1776 LINCOLN STREET, SUITE 700
DENVER, COLORADO 80203
303/861-8140
FAX 303/861-0934
April 4, 2003
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
RE: St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
File No. 001-31539
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Transmitted herewith is St. Mary Land & Exploration Company's Proxy
Statement submitted on Schedule 14A. The Company intends to send the Proxy
Statement to its Shareholders' on or about April 7, 2003.
Very truly yours,
/s/ RICHARD C. NORRIS
Richard C. Norris
Vice President - Finance,
Secretary and Treasurer
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934
Filed by the Registrant [ X ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ X ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
---------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
[ X ] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules
14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
-------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form
or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
-------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement Number:
-------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing party:
-------------------------------------------------------
4) Date filed:
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1776 LINCOLN STREET, SUITE 700
DENVER, COLORADO 80203-1080
303/861-8140
FAX 303/861-0934
April 4, 2003
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2003 annual meeting of
stockholders, which will be held in the Forum Room of Wells Fargo Bank, 1740
Broadway Street, Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. local
time.
At the meeting you and the other stockholders will vote on the election
of eight directors, approval of an amendment to the Stock Option Plans to
increase the authorized number of shares that can be issued under the plans by
1,300,000 to a total of 5,600,000 and approval of a Non-Employee Director Stock
Compensation Plan for the issuance of up to 30,000 shares to non-employee
directors as compensation over an anticipated period of up to five years. You
will also have the opportunity to hear reports on St. Mary's operations and to
ask questions of general interest. You can find other detailed information about
the meeting in the accompanying proxy statement, and can find detailed
information about St. Mary in the enclosed annual report.
Please complete and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly
in the accompanying envelope, or use the telephone or Internet voting systems
described on the proxy card. This will ensure that your shares are represented
at the meeting even if you cannot attend.
Thank you for your cooperation in returning your proxy card or voting
by telephone or the Internet as promptly as possible. We hope to see many of you
at our meeting in Denver.
Very truly yours,
/s/ MARK A. HELLERSTEIN
-----------------------
Mark A. Hellerstein
Chairman
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700
Denver, Colorado 80203
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
-----------------------------------------------------------------
May 21, 2003
To All Stockholders:
The 2003 annual meeting of the stockholders of St. Mary Land &
Exploration Company will be held in the Forum Room of the Wells Fargo Bank, 1740
Broadway Street, Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. local
time. The purposes of the meeting are:
1. To elect eight directors to serve during the next year,
2. To vote on an amendment to the Stock Option Plans to increase
the number of authorized shares that can be issued under the
plans by 1,300,000 to a total of 5,600,000,
3. To vote on approval of a Non-Employee Director Stock
Compensation Plan for the issuance of up to 30,000 shares to
non-employee directors as compensation over an anticipated
period of up to five years, and
4. To transact any other business which may properly come before
the meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2003 may
vote at this meeting.
Please sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed
envelope as soon as possible, or use the telephone or Internet voting systems
described on the proxy card. Any stockholder may revoke their proxy at any time
before the vote is taken at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
/s/ RICHARD C. NORRIS
-----------------------------
Richard C. Norris
Secretary
Denver, Colorado
April 4, 2003
Proxy Statement Table of Contents
Page
----
General.................................................................... 1
Purpose of the Annual Meeting.............................................. 1
Who Can Vote............................................................... 1
How to Vote................................................................ 2
Revoking a Proxy........................................................... 2
Quorum and Voting Requirements............................................. 2
Payment of Proxy Solicitation Costs........................................ 3
Election of Directors...................................................... 3
Nominees for Election as Directors......................................... 4
Board and Committee Meetings............................................... 5
Director Compensation...................................................... 6
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management............. 7
Audit Committee Report..................................................... 8
Executive Compensation..................................................... 10
Summary Compensation Table................................................. 10
2002 Option Grants......................................................... 11
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2002........................................ 12
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation............. 12
Retirement Plans........................................................... 15
Performance Graph.......................................................... 17
Employment Agreements and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control
Arrangements............................................................ 18
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions............................. 18
Other Matters to be Voted On............................................... 19
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.................... 26
Independent Accountants.................................................... 27
Future Stockholder Proposals............................................... 28
Other Matters.............................................................. 28
Annex A: St. Mary Charter of the Audit Committee........................... 29
Annex B: Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan..................... 35
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700
Denver, Colorado 80203
(303) 861-8140
Proxy Statement
------------------------
General
This proxy statement contains information about the 2003 annual meeting of
stockholders of St. Mary Land & Exploration Company to be held in the Forum
Room of the Wells Fargo Bank, 1740 Broadway Street, Denver, Colorado on
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. local time. The St. Mary board of directors
is using this proxy statement to solicit proxies for use at the annual meeting.
In this proxy statement "St. Mary" and "the Company" both refer to St. Mary Land
& Exploration Company. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are
being mailed to you on or about April 7, 2003.
Purpose of the Annual Meeting
At the Company's annual meeting, stockholders will vote on:
o the election of directors as outlined in the accompanying notice of
meeting,
o approval of an amendment to the stock option plans to increase the
total authorized number of shares of common stock which may be issued
under the plans by 1,300,000 shares to a total of 5,600,000 shares,
o approval of a Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan for the
issuance of up to a total of 30,000 shares of common stock to
non-employee directors as part of their annual or other compensation
over an anticipated period of up to five years, and
o any other business that properly comes before the meeting.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company is not aware of any
business to come before the meeting other than the items noted above.
Who Can Vote
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date of
March 31, 2003 are entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote
the shares of St. Mary common stock they held on that date. As of March 31,
2003, there were 31,438,657 shares of St. Mary common stock issued and
outstanding. Holders of St. Mary common stock are entitled to one vote per share
and are not allowed to cumulate votes in the election of directors. The enclosed
proxy card shows the number of shares that you are entitled to vote.
1
How to Vote
If your shares of St. Mary common stock are held by a broker, bank or other
nominee (in "street name"), you will receive information from them on how to
instruct them to vote your shares.
If you hold shares of St. Mary common stock in your own name (as a
"stockholder of record"), you may give instructions on how your shares are to be
voted by marking, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the
accompanying postage-paid envelope, or following the telephone or Internet
voting procedures described on the proxy card. The telephone and Internet voting
procedures are designed to ensure that proxies are handled properly under
Delaware law by authenticating votes cast by use of a personal identification
number and allowing stockholders to confirm that their instructions have been
properly recorded. If you vote by telephone or the Internet, you do not have to
mail in your proxy card.
A proxy, when properly completed and not revoked, will be voted in
accordance with its instructions. If no instructions are given on a properly
executed and unrevoked proxy card, the proxy will be voted FOR management's
slate of directors, the amendment to the Stock Option Plans and the Non-Employee
Director Stock Compensation Plan.
Revoking a Proxy
You may revoke a proxy before the vote is taken at the meeting by:
o submitting a new proxy with a later date either signed and
returned by mail or transmitted using the telephone or Internet
voting procedures before the meeting,
o by voting in person at the meeting, or
o by filing a written revocation with St. Mary's corporate
secretary.
Your attendance at the annual meeting will not automatically revoke your
proxy.
Quorum and Voting Requirements
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum
will exist if stockholders of one-third of the outstanding shares of common
stock are present at the meeting in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker
"non-votes" count as present for establishing a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs
on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without
instruction from the beneficial owner of the shares and no instruction is given.
Shares held by St. Mary in its treasury are not entitled to vote and do not
count toward a quorum. If a quorum is not present, the meeting may be adjourned
until a quorum is obtained.
If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares
represented in person or by proxy will be required to elect the directors, amend
the stock option plans, approve the Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation
Plan and to decide any other matter which may properly be submitted to a vote at
the meeting. In addition proposals two and three require that the total votes
cast represent 50% of all shares entitled to vote. Accordingly, any shares
2
present but not voted, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will have the
same effect as shares voted against approval.
Payment of Proxy Solicitation Costs
St. Mary will pay all costs of soliciting proxies. The solicitation will be
made by mail. In addition to mailing proxy solicitation material, St. Mary
officers, directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by
telephone, or by other electronic means of communication. St. Mary will ask
banks, brokers, other institutions, nominees, and fiduciaries to forward the
proxy material to their principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies.
St. Mary will reimburse them for expenses.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
All directors of the Company are elected annually. At this meeting, eight
directors are to be elected to serve for one year or until their successors are
elected and qualified. The Company's nominees for these directorships are
identified below, all of whom are currently serving in that capacity. Robert L.
Nance, age 66 and an executive officer of St. Mary, is also a current director
who has decided not to stand for re-election to the board of directors.
The board of directors has a Nominating and Corporate Governance committee
that selects the director nominees. This Committee performed its nominating
committee functions at its meeting on March 27, 2003. They will consider
suggestions by stockholders of possible future nominees. Such suggestions should
be delivered on or before November 1 in any year before the next annual meeting.
In addition, St. Mary's by-laws permit stockholders to nominate directors for
election at an annual meeting, provided that advance written notice of the
nomination containing the information required under the by-laws is received by
the Secretary of St. Mary not less than 75 days nor more than 105 days before
the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting.
Accordingly, proper notice of a stockholder nomination for election as director
at the 2004 annual meeting must be received by St. Mary between February 6, 2004
and March 8, 2004.
The proxies will be voted in favor of the nominees unless a contrary
specification is made in the proxy. All nominees have consented to serve as
directors of the Company if elected. However, if any nominee is unable to serve
or for good cause will not serve as a director, the persons named in the proxy
intend to vote in their discretion for a substitute who will be designated by
the board of directors.
The board of directors recommends voting "For" electing the nominees.
3
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
Biographical information, including principal occupation and business
experience during the last five years, of each nominee for director is set forth
below. Unless otherwise stated the principal occupation of each nominee has been
the same for the past five years.
Director
Age Since
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Barbara M. Baumann is Executive Vice President of Associated 47 2002
Energy Managers LLC, an investment manager and general
partner of a private equity energy fund specializing in oil
and gas investments for institutional investors. She has held
that position since 2001. From 1983 to 2001, Ms. Baumann was
employed by BP Amoco and held a variety of financial and
operational management positions, including Chief Financial
Officer of an environmental remediation subsidiary and most
recently as the Commercial Operations Manager of the Western
Business Unit.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Larry W. Bickle is Managing Director of Haddington Ventures, 57 1995
L.L.C., a private equity fund that invests in midstream
energy companies and assets. He has held that position since
June 1997. From 1984 to 1997, Mr. Bickle was Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of TPC Corporation
(formerly Tejas Power Corporation), a gas storage,
transportation and marketing company that he founded. Mr.
Bickle is also a director of UniSource Energy Corporation,
the parent company for Tucson Electric Power Company.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Ronald D. Boone is Executive Vice President and Chief 55 1996
Operating Officer of St. Mary. He has served St. Mary as
Executive Vice President since 1990 and as Chief Operating
Officer since 1992.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Thomas E. Congdon retired as Chairman of the Board of St. 76 1966
Mary in September 2002. He served St. Mary as an officer for
more than 36 years, including service as President from 1966
to 1992, Chief Executive Officer from 1992 to 1995 and
Chairman of the Board from 1992 to September 2002. Mr.
Congdon is also a director, officer or general partner of a
number of family corporations and partnerships which produce
iron ore and agricultural products, manage marketable
securities and own and operate developed real estate.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
William J. Gardiner is Vice President and Chief Financial 49 1999
Officer of King Ranch, Inc., a privately-held ranching and
agricultural company that owns the historic 825,000 acre
"King Ranch" in South Texas. He has held that position since
1996. Before joining King Ranch in 1996, Mr. Gardiner served
as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
CRSS, Inc., an independent power producer. He was employed by
CRSS for approximately 20 years. Mr. Gardiner was initially
appointed as a director of St. Mary in connection with St.
Mary's acquisition of King Ranch Energy, Inc. in 1999.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Mark A. Hellerstein is Chairman of the Board, President and 50 1992
Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary. He has served St. Mary
as President since 1992, Chief Executive Officer since 1995,
and was appointed Chairman of the Board in September 2002.
From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Hellerstein also served as Chairman of
the Board of Summo Minerals Corporation (now known as
Constellation Copper Corporation), a copper mining company in
which St. Mary held an interest.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
4
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
Arend J. Sandbulte is a former Chairman of the Board, 69 1989
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial
Officer of ALLETE, Inc. (formerly Minnesota Power, Inc.), a
diversified services company with core operations in energy
services (including electric utility services) and automotive
services. Mr. Sandbulte was employed with ALLETE from 1964 to
1996, and served as a director of ALLETE from 1983 to 2002.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
John M. Seidl is Chief Program Officer, Environment, of the 64 1994
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, a private grant-making
foundation which seeks and funds education, scientific
research, environmental and San Francisco Bay Area projects.
He has held that position since June 2001. Mr. Seidl is also
Chairman of Language Line Services, a privately-held provider
of over-the-phone language interpretation and document
translation services. He has held that position since
September 1999. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Seidl was Chairman of
the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of CellNet
Data Systems, Inc., a provider of wireless data networks for
automated reading of utility meters. In 2000 CellNet Data
Systems filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code as part of an acquisition of its assets.
From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Seidl was also a director of Iomega
Corporation.
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------ -----------
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The full board of directors met six times during 2002. No director attended
less than 75% of the board and committee meetings held during the director's
tenure on the board and its committees.
The board has an audit committee, nominating and corporate governance
committee, compensation committee and an executive committee. The following
table sets forth the members of each committee and the number of meetings held
in 2002:
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Name Audit Nominating and Corp Compensation Executive
Governance
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Barbara M. Baumann X X X
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Larry W. Bickle X X X
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Ronald D. Boone
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Thomas E. Congdon X
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
William J. Gardiner X X X* X
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Mark A. Hellerstein X
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
Arend J. Sandbulte X* X X X
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
John M. Seidl X X*
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
No. of Meetings in 2002 12 1 5 4
- ----------------------- ------- --------------------- -------------- -----------
* Chairperson
The audit committee assists the board in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities for financial reporting by the Company. The audit committee is
solely responsible for the engagement and discharge of independent auditors and
reviews the quarterly financial results. The committee reviews with independent
5
auditors the audit plan and the results of the audit, reviews the independence
of the auditors, considers the range of audit fees, reviews the scope and
adequacy of St. Mary's system of internal accounting controls, and reviews the
Company's risk management policies. The audit committee is composed of five
directors, each of whom is independent as defined by the NYSE listing standards.
See the "Audit Committee Report" contained in this proxy statement.
The nominating and corporate governance committee was established in
November 2002 and its primary function is to nominate the directors to be
elected and to oversee all corporate governance policies of the board of
directors. The committee is made up of all independent directors and meets
before each regular board meeting.
The compensation committee's primary function is to oversee the
administration of the Company's employee benefit plans and to establish the
Company's compensation policies. The compensation committee recommends to the
board the compensation arrangements for senior management and directors,
adoption of compensation plans in which officers and directors are eligible to
participate, and the granting of stock options or other benefits under
compensation plans. Each compensation committee member is an independent
director. See the "Report of Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation"
contained in this proxy statement.
The executive committee has the authority to act on behalf of the board of
directors and the Company with respect to matters as to which it has been
authorized to act by the board of directors, provided that such matters are not
in conflict with the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or
applicable laws, regulations or rules and listing standards of the New York
Stock Exchange.
There are no arrangements or understandings between any director and any
other person pursuant to which that director was or is to be elected.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Employee directors do not receive additional compensation for serving on
the board of directors or any committee. Each non-employee director receives
1,200 shares of St. Mary common stock per year for serving as a director and is
paid $750 for each meeting attended. Non-employee directors serving on a
committee are paid $600 for each committee meeting attended and $375 for
telephonic meetings. Directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending
board and committee meetings.
Members of the board of directors also participate in the Company's Stock
Option Plan. Non-employee directors currently receive a total number of options
each year equal to the average number of options granted to the two most senior
employees of the Company, exclusive of any extraordinary grants which are for
purposes other than normal annual compensation, divided by six. These options
have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of St. Mary common stock
on the date of grant and vest over a three-year period in the same manner as for
employee participants, except that the options of a director who retires after
five years of service shall become fully vested upon retirement. For 2002, each
non-employee director was granted under this arrangement an option to purchase
6,542 shares of St. Mary common stock at an exercise price of $25.00 per share.
6
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows beneficial ownership of shares of St. Mary common
stock as of March 19, 2003 by all beneficial owners as known by the Company, of
more than 5% of the outstanding shares of St. Mary common stock and by each
director and each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table, and all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group.
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Shares
beneficially Options Total shares Percent
owned excluding exercisable beneficially beneficially
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner options within 60 days owned (1) owned
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Stockholders Owning More Than 5%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Flying J Oil & Gas Inc. and Big West 3,380,818 - 3,380,000 (2) 10.8%
Oil & Gas Inc.
333 West Center Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84504
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Harris Associates Inc. 1,595,000 - 1,595,000 (3) 5.2%
Two North LaSalle Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60602
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Name and Position of Beneficial Owner
Directors and Executive Officers
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Barbara M. Baumann, Director 2,000 3,308 5,308 < .1%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Larry W. Bickle, Director 26,400 24,161 50,561 .2%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Thomas E. Congdon, Director (4) 107,707 48,719 156,426 .5%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
William J. Gardiner, Director 4,800 11,765 16,565 .1%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Arend J. Sandbulte, Director (5) 22,366 24,161 46,527 .2%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
John M. Seidl, Director 4,800 20,257 25,057 .1%
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Mark A. Hellerstein, Chairman, President, 34,781 139,634 174,415 .6%
Chief Executive Officer and Director
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Ronald D. Boone, Executive Vice President, 13,721 105,357 119,078 .4%
Chief Operating Officer and Director
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Robert L. Nance, Senior Vice President (6) 341,607 50,071 391,678 1.3%
and Director
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Milam Randolph Pharo, Vice President - 2,000 44,249 46,249 .2%
Land and Legal
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
Douglas W. York, Vice President - 4,994 40,772 45,766 .2%
Acquisitions and Engineering
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
All executive officers and directors as a 648,023 609,623 1,255,646 4.0%
group (15 persons including those
named above)
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------
7
(1) According to SEC rules, beneficial ownership includes shares as to which
the individual or entity has voting power or investment power and any
shares which the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of
March 19, 2003 through the exercise of any stock option or other right.
(2) Pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of December 13, 2002
among Flying J Oil & Gas Inc., Big West Oil & Gas Inc., NPC Inc.
("NPC") and St. Mary, as amended by an Addendum thereto dated January 29,
2003, on January 29, 2003 St. Mary issued to Flying J Oil & Gas Inc.
and Big West Oil & Gas Inc. a total of 3,380,818 restricted shares of
St. Mary common stock in exchange for the transfer by Flying J Oil &
Gas Inc. and Big West Oil & Gas Inc. to NPC, a wholly owned second tier
subsidiary of St. Mary, of certain oil and gas properties and related
assets. Of the 3,380,818 shares of St. Mary common stock issued by St. Mary
to Flying J Oil & Gas Inc. and Big West Oil & Gas Inc., 1,690,409
shares were issued to Flying J Oil & Gas Inc. and 1,690,409 shares were
issued to Big West Oil & Gas Inc. Pursuant to a Standstill Agreement
dated as of January 29, 2003 among St. Mary, Flying J Oil & Gas Inc.
and Big West Oil & Gas Inc., Flying J Oil & Gas Inc. and Big West
Oil & Gas Inc. must vote their shares of St. Mary common stock in favor
of the nominees of the St. Mary board of directors for election as
directors and the St. Mary board's proposals with respect to any meeting of
St. Mary stockholders during the period of 30 months after January 29,
2003. Big West Oil & Gas Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Flying J
Oil & Gas Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Flying J Inc. St.
Mary understands that Flying J Corp. holds a controlling shareholder
interest in Flying J Inc. and that Flying J Corp. is wholly owned by
Osborne Jay Call (recently deceased). Accordingly, it is St. Mary's
understanding that there is shared voting and dispositive power with
respect to the total of 3,380,818 shares held of record by Flying J Oil
& Gas Inc. and Big West Oil & Gas Inc.
(3) According to a Statement on Schedule 13G filed by Harris Associates L.P.
and Harris Associates Inc. on February 14, 2003, by reason of advisory and
other relationships with persons who own shares of St. Mary common stock,
Harris Associates L.P. and Harris Associates Inc. as the general partner of
Harris Associates L.P. may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of a total
of 1,595,000 shares, with shared voting power as to all of such shares,
shared dispositive power as to 1,501,000 shares, and sole dispositive power
as to 94,000 shares.
(4) Includes 12,009 shares held of record by the spouse of Thomas E. Congdon as
to which he may be deemed to be the beneficial owner. Thomas E. Congdon and
members of his extended family own approximately 16 percent of the
outstanding common stock of the Company. While no formal arrangements
exist, these extended family members may be inclined to act in concert with
Mr. Congdon on matters related to control of the Company or the approval of
a significant transaction.
(5) Includes 800 shares held of record by the spouse of Arend J. Sandbulte as
to which he may be deemed to be the beneficial owner.
(6) Includes 2,000 shares held of record by Ronan, Inc., a corporation
controlled by Robert L. Nance, and 69,100 shares held of record by the
spouse of Mr. Nance.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The audit committee is appointed by the board of directors to assist the
board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to (1) the
integrity of the Company's financial statements and financial reporting process
and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements, (2) the qualifications, independence and
performance of the Company's independent accountants, (3) the performance of the
Company's internal audit function and (4) other matters as set forth in the
charter of the audit committee approved by the board of directors and attached
to this proxy statement as Annex A.
Management is responsible for the Company's financial statements and the
financial reporting process, including the systems of internal controls and
disclosure controls and procedures. The independent accountants are responsible
for performing an independent audit of the Company's financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and issuing a report
thereon. The audit committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these
processes.
8
In connection with these responsibilities, the audit committee reviewed and
discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the
year ended December 31, 2002 with management and the independent accountants.
The audit committee also discussed with the independent accountants the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communication with Audit Committees. In addition, the audit committee received
the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required
by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees, and the audit committee discussed with the independent
accountants that firm's independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the audit committee
recommended to the board of directors that the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 for filing with the SEC.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Arend J. Sandbulte, Chairman
Barbara M. Baumann
Larry W. Bickle
William J. Gardiner
John M. Seidl
March 31, 2003
9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In addition to salaries, the Company has granted stock options to executive
management and selected other personnel. These individuals also participate with
other members of management in a net profits interest bonus plan. All employees
are eligible to participate in the Company's cash bonus plan. See the "Report of
the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation" beginning on page 12 of
this proxy statement.
The following table sets forth the annual and long term compensation
received during each of the Company's last three years by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and by the four other highest compensated executive
officers of the Company during 2002.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
---------------------------------------- ------------
Other Annual All other
Name and Compensation Options compensation
principal position Year Salary($) Bonus ($) (1) (#) ($) (2)
- ------------------------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Mark A. Hellerstein 2002 $ 330,000 $52,800 $ 724,243 294,394 $ 22,913
President and Chief 2001 291,667 - 798,586 21,766 13,939
Executive Officer 2000 277,333 80,427 133,741 24,791 20,613
- ------------------------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Ronald D. Boone 2002 259,167 41,467 606,780 135,016 17,475
Executive Vice President 2001 233,667 - 670,028 17,486 10,550
and Chief Operating Officer 2000 222,000 64,380 120,446 19,833 15,424
- ------------------------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Robert L. Nance 2002 206,500 49,560 64,535 28,533 11,546
Senior Vice President 2001 201,865 - 36,199 15,052 10,850
Director/President - Nance 2000 193,333 75,400 16,158 17,012 10,850
- ------------------------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Douglas W. York 2002 161,667 40,000 128,299 22,591 9,588
Vice President-Acquisitions 2001 145,000 - 151,706 11,436 7,469
and Engineering 2000 134,667 52,000 6,598 11,968 7,380
- ------------------------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
Milam Randolph Pharo 2002 147,333 30,000 159,792 10,193 7,690
Vice President - Land and 2001 139,993 5,000 174,219 5,350 7,375
Legal 2000 133,167 35,000 9,690 11,754 7,371
- ------------------------------- -------- ------------- --------- ---------------- ------------ ----------------
- ------------
(1) Amounts consist of payments under the Net Profits Interest Plan. Amounts
paid for 2002 and 2001 were higher due to payouts from six new net profit
pools granted in prior years, including the pool with the significant
acquisitions in 1999. See "Report of the Compensation Committee on
Executive Compensation" for a description of this plan.
(2) Amounts consist of the Company's contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan,
holiday bonus and other miscellaneous cash payments.
10
Stock options granted to the Company's five highest compensated executive
officers during 2002 are set forth in the following two tables. The Company
began a quarterly grant system beginning at the end of 2001.
2002 OPTION GRANTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Grants
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential realizable value
Percent of at assumed annual rates of
total options stock price appreciation
granted Exercise for option term
Number of to employees price Expiration ------------------------------
NAME Options Granted in 2002 per share date 5% 10%
- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Mark A. Hellerstein 10,882(1) 1.02% $21.71 3/31/12 $148,575 $376,519
250,000(2) 23.52% $23.16 6/01/12 3,641,300 9,227,769
10,882(3) 1.02% $24.06 6/30/12 164,658 417,275
11,315(4) 1.06% $23.90 9/30/12 170,071 430,993
11,315(5) 1.06% $25.00 12/31/12 177,899 450,830
- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Ronald D. Boone 8,743(1) .82% $21.71 3/31/12 119,371 302,509
100,000(2) 9.41% $23.16 6/01/12 1,456,520 3,691,108
8,743(3) .82% $24.06 6/30/12 132,292 335,254
8,765(4) .82% $23.90 9/30/12 131,743 333,863
8,765(5) .82% $25.00 12/31/12 137,807 349,229
- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Robert L. Nance 7,525(1) .71% $21.71 3/31/12 102,741 260,366
7,525(3) .71% $24.06 6/30/12 113,862 288,549
6,741(4) .63% $23.90 9/30/12 101,321 256,768
6,742(5) .63% $25.00 12/31/12 106,000 268,625
- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Douglas W. York 5,718(1) .54% $21.71 3/31/12 78,070 197,844
5,718(3) .54% $24.06 6/30/12 86,520 219,259
5,578(4) .52% $23.90 9/30/12 83,841 212,469
5,577(5) .52% $25.00 12/31/12 87,684 222,208
- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Milam Randolph Pharo 2,674(1) .25% $21.71 3/31/12 36,509 92,521
2,674(3) .25% $24.06 6/30/12 40,461 102,536
2,422(4) .23% $23.90 9/30/12 36,404 92,255
2,423(5) .23% $25.00 12/31/12 38,095 96,541
- ---------------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
- ------------
(1) Stock options granted effective March 31, 2002 pursuant to the Company's
Stock Option Plan as described on page 13 of this proxy statement.
(2) Stock options granted effective June 1, 2002 as extraordinary long term
incentive pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan as described on page
13 of this proxy statement. See the "Report of Compensation Committee on
Executive Compensation contained in this proxy.
(3) Stock options granted effective June 30, 2002 pursuant to the Company's
Stock Option Plan as described on page 13 of this proxy statement.
(4) Stock options granted effective September 30, 2002 pursuant to the
Company's Stock Option Plan as described on page 13 of this proxy
statement.
(5) Stock options granted effective December 31, 2002 pursuant to the
Company's Board of Resolution as described on page 13 of this proxy
statement .
11
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 2002 AND
DECEMBER 31, 2002 OPTION/SAR VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Value of unexercised
unexercised options in-the-money
held at options at
Shares December 31, 2002 December 31, 2002 (1)
acquired Value ----------------------------- -------------------------------
Name on exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- --------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- ------------- -----------------
Mark A. Hellerstein 139,634 269,938 $995,636 $516,444
- --------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- -------------------------------
Ronald D. Boone 5,870 $80,360 105,357 125,595 921,626 247,636
- --------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- -------------------------------
Robert L. Nance 50,071 29,418 304,746 69,947
- --------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- -------------------------------
Douglas W. York 40,772 22,795 284,830 53,520
- --------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- -------------------------------
Milam Randolph Pharo 44,249 11,924 425,485 24,888
- --------------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- -------------------------------
- --------------
(1) On December 31, 2002, the last reported sales price of St. Mary common
stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was $25.00.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The compensation committee of the board of directors has responsibility for
reviewing, evaluating and recommending to the board of directors the director
and officer compensation plans, policies and programs and for recommending to
the board the specific compensation arrangements for executive officers and
directors. After consideration of the compensation committee's recommendations,
the full board of directors reviews and approves the compensation of all elected
officers, including the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table on page 10, and also determines the compensation for the board itself.
The compensation committee oversees the administration of the Company's
executive compensation programs including programs for cash bonuses, stock
options and the Net Profits Interest Bonus Plan. The compensation committee
annually evaluates the chief executive officer's performance in light of goals
and objectives previously established and recommends to the board of directors
the chief executive officer's compensation based on such evaluation. The
compensation committee also reviews the performance of the Company's pension and
401(k) plans with the trustees of those plans and in addition the compensation
committee approves the grants of stock options made to all employees under the
Company's stock option plans.
12
The goals of the Company's integrated management compensation programs
include the following:
o To attract and retain talented management personnel;
o To encourage management to obtain superior returns for St. Mary's
stockholders; and
o To promote preservation and growth of the Company's income
producing assets.
Salaries
In order to emphasize performance-based incentive compensation, base
salaries of executive officers are targeted not to exceed the median salaries of
similar officers in industry companies having a financial position and
performance comparable to that of the Company. The compensation committee, with
the assistance and information from external consultants, determines the salary
ranges for various positions based on survey data from the Company's industry
peer group. The compensation committee then reviews management's recommendations
for executive officer salaries and the performance summaries on which they are
based. The compensation committee makes final salary recommendations to the full
board of directors based on officer experience, sustained performance and
comparisons to peers both inside and outside the Company.
Incentive Compensation
The Company has established three incentive compensation plans, which have
the potential to substantially increase annual compensation if the economic
performance of the Company and its employees so warrants. These plans have
certain specific objectives.
1. The Company has established a Cash Bonus Plan. Each year the board of
directors evaluates the overall performance of the Company for the year as well
as of the Company's individual regions and with the assistance of the
compensation committee determines the total cash bonus available to be allocated
to employees. The participation of each designee in the total allocated is a
function of overall, regional and individual performance during the year.
2. The Stock Option Plan is intended to reward executive officers of the
Company for long-term increases in the value of the Company's stock. The Stock
Option Plan focuses on appreciation of the market price of the Company's stock
over a period of up to ten years and is designed to encourage management's
concern for long-term appreciation of the stockholders' interests. As presently
implemented by the board of directors, if the average stock appreciation during
this period is 15% per year, then the persons granted stock options at the
beginning of the period generally will, at the end of five years, have the
opportunity to realize an amount of appreciation through exercise of their stock
options approximately equal to 100% of their base salary at the time the stock
options were granted. In addition, an Incentive Stock Option Plan ("ISO Plan")
has been established as a companion option plan with the Stock Option Plan. The
13
ISO Plan is an alternative to the Stock Option Plan for those employees
designated by the board of directors to be granted stock options, with such
employees electing at the time of grant whether the options granted will be
either an equal number of: (a) non-tax qualified options granted under the
above-described Stock Option Plan or (b) incentive stock options granted under
the ISO Plan.
3. The Net Profits Interest Bonus Plan is designed to reward the
contributions made by various management personnel to the Company's financial
success. Plan participants share in the net profits, after payout to the Company
of its related capital expenditures, derived from all oil and gas activity for a
calendar year based on a portion of their relative weighted salaries paid during
the year as well as on subjective performance criteria. Recognizing that the
primary incentive for profitable operations and acquisitions needs to be
provided to the most senior of the executive officers, the salaries of the
president, the executive vice-president and other vice-presidents as deemed
appropriate by the compensation committee are weighted at 100% and the salaries
of all other participants are weighted at two-thirds of actual base salary or
less. Payout with respect to a net profits pool established for a year will
generally not occur until a later year at which time payments to participants
with respect to such earlier year pool will commence but will not bear a direct
relationship to the Company's performance during such later year.
The committee's goal is that, over time, the combined amounts of
compensation received by Company executives from the stock option plan and the
Net Profits Interest Bonus Plan will approximate the value of stock options and
other long-term incentives received by executives at peer companies in the oil
and gas industry with similar financial position and performance to that of the
Company.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
The compensation of Mark A. Hellerstein, chairman of the board of
directors, president and chief executive officer, consists of the same
components and criteria as other executive officers, including base salary, cash
bonus, stock options and net profits interest bonus. His base salary is reviewed
annually by the compensation committee and is targeted to approximate the median
salaries of chief executive officers of industry companies having a financial
position and performance comparable to that of the Company, with a greater
emphasis on incentive compensation tied to the Company's performance. Mr.
Hellerstein's base salary in 2002 increased $38,333 or 13% over 2001. His total
cash and net profits interest bonuses decreased by approximately $21,500 in 2002
compared with 2001 primarily as a result of the normal decline in net cash flow
from net profit pools granted in prior years as well as changes in oil and gas
prices and expenses. Mr. Hellerstein was granted a $52,800 bonus under the cash
bonus plan for 2002 since the Company met its corporate goals. In that respect
total reserves grew by 28% and the Company replaced 305% of its 2002 production,
both measures being above targeted levels. In addition the price adjusted net
asset value per share grew 13% in 2002. To further tie compensation to stock
price appreciation, Mr. Hellerstein and several other key executives were
granted stock options in 2002 using two times the formula as that used for all
other employees.
14
During 2002 the compensation committee and the board of directors engaged
in an in-depth special review and analysis of the long-term performance and
compensation of Mr. Hellerstein and of Ronald D. Boone, the Company's executive
vice president and chief operating officer. This review and analysis included
the key events of the Company and the principal accomplishments of such persons
over ten years along with the total return over that period to Company
shareholders all of which were determined by the compensation committee and the
board to be favorable. The Company's performance in the above respects was
compared to that of similar industry companies which comparison was also
determined to be favorable. Finally, the compensation committee and the board
compared the cash and stock compensation of Messrs. Hellerstein and Boone to
that of the persons holding the same positions in the comparable industry
companies. Based on the foregoing the base salaries of Messrs. Hellerstein and
Boone were increased. Also, based on the foregoing, Messrs. Hellerstein and
Boone received substantial extraordinary stock options consisting of an option
to purchase 250,000 shares for Mr. Hellerstein and an option to purchase 100,000
shares for Mr. Boone both exercisable at $23.16 per share which was the market
price of the Company's stock at the time of grant. The maximum term of the
options is ten years. The options vest on a slower schedule than other Company
options in order to incentivize the long-term retention of Messrs. Hellerstein
and Boone, with fifty percent of the options not becoming exercisable until the
fourth and fifth anniversaries of the option grants (25 percent becoming
exercisable on each of those anniversaries).
Conclusion
St. Mary's executive compensation is linked to individual and corporate
performance and stock price appreciation. Compensation is set in comparison to
similar industry companies. The compensation committee plans both to continue
the policy of linking executive officer compensation to individual and corporate
performance and returns to stockholders and to provide a cash bonus incentive to
key employees which will provide performance motivation partially independent of
the fluctuations in the oil and gas industry's business cycle.
William J. Gardiner, Chairman
Barbara M. Baumann
Larry W. Bickle
Arend J. Sandbulte
March 31, 2003
RETIREMENT PLANS
Pension Plan
The Company's Pension Plan is a qualified, non-contributory defined benefit
plan which is available to substantially all employees. This plan was amended in
15
1994 to conform with the changes required by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and to
reduce the plan formula. The Company also has a supplemental pension plan for
certain executive officers to provide for benefits in excess of Internal Revenue
Code limits.
The qualified plan provides a benefit after 25 years of service equal to
35% of final average compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Code limits.
Final average compensation is the average of the highest 3 consecutive years of
the 10 years preceding termination of employment. For each named executive
officer, the level of compensation used to determine benefits payable under the
qualified pension plan is that officer's average of the base salaries (excluding
bonus) shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
The supplemental plan provides executives hired before 1995, after
completing 15 years of service and reaching age 65, a benefit equal to 40% of
final average compensation plus 37% of final average compensation integrated
with the social security wage base without regard to compensation limitations
provided under the qualified plan, less the benefit provided by the qualified
plan. For executives hired after 1994, the supplemental benefit is calculated
using the formula for the qualified plan without the limitation imposed by
Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code, less the benefit provided by the
qualified plan.
The following table shows the estimated maximum annual benefits payable
upon retirement at age 65 as a straight life annuity to participants in the
pension plans for the indicated levels of average annual compensation and years
of service.
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Estimated annual pension Estimated annual pension
benefits for executives benefits for executives
hired before 1995 with > hired after 1994 with >
Remuneration 15 years of service 25 years of service
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
$100,000 $ 62,570 $ 35,000
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
150,000 101,070 52,500
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
200,000 139,570 70,000
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
250,000 178,070 87,500
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
300,000 216,570 105,000
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
350,000 255,070 122,500
- ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
As of December 31, 2002, the named executive officers have the following years
of credited service:
Mark A. Hellerstein 11
Ronald D. Boone 12
Robert L. Nance 4
Douglas W. York 6
Milam Randolph Pharo 7
16
401(k) Plan
The Company's 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan is a defined contribution pension
plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The 401(k)
Plan allows eligible employees to contribute up to nine percent of their income
on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the 401(k) Plan. The Company matches
each employee's contributions up to six percent of the employee's pre-tax
income. Company contributions vest over an employee's first five years of
employment.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph compares the cumulative total stockholder
return on St. Mary's common stock for the period December 31, 1997 to December
31, 2002 with the cumulative total return of the Standard Industrial
Classification Code for Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Standard &
Poor's 500 Stock Index. The SIC Code for Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas is
1311. The identities of the companies included in the index will be provided
upon request.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
THE COMPANY, S&P 500 AND SIC CODE INDEX
12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99 12/31/00 12/31/01 12/31/02
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY 100.00 53.30 71.95 194.86 124.55 147.54
SIC CODE INDEX 100.00 80.10 97.85 124.30 114.05 121.59
S&P 500 INDEX 100.00 128.58 155.64 141.46 124.65 97.10
Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1997 in St. Mary Land & Exploration
Company, SIC Code Index for Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas and S&P 500
Stock Index.
*Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
17
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
On September 1, 1991, St. Mary entered into an employment agreement with
Mark A. Hellerstein. His current salary is $355,000 per year. Compensation is
reviewed annually. Mr. Hellerstein participates in St. Mary's benefit plans and
is entitled to bonuses and incentive compensation as determined by the board of
directors. The agreement is terminable at any time upon 30 days' notice by
either party. Upon termination of the agreement by St. Mary for any reason
whatsoever (other than death, disability or misconduct by Mr. Hellerstein), St.
Mary is obligated to continue to pay his compensation, including insurance
benefits, for a period of one year.
St. Mary has established a change in control executive severance policy and
entered into change of control severance agreements whereby certain officers of
St. Mary, including the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, are
entitled to receive severance payments in the event that their employment is
terminated within two and one-half years after a change in control of the
Company (a) without "cause" by the Company or (b) for "good reason" by the
officer (e.g. an adverse change in the officer's status after a change in
control), each as defined in the agreements. The severance payments would equal
up to two and one-half years annual base salary, depending on the length of time
employment continues after the change in control provided that in no event would
the severance payments equal less than one year's annual base salary. In
addition, all insurance and fringe benefits will be provided for a period of one
year.
A change in control is defined to include (i) an acquisition of more than
fifty percent of the common stock or assets of the Company in a reorganization,
merger or consolidation of the Company or (ii) a change in more than fifty
percent of the composition of the board of directors of the Company other than
as a result of the election of new members of the board of directors by a vote
of the incumbent members of the board of directors or by stockholders of the
Company pursuant to the recommendation of the incumbent members of the board of
directors.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Set forth below is a description of transactions entered into between St.
Mary and certain of its officers and directors during the last fiscal year. Some
of these transactions will continue in effect and may result in conflicts of
interest between St. Mary and these individuals. Although these persons owe
fiduciary duties to St. Mary and its stockholders, we cannot assure you that
conflicts of interest will always be resolved in favor of St. Mary.
As a result of their prior employment with another company with which St.
Mary engaged in a number of transactions, Ronald D. Boone, the Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of St. Mary, and two other
vice presidents of St. Mary own royalty interests in many of St. Mary's
properties, which were earned as part of the prior employer's employee benefit
18
programs. One vice president also owns certain working interests through
participation in acquisitions made by his former employer. Those persons have no
royalty participation in any new St. Mary properties.
Mr. Boone also owns 25% of Princeton Energy LLC, which owns the oil and gas
working interests that he acquired as a result of his prior employment. Although
Mr. Boone does not manage this entity, he may participate in any investment
decisions made by them.
In July 2000, St. Mary made an interest-free loan of $200,000 to Robert T.
Hanley at the time he was appointed Vice President - Business Development of St.
Mary. The loan was made to enable Mr. Hanley to purchase a residence in Denver,
Colorado in connection with St. Mary's relocation of Mr. Hanley to Denver from
Billings, Montana, where housing costs are substantially lower. Mr. Hanley was
previously Chief Financial Officer of Nance Petroleum Corporation, a wholly
owned subsidiary that St. Mary acquired in June 1999, which has its principal
offices in Billings. This loan was repaid in October 2002.
St. Mary's by-laws provide that no director may pursue a business or
investment opportunity for himself if he has obtained knowledge of such
opportunity through his affiliation with the Company. Moreover, no officer or
employee of St. Mary may pursue for his own account an oil and gas opportunity
irrespective of the source of his knowledge of the opportunity unless (a) with
respect to an officer of St. Mary, the interest has been approved by the board
of directors and (b) with respect to a non-officer of St. Mary, such interest of
the employee has been approved by a senior officer of St. Mary with full
knowledge of such opportunity. These restrictions do not apply to the
acquisition of less than one percent of the publicly traded stock of another
company.
OTHER MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON
Amendment to the Stock Option Plans
- -----------------------------------
St. Mary's stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to St.
Mary's stock option plans which will increase the total number of shares of
common stock that may be issued under the stock option plans by 1,300,000 to
5,600,000.
The stock option plans currently cover a total of 4,300,000 shares of
common stock and have approximately 248,515 remaining shares available for new
option grants. The number of shares subject to options generally granted during
a one-year period is 750,000. On March 27, 2003, the board of directors approved
an amendment to the stock option plans increasing the number of shares
authorized to be issued under the stock option plans to 5,600,000. The primary
purpose of the amendment is to ensure that St. Mary will have a sufficient
reserve of common stock available for the stock option plans.
The board of directors believes that the availability of stock options is
important to St. Mary and enhances stockholder value by increasing St. Mary's
ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees of the Company through
19
providing them with the means of acquiring an interest in St. Mary. St. Mary
intends to issue additional options under the amended stock option plans over an
extended uncertain period of time and it is anticipated that the additional
stock options will be issued both to present and to future key employees of St.
Mary.
The following is a summary of the principal features of the stock option
plans, as amended. Copies of the stock option plans will be furnished by St.
Mary to any stockholder upon written request to the corporate secretary.
The stock option plans consist of two separate but companion option plans:
1. The Stock Option Plan adopted by the board of directors effective
November 21, 1996 to replace the 1992 SAR Plan, and
2. The ISO Plan adopted by the board of directors effective March
27, 1997.
The Stock Option Plan
A select group of employees, consultants and members of the board of
directors of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company are eligible to
participate in the stock option plans. As of December 31, 2002, 111 persons had
been designated by the board of directors to participate in the stock option
plans for this year.
The total number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the
stock option plan is 5,600,000, after giving effect to the proposed amendment.
However, to the extent that options are issued under the ISO Plan, the shares of
common stock that may be issued under the stock option plan are reduced. At the
discretion of the board of directors the stock option plan may be administered
by a committee of two or more non-employee Directors appointed by the board.
Optionees under the stock option plan shall be selected at the discretion of the
board or such committee from among those eligible participants who, in the
opinion of the board or such committee, are or were in a position to contribute
materially to St. Mary's continued growth and development and to its long-term
success. Subject to the provisions of the Stock Option Plan, the board or such
committee shall have complete discretion in determining the terms and conditions
and number of options granted under the Stock Option Plan.
Options granted under the Stock Option Plan are exercisable at the market
price of St. Mary's common stock on the date of grant, are to have a term not to
exceed ten years and may be exercised to the extent vested. Options under the
Plan will fully vest (i) just prior to the completion of an acquisition of the
Company or (ii) upon termination of the optionee's employment with the Company
due to death, disability or normal retirement. Unexercised options will
terminate (i) upon completion of an acquisition of St. Mary or (ii) upon
termination of the optionee's employment with St. Mary for cause. Nothing
20
contained in the Stock Option Plan shall be construed to give any employee or
consultant any right to continued employment or association with St. Mary.
Each option under the Stock Option Plan must be evidenced by a written
option agreement that specifies the exercise price, the duration of the option,
the number of shares of stock to which the option applies, and such vesting or
exercisability restrictions and other terms and conditions which the board or
committee may impose.
The principle federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise
of options under the Stock Option Plan are, in general, as follows:
1. Options issued under the Stock Option Plan are not intended to qualify
as "incentive stock options" under the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Upon the issuance of an option under the Stock Option Plan, the optionee
will have no taxable income and St. Mary will have no tax deduction.
3. Upon exercise of an option under the Stock Option Plan, the optionee
will realize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to the excess of the
fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock at the time the
option is exercised over the exercise price of the option for such shares.
4. The amount of income recognized by the optionee will be deductible by
St. Mary as compensation in the year in which ordinary income is recognized by
the optionee by reason of exercise of options under the Stock Option Plan.
5. An optionee's basis for the shares of common stock acquired pursuant to
the exercise of options under the Stock Option Plan will be the option exercise
price plus any amount recognized as ordinary income by reason of the exercise of
the options.
6. Upon the sale of the common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of
options under the Stock Option Plan, capital gain or loss will be realized by
the optionee in the amount by which the sales price is greater or less than the
basis of such stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending
on whether the shares were held for more than one year after the option was
exercised.
The ISO Plan
The ISO Plan is a companion option plan with the Stock Option Plan. It is
intended that the ISO Plan will be an alternative to the Stock Option Plan for
those employees designated by the board of directors to be granted stock
options, with such employees electing at the time of grant whether the options
to be granted shall be options granted under the Stock Option Plan or incentive
stock options granted under the ISO Plan. All employees of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company are eligible to participate in the ISO Plan.
21
The total number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the
ISO Plan is 5,600,000, after giving effect to the proposed amendment. However,
to the extent that options are issued under the Stock Option Plan, the shares of
common stock that may be issued under the ISO Plan are reduced. At the
discretion of the board of directors the ISO Plan may be administered by a
committee of two or more non-employee directors appointed by the board.
Optionees under the ISO Plan shall be selected at the discretion of the board or
such committee from among those eligible participants who, in the opinion of the
board or such committee, are in a position to contribute materially to St.
Mary's continued growth and development and to its long-term success. Subject to
the provisions of the ISO Plan, the board or such committee shall have complete
discretion in determining the terms and conditions and number of options granted
under the ISO Plan.
It is intended that options granted under the ISO Plan will constitute
"incentive stock options" under the Internal Revenue Code and thus the ISO Plan
provides that options granted thereunder are to be (i) exercisable at the market
price of St. Mary's common stock on the date the options are granted, (ii)
nontransferable by the optionee, and (iii) terminated if not exercised within 3
months of an optionee's termination of employment with St. Mary. Further,
options granted under the ISO Plan will have a term of no more than ten years
(and a term of no more then five years with respect to any option granted to a
ten percent or more shareholder). Options under the ISO Plan will fully vest (i)
just prior to the completion of an acquisition of the Company or (ii) upon
termination of the optionee's employment with the Company due to death,
disability or normal retirement. Unexercised options will terminate (i) upon
completion of an acquisition of the Company or (ii) upon termination of the
optionee's employment with the Company for cause. Nothing contained in the ISO
Plan shall be construed to give any employee any right to continued employment
with the Company.
Unless earlier terminated by the board of directors, the ISO Plan shall
terminate on the date ten years subsequent to the date of the adoption of the
ISO Plan by the board, after which date no options may be granted under the ISO
Plan. The board of directors may at any time terminate the ISO Plan and from
time to time may amend or modify the ISO Plan, provided, however that no such
action of the board, without approval of the shareholders, may: (i) increase the
total amount of common stock which may be purchased through options granted
under the ISO Plan; or (ii) change the class of employees eligible to receive
options under the ISO Plan.
Each option under the ISO Plan must be evidenced by a written option
agreement that specifies the exercise price, the duration of the option, the
number of shares of stock to which the option applies, and such vesting or
exercisability restrictions and other terms and conditions which the board or
committee may impose.
The principle federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise
of options under the ISO Plan are, in general, as follows:
22
1. Options issued under the ISO Plan are intended to qualify as "incentive
stock options" under the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Upon the issuance of an option under the ISO Plan, the optionee will
have no taxable income and St. Mary will have no tax deduction.
3. The tax consequences upon exercise of the option and later disposition
of the shares of common stock acquired thereby depend upon whether the optionee
satisfies the holding period rule whereby the optionee must hold the shares for
more than one year after exercise and two years after the date of issuance of
the option.
4. If the optionee satisfies the holding period rule, the optionee will not
realize income upon exercise of the option (although the excess of the fair
market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price must be
included as an adjustment in computing alternative minimum taxable income) and
St. Mary will not be allowed an income tax deduction at any time. The difference
between the option price and the amount realized upon disposition of the shares
by the optionee will constitute a long-term capital gain or loss, as the case
may be.
5. If the optionee fails to observe the holding period rule, the portion of
any gain realized upon such disqualifying disposition of the shares which does
not exceed the excess of the fair market value at the date of exercise over the
option price will be treated as ordinary income to the optionee, the balance of
any gain or any loss will be treated as capital gain or loss (long-term or
short-term depending on whether the shares were held for more than one year
after the option was exercised) and St. Mary will be entitled to a deduction
equal to the amount of ordinary income upon which the optionee is taxed.
Since the board of directors believes that the proposed increase in the
number of shares authorized for issuance under the stock option plans will
attract, retain and motivate key employees and enhance stockholder value, the
board of directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR approval of the
amendment to the stock option plans to increase the number of authorized shares
available for issuance under the stock option plans by 1,300,000 to 5,600,000.
Approval of Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan
- ---------------------------------------------------------
St. Mary's stockholders are being asked to approve a Non-Employee Director
Stock Compensation Plan to authorize the issuance of up to a total of 30,000
shares of St. Mary common stock to non-employee directors as part of their
annual or other compensation over an anticipated period of up to five years.
On March 27, 2003, the board of directors approved the plan in order to
submit the plan for stockholder approval in accordance with current and proposed
listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, on which St. Mary common stock
began trading on November 20, 2002. The purpose of the plan is to enhance
23
stockholder value by attracting, retaining and further motivating non-employee
directors and to encourage and enable such directors to acquire a proprietary
interest in St. Mary by issuing shares of St. Mary common stock to non-employee
directors as compensation for serving as members of the board of directors and
board committees.
Each non-employee director currently receives 1,200 shares of St. Mary
common stock per year for serving as a director, along with $750 in cash for
each meeting attended in person, $600 in cash for each committee meeting
attended in person and $375 in cash for telephonic meetings. There are currently
six non-employee directors. St. Mary expects to continue issuing approximately
1,200 shares of St. Mary common stock per year to non-employee directors under
the plan, subject to stockholder approval of the plan and overall levels of
director compensation at comparable companies.
The following is a summary of the principal features of the plan, a copy of
which is attached hereto as Annex B. In addition, St. Mary will furnish a copy
of the plan to any stockholder upon written request to the corporate secretary.
All members of the board of directors who are not employees of St. Mary or
any subsidiary of St. Mary are eligible to participate in the plan and be issued
shares of St. Mary common stock under the plan. There are currently six
non-employee directors of St. Mary.
The total number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan is
30,000, subject to corresponding adjustment in the event of a stock dividend,
split or similar change in capitalization. Shares may be issued to non-employee
directors in such amounts and at such times as determined by the board of
directors as annual or other compensation to non-employee directors for serving
as members of the board of directors and any board committees. The board will
have complete discretion in determining the term and conditions and number of
shares to be issued to non-employee directors under the plan, provided that the
number of shares issued under the plan to a non-employee director shall in the
good faith and judgment of the board (a) represent reasonable compensation for
the services and responsibilities of such director and (b) be generally
consistent with the past practices of St. Mary with respect to compensation of
non-employee directors, as adjusted to reflect changes in applicable
circumstances.
The shares of stock issued under the plan will not be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and therefore will be restricted securities. Accordingly,
non-employee directors will not be able to sell shares issued under the plan
until they have held the shares for a period of one year.
Unless terminated earlier by the board of directors, the plan will
terminate upon the expiration of five years after the date of the adoption of
the plan by the board, after which date no shares may be issued under the plan.
The board of directors may at any time terminate the plan and from time to time
may amend or modify the plan, provided that no such action of the board, without
approval of the stockholders, may: (i) increase the total number of shares of
common stock which may be issued under the plan, or (ii) effect any change for
24
which stockholder approval is required by law or regulation governing St. Mary
or by any applicable listing standards of a national securities exchange.
The principle federal income tax consequences of the issuance of shares of
St. Mary common stock under the plan are, in general, as follows:
1. Upon receipt of shares of St. Mary common stock under the plan, the
non-employee director will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal
to the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the time of receipt.
2. The amount of income recognized by the non-employee director will be
deductible by St. Mary as compensation expense in the year in which ordinary
income is recognized by the non-employee director.
3. A recipient's basis for the shares of common stock received under the
plan will be the amount recognized as ordinary income upon receipt of the
shares.
4. Upon the sale of the common stock issued under the plan, capital gain or
loss will be recognized by the recipient in the amount by which the sales price
is greater or less than the basis of such stock. Such gain or loss will be
long-term since as restricted securities the shares must be held for more than
one year.
Since the board of directors believes that the proposed Non-Employee
Director Stock Compensation Plan will attract, retain and further motivate
non-employee directors and enhance stockholder value, the board of directors
recommends that stockholders vote FOR approval of the Non-Employee Director
Stock Compensation Plan.
Equity Compensation Plans. St. Mary has a stock option plan, an incentive
stock option plan and an employee stock purchase plan under which options and
shares of St. Mary common stock are authorized for grant or issuance as
compensation to eligible employees, consultants and members of the board of
directors. Each of these plans has been approved by our stockholders. The
following table is a summary of the shares of common stock authorized for
issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2002:
25
( c )
( a ) Number of securities
Number of securities ( b ) remaining available for
to be issued upon Weighted-average future issuance under
exercise of exercise price of equity compensation plans
outstanding options, outstanding options, (excluding securities
Plan Category warrants and rights warrants and rights reflected in column (a))
- ------------------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders 3,061,566 $21.34 1,118,588(1)
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders - - -
----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------------------
Total 3,061,566 $21.34 1,118,588
======================= ======================= ===========================
- --------------
(1) Includes 870,073 shares which are authorized for issuance under our
employee stock purchase plan.
Other than the election of directors, the amendment to the stock option
plans and the approval of the Directors Stock Compensation Plan, the Company is
aware of no other matters to be submitted to a vote of the stockholders at the
annual meeting.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under U.S. securities laws, directors, executive officers and persons
holding more than 10% of St. Mary common stock must report their initial
ownership of the common stock and any changes in that ownership in reports which
must be filed with the SEC and St. Mary. The SEC has designated specific
deadlines for these reports and St. Mary must identify in this proxy statement
those persons who did not file these reports when due.
Based solely on a review of reports filed with the Company, all directors
and executive officers timely filed all reports regarding transactions in the
Company's securities required to be filed for 2002 by Section 16(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except for Mark Hellerstein for 47 shares and
Garry Wilkening for 2 shares as a result of shares purchased by their broker to
reinvest dividends received from St. Mary.
26
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
As previously reported in St. Mary's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on May 30, 2002, on May 23, 2002, St. Mary Land & Exploration
Company ("St. Mary") dismissed Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") as St. Mary's
independent accountants. The St. Mary audit committee and board of directors
approved this dismissal.
Andersen's reports on St. Mary's financial statements for the last two
fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and
were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty or audit scope. In addition,
there were no modifications as to accounting principles except that the audit
report of Andersen for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 contained an
explanatory paragraph with respect to the change in the method of accounting for
derivative instruments effective January 1, 2001 as required by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board.
During the two most recent fiscal years and the interim period from January
1, 2002 to the date of the dismissal of Andersen on May 23, 2002, there were no
disagreements between St. Mary and Andersen on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, which if not resolved to the satisfaction of Andersen would have
caused them to make reference to the subject matter thereof in connection with
their reports.
As previously reported in St. Mary's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on June 3, 2002, St. Mary engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP as St.
Mary's new independent accountants on June 3, 2002. The St. Mary audit committee
and board of directors approved this new engagement.
To the knowledge of management, neither Deloitte & Touche LLP nor any
of its members has any direct or material indirect financial interest in St.
Mary nor any connection with St. Mary in any capacity other than as independent
public accountants. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to
be present at the annual meeting and will have an opportunity to make a
statement if he desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions.
The Company paid the following fees to the independent accountants for the
audit of the consolidated financial statements and for other services provided
in the year ended December 31, 2002.
Audit Fees........................................ $118,906
Audit Related Fees................................ 53,767
Tax Fees.......................................... 7,500
All Other Fees.................................... 0
--------
Total Fees........................................ $180,173
27
Audit related fees were primarily related to the audit and review of St.
Mary's benefit plans. The audit committee has concluded that the provision of
these non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the accountants'
independence. The audit committee now approves any non-audit services provided
by the independent accountants.
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
St. Mary must receive any St. Mary stockholder proposal for the annual
meeting of stockholders in 2004 before November 1, 2003 for the proposal to be
included in the St. Mary proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. St.
Mary's by-laws require that advance written notice in proper form of stockholder
proposals for matters to be brought before an annual stockholders meeting be
received by the Secretary of St. Mary not less than 75 days nor more than 105
days before the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual
stockholders meeting. Accordingly, notice of stockholder proposals for the 2004
annual meeting must be received by St. Mary between February 6, 2004 and March
8, 2004.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any other matters to be brought before the
annual meeting of stockholders. If any other matters not mentioned in this proxy
statement are properly brought before the meeting, the individuals named in the
enclosed proxy intend to use their discretionary voting authority under the
proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment on those matters.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ RICHARD C. NORRIS
----------------------------
Richard C. Norris
Secretary
April 4, 2003
28
ANNEX A
ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As Amended by the Board of Directors on January 23, 2003
I. Audit Committee Purpose
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist
the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to:
o The integrity of the Company's financial statements and financial
reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding
finance, accounting and compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements.
o The qualifications, independence and performance of the Company's
independent auditors.
o The performance of the Company's internal audit function.
o The Company's financial risk assessment and risk management
policies.
o The Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
relating to the above matters.
o Establishing and maintaining an avenue of communication among the
independent auditors, individuals performing the finance,
accounting, financial reporting and internal audit functions,
management and the Board of Directors.
II. Audit Committee Authority
The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation and
to take any other action appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities, and it
shall have direct access to the independent auditors as well as to any person in
the Company. The Audit Committee has the authority to retain, at the Company's
expense, special independent legal, accounting and other advisers and experts it
deems necessary to advise and assist the Committee in the performance of its
responsibilities. The Company shall provide appropriate funding, as determined
by the Audit Committee, for the payment of compensation to the independent
auditors employed by the Company and any other persons retained by the Audit
Committee.
29
III. Audit Committee Composition and Meetings
The Audit Committee members shall meet the independence requirements of
applicable laws and regulations and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange,
and shall meet the financial literacy requirements of the New York Stock
Exchange. The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three Directors
appointed by the Board, each of whom shall be an independent nonexecutive
Director without any relationship or activity which, in the opinion of the
Board, would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment in
carrying out the responsibilities of a member of the Committee. All members of
the Committee shall have a basic understanding of finance and be able to read
and understand fundamental financial statements, and at least one member of the
Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise and
experience as required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
The Audit Committee members, including its Chair, shall be appointed by
the Board. If an Audit Committee Chair is not designated or present, the members
of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the Committee
members. Members of the Audit Committee may be removed by action by a majority
of the independent Directors of the Board.
The Committee shall meet at least four times annually, pursuant to an
annual calendar of scheduled meetings with planned agenda items to be prepared
and distributed each year to the members of the Committee, and more frequently
as circumstances dictate. The Audit Committee Chair shall prepare an agenda in
advance of each meeting. As circumstances dictate but at least twice annually
the Committee shall meet privately in executive sessions with management, the
senior internal audit executive and with the independent auditors to discuss any
matters that the Committee or any of these groups believe should be discussed.
IV. Audit Committee Responsibilities and Duties
Review Procedures
-----------------
1. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least
annually. Submit amendments of the Charter to the Board of
Directors for approval and include the Charter in the proxy
statement for the election of Directors at least once every
three years in accordance with applicable regulations.
2. Review and discuss the Company's annual audited financial
statements, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," prior to their
final completion and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"). Review procedures should include
discussions with financial management and the independent
auditors of significant issues regarding accounting
principles, practices and judgments.
3. Review and discuss with financial management and the
independent auditors the Company's quarterly financial
statements, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," prior to final
completion and release of earnings. Discuss any significant
30
changes to the Company's accounting principles, practices and
judgments and any items required to be communicated by the
independent auditors to the Committee in accordance with
Statement of Auditing Standards ("SAS") No. 61, Communication
with Audit Committees, as amended.
4. Review and discuss with financial management and, to the
extent necessary, the independent auditors earnings press
releases and financial information and earnings guidance
provided to analysts.
5. Review and discuss with financial management significant
findings of the independent auditors and the internal
auditors, including the status of previous recommendations,
together with management's responses thereto.
6. In consultation with financial management, the independent
auditors and internal auditors, review and discuss the
integrity of the Company's procedures for financial reporting
and internal system of audit and financial and accounting
controls, including review and approve an annual report of
financial management on the foregoing.
7. Review and discuss with management the Company's risk
assessment and risk management guidelines and policies with
respect to the Company's significant financial risk exposures,
and the steps management has taken as well as the specific
guidelines and policies which have been established to
monitor, control, mitigate and report such exposures. Such
review and discussion shall cover the Company's hedging
arrangements and insurance coverage as appropriate.
Independent Auditors
--------------------
8. The Audit Committee shall be directly and solely responsible
for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of
the independent auditors employed by the Company for the
purpose of issuing an audit report and related work, and such
auditors shall have a reporting relationship directly with the
Audit Committee. The independent auditors shall be accountable
to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. The Audit
Committee, in conjunction with the Company's financial
management and internal control personnel, shall review and
evaluate the independence and performance of the independent
auditors.
9. The Audit Committee shall approve the fees and any other
significant compensation to be paid to the independent
auditors. The Audit Committee shall approve in advance any
non-audit services to be performed by the auditors, which
non-audit services shall be permissible under law and not
impair the independence of the auditors. Such pre-approval
requirement shall be waived only if the non-audit services
meet a de minimis exception allowed by law.
10. The Audit Committee shall take appropriate action to oversee
the independence of the auditors. On at least an annual basis,
the Committee shall review and discuss with the independent
31
auditors the auditors' independence and all significant
services performed for and relationships they have with the
Company that could bear on the auditors' independence. The
Committee shall annually receive from the independent auditors
a formal written statement delineating all relationships
between the auditors and the Company and a letter confirming
that in the auditors' professional judgment they are
independent of the Company, as required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees.
11. Review and approve the independent auditors' engagement letter
and audit plan and with respect to the audit discuss with the
auditors their scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon
management and internal audit, and the general audit approach.
12. Review and discuss with the independent auditors the Company's
financial reporting and accounting standards and principles,
significant changes in such standards or principles or in
their application and the key accounting decisions affecting
the Company's financial statements, including alternatives to
and the rationale for the decisions made. Review and discuss
with the independent auditors any other audit problems
encountered and management's response thereto.
13. Review and discuss at least annually a report from the
independent auditors on the auditing firm's internal
quality-control procedures, any material issues raised within
the preceding five years by the auditors' internal
quality-control reviews, by peer reviews of the auditors or by
any governmental or other inquiry or investigation relating to
any audit conducted by the auditors. The Committee shall also
review and discuss steps taken by the auditors to address any
issues in any of the foregoing reviews.
14. Establish policies with respect to the Company's hiring of
employees and former employees of the independent auditors.
15. Terminate and replace the independent auditors when determined
appropriate solely by the Audit Committee.
Internal Auditors
-----------------
16. The internal auditors shall be responsible to senior
management, but have a reporting relationship directly with
the Audit Committee with respect to internal audit matters.
Changes in the senior internal audit executive shall be
subject to Audit Committee approval. The Audit Committee, in
conjunction with the Company's financial management, shall
review and evaluate the performance of the internal audit
function.
32
17. Review and approve the internal audit plan, scope, staffing,
procedures, locations and general internal audit approach.
18. Review and discuss the organizational structure of the
internal audit function and the qualifications of internal
audit personnel, as needed.
19. Review and discuss the appointment, performance and
replacement of the senior internal audit executive.
Legal Compliance
----------------
20. On at least an annual basis, review with the Company's general
counsel any legal matters that could have a significant impact
on the Company's financial statements, the Company's
compliance with applicable laws and regulations and any
inquiries with respect thereto received from regulators or
governmental agencies.
Other Audit Committee Responsibilities
--------------------------------------
21. Based on the review and discussion of the audited financial
statements with management and with the independent auditors
of the matters required to be discussed by SAS No. 61 and the
independent auditors' independence, recommend to the Board of
Directors that the audited financial statements be included in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the
SEC.
22. Review and discuss with management and the Company's
independent engineers the annual evaluation of the Company's
oil and gas reserves.
23. Review and discuss with financial management and the
independent auditors any off-balance sheet transactions.
24. Review and approve all related party transactions of the
Company.
25. Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment
of any complaints received from any person regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters
of the Company.
26. Review and discuss with management certificates provided by
management with respect to financial reports filed by the
Company with the SEC and the processes utilized therefor.
27. Prepare the Audit Committee Report required by SEC rules to be
included in the Company's annual proxy statement.
28. Cause all required corrective actions to be taken with respect
to the matters and activities described in this Charter.
33
29. Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the
Company's By-Laws or governing laws and regulations as the
Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.
30. Maintain minutes of meetings and regularly report to the Board
of Directors on significant results of the activities
described in this Charter.
31. Present to the Board of Directors annually an evaluation of
the performance of the Audit Committee.
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth
in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
That is the responsibility of management and the independent auditors. It is
also not the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct all investigations, other
than those contemplated by this Charter, or to ensure compliance with all laws
and regulations.
This Charter shall be amended as appropriate to comply with all
applicable requirements of laws and regulations of the SEC and the New York
Stock Exchange.
34
ANNEX B
ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN
ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE
-------------------------
1.1 Establishment. St. Mary Land & Exploration Company, a Delaware
-------------
corporation (the "Company"), hereby establishes a stock compensation plan for
non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"),
which plan shall be known as the ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN (the "Plan").
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to enhance stockholder value by
-------
attracting, retaining and further motivating non-employee Directors and to
encourage and enable such Directors to acquire a proprietary interest in the
Company by issuing shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per
share (the "Stock"), to such Directors as compensation for serving as members of
the Board and the committees thereof.
ARTICLE II
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
-----------------------------
All members of the Board who are not employees of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan and be issued
shares of Stock under the Plan.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
--------------
The Board shall be responsible for administering the Plan. The Board is
authorized to (i) interpret the Plan, (ii) prescribe and revise rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, (iii) provide for conditions and assurances
deemed necessary or advisable to protect the interests of the Company with
respect to the Plan and (iv) make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan. Determinations, interpretations or
other actions made or taken by the Board with respect to the Plan and shares of
Stock issued under the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive for all
purposes and upon all persons. No member of the Board shall be liable for any
action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any
shares of Stock issued under the Plan.
35
ARTICLE IV
SHARES OF STOCK AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN
----------------------------------------
4.1 Total Number. The total number of shares of Stock hereby made
------------
available and reserved for issuance under the Plan is 30,000 shares, which
number shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2.
4.2 Adjustment in Capitalization. In the event of any change in the
----------------------------
outstanding shares of Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend or
split, recapitalization, reclassification, or other similar change or adjustment
in capitalization, the total number of shares of Stock set forth in Section 4.1
shall be correspondingly adjusted by the Board.
ARTICLE V
ISSUANCE OF STOCK
-----------------
5.1 Issuance of Stock. Subject to Section 4.1, shares of Stock may be
-----------------
issued to non-employee Directors in such amounts and at such times as determined
by the Board as annual or other compensation to non-employee Directors for
serving as members of the Board and the committees thereof. The Board shall have
complete discretion in determining the terms and conditions and number of shares
of Stock issued to non-employee Directors under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the number of shares of Stock issued under the Plan to a non-employee
Director shall, in the good faith judgment of the Board, (a) represent
reasonable compensation for the services and responsibilities of such Director,
(b) be generally consistent with the past practices of the Company with respect
to compensation of the non-employee Directors, as adjusted to reflect changes in
applicable circumstances. Shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be
previously unissued shares of Stock or previously issued shares of Stock held by
the Company as treasury shares.
5.2 Restricted Securities. The shares of Stock issued under the Plan
---------------------
shall not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and shall be "restricted securities" as that term is defined
in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Accordingly, the shares of Stock will be
subject to restrictions on transferability and sale and may not be offered for
sale, sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act, the availability of which is to be established to the
satisfaction of the Company. Certificates for shares of Stock issued under the
Plan shall bear a restrictive legend consistent with the foregoing.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
----------------------------------------------------
The Board may at any time terminate and from time to time may amend or
modify the Plan. Unless terminated earlier by the Board, the Plan shall
terminate upon the expiration of five years after the date of the adoption of
the Plan. Any amendment or modification of the Plan by the Board may be
accomplished without approval of the stockholders of the Company, except if such
amendment or modification would increase the total number of shares of Stock
36
available under the Plan or otherwise require stockholder approval under any law
or regulation governing the Company or under any applicable listing standards of
national securities exchanges.
ARTICLE VII
TAX WITHHOLDING
---------------
Whenever shares of Stock are to be issued under the Plan, the Company
shall have the right to require the recipient of the shares of Stock to remit to
the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local
withholding tax requirements, if any.
ARTICLE VIII
REQUIREMENTS OF LAW
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8.1 Requirements of Law. The issuance of shares of Stock under the Plan
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shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such
approvals or authorizations by any governmental agencies or national securities
exchanges as may be required.
8.2 Governing Law. The Plan shall be construed in accordance with and
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governed by the laws of the State of Colorado.
This ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK
COMPENSATION PLAN was adopted by the Board of Directors of St. Mary Land &
Exploration Company on March 27, 2003, to be effective upon adoption.
ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
By: /s/ Mark A. Hellerstein
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Mark A. Hellerstein
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer
37
PROXY ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY PROXY
1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700
Denver, Colorado 80203
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors For the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 21, 2003
The undersigned hereby appoints Mark A. Hellerstein and Richard C. Norris,
or either of them, each with the power to appoint his substitute, as proxies for
the undersigned to vote all shares of St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
common stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 21, 2003, and at any reconvened meeting after any
adjournment thereof, as directed on the matters referred to below and at their
discretion on any other matters that may properly be presented at the meeting.
ITEM 1 ITEM 2
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 0 FOR all nominees listed AMENDMENTS TO STOCK OPTION 0 FOR
Management has nominated (except as marked to the PLANS TO INCREASE THE
the following eight contrary) TOTAL AVAILABLE SHARES. 0 AGAINST
persons to stand for
election as directors. 0 WITHHOLD authority to vote 0 ABSTAIN
The St. Mary board of for all nominees listed
directors recommends a
vote "FOR" all of the Instructions: Mark only one The proposal by St. Mary to
nominees. As of the date box. To withhold authority amend St. Mary's Stock Option
of the accompanying proxy to vote for any individual Plans to increase the total
statement no one has been nominee, write that nominee's number of shares of common
nominated to serve as name in the following space: stock which may be issued
director other than the under the plans by 1,300,000
nominees by the board of ---------------------------- shares to a total of
directors. 5,600,000 shares. The St.
Mary board of directors
recommends a vote "FOR"
this proposal.
01 Barbara M. Baumann ITEM 3
02 Larry W. Bickle APPROVAL OF A NON-EMPLOYEE 0 FOR
03 Ronald D. Boone DIRECTOR STOCK COMPENSATION
04 Thomas E. Congdon PLAN 0 AGAINST
05 William J. Gardiner
06 Mark A. Hellerstein 0 ABSTAIN
07 Arend J. Sandbulte The proposal by St. Mary to
08 John M. Seidl approve a Non-Employee Director
Stock Compensation Plan for
the issuance of up to a total
of 30,000 shares of St.
Mary common stock to
non-employee directors as
part of their annual or
other compensation over an
anticipated period of up to
five years. The St. Mary
board of directors
recommends a vote "FOR" this
proposal.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed by
the undersigned stockholder. If this proxy is properly executed but no voting
direction is given, this proxy will be voted "For" all director nominees listed
on this proxy, the amendment to the Stock Option Plans to increase the
authorized shares and to approve the Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation
Plan.
This proxy also confers discretionary authority to the proxies to vote on
any other matters that may properly be presented at the meeting. As of the date
of the accompanying proxy statement, St. Mary management did not know of any
other matters to be presented at the meeting. If any other matters are properly
presented at the meeting, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the
recommendations of St. Mary management.
Please sign exactly as your name
appears below. When shares are
held by joint tenants, both should
sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, please five full
title as such. If a corporation,
please sign in full corporate name
by the president or other
authorized officer. If a
partnership or limited liability
company, please sign in such name
by an authorized person. Please
complete, date and sign this proxy
card and return it promptly in the
accompanying envelope.
Dated: , 2003
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Signature
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Signature if held jointly
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and dated your proxy card and returned it in the
envelope provided. The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to
ensure that proxies are handled properly under Delaware law by authenticating
votes cast by use of a PIN and allowing you to confirm that your instructions
have been properly recorded.
TO VOTE USING THE TELEPHONE: Call toll free 1-800-816-8908 from a touch tone
telephone. There is NO CHARGE for this call. Enter your 14 digit CONTROL NUMBER
and 5 digit PIN NUMBER located at the bottom of this proxy and then listen for
voting instructions.
INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS: Go to the following web site
www.computershare.com/us/proxy - Enter your 14 digit CONTROL NUMBER and 5 digit
PIN NUMBER located at the bottom of this proxy and then follow the voting
instructions on the screen. If you vote by telephone or the internet, please DO
NOT mail back this proxy card.
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CONTROL NUMBER PIN NUMBER
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