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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.

 

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SCHEDULE 14A

 

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Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant     ☒

 

Check the appropriate box:

☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐ Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☒ Definitive Proxy Statement

☐ Definitive Additional Materials

☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-12

 

 

ROYALE ENERGY, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Filed on Behalf of the Board of Directors
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☒ No fee required.

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Royale Energy, Inc.

 

DATE:	November 12, 2021

 

TIME:	9:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time
PLACE:	Royale Energy Inc. 1530 Hilton Head Rd  El Cajon, CA 92019

 

 

Matters to be Voted on:

 

1.	Elect directors to serve for the ensuing year;

 

2.	Approve Weaver and Tidwell as independent auditor;

 

3.	Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof.

 

Who May Attend and Vote at the Meeting

 

Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 13, 2021, and valid proxy holders may attend and vote at the meeting.  If your shares are registered in the name of a brokerage firm or trustee and you plan to attend the meeting, please obtain from the firm or trustee a letter or other evidence of your beneficial ownership of those shares to facilitate your admittance to the meeting.

 

	By Order of the Board of Directors,
	Robert Vogel
	Chairman of the Board of Directors
	Date: September 29, 2021

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

Royale Energy’s board of directors solicits your proxy, using the enclosed proxy card, for use at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held November 12, 2021, and at any adjournment thereof. This proxy statement has information about the annual meeting and was prepared by Royale Energy’s management for the board of directors. Your vote at the annual meeting is important to us. Please vote your shares of common stock by completing the enclosed proxy card and returning it to us in the enclosed envelope.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The only items of business which management intends to present at the meeting are listed in the preceding Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and are explained in more detail on the following pages.  By returning your signed proxy, you authorize management to vote your shares as you indicate on these items of business and to vote your shares in accordance with management’s best judgment in response to proposals initiated by others at the meeting.

 

1)  Changing or Revoking Your Proxy Vote

 

You may revoke your signed proxy at any time before it is exercised at the annual meeting.  You may do this by advising Royale Energy’s secretary in writing of your desire to revoke your proxy, or by submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. We will honor the proxy card with the latest date.  You may also revoke your proxy by attending the annual meeting and indicating that you wish to vote in person.

 

2)  Who may Vote

 

Each shareholder of record at the close of business on September 13, 2021, is entitled, for each share then held, to one vote on each proposal or item that comes before the annual meeting. (See Proposal 1: Election of Directors.)  On August 5, 2021, Royale Energy had outstanding 56,239,715 shares of common stock entitled to vote at the meeting, and 2,260,347 shares of Series B preferred, convertible to 22,603,470 shares of common, entitled to vote at the meeting

 

3)  Voting in Person

 

Although we encourage you to complete and return your proxy to ensure that your vote is counted, you can attend the annual meeting and vote your shares in person.

 

4)  How Your Votes are Counted

 

We will hold the annual meeting on November 12, 2021, if holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote either sign and return their proxy cards or attend the meeting. If you sign and return your proxy card, your shares will be counted to determine whether we have a quorum even if you abstain or fail to vote on any of the matters listed on the proxy card.

 

The shares represented by the proxies solicited by the board of directors of the Company will be voted in accordance with your directions as marked on your proxy ballot, but if you give no directions, such shares will be voted (i)  FOR  the election as directors of the nominees of the board of directors named below; (ii) in the discretion of Johnny Jordan and Stephen M. Hosmer (the proxies named on the proxy ballot) on any other proposals to properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.

 

5)  Broker Votes

 

If, like most shareholders, your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name,” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee (the “record holder”) along with a voting instruction card.  As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your record holder how to vote your shares, and the record holder is required to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions.  Your broker is allowed to vote your shares only on certain “routine” proposals or if you provide your broker with instructions on how to vote.  Brokers are prohibited from voting uninstructed shares on “non-routine” proposals, including proposals for elections of directors and on executive compensation related matters.  If you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, your shares may not be voted on those matters and will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to those matters.  It is, therefore, important that you send in your proxy with instructions on how to vote your shares (or that you attend the meeting in person), to make sure that we have a quorum present and voting at the shareholders’ meeting.

 

As the beneficial owner of shares, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Please note, however, that if you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held in street name, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the record holder that holds your shares.  To vote shares held in street name in person at the annual meeting, you should contact your broker before the annual meeting to obtain a proxy form in your name.

 

 

ABSTAINING IS THE SAME AS VOTING “NO”

 

If you mark “Abstain” with respect to any proposal on your proxy ballot, your shares will be counted in the number of votes cast.  However, a vote to “Abstain” has the same effect as voting “No.” Management requests that you vote either “For” or “Against” on each proposal to come before the meeting.

 

This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy form will be first distributed on or about September 29, 2021, to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

 

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

 

PROPOSAL 1:          ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Five directors will be elected to serve on our board of directors until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

a)   The Director Nomination Process

 

All of the nominees for our board of directors were approved unanimously by the three independent directors who serve on the nomination committee and unanimously by the full board of directors.

 

Three nominees for election to the board, Jonathan Gregory, Jeff Kerns, and Johnny Jordan, have served on our board. One nominee, Jonathan Gregory (our former Chief Executive Officer) was elected to the board in 2014. One nominee became a director upon completion of our merger with Matrix. One nominee, Johnny Jordan (our current Chief Executive Officer) was appointed to the board in January 2018 in anticipation of the merger between Royale and Matrix Oil Management Corporation which closed in March 2018. Two nominees, John Sullivan, and Chris Parada, are nominated for election to the board for the first time. All nominees are nominated for election for full one year terms. 

 

b)   Voting

 

The five nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.  Signed proxies received will be voted for the election of the nominees listed in this proxy statement, all of whom have agreed to serve if elected.  Should any of the nominees become unavailable at the time of the meeting to accept nomination or election as a director, the proxy holders named in the enclosed proxy will vote for substitute nominees at their discretion. Votes withheld for a nominee will not be counted.  Pursuant to the Company’s Bylaw 3.2, cumulative voting for directors is not permitted.

 

c)   Qualifications of Directors

 

Royale Energy has not established specific, minimum qualifications for recommended nominees or specific qualities or skills for our directors to possess. We have used a subjective process for identifying nominees for director based on the judgment of our board of our current needs. The nomination committee has received suggested candidates from unaffiliated parties, however, we have never received any officially designated nominations from unaffiliated shareholders for new members of the board of directors. The board has and will consider outside nominations received in the future.

 

In selecting the 2021 nominees for director, the nomination committee sought candidates who possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and are committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. In addition to reviewing a candidate’s background and accomplishments, the committee reviewed candidates for director in the context of the current composition of the board and the evolving needs of our businesses.  A majority of our nominees for election as directors meet the standards of independence promulgated by the NASDAQ Stock Market and the SEC. As required by the nomination committee charter, the committee selects individuals as nominees for their character, judgment, ethics, integrity, business experience, and acumen, and the committee also seeks to ensure that the board reflects a range of talents, ages, skills, diversity, and expertise, particularly in the areas of accounting and finance sufficient to provide sound and prudent guidance with respect to the Company’s operations and interests. The board seeks to maintain a diverse membership, but it does not have a separate policy on diversity. The board also requires that its members be able to dedicate the time and resources necessary to ensure the diligent performance of their duties on the Company’s behalf, including attending board and applicable committee meetings.

 

 

The following are some of the key qualifications and skills the committee considered in evaluating the director nominees. The individual biographies beginning on page 4 provide additional information about each nominee’s specific experiences, qualifications and skills.

 

Significant management experience.  We believe that directors with experience in management, including management of private, public, or non-profit corporations provide the Company with valuable insights. These individuals have a demonstrated record of leadership qualities and a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategy, risk management, and the methods to drive change and growth. Through their service as top leaders at other organizations, they also have access to important sources of market intelligence, analysis, and relationships that benefit the Company.

 

Financial reporting experience.  We believe that an understanding of finance and financial reporting processes is important for our directors. The Company measures its operating and strategic performance by reference to financial targets. In addition, accurate financial reporting and robust auditing are critical to the Company’s success. Our nominees include a director who qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, and we expect all of our directors to be financially knowledgeable.

 

Industry experience.  We seek to have directors with experience as executives, directors, or other leadership positions in the energy industry. These directors have valuable perspective on energy industry business cycles and other issues specific to the Company’s business.

 

Government experience.  We seek directors with governmental experience because the energy industry is heavily regulated and is directly affected by actions and decisions of federal, state, local, and other governmental agencies. The Company recognizes the importance of working constructively with governments, and directors with government experience offer valuable insight in this regard.

 

d)   Board Leadership and Risk Oversight

 

We have separated the functions of chairman of the board and chief executive officer. 

 

The board of directors is responsible for oversight of our risk management policies and procedures. We are exposed to a number of risks including financial risks, strategic and operational risks, and risks relating to regulatory and legal compliance. Our financial condition, results of operations, and capital resources are highly dependent upon the prevailing market prices of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas, which are beyond our control. The board of directors reviews our business and financial plans, which includes evaluating the objectives of, and risks associated with, these plans. In addition, the audit committee reviews and discusses with management our major financial risks and the steps management has taken to monitor and control these risks, including our internal control over financial reporting. Our compensation committee strives to structure executive compensation to align the interests of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our shareholders and thus provides incentives to our executives to manage risks appropriately.

 

e)   Nominees for the Board of Directors

 

Proxies solicited by the board of directors will be voted in favor of each nominee unless shareholders specify otherwise in their proxies.  The following pages describe the nominees for director, including their principal occupations for the past five years, certain other directorships, age, and length of service as director of Royale Energy.  Membership on board committees, attendance at board and committee meetings, and ownership of stock in Royale Energy are indicated in separate sections following the individual resumes of the nominees.

 

 

Each nominee has agreed to be named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected.  The ages listed are as of August 31, 2021.

 

Nominees for Director

 

Name		Age		First Became Director or Executive Officer		Position Held
Johnny Jordan		61		January 2018		Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jonathan Gregory (1)		57		March 2014		Director
John Sullivan		63				Director
Jeff Kerns		64				Director
Chris Parada		50				Director

 

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(1)	Member of the compensation, nominations and audit committees.

 

The board has determined that nominees for director Jonathan Gregory, John Sullivan, Chris Parada and Jeff Kerns qualify as independent directors under NASDAQ rules.

 

The following summarizes the business experience of each director and nominee for director.

 

Name	Start Date	Position
Johnny Jordan	January 2019 to present	Royale Energy Inc., CEO
	March 2018 to December 2018	Royale Energy Inc., COO
	May 1999 to March 2018	Matrix Oil Co, President
Johnathan Gregory	September 2015 to December 2018	Royale Energy Inc., CEO
	March 2018 to present	RMX Resources LLC., CEO
Jeff Kerns	July 2018 to present	RMX Resources, Consultant
	1999 to July 2018	Matrix Oil Co., Vice President
Chris Parada	2019 to present	Counterpoint Consulting LLC, President
	May 2013 to April 2019	Legacy Texas Bank, Managing Director - Head of Energy Finance
John Sullivan	May 2018 to present	LTD Consulting Services, Principal
	July 2016 to May 2018	Retired

 

 

Jonathan Gregory – Director

 

Mr. Gregory became a director of Royale in March 2014 and served as Royale’s chief executive officer from September 10, 2015, until June 1, 2018.  Prior to becoming Royale’s CEO, Mr. Gregory, from March 2014 to July 2015, served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Development Strategist for Americo Energy Resources, a private exploration and production company located in Houston, Texas. Prior to serving as CFO of Americo Energy, Mr. Gregory was CFO of J&S Oil & Gas, LLC, from April 2012 to February 2014. From December 2004 to April 2012, Mr. Gregory was head of the energy lending group in Houston, Texas for Texas Capital Bank, N.A.  Mr. Gregory is presently CEO of RMX Resources, LLC (“RMX”), a private Texas based oil and gas company with oil and gas properties primarily located in California, in which, Royale holds an equity interest. Mr. Gregory is also a Credit Advisor to Anvil Capital Partners, a private debt capital provider to upstream energy companies and serves on the advisory board of the Center for Compassionate Leadership. Mr. Gregory graduated from Lamar University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.

 

Johnny Jordan – Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Mr. Jordan was appointed to the board in January 2018 and appointed Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2019. Mr. Jordan is a petroleum engineer with expertise in acquisitions, field economics and reserves analysis, bank negotiations, reservoir and field operations, and multi-team interaction. Mr. Jordan serves on the board of RMX Resources LLC, the California Independent Petroleum Association, and has served on the Board of Directors of Matrix. Mr. Jordan has been active in the oil and gas industry since 1980 beginning as a floor hand on a well service rig. He has held various staff and supervisory positions for Exxon, Mack Energy, Enron Oil and Gas and Venoco Corporation. He was the team leader of a multi-discipline team from 1992 to 1996 that added 455 BCF and 79 MMCFD through acquisitions (71 BCF) and field development (365 wells) in the Val Verde Basin in West Texas. Mr. Jordan has managed acquisition evaluations in many of the oil and gas producing basins in the US. He has coordinated field development for various recovery mechanisms that include waterflood, tertiary flood, water drive oil and gas reservoirs, and pressure depletion fields with gas cap expansion or gravity drainage. Mr. Jordan received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 and is currently a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute.

 

John Sullivan – Nominee for Director

 

Mr. Sullivan has been nominated for election as a director. Mr. Sullivan is a Principal of LTD Consulting Services LLC, which provides consulting and management services to private and public companies in the US and SE Asia. Previously, he held the position of Sr. Director at MMI International, a privately held, global supplier to the Data Storage, Aerospace and Oil and Gas industries. In this role, he oversaw the sales and global operations for the Precision Forming Group, a division of MMI, with $250M in annual sales.

 

Prior to this, as Director of Operations, COO and President, he spent eleven years with Intri-Plex Technologies Inc., a leading design, engineering and manufacturing company to the Data Storage, Semi-conductor and Medical industries. In his various roles, he led the development and implementation of strategic sales and operating initiatives that resulted in significant top and bottom line growth. Overseeing the expansion of the business from a domestic manufacturing company to an international supplier of precision components with manufacturing facilities located in the US and SE Asia.

 

Previously, as COO and President of KR Precision Public Co. Ltd., a publicly held, global supplier of precision mechanical components, John was instrumental in transforming a small privately held company from a niche supplier to a publicly held industry leader listed on the SET 50.

 

John began his career in 1980 as an entrepreneur, spending ten years as a small business owner in the security and life safety industry. He grew his company organically and through acquisition, diversified its offerings and expanded its geographic footprint prior to it being acquired by ADT International in, a global leader in security and life safety industry, in 1990.

 

Jeff Kerns – Nominee for Director

 

Mr. Kerns was a founding partner of Matrix Oil Corp in 1999, which merged with Royale Energy, Inc. nearly 20 years later in 2018. As a director and officer of Matrix, Mr. Kerns participated in growing the Company from zero production to owning and operating nearly 500 bbls of oil per day. Mr. Kerns was involved in all aspects of the Company’s growth, but his primary focus was day to day operations.

 

 

Mr. Kerns started in the oil and gas business over 40 years ago as a roughneck in North Dakota working on rigs that drilled through the now famous Bakken Shale heading for deeper targets. Prior to Matrix Oil Corp, Mr. Kerns has held various staff and supervisory positions with Mobil Oil Corp (now ExxonMobil) and Venoco Inc, a small independent company headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. He also gained broad skills working for many years as a consultant in the oil and gas business.

 

Mr. Kerns is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of CA. He received a BS degree from Stanford University in 1979. He served as an elected public official for 10 years on the local sanitary district board of directors as well as serving as a past president of a local Rotary International club and president of the San Joaquin Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute and has maintained a long term affiliation with SPE.

 

Chris Parada – Nominee for Director

 

Mr. Parada has been nominated for election as a director. Mr. Parada currently serves as Vice President of Business Development for Finergy Capital/EnRes Resources, an alternative investment fund providing structured capital solutions to upstream oil and gas companies. Additionally, Mr. Parada serves as President of CounterPoint Consulting, LLC, which he founded in 2019. Counterpoint provides a variety of consulting and contract CFO/VP Finance services to upstream and midstream clients. Prior to joining Finergy/EnRes, Mr. Parada served as Managing Director at TenOaks Energy Advisors from April 2020 to February 2021. Prior to 2019, Mr. Parada was an energy banker for over 25 years, most recently, as Managing Director – Head of Energy Finance for LegacyTexas Bank (2013-2019) where he started and built the Energy Finance team for LegacyTexas. While at LegacyTexas, Mr. Parada and the team successfully closed over $1.5 billion in transactions while he managed a team of seven professionals. Over the course of his career in banking, Mr. Parada has originated, led and syndicated several direct and multibank credit facilities of $10-$500 million. Mr. Parada graduated in 1993 from Texas A&M University with a B.B.A. in Finance.

 

Audit Committee

 

The board has appointed an audit committee to assist the board of directors in carrying out its responsibility as to the independence and competence of the Company’s independent public accountants. In accordance with the rules of NASDAQ for listed companies, all members of the audit committee are independent members of the board of directors.  The audit committee operates pursuant to an audit committee charter which has been adopted by the board of directors to define the committee’s responsibilities.  A copy of the audit committee charter is posted on our website, www.royl.com.  From his election in 2018 and in 2019, the board determined Robert Vogel qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Regulation S-K Item 407(d)(5) of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

In 2020, the members of the audit committee were Mel Riggs, Thomas Gladney and Karen Kerns.

 

Number of Meetings Held in 2020: 4

 

All committee members attended all committee meetings in 2020.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Purpose: To review and make recommendations to the board of directors on setting the salaries of the company’s officers and the compensation to be paid to members of the board of directors who are not employees of the Company.  The compensation committee operates pursuant to a committee charter adopted by the board of directors, a copy of which is posted on our website, www.royl.com.

 

In 2020, the members of the compensation committee were Karen Kerns, Robert Vogel and Thomas Gladney. 

 

Number of Meetings Held in 2020: 0

 

No Compensation Committee Interlocks

 

No compensation committee interlocks as defined in SEC Regulation S-K, Item 407(e)(4) existed between committee members or executive officers of Royale and any other entity during 2020.

 

 

Nomination Committee

 

Purpose: To review and make recommendations to the board of directors concerning the nominees proposed for election of directors at the annual meeting of directors.  The Nomination Committee operates pursuant to a committee charter which is posted on our website, www.royl.com.

 

For 2020, the members of the nomination committee were Thomas Gladney, Robert Vogel and Karen Kerns.

 

Number of Meetings Held in 2020: 2

 

f)  Executive Compensation

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Board appointed Johnny Jordan, then current President and Chief Operating Officer, to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Jordan also remains as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

 

Mr. Jordan will continue to be compensated in accordance with his employment agreement with the Company dated October 10, 2018 and effective March 1, 2018, a copy of which was attached as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed October 29, 2018 (“Jordan Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Jordan’s base salary is $250,000 per year, subject to adjustment as set forth therein Mr. Jordan is also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus under the Company’s bonus plan, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee. His employment terms included other standard employment, compensation and confidentiality provisions.

 

The Employment Agreement included severance provisions that apply upon certain terminations of employment. As a condition to the payment of any severance benefit described below, the Company may require the named executive officer to execute and not revoke a release of claims in favor of the Company. The Employment Agreement also contained certain restrictive covenants, including the obligation not to compete against the Company and a confidentiality requirement. In the event the named executive officer violates these restrictive covenants, the Company may cease paying all severance benefits to the named executive officer and may recover an amount equal to any severance benefits previously paid to the named executive officer under the Employment Agreement.

 

If the named executive officer’s employment was terminated by the Company other than for cause or termination by the named executive officer in the event of a change of control, the Employment Agreement provide that (1) (i) Mr. Jordan will receive payment in a lump sum of 18 months’ accrued base salary and (2) the Company will pay its portion of COBRA continuation coverage, as well as pay certain costs of continuing medical coverage for Mr. Jordan up to 2 years’, after the expiration of the maximum required period under COBRA; and (3) all granted but unvested awards under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan shall immediately vest and related restrictions shall be waived.

 

If a change of control had occurred and the named executive officer’s employment is terminated without cause, or by the named executive officer with good reason during the period beginning 12 months following the change of control (the “change of control period”), the named executive officers are entitled to the same severance benefits described above, except that the lump sum payment will be: (a) 2 years’ accrued salary and (b) target annual bonus.

 

The Employment Agreement provide that in the event of a termination of employment by the Company for cause or by the named executive officer without good reason, the named executive officer will be entitled to accrued but unpaid base salary and benefits through the date of termination but will forfeit any other compensation from the Company.

 

The Employment Agreement also contained customary confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions. The non-solicitation provisions of the Employment Agreement prohibit the named executive officers from soliciting for employment any employee of the Company or any person who was an employee of the Company. This prohibition applies during the named executive officer’s employment with the Company and for up to one year following the termination of his employment and extends to offers of employment for his own account or benefit or for the account or benefit of any other person, firm or entity, directly or indirectly.

 

Additionally, our equity award agreements under which we have granted restricted stock awards, stock appreciate rights awards and stock option awards contain provisions providing for accelerated vesting upon the death or disability of the named executive officer, upon termination of employment by the Company without cause or termination of employment by the named executive officer for “good reason” and upon a change in control of the Company.

 

 

The following table summarizes the compensation of the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and the one other most highly non-executive employees (the “named executives and employees”) of Royale and its subsidiaries during the past three years.

 

Year		Year		Salary (3)				Bonus				Option Awards (1)				All Other Compensation				Total Compensation (2)
Johnny Jordan (5)		2020		$	255,769											$	7,500			$	263,269
(CEO)		2019		$	255,769											$	0			$	255,769
		2018		$	213,141											$	0			$	213,141
Jonathan Gregory (4)		2020		$	0											$	0			$	0
		2019		$	0											$	0			$	0
		2018		$	72,909											$	9,583			$	82,492
Donald Hosmer		2020		$	185,177			$	49,554							$	18,930			$	253,661
(Business Development)		2019		$	189,344			$	95,193							$	18,930			$	303,467
		2018		$	236,331											$	18,930			$	255,261
Stephen Hosmer		2020		$	230,192											$	18,906			$	249,098
(CFO)		2019		$	230,192											$	18,906			$	249,098
		2018		$	230,192							$	64,954			$	18,750			$	313,896

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(1)	On October 10, 2018, the company entered into an agreement to issue Mr. Hosmer 250,000 options to purchase common stock previously approved by the Board of Directors with an exercise price of $0.31. These options were granted for a period of ten years with a maturity date of October 9, 2028.
(2)	All other compensation consists of matching contributions to the Company’s simple IRA plan, except for Donald H. Hosmer and Stephen M. Hosmer, who also received a $12,000 car allowance. This category also includes Board fees for Mr. Gregory.
(3)	Salary represents either direct payroll or common stock paid in lieu of taking a cash salary.
(4)	Mr. Gregory served as CEO of the Company during 2016, 2017 and part of 2018. Mr. Gregory resigned from the CEO position with the execution of the RMX joint venture.
(5)	Mr. Jordan became CEO of the Company in January 2019. Mr. Jordan joined the Company upon the merger with the Matrix entities on March 7, 2018.

 

Stock Options and Equity Compensation; Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table presents the number of unexercised options at the 2020 year end for each named executive officer.  No unvested stock awards were outstanding at the end of 2020.

 

Options
Name		Number of securities underlying unexercised options (1)  exercisable			Number of securities  underlying unexercised options (1) unexercisable		Option exercise price ($)			Option expiration date
Stephen M. Hosmer			250,000	(1)			$	0.31		10/09/2028

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(1)	On October 10, 2018, the Board of Directors of Royale granted Mr. Stephen M. Hosmer 250,000 options to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $0.31 per share. These options expire on October 9, 2028.

 

 

Compensation Committee Report

 

Our executive compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on its discussion and review, has recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

 

Members of the Compensation Committee:

 

Thomas M. Gladney, Karen Kerns (Chair), and Robert Vogel

 

All members of the compensation committee are independent members of the Board of Directors.

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Our executive compensation policy is designed to motivate, reward and retain the key executive talent necessary to achieve our business objectives and contribute to our long-term success. Our compensation policy for our executive officers focuses primarily on determining appropriate salary levels and performance-based cash bonuses.

 

The elements of executive compensation at Royale consist mainly of cash salary and, if appropriate, a cash bonus at year-end.  The compensation committee makes recommendations to the board of directors annually on the compensation of the three top executives:  Johnny Jordan, Chief Executive Officer, Donald H. Hosmer, Business Development and Stephen M. Hosmer, Chief Financial Officer.  

 

Royale does not provide extensive personal benefits to its executives beyond those benefits, such as health insurance, that are provided to all employees.  Donald Hosmer and Stephen Hosmer each receive an annual car allowance.

 

Policy

 

The compensation committee’s primary responsibility is making recommendations to the board of directors relating to compensation of our officers.  The committee also makes recommendations to the board of directors regarding employee benefits, our defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, and stock based plans.

 

Determination

 

To determine executive compensation, the committee reviews our compensation programs, performance of the company, duties and responsibilities of the officers and discusses the performance of the company. Compensation is compared to other similarly situated companies within the industry. The committee makes recommendations to the board of directors regarding compensation levels. Executive compensation has remained flat due to recent economic circumstances. The committee does not employ compensation consultants to make recommendations on executive compensation.

 

Compensation Elements

 

Base.  Base salaries for our executive officers are established based on the scope of their responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation paid by our peers. Base salaries are reviewed annually. The salaries we paid to our most highly paid executive officers for the last three years are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table included under Executive Compensation.

 

Bonus.  The compensation committee meets annually to determine the quantity, if any, of the cash bonuses of executive officers.  The amount granted is based, subjectively, upon the company’s stock price performance, earnings, revenue, reserves and production.  The committee does not use quantifiable metrics for these criteria; but rather uses each in balance to assess the strength of the company’s performance.  The committee believes that formulaic approaches to cash incentives can foster an unhealthy balance between short-term and long-term goals.  Cash bonuses paid to executive officers are listed in the table above.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

In 2020, board members or committee members accrued or received fees for attendance at board meetings or committee meetings during the year.  In addition to cash payments, common stock was issued in lieu of compensation or reimbursements.  Royale also reimbursed directors for the expenses incurred for their services.

 

 

The following table describes the compensation paid to our directors who are not also named executives for their services in 2020.

 

Name		Fees paid in Cash or Common Stock				Stock awards				Option awards				All Other Compensation				Total
Mel G. Riggs		$	44,000			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	44,000
Thomas M. Gladney		$	44,000			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	44,000
Karen Kerns		$	44,000			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	44,000
Robert Vogel		$	44,000			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	44,000
Jonathan Gregory		$	33,000			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	33,000

 

Preferred Stock

 

Royale has one class of Series B convertible preferred stock outstanding which, became entitled to vot on March 1, 2020, and is immediately convertible to shares of common stock at the option of the shareholder.  The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the preferred is included in the table of securities ownership.

 

h)   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Michael McCaskey and Jeffrey Kerns, each former directors of Royale, have consulting agreements to provide services as directed and at the discretion of the company. Jeff Kerns is a nominee director, and also a former director, with whom we have had a consulting agreement to provide services as directed and at the discretion of the company.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our directors and executive officers.  The code is posted on our website, www.royl.com.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

 

 

PROPOSAL 2:  AUDITORS

 

As required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our Audit Committee is directly responsible for appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Company’s independent auditors. We are asking the shareholders to approve the Audit Committee’s recommendation Weaver and Tidwell as independent auditors to audit the financial statements of the Company for the 2021 fiscal year. If the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment of the auditors, our Audit Committee will take that into consideration in determining whether to continue the auditing engagement.

 

Weaver and Tidwell was engaged as independent auditors of the Company on May 28, 2021. The amounts paid to our independent auditors for the years 2020 and 2019 are provided below under Other Information – Independent Auditors – Auditors’ Fees.

 

No representatives of Weaver and Tidwell are expected to be present at the annual meeting. Although the audit committee has the sole responsibility to appoint the auditors as required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the audit committee welcomes the comments of shareholders and will reconsider the decision whether to appoint Moss Adams LLP as auditors if the shareholders fail to approve their appointment.

 

 

PROPOSAL 3:  OTHER MATTERS

 

At the date of mailing of this proxy statement, we are not aware of any business to be presented at the annual meeting other than those items previously discussed.  The proxy being solicited by the board of directors provides authority for the proxy holders, Johnny Jordan and Stephen M. Hosmer, to use their discretion to vote on such other matters as may lawfully come before the meeting, including matters incidental to the conduct of the meeting, and any adjournment thereof.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

a)   Independent Auditors – Auditors’ Fees

 

Moss Adams LLP served as the independent auditors to audit the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The aggregate fees billed for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows, respectively:

 

		2020				2019
Audit fees (1)			270,375				381,075
Audit Related Fees
Tax fees (2)
All other fees (3)
Total			270,375				381,075

---

(1)	Audit fees are fees for professional services rendered for the audit of Royale Energy’s annual financial statements, reviews of financial statements included in the company’s Forms 10-Q, and reviews of documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2)	Tax fees consist of tax planning, consulting and tax return reviews.
(3)	Other fees consist of work on registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

The audit committee of Royale Energy has adopted policies for the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by the company’s independent auditor.  The policy requires pre-approval by the audit committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services.  Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the audit committee must approve the permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to perform it.

 

No representatives of Moss Adams LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting.  Although the audit committee has the sole responsibility to appoint the auditors as required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the committee welcomes any comments from shareholders on auditor selection or performance.  Comments may be sent to the audit committee chair, Mel Riggs, in care of Royale Energy’s executive office, 1530 Hilton Head Rd, Suite 205, El Cajon, California 92019.

 

B Annual Report

 

An annual report to shareholders on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, accompanies this proxy statement.

 

c) Method and Cost of Soliciting Proxies

 

The accompanying proxy is being solicited on behalf of the board of directors of Royale Energy.  The expense of preparing, printing and mailing the form of proxy and the material used in the solicitation thereof will be borne by Royale Energy.  Proxies may be solicited by officers, directors, and employees of Royale Energy in person, or by mail, courier, telephone or facsimile.  In addition, Royale Energy has paid approximately $9,000 to Broadridge for mailing and proxy vote reporting services.

 

d)   Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirement

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations require that Royale Energy’s directors, certain officers, and greater than 10 percent shareholders file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NASD and furnish Royale Energy with copies of all such reports they file.  Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms furnished to Royale Energy, or representations from certain reporting persons that no reports were required, Royale Energy believes that no persons failed to file required reports on a timely basis for 2020.

 

e)   Additional Information

 

Other reports that we file with the SEC may also be obtained from the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

 

 

f)   Proposals by Shareholders – 2022

 

Any proposal by a shareholder to be submitted for inclusion in proxy soliciting material for the 2022 annual shareholders meeting must be received by the corporate secretary of Royale Energy no later than February 28, 2022.

 

g)   Other Matters

 

No proposals have been received from shareholders for inclusion in the proxy statement or action at this annual meeting.  Management does not know of any matter to be acted upon at the meeting other than the matters above described.  However, if any other matter should properly come before the meeting, the proxy holders named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares for which they hold proxies in their discretion.  Your vote at the annual meeting is important to us. Please vote your shares of common stock by completing the enclosed proxy card and returning it to us in the enclosed envelope.

 

		By Order of the Board of Directors,
Date: September 29, 2021		Robert Vogel
		Chairman of the Board

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

 

ROYALE ENERGY, INC.

 

November 12, 2021

 

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

 

NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:

The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card

are available at www.sec.gov

Please sign, date and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

 

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

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE

X

 

1.  To elect the nominees described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice as members of Royale’s board of directors, each for a term of one year, expiring at the later of the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders or upon a successor being elected and qualified.
☐ FOR ALL NOMINEES ☐ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES ☐ FOR ALL EXCEPT (see instructions below)	NOMINEES O Jonathan Gregory O Johnny Jordan O Jeff Kerns O John Sullivan O Chris Parada	In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. This proxy when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR ALL NOMINEES in Proposal 1.
INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold. As shown here:  ●
2. To ratify the selection of Weaver and Tidwell ☐ FOR		☐ AGAINST	☐ ABSTAIN
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
☐ FOR		☐ AGAINST	☐ ABSTAIN
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.            ☐
Signature of Shareholder		Date
Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 

 

 

ROYALE ENERGY, INC.

 

PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS November 12, 2021

PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Johnny Jordan and Stephen Hosmer as Proxies with the power to appoint their substitutes, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of common stock of Royale Energy, Inc. held on record by the undersigned on September 13, 2021, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the office of the company, 1530 Hilton Head Rd, El Cajon, CA 92019 on November 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time.

 

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)