Mr. Harding’s extensive experience with Pure Cycle and his service on a number of advisory boards relating to water and wastewater issues in the Denver region as well as municipal boards, school boards, and chamber of commerce boards.
Wanda J. Abel. Ms. Abel is a director nominee. Since 1993, Ms. Abel has been a partner at the law firm of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, a Denver, Colorado-based firm, where she started as an associate in 1986. She has served as corporate counsel to us since 1990 and as securities counsel from 1990 through 2020. In addition, she has represented both public and private companies in securities matters, mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial agreements, financings and joint ventures, and served as in-house counsel for a NYSE listed company. Ms. Abel received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado Law School. In determining Ms. Abel’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board has considered, among other things, her expertise in securities law, corporate governance, and complex commercial agreements, in particular her extensive knowledge of and experience with our State Land Board Lease and the other Rangeview Water Agreements.
Patrick J. Beirne. Mr. Beirne was appointed to the board in January 2016 and appointed as chairman of the board in January 2021. Since April 2015, Mr. Beirne has been the Chairman and CEO of Nelson Pipeline Constructors LLC (“Nelson Pipeline”), a private company majority owned by Mr. Beirne. Nelson Pipeline is an underground utility contractor specializing in the construction of underground sanitary sewer, water and storm water pipelines. Prior to working at Nelson Pipeline, Mr. Beirne worked at Pulte Group, Inc. for 29 years in various management roles, where he gained extensive experience in the home building industry. In his last position with Pulte Group, Inc., from January 2008 to September 2014, he served as Central Area President, where he helped create the strategy for the firm’s long-term vision and oversaw operations in 10 states. Mr. Beirne also serves on the following two private company boards: Ox Engineered Products, Inc., a manufacturer of building materials based in Northville, Michigan, where he serves on the audit and compensation committees, and DPIS Engineering, LLC, an engineering service provider to residential builders across the country based in Houston, Texas. Mr. Beirne earned a B.S. degree from Michigan State University, is a Licensed General Contractor (Florida), and is active in many community and charitable organizations. In determining Mr. Beirne’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in the home building industry and in construction of water and sewer pipelines.
Arthur G. Epker III. Mr. Epker was appointed to the board in August 2007. Mr. Epker served as a Vice President of PAR Capital Management, Inc., the investment advisor to PAR Investment Partners, L.P., from 1992 through 2018 and as a director of PAR Capital Management, Inc., from 2007 through 2018. In that capacity, Mr. Epker managed a portion of the assets of PAR Investment Partners, L.P., a private investment fund and a holder of Pure Cycle common stock. Mr. Epker received his undergraduate degree in computer science and economics with highest distinction from the University of Michigan and received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Mr. Epker is not standing for reelection at the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders.
Fredrick A. Fendel III. Mr. Fendel was elected to the board in January 2020. Mr. Fendel was an associate and then a partner at the Denver, Colorado law firm of Petrock Fendel Poznanovic, P.C. from 1980 through December 31, 2020. He is retiring from the firm at the end of 2020. He has served as water law counsel to us and the Rangeview Metropolitan District from 2002 through retirement. In addition, he has represented many local governments, water utilities, special districts, developers, corporations, ditch companies, farmers and ranchers in water rights litigation; land and water acquisitions; development, zoning and subdivision approvals; real estate transactions and disputes; easement and right-of-way matters; water quality regulatory matters; and monitoring and supporting or opposing state legislation and rule-making. Mr. Fendel received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. In determining Mr. Fendel’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in Colorado water law and special district law, particularly with respect to the water rights we own or control.
Peter C. Howell. Mr. Howell was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in February 2005. From 1997 to 2017, Mr. Howell served as an officer, director or advisor to various business enterprises in the area of acquisitions, marketing and financial reporting. From August 1994 to August 1997, Mr. Howell served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Signature Brands USA, Inc. (formerly known as Health-O-Meter), and from 1989 to 1994 Mr. Howell served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Mr. Coffee, Inc. Mr. Howell is a member of the board of directors of Great Lakes Cheese, Inc., a privately held company. Mr. Howell served as a member of the board of directors of Libbey Inc. (NYSE: LBY) for over 20 years before resigning in 2016. Mr. Howell also spent 10 years as an auditor for Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young). Mr. Howell received a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Cambridge University. In determining Mr. Howell’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board of directors has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in finance and financial reporting qualifying him as an audit committee financial expert as well as his general business expertise.