UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant T
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
THE RESERVE
PETROLEUM COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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______________________________________________
THE
RESERVE PETROLEUM COMPANY
______________________________________________
Notice of 2015
Annual Meeting
and
Proxy Statement
THE RESERVE
PETROLEUM COMPANY
6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116-9037
April 20, 2015
Dear Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board
of Directors, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The Reserve Petroleum Company
on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. local time, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Information about the Annual Meeting is presented
in the following pages.
The Annual Meeting will
begin with a discussion and vote on the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
Proxy Statement, followed by a discussion on any other business matters that are properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
Your vote is very important.
We encourage you to read the Proxy Statement and vote your shares as soon as possible. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can
be sure your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning your Proxy Card
in the enclosed envelope.
This Proxy Statement
and the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K are also available on the website https://materials.proxyvote.com/761102
and on the Company’s website http://www.reserve-petro.com.
If you will need special
assistance at the Annual Meeting because of a disability, please contact James L. Tyler, Corporate Secretary, at (405) 848-7551.
Thank you for your continued
support of The Reserve Petroleum Company. We look forward to seeing you on May 19th.
Sincerely,
Kyle McLain
Chairman of the Board
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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Important Voting Information |
ii |
Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders |
iii |
Proxy Statement |
1 |
General |
1 |
Solicitation of Proxies |
1 |
Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares |
1 |
• |
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors |
2 |
Information Relating to Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers |
2 |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management |
6 |
Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees |
7 |
Executive Compensation |
9 |
Code of Ethics for Senior Officers |
11 |
Information Regarding Communications with Auditors |
11 |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance |
11 |
• |
Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2015 |
11 |
Additional Information |
12 |
▪ To be voted on at the Annual Meeting
IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares
are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions,
your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called
a “broker non-vote.” In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the Annual Meeting for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not be able to vote on those matters for which specific authorization
is required under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares
are held of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares for Proposal 2 (Ratification
of the Selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2015), even if the broker
does not receive voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 1
(Election of Directors) without instructions from you, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted
on this proposal. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to
vote their shares. |
THE RESERVE
PETROLEUM COMPANY
6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116-9037
NOTICE
OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To The Stockholders:
The 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The Reserve Petroleum Company (the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. local time,
at the offices of the Company at 6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Stockholders will vote on the following
matters:
- Election of nine Directors for a one-year term,
- Ratification of the Selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered
Public Accountants for 2015, and
- Such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close
of business on April 17, 2015, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO VOTE, SIGN,
DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED PREPAID ENVELOPE. It is desirable that as
many stockholders as possible be represented at the Annual Meeting. Consequently, whether or not you now plan to attend in person,
please vote, sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy Card. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares in person
even though you have previously signed and returned your Proxy Card.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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James L. Tyler |
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Corporate Secretary |
April 20, 2015
PROXY
STATEMENT
GENERAL
The enclosed proxy
is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The Reserve Petroleum Company (the “Company”,
“we”, “our” or “us”) for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”)
to be held at the principal executive offices of the Company, 6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116-9037,
on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. local time, or any adjournment thereof. This
Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are first being sent to the stockholders on or about April 20,
2015. The proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting if the signer of the Proxy Card was a stockholder of record on April 17,
2015 (the “Record Date”).
SOLICITATION
OF PROXIES
The Company will bear the costs of solicitation
of proxies, which are estimated to be $43,000, of which approximately $28,000 has been spent to date. Solicitation of proxies may
be made by Broadridge, personal interview, mail or telephone by Directors, officers, and other employees of the Company. Copies
of proxy materials and of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K may also be supplied to holders of record, as well
as to brokers, dealers, banks and voting trustees or their nominees, for the purpose of soliciting proxies from the beneficial
owners, and the Company will reimburse those holders for their reasonable forwarding expenses.
VOTING
RIGHTS AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
Voting rights are vested exclusively in the
holders of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.50 per share, with each share entitled to one (1) vote on each matter
coming before the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 158,591 shares of common stock of the Company outstanding
and entitled to be voted.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum
at the Annual Meeting. The shares represented by any and all proxies received by the Company will be counted towards a quorum,
notwithstanding that any such proxies contain thereon an abstention or a broker non-vote. Notwithstanding the Record Date, the
Company’s stock transfer books will not be closed and shares may be transferred subsequent to the Record Date. However, all
votes must be cast in the names of the stockholders of record on the Record Date.
All votes will be tabulated by the Inspector
of Election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately tabulate votes for, votes against, abstentions and broker non-votes.
The approval of each proposal described in this Proxy Statement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common
stock represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, provided a quorum is present. Proxies specifying “withheld
authority to vote” or “abstain” will not be counted as votes cast, but will have the same effect as a vote “against”
a proposal, while a broker non-vote will have no effect.
If sufficient shares are not present to provide
a quorum on May 19th, the Annual Meeting, after the lapse of at least half an hour, will be adjourned by those present or represented
and entitled to vote. Those stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting will be sent written notice
of an adjournment meeting to be held with a quorum of those present in person or by proxy at such meeting. Under the Restated By-Laws
of the Company, any number of stockholders, in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the adjournment meeting.
A
list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection during ordinary business hours
at the offices of the Company for a period of ten (10) days preceding the Annual Meeting and at the Annual Meeting for purposes
relating to the Annual Meeting.
You can ensure that
your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting by submitting your instructions by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed
Proxy Card in the envelope provided. Submitting your instructions by Proxy Card will not affect your right to attend the Annual
Meeting and vote. A stockholder who gives a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by voting in person at the Annual
Meeting, by delivering a subsequent proxy or by notifying James L. Tyler, the Inspector of Election, in writing of such revocation.
A stockholder of record
on the Record Date may vote in one of the following ways:
- by the Internet @ www.proxyvote.com; or
- by telephone @ 1-800-690-6903; or
- by completing and mailing the Proxy Card; or
- by written ballot at the Annual Meeting.
If you vote by the Internet, by telephone,
or by mail, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 18, 2015, the day before the Annual Meeting.
Your shares will be voted as you indicate on
your Proxy Card. If you return your Proxy Card, but you do not indicate your voting preferences, the proxies will vote your shares
FOR Proposals 1 (Election of Directors) and 2 (Ratification of the Selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s Independent
Registered Public Accountants for 2015) and in their discretion for such other matters as may come before the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held in a brokerage account
in your broker’s name (this is called street name), you should follow the voting directions provided by your broker or nominee.
You may complete and mail a voting instruction card to your broker or nominee. Your shares should be voted by your broker or nominee
as you have directed.
If your shares are held in street name, and
you wish to have your shares voted FOR Proposal 1 (Election of Directors), you must either (i) instruct the record holder
how to vote your shares or (ii) bring a brokerage statement or other proof of ownership of the Company’s stock as of
the Record Date with you to the Annual Meeting.
We will pass out written ballots to anyone
who wants to vote at the Annual Meeting.
For additional information concerning the manner
of proxy solicitation and voting, please see “Additional Information” beginning on page 12 of this Proxy Statement.
PROPOSAL
1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
INFORMATION RELATING TO DIRECTORS, NOMINEES
AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors and Director Nominees
The Company elects all Directors of the Board
each year. Because we are a very small company with only eight employees, we try to keep the process of operating the Company as
uncomplicated as possible. At the same time, our objective is full compliance with all of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) rules and regulations required of all public companies that are smaller reporting companies, as that term is
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have been in business
since 1931 and try to operate the Company today using the same principles as when the Company was formed. Our operations have progressed
as technology has advanced. As indicated later in the Director Compensation section of this Proxy Statement, the Company’s
Directors’ fees are nominal, and we have no stock incentive based compensation for the Directors, our executive officers
or our other employees. Accordingly, all existing Directors are re-nominated each year, unless they elect not to serve.
After almost sixty years of dedicated service
to the Company, Mason McLain, Chairman Emeritus, resigned from the Board effective December 26, 2014. In accordance with Section
III of the Company’s Restated By-Laws, the Directors voted to appoint John M. McLain in the interim to serve the remainder
of Mason McLain’s term. Mason McLain passed away on January 15, 2015.
The Nominating Committee included John M. McLain
along with the other current Directors in its slate of Director nominees to stand for election by the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting.
The Company’s Statement of Governance
Principles and Charter of the Nominating Committee were adopted by the Board in 2004. The Statement of Governance Principles was
amended as of March 29, 2011. All Director nominees to the Board meet the qualifications set out in those documents.
Each re-nominated, non-employee Director was
originally nominated to serve on the Board based on his individual business background. Our current Directors and nominees have
a wide variety of business experience including some with petroleum industry experience and some without any petroleum industry
experience. Some nominees have large corporate background work experience and some have experience working in or managing smaller
companies or their own company. Because of the Company’s practice of re-nominating current Directors, the primary qualification
that led to each re-nominated Director being chosen to serve for the coming year is their prior service and experience as a Director.
In light of the Company’s business and
structure, the diversity of the Board is limited to the variety of business experience and backgrounds of the current Director
nominees.
The nine persons named below are nominees for
election as Directors of the Company to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors
are elected and qualified. If any nominee is unable to serve as of the date of the Annual Meeting, which the Company has no reason
to expect, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy Card intend to vote for the balance of those named and, if they deem it
advisable, for a substitute nominee.
Each nominee is currently a Director and each
has served continuously as a Director since the date of his first election or appointment to the Board. The Board has determined
that the following Directors are independent, as independence is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules: Jerry
Crow, Marvin E. Harris, Jr., William M. (Bill) Smith and Doug Fuller.
The Board recommends a vote FOR each nominee
for Director set forth below.
The information in the following tables and
the disclosure that follows those tables pertains, at a minimum, to each person’s (i) age as of April 17, 2015;
(ii) positions currently held with the Company or the Board; (iii) business experience during at least the past five
years; and (iv) directorships in other public companies at any time during the past five years.
Name |
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Age |
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Positions Currently Held |
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Cameron R. McLain |
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56 |
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Director, Chief Executive Officer, President, |
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Exploration Manager |
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Kyle McLain 1 |
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60 |
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Director, Chairman of the Board, |
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Executive Vice President, Production Manager |
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Robert T. McLain 1 |
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85 |
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Director |
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Robert L. Savage |
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67 |
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Director |
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Jerry L. Crow 1 |
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78 |
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Director |
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Marvin E. Harris, Jr. |
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63 |
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Director |
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William M. (Bill) Smith |
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56 |
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Director |
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Doug Fuller |
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57 |
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Director |
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John M. McLain |
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46 |
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Director |
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1 | Member of Executive Committee |
Executive Officers
The following persons are the executive officers
of the Company:
Name |
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Age |
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Positions Currently Held |
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Cameron R. McLain |
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56 |
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Director, Chief Executive Officer, President, |
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Exploration Manager |
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Kyle McLain |
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60 |
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Director, Chairman of the Board, |
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Executive Vice President, Production Manager |
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James L. Tyler |
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67 |
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2nd Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer |
Cameron R. McLain, Director, CEO, President
and Exploration Manager, and Kyle McLain, Director, Chairman of the Board, Executive Vice President and Production Manager, are
brothers; they are nephews of Robert T. McLain, a Director; and they are brothers of John M. McLain, a Director.
Cameron R. McLain has been a Director
since May 23, 2006. He was elected Chief Executive Officer on May 19, 2009, and President of the Company on May 20,
2008. Mr. McLain also serves as Exploration Manager and has served in that capacity continuously since his employment on May 9,
1982. He devotes substantially all of his time to Company affairs; however, he devotes a part of his time and efforts to the activities
of affiliated organizations. Mr. McLain was employed from May 1980 to May 1982 as a Southern Oklahoma exploration geologist for
Cities Service Oil and Gas Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Oklahoma and a Master
of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma City University. Mr. McLain is also a director and officer of Mid-American Oil
Company and Mesquite Minerals, Inc.
Kyle McLain has been a Director since
May 23, 2006. He was elected Chairman on May 30, 2013, and Executive Vice President on May 20, 2008. Mr. McLain
also serves as Production Manager and has served in that capacity continuously since his employment on May 12, 1984. He devotes
substantially all of his time to the affairs of the Company, although he spends a part of his time and efforts on the activities
of affiliated organizations. Mr. McLain was employed as a reservoir engineer for Gulf Oil Corporation from May 1980 to May 1984.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Mr. McLain is also a director and
officer of Mid-American Oil Company and Mesquite Minerals, Inc.
Robert T. McLain has been a Director
since May 2, 1972. He served as 1st Vice President of the Company from May 4, 1976, until he retired May 20,
2008. Mr. McLain was Secretary-Treasurer of the Company from 1972 to 1976. He is Chairman of the Board of the Mull Corporation.
Mr. McLain served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bunte¢ Candies, Inc.
from 1972 to 1991. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Doctor of Laws degree from the University
of Oklahoma. Mr. McLain is also a director of Mid-American Oil Company and Mesquite Minerals, Inc.
Robert L. Savage has been a Director
since May 6, 1975. He has been a Financial Consultant with B.B. Graham & Company, Inc. since December 2014. Mr. Savage
was President and Chief Executive Officer of Leonard Securities, Inc. from 1997 to February 2015. He has been the President of
Leonard Agency, Inc. since 1998 and the President of Leonard Investment Advisors, Inc. since 1999. Mr. Savage was Vice President
with Park Avenue Securities, Inc. from January 1989 to May 1994 and Century Investment Group, Inc. from April 1994 to September
1997. He was employed as an Account Executive with Reynolds Securities and subsequently Dean Witter Reynolds from 1975 to 1989.
Mr. Savage holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and a Master of Business
Administration degree from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.
Jerry L. Crow has been a Director since
May 4, 1982. He was employed by the Company from April 1976 until he retired in December 2003. Mr. Crow served as Secretary-Treasurer
and 2nd Vice President during his employment. He holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Business Administration from
West Texas A&M University, and is a Certified Public Accountant in both Texas and Oklahoma. Mr. Crow is also a director of
Mid-American Oil Company and Mesquite Minerals, Inc.
Marvin E. Harris, Jr. has been a Director
since May 7, 1991. He has been a senior software developer with Devon Energy Corporation since April 2013. Mr. Harris was
a senior software developer with Teleflora from March 2012 until April 2013 and from January 2011 until March 2012 was employed
as a Principal Analyst with Southwest Research Institute. He served as President of Tetron Software, a computer software company,
which he formed, from January 1994 until January 2011. Mr. Harris was employed as President of RDS Services, Inc., a computer software
company, from 1991 until 1994. He was employed by Intel Corporation from 1984 until 1991. Mr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science
degree from the University of Alabama, a Master of Science degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and a Master of
Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.
William M. (Bill) Smith has been a Director
since May 5, 1998. He is the owner of W. M. Smith Energy, LLC, a geological consulting company that he formed January 1,
2008. Prior to that date, Mr. Smith had served as Manager of Geology at Bracken Operating, LLC since 1994 and was also part owner.
He joined Bracken Exploration Co. as an Exploration Geologist in 1981 and became Vice President of Geology until 1986. In 1986,
Mr. Smith assisted in forming Bracken Energy Company, for whom he was an employee and part owner. He was employed by Samedan Oil
Corporation from 1980 through 1981. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Oklahoma.
Doug Fuller has been a Director
since May 2, 2000. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Quail Creek Bank where he has been employed since April 20,
2009. Mr. Fuller was employed as Membership Director with Leadership Oklahoma from May 2007 until April 2009. Before that, he had
been in banking since 1980 and was an executive officer with Bank of Oklahoma from 1992 until 2007. Mr. Fuller holds a Bachelor
of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Oklahoma and a Masters of Business Administration degree from
Oklahoma City University. He is also a director of Quail Creek Bank, The Bankers Bank, the Oklahoma Bankers Association and the
Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
John M. McLain has been a Director since
December 26, 2014. Since June 1998, he has been Chairman of the Board and President of Baseline Engineering Corporation, which
he founded and is headquartered in Golden, Colorado. Mr. McLain holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering
from Colorado State University and is a licensed/registered professional engineer in Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
James L. Tyler was employed by the Company
on August 1, 2003, and was elected 2nd Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer, effective January 1, 2004, to replace
Jerry L. Crow. He devotes substantially all of his time to the affairs of the Company, although he devotes a part of his time and
efforts to the activities of affiliated organizations. Mr. Tyler was employed as Vice-President Controller for Grace Petroleum
Corporation from May 1979 to May 1994 and Controller for MCNIC Oil & Gas, Inc. from June 1994 to April 1999. From May 1999
until March 2003, he was employed as Controller for Express Ranches and Accounting Manager for Bison Drilling Company. Mr. Tyler
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, and is a Certified
Public Accountant in Oklahoma.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
On August 16, 2005, Robert L. Savage executed
NASD Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent No. E052004004203 (the “AWC”) for the purpose of settling alleged violations
of NASD Conduct Rules by Mr. Savage and by Leonard Securities, Inc. (“Leonard Securities”), of which he was President.
Without admitting or denying the allegations or findings, Mr. Savage and Leonard Securities accepted and consented to the entry
of the following findings by the NASD: (i) that during the period on or about April 11, 2002, through on or about January 9,
2003, Leonard Securities, acting through its President, Mr. Savage, failed to establish, maintain and enforce a system of supervision
reasonably designed to ensure compliance with NASD Conduct Rule 2310; (ii) that Leonard Securities had no system, other than review
of daily order tickets and monthly customer statements, designed to detect mutual fund switching and short-trading of mutual funds;
(iii) that reviews of daily order tickets were inadequate because mutual fund sale and purchase transactions were often entered
on different days; (iv) that reviews of monthly customer statements were inadequate because the statements did not disclose commission
charges or the mutual fund purchase date; and (v) that such acts, practices and conduct constitute separate and distinct violations
of NASD Conduct Rules 3010(a) and 2110 by Leonard Securities and Mr. Savage. The NASD imposed the following sanctions: (a) a monetary
fine in the amount of $10,000 was assessed against Mr. Savage and Leonard Securities, jointly and severally; (b) a 10 business-day
suspension of Mr. Savage from association with any NASD member in any principal capacity was imposed; and (c) Leonard Securities
and Mr. Savage, jointly and severally, were required to pay restitution in the total amount of $14,259, which represented the excess
commissions paid by the customers of Leonard Securities in the purchase of mutual funds, plus accrued interest. Mr. Savage and
Leonard Securities have fully complied with the terms and conditions of the AWC. As set forth in the AWC, Mr. Savage has not previously
been the subject of a formal disciplinary action by any regulatory body.
As a result of the matter described above,
the State of Illinois, Secretary of State Securities Department File No. 0500466 was initiated on July 6, 2006 against the
Respondent, Robert L. Savage, then President of Leonard Securities, Inc. Mr. Savage’s registration as a salesperson in the
State of Illinois was subjected to revocation pursuant to Section 8.E(1)(j) of the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 [815 ILCS 5]
and 14I11. Adm. Code 130, Subpart K. The matter was settled by means of a Stipulation to Enter Consent Order of Dismissal dated
September 7, 2006 and a Consent Order of Dismissal dated September 18, 2006, wherein Mr. Savage acknowledged and agreed
that he would not act in the capacity of an Illinois Designated Principal for a period of two years from the date of the Consent
Order of Dismissal. Mr. Savage paid for the cost of the investigation in the amount of $1,000.
On or about November 11, 2013, a Statement
of Claim was filed against Leonard Securities, Inc., Robert Savage, two other individuals, and an unrelated investment advisor
entity in FINRA Arbitration Case Number 13-03324. An Amended Statement of Claim was filed on or about August 29, 2014. The
Claimant asserted the following causes of action: churning, suitability, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and failure to supervise.
The Claimant sought damages in the amount of $679,646 for actual/compensatory damages and unspecified other damages. Mr. Savage
and Leonard Securities, Inc. denied the allegations made in the Statement of Claim and asserted affirmative defenses. On December 18,
2014, a Panel of Arbitrators determined that (i) the Respondents were jointly and severally liable to the Claimant in the amount
of $200,000 plus interest and (ii) Leonard Securities, Mr. Savage and three of the other Respondents were jointly and severally
responsible for $5,400 in fees related to the FINRA Dispute Resolution. Notwithstanding that the Respondents were jointly and severally
liable, Leonard Securities, Inc. and Mr. Savage satisfied the full amount of the award and the fees.
Supervision of registered representatives
and their sales practices requires a firm to have a supervisory system that is reasonably designed and implemented to achieve
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. An effective supervisory system enables the firm to detect and review for possible
suspicious activity.
Mr. Savage and Leonard Securities, Inc. disagreed
with the Claimant’s allegation regarding failure of supervision. Leonard Securities, Inc. supervised the investment advisory
activities of another named Respondent according to its written supervisory procedures covering supervision of outside investment
advisers and to the extent applicable, that individual’s activities as a registered representative of Leonard Securities,
Inc.
Mr. Savage and Leonard Securities, Inc. believe
the compliance system adopted and implemented by Leonard Securities, Inc. represented sound and common sense procedures, consistent
with industry norms and practices for reviewing such activities.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Company is affiliated by common management
and ownership with Mesquite Minerals, Inc. (“Mesquite”), Mid-American Oil Company (“Mid-American”) and
Lochbuie Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). The Company also owns interests in certain producing and non-producing
oil and gas properties as tenants in common with Mesquite, Mid-American and LLC. Jerry Crow and Robert T. McLain, Directors of
the Company, are directors of Mesquite and Mid-American. Kyle McLain and Cameron R. McLain, Directors and officers of the Company,
are directors and officers of Mesquite and Mid-American. Robert T. McLain owns a 33.33% interest in LLC. Robert T. McLain is not
an employee of any of the above entities and devotes only a small amount of time conducting their business.
Jerry Crow, Robert T. McLain, Kyle McLain and
Cameron R. McLain, as a group, beneficially own approximately 22% of the common stock of the Company, approximately 15% of the
common stock of Mesquite and approximately 5% of the common stock of Mid-American. Each of these three corporations has only one
class of stock outstanding. Note 12 to the Company’s Financial Statements contained in Item 8, “Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data” of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, includes additional
disclosures regarding these relationships. See “Additional Information.”
Robert L. Savage, a Director, is a Financial
Consultant with B.B. Graham & Company, Inc. (“Graham”). Graham manages the Company’s portfolio of “Trading
Securities,” and this asset was listed in the Company’s December 31, 2014, balance sheet at $445,476, which represents
the year-end market price of the securities in the portfolio. The $445,476 represents securities with a cost of $547,971, less
a market adjustment of $102,495. Graham earned $8,275 in broker commissions and fees on the securities bought and sold in 2014.
Realized gains (net of losses) on the securities sold totaled $66,467 in 2014.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners
The following table sets forth information
regarding the only persons known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock as
of April 17, 2015:
Name and Address |
|
Amount and Nature |
|
Percent |
of |
|
of Beneficial |
|
of |
Beneficial Owner |
|
Ownership |
|
Class 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert T. McLain 2 |
|
12,149 3 |
|
7.66 |
7201 N. Classen Blvd., Suite 103 |
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-7123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norma Moe 2 |
|
11,949 |
|
7.53 |
13505 N. Richland Rd. |
|
|
|
|
Piedmont, OK 73078-9461 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mason McLain Trust |
|
9,220 |
|
5.81 |
6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300 |
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-9037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cameron R. McLain |
|
9,035 |
|
5.70 |
6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300 |
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-9037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kyle McLain |
|
9,035 |
|
5.70 |
6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300 |
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-9037 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1 | Calculations of percent of class are based on the number of shares of common
stock outstanding as of April 17, 2015, excluding shares held by or for the Company. |
2 | Robert T. McLain and Norma Moe are siblings. |
3 | 8,816 owned directly; 3,333 owned by deceased wife’s estate. |
Security Ownership of Management
The following table provides information regarding
the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock by each Named Executive Officer listed in the 2014 Summary Compensation
Table on page 10 and each of our Directors, as well as the number of shares beneficially owned by all of our Directors and executive
officers as a group as of April 17, 2015. As of April 17, 2015, there were 158,591 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Unless otherwise indicated by footnote, individuals have sole voting and investment power.
|
|
Title of |
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
Percent |
Name |
|
Class |
|
Beneficial Ownership |
|
of Class |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert T. McLain |
|
Common |
|
12,1491 |
|
|
|
7.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mason McLain |
|
Common |
|
9,2202 |
|
|
|
5.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cameron R. McLain |
|
Common |
|
9,035 |
|
Owned Directly |
|
5.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kyle McLain |
|
Common |
|
9,035 |
|
Owned Directly |
|
5.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. McLain |
|
Common |
|
6,535 |
|
Owned Directly |
|
4.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry L. Crow |
|
Common |
|
5,379 |
|
Owned Directly |
|
3.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Savage |
|
Common |
|
1,269 |
|
Owned Directly |
|
.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James L. Tyler |
|
Common |
|
--- |
|
|
|
--- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers |
|
52,622 |
|
|
|
33.18 |
as a Group (11 persons) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1 | 8,816 owned directly; 3,333 owned by deceased wife’s estate. |
2 | Owned directly by the Mason McLain Trust; included in this table because
Mr. McLain is a Named Executive Officer for 2014. Mr. McLain passed away on January 15, 2015. |
INFORMATION
RELATING TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Board Leadership Structure
The Board chose to separate the Chief Executive
Officer and Board Chairman positions in May 2009. This was done at the request of Mason McLain, the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer at that time. Effective March 1, 2013, Mr. McLain elected to become a part-time officer and employee. He stepped down
as Chairman of the Board at the May 30, 2013 meeting and the Board elected Kyle McLain as the new Chairman. Cameron McLain
serves as Chief Executive Officer and Kyle McLain serves as Chairman of the Board.
Board of Directors Role in Risk Oversight
Due to the relatively small size of the Company
and the limited number of Board meetings held annually, the Board has delegated its risk oversight function to the Company’s
executive officers. Two of our three executive officers are also Directors. The non-employee Directors feel that since our executive
officers supervise the day-to-day risk management of the Company, they are best equipped and the most logical choice for the risk
oversight function. In addition, our executive officers have the overall responsibility to assess and manage the Company’s
exposure to all risks, including credit, liquidity and operational risks.
Meetings
The Board held three meetings during the Company’s
fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. All Directors were present at all meetings, except on May 20, 2014, when Mason McLain
was absent, and on November 18, 2014, when Mason McLain and Robert L. Savage were absent. It is the Board’s policy that
Directors should attend the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Last year, all Directors other than Mason McLain attended
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Committees
In General. The Company does
not have standing audit and compensation committees of the Board or committees performing similar functions. The Company is a smaller
reporting company whose securities are not quoted on NASDAQ or listed on any exchange. The Company’s stock is traded by private
transactions or over the counter. Over the counter bid information is quoted in the OTCQB Quotation Service in the OTC Market Report,
and in the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “RSRV.”
Audit Committee. The Company
does not have a separately-designated standing Audit Committee. The entire Board acts as the Company’s Audit Committee. The
Board has determined that Mr. Crow is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by the SEC.
Compensation Committee. The Company
does not have a Compensation Committee or a committee performing a similar function. Because the Company is so small and only has
eight employees, three of whom are our executive officers, it is the view of the Board that it is appropriate for the Company not
to have such a committee. Please see “Executive Compensation” on page 9 of this Proxy Statement.
Nominating Committee. The Board
adopted the Company’s Statement of Governance Principles and Charter of the Nominating Committee in 2004. Minimum qualifications
for Director Nominees are detailed in the Statement of Governance Principles, along with procedures for stockholders to recommend
Director Candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee. The Statement of Governance Principles was amended as of March 29,
2011 and is attached as Appendix A to the Company’s 2011 Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2011. The
Charter of the Nominating Committee is attached as Appendix B to the Company’s 2011 Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC
on April 15, 2011. They can be viewed at the SEC’s website.
The Board has designated a Nominating Committee,
which consists of Cameron McLain, Doug Fuller and Bill Smith. Both Mr. Fuller and Mr. Smith are “independent” as defined
in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding individuals
for nomination as Directors and, in addition, may consider other matters relating to corporate governance. The Nominating Committee
met once in March 2015 and recommended that the current Directors, including John McLain, be nominated to serve a one-year term
on the Board.
The Nominating Committee evaluates qualified
nominees for Director using the same process regardless of whether the nominee is recommended by an officer, Director or stockholder.
Director Compensation
All Directors, whether employees or not, are
compensated on a per meeting basis, but only for those Board meetings attended. The amount of compensation is set by a vote of
the Directors at each Board meeting. In the year ended December 31, 2014, Directors were compensated in the amount of $1,500
for attending each of the March, May and November meetings. All committee meetings are held prior to the Board meetings or by telephone
conference. Directors receive no additional compensation for committee meetings.
The Company provides no stock or stock option
awards compensation, non-equity incentive compensation or deferred compensation to any of our Directors.
The following table provides information relating
to total compensation amounts paid to Directors during 2014:
2014 Director Compensation Table |
Name |
|
Fees 1 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Mason McLain |
|
$1,500 |
|
$1,500 |
Robert L. Savage |
|
$3,000 |
|
$3,000 |
Each Other Director 2 |
|
$4,500 |
|
$4,500 |
| |
|
|
1 | Amounts represent fees for attending Board meetings during the year as
follows: $1,500 per meeting for the March, May and November meetings. |
2 | Robert T. McLain, Cameron R. McLain, Kyle McLain, Marvin E. Harris, Jr.,
Jerry Crow, William M. (Bill) Smith and Doug Fuller. As he did not become a Director until December 2014, John M. McLain did not
receive any compensation as a Director in 2014. |
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Overview
As indicated earlier, the Company does not
have a standing Compensation Committee of the Board or a committee performing a similar function. We are a smaller reporting company
whose securities are not quoted on NASDAQ or listed on any exchange. The Company has a total of only eight employees, three of
whom are our executive officers.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Because we are so small, our compensation philosophy
and objectives are to provide compensation that is fair and reasonable for all employees at a competitive level that will allow
us to attract and retain qualified personnel necessary to operate the Company at the most efficient level possible. Our objective
is to fully comply with all the operational and financial rules and regulations required of any public company, and specifically,
those relating to the oil and gas exploration and production (“E&P”) industry. In addition, we try to maintain
compensation at a level that is competitive with other companies in this industry. Our philosophy and objectives for compensation
of our executive officers are no different from those with respect to our other employees.
Compensation levels for all employees, including
our executive officers, are reviewed annually in early November by our Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President.
Prior to his passing, compensation levels were also reviewed by Mason McLain, our Chairman Emeritus. This review process includes
reviews of salary and wage surveys, primarily for the oil and gas E&P industry, and informal performance evaluations provided
by supervisors. Compensation levels for the next fiscal year are determined during this review process, and presented to the entire
Board for approval at its meeting on the third Tuesday in November each year. Compensation consultants are not utilized in the
compensation review process and no fees are paid to anyone relative to this process. The Board and management do not believe that
there are any risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices for the Company’s employees, including
non-executive officers, that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Elements of Compensation
Elements of our executive compensation and
benefits package are as follows:
- a base salary;
- a bonus equal to one, two or three month’s base
salary, paid in early December each year; and
- Company-sponsored employee benefits, such as life and health insurance benefits
and a qualified 401(k) savings plan.
The Company provides no incentive bonus compensation,
stock or stock option awards compensation, non-equity incentive compensation or deferred compensation to our executive officers
or to any of our other employees.
2014 Summary Compensation
Table
The following table summarizes the compensation
paid to our principal executive officer and our three most highly compensated executive officers other than our principal executive
officer (collectively, our “Named Executive Officers”) during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Name and Principal Position | |
Year | |
Salary 1 | |
Bonus | |
All Other Compensation | |
Total |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Cameron R. McLain | |
| 2014 | | |
$ | 159,600 | | |
$ | 13,300 | | |
$22,741 2 | |
$ | 195,641 | |
CEO/President | |
| 2013 | | |
$ | 152,040 | | |
$ | 12,670 | | |
$23,731 2 | |
$ | 188,441 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | |
Kyle McLain | |
| 2014 | | |
$ | 159,600 | | |
$ | 13,300 | | |
$19,519 3 | |
$ | 192,419 | |
Chairman/Executive Vice President | |
| 2013 | | |
$ | 152,040 | | |
$ | 12,670 | | |
$20,769 3 | |
$ | 185,479 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | |
James L. Tyler | |
| 2014 | | |
$ | 111,720 | | |
$ | 9,310 | | |
$11,762 4 | |
$ | 132,792 | |
Secretary/Treasurer | |
| 2013 | | |
$ | 106,260 | | |
$ | 8,855 | | |
$11,407 4 | |
$ | 126,522 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | |
Mason McLain | |
| 2014 | | |
$ | 42,000 | | |
$ | 3,500 | | |
$2,730 5 | |
$ | 48,230 | |
Chairman Emeritus 6 | |
| 2013 | | |
$ | 54,600 | | |
$ | 4,200 | | |
$3,528 5 | |
$ | 62,328 | |
| |
|
|
1 | Includes amounts earned but deferred at the election of each officer pursuant to our 401(k) employee
savings plan. |
2 | Includes $2,133 for personal use of Company vehicle; $10,234 for life insurance
premiums paid by the Company and $10,374 of matching contributions made by the Company under our 401(k) employee savings plan. |
3 | Includes $1,304 for personal use of Company vehicle; $7,841 for life insurance
premiums paid by the Company and $10,374 of matching contributions made by the Company under our 401(k) employee savings plan. |
4 | Includes advisory director fees of $4,500 paid in 2014 and 2013. The amount
also includes matching contributions made by the Company under our 401(k) employee savings plan in the amounts of $7,262 and $6,907
for 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
5 | Amount reflects matching contributions made by the Company under our 401(k)
employee savings plan. |
6 | Mason McLain retired as our CEO on May 9, 2009, but was still considered
an executive officer. |
Results of and Response to the Most Recent
Say-On-Pay Vote and Frequency of Say-On-Pay Vote
Most Recent Say-On-Pay Vote.
At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, approximately 99% of the votes cast by our stockholders voted, on an advisory basis,
to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2012, as disclosed in the 2013 Proxy
Statement pursuant to Item 402 of SEC Regulation S-K (the “Say-On-Pay Vote”). The Company and the Board believe that
the Say-On-Pay Vote confirmed stockholder support for the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, objectives and decisions.
As a result, our Fiscal 2014 executive compensation philosophy and objectives remained consistent with those in Fiscal 2012, which
remained unchanged in Fiscal 2013.
Most Recent Frequency of Say-On-Pay Vote.
At least once every six years, we are required to hold an advisory vote on the frequency of Say-On-Pay Votes (the “Frequency
of Say-On-Pay Vote”). We held our initial Frequency of Say-On-Pay Vote at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a majority
of the votes were cast in favor of holding Say-On-Pay Votes once every three years. In line with the preference of our stockholders,
our Board determined that it will include the Say-On-Pay Vote in our proxy materials once every three years until the next Frequency
of Say-On-Pay Vote, which will occur no later than our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Response to Future Say-On-Pay Votes.
Although non-binding, the Company and the Board will continue to consider the results of the Say-On-Pay Votes in their future executive
compensation philosophy, objectives and decisions.
CODE OF
ETHICS FOR SENIOR OFFICERS
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for
Senior Officers (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions meeting the criteria set forth in Item 406
of SEC Regulation S-K. The Company will provide to any person, without charge, upon written request addressed to the Company’s
Secretary, a copy of the Code of Ethics. This document can also be viewed at the SEC’s website as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s
2005 Form 10-KSB. See “Additional Information.”
INFORMATION
REGARDING COMMUNICATIONS WITH AUDITORS
As required by SEC Regulation S-K, Item 407(d)(3)(i),
the Board has:
| 1. | Reviewed
and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31,
2014, with management; |
| | |
| 2. | Discussed with
HoganTaylor LLP the matters that are required to be discussed by professional standards and by the
SEC; and |
| | |
| 3. | Received the written
disclosures and the letter from HoganTaylor LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board regarding HoganTaylor’s communications with the Board concerning independence
and has discussed with HoganTaylor the independent accountant’s independence. |
Based on the review and discussions referred
to above, the Board approved the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements, for and as of the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, for
filing with the SEC.
The Members of the Board are John McLain, Robert
T. McLain, Robert L. Savage, Jerry L. Crow, Marvin E. Harris, Jr., William M. Smith, Doug Fuller, Cameron R. McLain and Kyle McLain.
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires
executive officers, directors and persons beneficially owning more than 10% of the Company’s stock to file initial reports
of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC and with the Company. Based solely on a review of the Forms 3 and
4 and any amendments thereto furnished to the Company and written representations from our executive officers and Directors, the
Company believes that all of those persons complied with their Section 16(a) filing obligations.
PROPOSAL
2 – RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF HOGANTAYLOR LLP AS THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR 2015
In General
While we retain the services of other accounting
firms from time to time, HoganTaylor LLP is our principal accountant and served as our independent accountant for the years ended
December 31, 2013 and 2014. They performed the quarterly reviews and year-end audits. Our executive officers recommended to
the Board that it approve the selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for
2015. The Board approved the selection of HoganTaylor LLP.
Representatives of HoganTaylor LLP are not
expected to be at the Annual Meeting. However, if questions arise which require their comments, arrangements have been made to
solicit their response.
The aggregate
fees billed by HoganTaylor in 2014 and 2013 for these various services were as follows:
Description of Professional Service | |
Amount Billed |
| |
2014 | |
2013 |
Audit Fees are
fees for (i) the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of financial statements included in our quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, and (ii) for services that are provided by the independent registered public accountant in connection
with statutory and regulatory filings. | |
$ | 78,300 | | |
$ | 73,250 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Audit-Related Fees are
fees reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit
Fees.” | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Tax Fees are fees
for compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
All Other Fees are
fees for any service not included in the first three categories. | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the following proposal:
RESOLVED that
the selection of HoganTaylor LLP, as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2015, is hereby ratified.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Communications between Stockholders and
the Board
The Board has designated Mr. Harris to be the
independent Director to receive communications from stockholders seeking to communicate directly with the Company’s independent
Directors. Anyone who has a concern about the Company’s conduct, or about the Company’s accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters, may communicate that concern directly to the Company’s Secretary, James L. Tyler, at The Reserve
Petroleum Company, 6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116-9037. Those communications may be confidential
or anonymous. All such concerns will be forwarded to Mr. Harris for review. The Board is committed to good governance practices.
Deadline for Stockholders for Inclusion
in Next Year’s Proxy Statement
Stockholder proposals intended to be presented
at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2016 Annual Meeting”), which is scheduled for May 24, 2016, and
included in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange
Act must be received in writing by the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices by Monday, December 21,
2015. Proposals should be addressed to James L. Tyler, Secretary, The Reserve Petroleum Company, 6801 Broadway Ext., Suite 300,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116-9037.
Other Stockholder Proposals for Presentation
at Next Year’s Annual Meeting
For any stockholder proposal that is not submitted
to the Company for inclusion in our 2016 proxy statement, but is instead sought to be presented by the stockholder directly at
the 2016 Annual Meeting, Rule 14a-4(c) under the Exchange Act permits management to vote proxies in its discretion if the Company
(1) receives written notice of the proposal before the close of business on Monday, March 7, 2016, and advises stockholders
in the 2016 Proxy Statement about the nature of the matter and how management intends to vote on the matter; or (2) does not
receive written notice of the proposal before the close of business on Monday, March 7, 2016. Notices of intention to present
proposals at the 2016 Annual Meeting should be addressed to James L. Tyler, Secretary, The Reserve Petroleum Company, 6801 Broadway
Ext., Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116-9037.
Voting Securities
Stockholders of record at the close of business
on April 17, 2015, will be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. The voting securities of the Company consist of its $0.50
par value common stock, of which 158,591 shares were outstanding on April 17, 2015. Each share outstanding on the Record Date
will be entitled to one vote. Treasury shares are not voted. Individual votes of stockholders are kept private, except as appropriate
to meet legal requirements. Access to proxies and other individual stockholder voting records is limited to the Inspector of Election
and certain employees of the Company and its agents, who must acknowledge in writing their responsibility to comply with this policy
of confidentiality.
Vote
Required for Approval
The approval of each proposal described in
this Proxy Statement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock represented at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote, provided a quorum is present. Proxies specifying “withheld authority to vote” or “abstain”
will not be counted as votes cast, but will have the same effect as a vote “against” a proposal, while a broker non-vote
will have no effect.
Broker Non-Vote
In General. If you are a beneficial
owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide
voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to
vote. This is called a “broker non-vote.” In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the
Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not be able to vote on those matters for which specific
authorization is required under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares
are held of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares for Proposal 2 (Ratification
of the Selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2015), even if the broker
does not receive voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 1
(Election of Directors) without instructions from you. In this case, a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted
on the election of Directors. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how
they wish to vote their shares.
Manner for Voting Proxies
The shares represented by all valid proxies
received will be voted in the manner specified. Where specific choices are not indicated, the shares represented by all valid proxies
received will be voted FOR Proposals 1 (Election of Directors) and 2 (Ratification of the Selection of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s
Independent Registered Public Accountants for 2015). Should any matter not described above be properly presented at the Annual
Meeting, the person or persons named in the Proxy Card will vote in accordance with their judgment.
Other Matters to be Presented
The Board knows of no other matters, which
may be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, including any adjournment
or adjournments thereof, proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted upon such matters in the discretion of
the person or persons named in the Proxy Card.
Electronic Access to Proxy Statement and
Annual Report
A copy of the Company’s 2014 Annual
Report on Form 10-K will be furnished without charge to stockholders beneficially of record at the close of business on April 17,
2015, on request to James L. Tyler, Secretary, at (405) 848-7551, Ext. 303. Both the Proxy Statement and the Company’s
2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available on the website https://materials.proxyvote.com/761102 and on the Company’s
website http://www.reserve-petro.com.
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