terminate their service with the Company, other than by death or disability, any RSUs that
have not vested will be forfeited and the award will terminate.
Beginning in January 2017, the Compensation Committee recommended
that independent directors be paid cash compensation of $10,000 per year, to be paid in $2,500 quarterly increments due on the
day of each quarterly board meeting. No other compensation is to be paid. The full Board subsequently approved these recommendations.
Our employee directors receive no separate compensation for
their services as directors.
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid to
our directors serving in Fiscal 2016 (other than directors who are Named Executive Officers and whose compensation is described
above under the heading Summary Compensation Table) for their service on our Board and committees of the Board during Fiscal 2016.
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Director
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Fees Paid in
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Stock
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All Other
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Name
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Cash ($)
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Awards ($)(4)
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Compensation
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Total ($)
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J. Marcus Scrudder (1)
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66,000
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(5)
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22,374
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88,374
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Douglas J. Lattner (2)
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66,000
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(5)
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22,374
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88,374
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Michael J. Noel (3)
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61,000
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22,374
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83,374
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(1)
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J Marcus Scrudder was elected as independent director on October 9, 2015. Mr. Scrudder resigned his position as independent
director effective January 12, 2017.
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(2)
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Douglas L. Lattner was elected as an independent director on October 14, 2015. Mr. Lattner resigned his position as independent
director effective January 12, 2017.
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(3)
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Michael J. Noel was elected as an independent director on January 6, 2016. Mr. Noel resigned his position as independent director
effective January 12, 2017.
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(4)
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Mr. Scrudder, Mr. Lattner and Mr. Noel each received a grant of 40,680 RSUs on March 24, 2016. These RSUs will vest ratably
and will be exercisable at the end of every quarter during the year ending December 31, 2016. These RSUs have no value until vesting,
but the value of the underlying shares as of the date of issuance was $0.55 per share, or $22,374 for each grant of 40,680 shares.
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(5)
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J. Marcus Scrudder and Douglas J. Lattner each received $5,000 in February 2016 for their Q4 2015 director fees.
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ITEM 12.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELEATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
On June 21, 2004, our shareholders approved
the adoption of the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Plan”) which reserved 1,700,000 shares of our Common Stock
for issuance upon exercise of options to purchase our Common Stock. We granted options to purchase an aggregate of 1,459,634
shares of our Common Stock under the 2004 Plan to certain of our officers, directors, key employees and certain other individuals
who provided us with goods and services. Each option vested on either January 1, 2004 or immediately upon issuance thereafter.
The exercise price of each option issued pursuant to the 2004 Plan is equal to the market value of our Common Stock on the date
of grant, as determined by the closing bid price for our Common Stock on the Exchange on the date of grant or, if no trading occurred
on the date of grant, on the last day prior to the date of grant on which our securities were listed and traded on the Exchange.
Of the options issued under the 2004 Plan, as of December 31, 2016, 845,634 have been exercised, 599,000 have expired, and
15,000 remain outstanding. No further issuances can be made pursuant to the 2004 Plan.
On June 27, 2006, our shareholders approved
the adoption of the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”), which reserved 750,000 shares for issuance upon exercise
of options to purchase our Common Stock or other stock awards. We subsequently granted options to purchase 150,000 shares of our
Common Stock pursuant to the 2006 Plan, of which 100,000 have been exercised and the remaining 50,000 have expired as of December 31,
2016.
On March 24, 2016, the Board awarded the three
independent directors on the Board at that time a total of 122,040 RSUs as compensation for their Board service. One-fourth (or
30,510) of the RSUs vested and were issued on March 31, 2016. The remaining RSUs vested ratably and were exercisable at the end
of every quarter (June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2016). Each vested RSU converted into one share of our Common Stock,
par value $0.01, without additional consideration, on the applicable vesting date.
On April 27, 2016, the Board awarded Matthew
Peakes, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, and Nabil J. Lopez, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer,
a total of 75,000 and 50,000 RSUs, respectively, as compensation for their service as executives of the Company. For Mr. Peakes,
one-fourth (or 18,750), and for Mr. Lopez, one-fourth (or 12,500) of the RSUs were to vest ratably in equal annual installments
over a four year period beginning on April 27, 2017, subject to a continued status as an employee on each such date and other terms
and conditions set forth in the RSU Award Agreement, dated April 27, 2016. Each vested RSU is convertible into one share of our
Common Stock, par value $0.01, without additional consideration. Upon termination of service of the employee, other than by death
or disability, any RSUs that have not vested will be forfeited and the award of such units shall terminate. As a result of his
resignation effective August 15, 2016, 50,000 RSUs awarded to Mr. Lopez were forfeited. In addition to the RSU grant above for
Matthew Peakes and Nabil Lopez, the compensation committee granted an additional 75,000 and 50,000, respectively, performance based
RSUs to the executives that were to vest ratably over a four year period beginning April 27, 2017 if certain financial performance
criteria are achieved. As a result of his resignation effective August 15, 2016, 50,000 RSUs awarded to Mr. Lopez were forfeited.
Subsequent to such grants, the 2006 Plan expired,
as a result, no further issuances can be made pursuant to the 2006 Plan.
On December 7, 2016, our shareholders approved
the adoption of the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”), which reserved 1,100,000 shares for issuance pursuant
to awards issued thereunder. As of December 31, 2016, no awards had been made under the 2016 Plan.
The following table summarizes options to purchase shares of Common
Stock, and RSUs, outstanding as of December 31, 2016:
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Numbers of securities
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remaining available for
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Number of
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future issuance under
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securities to be
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Weighted average
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equity compensation plans
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issued upon
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exercise price of
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(excluding securities
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Plan Category
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exercise of options
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outstanding options
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reflected in column (a))
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Equity compensation plans approved by
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167,000
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(1)
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2.17
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(2)
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1,100,000
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security holders
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Equity compensation plans not approved by
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None
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None
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security holders
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167,000
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1,100,000
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(1)
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Includes 152,000 RSUs that were not vested, of which
150,000 units were granted to Matthew Peakes on April 27, 2016 as compensation for his service as an executive of the Company,
as of December 31, 2016.
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(2)
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Weighted average exercise price does not include 152,000
RSUs issued to employees, management and directors of DGSE as incentive compensation for their continued services. Pursuant to
the terms of individual Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements, such RSUs will vest over time, or subject to performance conditions
contingent upon the continued service to DGSE by the recipient. Each vested RSU may be converted into one share of common stock,
par value $0.01, of DGSE without additional consideration (other than such conversion and reduction in the number of RSUs held).
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The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership each stockholder
known by us to own beneficially more than five (5) percent of our outstanding shares of Common Stock. Common Stock beneficially
owned and percentage ownership as of April 27, 2017 was based on 26,905,631 shares outstanding.
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(3)
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(2)
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Amount and
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(5)
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(6)
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(7)
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(8)
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(1)
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Name and address
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nature of
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(4)
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Sole
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Shared
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Sole
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Shared
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Title of
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of beneficial
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beneficial
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Percent
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Voting
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Voting
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Investment
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Investment
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Class
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owner
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ownership
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of class
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Power
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Power
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Power
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Power
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Common Stock
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Elemetal, LLC (1)
15850 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75248
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20,180,187
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72.3
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%
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(1
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)
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(1
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)
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(1
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)
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(1
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)
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(1)
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Based
solely on information disclosed in the Schedule 13D/A, jointly filed with the SEC on February 16, 2017 by Elemetal, LLC (“Elemetal”),
NTR Metals, LLC (“NTR”) and John R. Loftus. Elemetal reported sole reporting and dispositive power with
respect to 13,814,727 shares, including a warrant held by Elemetal to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. NTR
and Mr. Loftus reported shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 6,365,460 shares.
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The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial
ownership of our Common Stock by our Named Executive Officers, by each of our directors, and by all executive officers and directors
as a group as of April 27, 2017. Except as otherwise noted, the address of each of the following beneficial owners is c/o DGSE
Companies, Inc., 13022 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75240.
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Amount and
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nature of
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Sole
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Shared
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Name and Address of
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beneficial
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Percent of
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Sole voting
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Shared voting
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investment
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investment
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Title of Class
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beneificial owner
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ownership
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class
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power
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power
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power
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power
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Common Stock
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Matthew M. Peakes (1)
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18,750
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0.06
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%
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18,750
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-
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18,750
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-
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Common Stock
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Nabil Lopez (2)
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1,500
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0.0056
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%
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1,500
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-
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1,500
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-
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Common Stock
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John R. Loftus (3)
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6,365,460
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23.6
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%
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-
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6,365,460
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-
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6,365,460
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Common Stock
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Bret A. Pedersen (4)
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-
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0
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%
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-
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-
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-
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|
|
|
-
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|
Common Stock
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Alexandra C. Griffin (5)
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-
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0
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%
|
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-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
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|
Common Stock
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Jim R. Ruth (6)
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-
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0
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%
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|
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-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
William LeRoy (7)
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|
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-
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|
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0
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%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Joel S. Friedman (8)
|
|
|
7,267
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
7,267
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Steven R. Patterson (9)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
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0
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers
|
|
|
6,392,977
|
|
|
|
23.67
|
%
|
|
|
27,517
|
|
|
|
6,365,460
|
|
|
|
27,517
|
|
|
|
6,365,460
|
|
|
(1)
|
Matthew M. Peakes was elected as the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President upon the resignation of James D. Clem on September 15, 2015. Mr. Peakes resigned his position as Chairman
of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President on December 10, 2016.
|
|
(2)
|
Nabil J. Lopez was elected as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board on November 4, 2015. Prior to this election,
Mr. Lopez served as the Company’s Senior Vice President and Controller. Mr. Lopez resigned his position as Chief Financial
Officer and member of the Board on August 15, 2016.
|
|
(3)
|
John R. Loftus was elected as the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President upon the resignation
of Matthew M. Peakes on December 10, 2016. Pursuant to the Schedule 13D/A, jointly filed with the SEC on February 16, 2017 by Elemetal,
LLC (“Elemetal”), NTR Metals, LLC (“NTR”) and John R. Loftus, Mr. Loftus may be deemed to beneficially
own 6,365,460 shares held by NTR.
|
|
(4)
|
Bret A. Pedersen was elected as Chief Financial Officer upon the resignation of the Acting Chief Financial Officer, Steven
Patterson, on January 14, 2017.
|
|
(5)
|
Alexandra C. Griffin was elected as independent director on January 17, 2017
|
|
(6)
|
Jim R. Ruth was elected as independent director on January 17, 2017.
|
|
(7)
|
William Leroy was elected as a member of the Board on August 2, 2016.
|
|
(8)
|
Joel S. Friedman was elected as independent director on January 17, 2017.
|
|
(9)
|
Steven R. Patterson was elected as Acting Chief Financial Officer on August 16, 2016. Mr. Patterson resigned his position as
Acting Chief Financial Officer effective January 14, 2017.
|
ITEM 13.
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
|
From time to time, we engage in business transactions with our shareholders,
Elemetal, NTR and other related parties. Set forth below in the section entitled “Related Party Transactions” is a
summary of such transactions.
Relationship with Elemetal, LLC.
Elemetal is a global precious metals conglomerate
based in Dallas, Texas. Its principal holdings include: Elemetal Refining, LLC (formerly known as OPM Metals or OPM), the Ohio-based,
largest American-owned refiner of “good delivery” gold and silver; Elemetal Direct, a Texas-based wholesale dealer
of precious metals; Elemetal Capital, LLC, a leading market maker in the bullion and precious metals industries; Provident Precious
Metals LLC, an online retailer of bullion and precious metal products; and Elemetal Recycling, LLC (formerly known as Echo Environmental),
a Texas-based firm focusing on electronic waste recycling and precious metal recovery.
Through a series of transactions beginning in
2010, NTR Metals, LLC (“NTR”) became the largest shareholder of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common
Stock”). In April 2012, NTR announced its merger with OPM, the largest American-owned refiner of “good delivery”
gold and silver. The combined company was originally called Global Metals Holdings, LLC, and has since been rechristened as Elemetal.
In January 2013, NTR announced it would contribute 4,393,142 of its shares of our Common Stock to Elemetal, in exchange for ownership
units in Elemetal. NTR also agreed to contribute its option to buy 5,000,000 additional shares of DGSE Common Stock at $15 a share,
which expired unexercised on October 25, 2016. On December 9, 2016, DGSE and NTR closed the transactions contemplated by the Stock
Purchase Agreement dated June 20, 2016 (the “Elemetal Agreement”) whereby DGSE issued NTR 5,948,560 shares of Common
Stock for $0.41 per share in exchange for the cancellation and forgiveness of indebtedness under a Loan Agreement dated July 19,
2012 and an associated Revolving Credit Note (which indebtedness and accrued interest was $2,438,909). Also on the same date and
pursuant to the Elemetal Agreement, DGSE issued Elemetal 8,536,585 shares of its Common Stock for $0.41 per share and a warrant
to purchase an additional 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.65 per share, exercisable within two years
after December 9, 2016, in exchange for the cancellation and forgiveness of $3,500,000 of trade payables owed to Elemetal as a
result of bullion-related transactions. Following these stock issuances Elemetal owns 12,814,727 shares of Common Stock (47.7%)
(excluding shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrant) and NTR owns 6,365,460 shares of Common Stock (23.7%).
In addition to being our largest shareholder,
Elemetal is our primary supplier for bullion products and is our primary refiner of recyclable precious metal. These and other
transactions with Elemetal are more fully described in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements, Related Party Transactions.
Related Party Transactions
DGSE has a corporate policy
governing the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of transactions with related persons, as that
term is defined in the Instructions to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act (“Related Party”).
Under this policy, all Related Party transactions are identified and approved prior to consummation of the transaction to ensure
they are consistent with DGSE’s best interests and the best interests of its stockholders. Among other factors, DGSE’s
Board considers the size and duration of the transaction, the nature and interest of the of the Related Party in the transaction,
whether the transaction may involve a conflict of interest and if the transaction is on terms that are at least as favorable to
DGSE as would be available in a comparable transaction with an unaffiliated third party. DGSE’s Board reviews all Related
Party transactions at least annually to determine if it is in DGSE’s best interests and the best interests of DGSE’s
stockholders to continue, modify, or terminate any of the Related Party transactions. DGSE’s Related Person Transaction Policy
is available for review in its entirety under the “Investors” menu of the Company’s corporate relations website
at
www.DGSECompanies.com
.
Elemetal is DGSE’s
largest shareholder. Elemetal and its affiliates are also DGSE’s primary refiner and bullion trading partner. In Fiscal 2016,
25% of sales and 27% of purchases were transactions with Elemetal, and in the same period of Fiscal 2015, these transactions represented
24% of DGSE’s sales and 26% of DGSE’s purchases. On December 9, 2016, DGSE and Elemetal closed the transactions contemplated
by the Elemetal Agreement whereby DGSE issued Elemetal 8,536,585 shares of its common stock and a warrant to purchase an additional
1,000,000 shares to be exercised within two years after December 9, 2016, in exchange for the cancellation and forgiveness of $3,500,000
of trade payables owed to Elemetal as a result of bullion-related transactions. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was obligated
to pay $4,107,425 to Elemetal as a trade payable, and had a $40,627 receivable from Elemetal. As of December 31, 2015, the
Company was obligated to pay $4,176,037 to Elemetal as a trade payable, and had a $169,136 receivable from Elemetal. For the year
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid Elemetal $240,004 and $187,888, respectively, in interest on the Company’s
outstanding payable.
On July 19, 2012, the Company entered into
the Loan Agreement with NTR, pursuant to which NTR agreed to provide the Company with a guidance line of revolving credit in an
amount up to $7,500,000. The Loan Agreement anticipated termination–at which point all amounts outstanding thereunder would
be due and payable–upon the earlier of: (i) August 1, 2014; (ii) the date that is twelve months after DGSE receives
notice from NTR demanding the repayment of the Obligations; (iii) the date the Obligations are accelerated in accordance with
the terms of the Loan Agreement; or, (iv) the date on which the commitment terminates under the Loan Agreement. In connection
with the Loan Agreement, DGSE granted a security interest in the respective personal property of each of its subsidiaries. The
loan carries an interest rate of two percent (2%) per annum for all funds borrowed pursuant to the Loan Agreement. Proceeds received
by DGSE pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement were used for repayment of all outstanding financial obligations incurred in
connection with that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2005, between DGSE and Texas Capital Bank, N.A., and
additional proceeds were used as working capital in the ordinary course of business. On February 25, 2014, we entered into a one-year
extension of the Loan Agreement with NTR, extending the termination date to August 1, 2015, and on February 4, 2015, we entered
into an additional two-year extension, extending the termination date to August 1, 2017. On December 9, 2016, DGSE and NTR closed
the transactions contemplated by the Elemetal Agreement whereby DGSE issued NTR 5,948,560 shares of common stock in exchange for
the cancellation and forgiveness of the loan principal and accrued interest totaling $2,438,909. As of December 31, 2016 and
2015, the outstanding balance of the NTR loan was $0 and $2,303,359 respectively. In the year ended December 31, 2016 and
2015, the Company paid NTR $43,723 and $45,810, respectively, in interest on the Company’s line of credit.
In April 2013, DGSE moved its principal corporate
offices to 15850 Dallas Parkway, Suite 140, Dallas, Texas. This property is owned by an affiliate of Elemetal and also serves as
their headquarters. DGSE leased space in the building subject to a lease that expired in December 2015. The Company continued to
pay this lease on a month-to-month basis with no increase in the rent until our new Midtown retail location was completed in December
2016. The Midtown location is large enough to facilitate the retail space and our corporate offices. For the year ended December 31,
2016 and 2015, the Company recognized rent expense of $90,000 and $50,500, respectively, related to this lease.
In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2013, the Company
established a wholly owned subsidiary named Carbon Fund One, LLC to act as the general partner (the “General Partner”)
for Carbon Fund One, LP (the “Fund”), which was established at the same time. The Fund was an investment fund specializing
in the buying and selling of gemstones. The General Partner receives a one percent ownership interest of the Fund, and is paid
2% carried interest on assets under management by the Fund, and 20% of net earnings before distributions to the limited partners.
The Fund was intended to provide an investment vehicle for individuals interested in investment opportunities in diamonds and gemstones,
and provide incremental value to the Company’s shareholders by utilizing the Company’s expertise, infrastructure, and
retail and wholesale customer base, to generate additional profit through earnings from its role as General Partner. Ultimately
DGSE’s management made the decision to end its involvement in the Fund, and the General Partner has wound down the Fund’s
activities and liquidated all remaining inventory. The Fund transacted business with the Company from time to time, including buying
gemstones from and selling gemstones to the Company. In Fiscal 2016, the Company made no sales to the Fund, had no purchases from
the Fund, and owed the Fund nothing as of December 31, 2016 in trade payables. In Fiscal 2015, the Company made no sales to the
Fund, had purchases of $5,665 from the Fund, and owed the Fund nothing as of December 31, 2015 in trade payables. Additionally,
in Fiscal 2016, the General Partner generated no loss from its role with the Fund, while in the same period of 2015, the General
Partner generated net loss of $1,334. The loss in 2015 was driven by low activity within the Fund, combined with expenses related
to the shutdown of the Fund.
On April 19, 2017, DGSE entered into a non-binding
letter of intent with Elemetal and Elemetal Recycling, LLC (“Recycling”) and together with Elemetal, (“Sellers”)
to purchase and acquire Sellers’ interest in and to the tangible personal property assets, including inventory, located at
2101 W. Belt Line Road, Carrollton, Texas (the “Belt Line Location”) and certain equipment located at 10707 Composite
Drive, Dallas, Texas, and the accounts receivables of Recycling arising from the conduct by Recycling of its business at the Belt
Line Location. In consideration for the assets, DGSE would pay Sellers $ 16,000,000 in cash along with paying the Sellers approximately
$3,800,000 owed by DGSE, or any of its subsidiaries, as a result of bullion-related transactions. Thus the cash purchase price
along with paying the bullion-related obligation is expected to be approximately $19,000,000. DGSE would also accept an assignment
from Sellers of their rights and obligations under their existing lease for the Belt Line Location and would assume the accounts
payables and other liabilities of Recycling arising from the conduct of business at the Belt Line Location. The letter of intent
is non-binding and is subject to numerous conditions, including negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, approval of
the Boards of the parties and approval of Elemetal’s members. No assurance can be made that DGSE will be able to negotiate
a mutually satisfactory definitive agreement with Sellers or that the contemplated approval will be obtained.
ITEM 14.
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
|
The firm
of Whitley Penn LLP was the independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated
financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, the review of the consolidated financial statements
included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and for services that are normally provided by accountants in connection
with statutory and regulatory filings for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The following table presents fees
paid to Whitley Penn LLP in Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015.
Type of Fees
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
$
|
185,000
|
|
|
$
|
229,257
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
25,580
|
|
|
|
31,450
|
|
Total
|
|
|
210,580
|
|
|
$
|
260,707
|
|
The amounts for audit fees include generally the fees charged for:
(i) the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K; and, (ii) the reviews
of our quarterly consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-Q. The tax fees were primarily for
tax return preparation and tax-related services, including the preparation of all applicable state tax returns.
All audit services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which
concluded that the provision of such services by Whitley Penn LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence
in the conduct of its auditing functions. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy: (i) identifies the guiding principles
that must be considered by the audit committee in approving services to ensure that Whitley Penn LLP’s independence is not
impaired; (b) describes the audit, and tax services that may be provided; and (c) sets forth pre-approval requirements for all
permitted services. Under the policy, all services to be provided by Whitley Penn LLP must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.