|
DAVID J. SCHULTE
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer April 25, 2022 |
| |
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. (the “Company”) on May 25, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. Central Time, at 1100 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri in the Marquise room on the fourth floor. The annual meeting is the first since the transformative transactions approved last summer by our stockholders, and includes new matters for your consideration. Our Board of Directors has carefully reviewed each of these new matters and recommends approval.
At the meeting, you will be asked to vote on the following proposals: (i) to elect three directors of the Company, (ii) to conduct a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of named executive officers, (iii) to consider and vote upon an advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes to approve executive compensation, (iv) to approve the adoption of our new Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for equity compensation, (v) to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, and (vi) to consider and take action upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting including the postponement or adjournment thereof.
Your proxy with respect to voting on all of the above-referenced matters also will confer discretionary authority to consider and take action upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including any postponement or adjournment thereof, all as more fully discussed in the enclosed proxy statement.
Accompanying this letter are answers to questions you may have about the proposals, the formal notice of the meeting, the Company’s proxy statement, which gives detailed information about the proposals and why the Company’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote to approve each of the proposals, as well as the Company’s Annual Report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which includes the information required by Rule 14a-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you have any questions about the proxy or need any assistance in voting your shares, please call 1-877-699-CORR (2677).
Sincerely,
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Proposal
Number |
| |
Proposal Description
|
| |
Vote Required
for Approval |
| |
Effect of
Abstentions |
| |
Effect of
Broker Non-Votes |
|
|
1
|
| |
Election of Directors
|
| |
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, present or represented at the Annual Meeting
|
| | None | | | None | |
|
2
|
| |
Non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of named executive officers
|
| |
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, present or represented at the Annual Meeting
|
| | None | | | None | |
|
3
|
| |
Non-binding vote to approve the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation
|
| |
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, present or represented at the Annual Meeting
|
| | None | | | None | |
|
4
|
| |
Adoption of our new Omnibus Plan for equity compensation
|
| |
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class, present or represented at the Annual Meeting
|
| | None | | | None | |
| Meeting Date and Time | | | May 25, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. Central Time | |
| Location | | |
1000 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Marquise Room, Fourth Floor
|
|
| Record Date | | | Close of business on April 7, 2022 | |
| Outstanding Common Stock on the Record Date | | | 14,960,628 shares | |
| Outstanding Class B Common Stock on the Record Date | | | 683,761 shares | |
| Quorum | | | Presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to cast one-third of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class | |
| How to Vote | | |
Internet: www.proxyvote.com
Telephone: 1-800-690-6903
Mail: Complete and sign the enclosed proxy card
In Person: See “Voting at the Annual Meeting — Revoking a Proxy; Voting at the Annual Meeting”
|
|
|
Proposal Number
|
| |
Description
|
| |
Vote Required
|
|
| Proposal 1 (see page 7) | | | To elect one director of the Company to serve until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, and two directors of the Company to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified | | | Majority of Votes Cast | |
| Proposal 2 (see page 24) | | | To conduct a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation of named executive officers | | | Majority of Votes Cast | |
| Proposal 3 (see page 26) | | | To recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation | | | Majority of Votes Cast | |
| Proposal 4 (see page 27) | | | To approve the adoption of our new Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan for equity compensation | | | Majority of Votes Cast | |
| Proposal 5 (see page 35) | | | To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 | | | Majority of Votes Cast | |
|
Name and Age
|
| |
Position(s) Held
With The Company and Length of Time Served |
| |
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years |
| |
Other Public
Company Directorships Held by Director |
| |
Term Expires
|
|
|
David J. Schulte
(Born 1961; Age 61) |
| | Chairman of the Board since January 2019; Director of the Company since December 2011; Chief Executive Officer since inception; President from inception to April 2007 and since June 2012. | | | CEO and President of CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc.; Managing Director of Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C (“TCA”) from inception in 2002 to 2015; Chief Executive Officer and President of each of TYG, TYY and TPZ from inception to 2011; Chief Executive Officer of TYN from inception to 2011; Senior Vice President of NTG from 2010, of each of TYG, TYY, TYN and TPZ from 2011 and of TTP from inception until 2015; CPA and CFA designation. | | | Western Midstream Partners, LP(2) | | |
2024
|
|
|
Todd E. Banks(1)
(Born 1963, Age 58) |
| | Director of the Company since May 2017. | | | Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager, Blackthorn Investment Group, LLC since 1998; Managing Member Blackthorn Capital, LLC since 1998; Managing Member Blackthorn Lending since 2012; Director, Blackthorn Fund Ltd. from 2004 — 2015; Director, Cartasite, LLC from 2012 — 2014; Managing Director, Koch Industries from 1991 — 1998; Reservoir / Production Engineer, Shell Oil Company from 1986 — 1991. | | | None | | |
2023
|
|
|
John D. Grier
(Born 1956; Age 65) |
| | Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since February 2021. | | | CEO and Founder of Crimson Pipeline, Founder of Crimson Resource Management in 1986. Bachelor’s Degree in Science/Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University. | | | None | | |
2023
|
|
The Executive Committee
|
| |||
Members:
David J. Schulte (Chair) Todd E. Banks Conrad S. Ciccotello Catherine A. Lewis
2021 Committee
Actions: 0 meetings |
| | The Company’s Executive Committee has authority to exercise the powers of the Board (i) to address emergency matters where assembling the full Board of Directors in a timely manner is impracticable, or (ii) to address matters of an administrative or ministerial nature. The Executive Committee may also exercise the powers of the Board as delegated pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws, which includes the pricing of its equity offerings from time to time. In the absence of any member of the Executive Committee, the remaining members are authorized to act alone. | |
The Audit Committee
|
| |||
Members:
Catherine A. Lewis (Chair) Todd E. Banks Conrad S. Ciccotello
2021 Committee
Actions: 6 meetings
Governing
Document: Audit Committee Charter, as amended effective July 30, 2014 |
| |
The Company’s Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Audit Committee: (i) approves and recommends to the Board of Directors the election, retention or termination of the independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent auditors”); (ii) approves services to be rendered by the independent auditors and monitors the independent auditors’ performance; (iii) reviews the results of the Company’s audit; (iv) determines whether to recommend to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report; (v) assists with implementation of the Company’s valuation procedures; and (vi) carries out additional responsibilities as outlined in the Committee’s Charter.
The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is “financially literate” and is “independent” as defined under the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards. The Board of Directors has determined that Catherine A. Lewis and Conrad S. Ciccotello are “audit committee financial experts.”In addition to her executive and leadership experience in public accounting, Ms Lewis has tax expertise in the energy sector. Also, in addition to his experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements, Mr. Ciccotello has a Ph.D. in Finance.
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|
The Investment Committee
|
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Members:
David J. Schulte (Chair) Todd E. Banks Conrad S. Ciccotello Catherine A. Lewis John D. Grier
2021 Committee
Actions: 5 meetings
Governing
Document: Investment Committee Charter, as amended effective February 26, 2014 |
| | The Company’s Investment Committee is responsible for providing oversight and approval relating to the acquisition and long-term management of real property assets meeting applicable criteria, in accordance with the Company’s investment guidelines and procedures. | |
The Special Committee
|
| |||
Members:
Todd E. Banks Conrad S. Ciccotello Catherine A. Lewis
2021 Committee
Actions: 4 meetings |
| | The Company’s Special Committee was formed in 2020 and had responsibility for providing oversight and evaluating options relating to the Internalization of the Company’s former Manager, Corridor Infrastructure Trust, LLC. The Special Committee was comprised entirely of independent and disinterested directors. The Special Committee engaged an independent financial advisor to provide a fairness opinion from a financial point of view on the terms of the Internalization. The Company sought and received stockholder approval of the Internalization in compliance with the rules of the NYSE in 2021. The Special Committee was disbanded following completion of the Internalization, since its objective had been accomplished. | |
|
Name of Person
|
| |
Fees Earned or Paid in
Cash(1) |
| |
Stock Awards
|
| |
Total
|
|
|
Todd E. Banks(2)
|
| | $52,500 | | | $7,500 | | | $60,000 | |
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
| | 60,500 | | | 7,500 | | | 68,000 | |
|
Catherine A. Lewis
|
| | 57,500 | | | 7,500 | | | 65,000 | |
|
Plan Category
|
| |
(a)
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of the outstanding options, warrants and rights |
| |
(b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
| |
(c)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | | None | | | N/A | | | 6,780(1) | |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | | None | | | N/A | | | N/A | |
|
TOTAL
|
| |
None
|
| |
N/A
|
| |
6,780(1)
|
|
|
Name and Age
|
| |
Position(s) Held With The
Company and Length of Time Served |
| |
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years |
| |
Other Public
Company Directorships Held by Officer |
|
|
Robert L Waldron
(Born 1971, Age 50) |
| | Chief Financial Officer of the Company since February 2021. | | | Chief Financial Officer of Crimson Midstream Holdings, LLC since September 2014; Investment Banker advising midstream clients on M&A, IPO and capital market transactions at Citi Group and UBS 2007 — 2014; R&D Group at Dow Chemical from 1999-2007. | | | None | |
|
Larry W. Alexander
(Born 1956, Age 65) |
| | President of Crimson Midstream Holdings, LLC since 2005 and an officer of CorEnergy since February 2021. | | | President and Chief Operating Officer of Crimson Midstream Holdings, LLC since 2005. | | | None | |
|
Christopher M. Huffman
(Born 1980, Age 41) |
| | Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since November 2021. | | |
Chief Accounting Officer of CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. since November 2021; Chief Accounting Officer at Discovery Natural Resources LLC from 2012 to 2021, Controller at Great Western Oil and Gas Company from 2011 to 2012; Manager and other various positions at
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) from 2004 to 2011. |
| | None | |
| |
The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously
recommends stockholders of the Company vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement on an advisory basis. |
| |
| |
The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously recommends stockholders of the Company vote for a ONE YEAR interval for the advisory vote on NEO compensation.
|
| |
| |
The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously
recommends stockholders of the Company vote “FOR” the adoption of the Omnibus Plan. |
| |
| | | |
2021
|
| |
2020
|
|
| Audit Fees(1) | | | $1,155,851 | | | $790,478 | |
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
| |
45,731
|
| |
224,192
|
|
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
| |
445,467
|
| |
229,814
|
|
|
Directors and Officers(1)
|
| |
Number
of Shares Common Stock |
| |
Percent
of Class(2) |
| |
Number
of Shares Class B Common Stock |
| |
Percent of
Class(2) |
| |
Percent of
Total Voting Shares |
|
|
Independent Directors and Nominees
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Todd E. Banks(3)
|
| | 1,817.7939 | | | * | | | — | | | — | | | * | |
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello(4)
|
| | 13,172.2815 | | | * | | | — | | | — | | | * | |
|
Catherine A. Lewis(5)
|
| | 5,482.7928 | | | * | | | — | | | — | | | * | |
|
Arkan Halie
|
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
|
Directors and Additional Named Executive Officers
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
David J. Schulte(6)
|
| | 647,974.0000 | | | 4.33% | | | 320,276.0000 | | | 46.84% | | | 6.19% | |
|
John D. Grier
|
| | 2,000.0000 | | | * | | | — | | | — | | | * | |
|
Robert L Waldron
|
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
|
Larry W. Alexander
|
| | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
|
Directors and Officers as a Group (9 Total)
|
| |
670,446.8682
|
| |
4.48%
|
| |
320,276.0000
|
| |
46.84%
|
| |
6.33%
|
|
|
Director or Executive
Officer |
| |
Percentage Interest of
Internalization Consideration |
| |
Retention Bonus ($)
|
|
| David J. Schulte | | | 53.42% | | | $ 50,000 | |
| Rebecca M. Sandring | | | 5.25% | | | 150,000 | |
| Jeffrey E. Fulmer | | | 8.08% | | | 150,000 | |