proxy.htm
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT No.)
Filed by
the Registrant [X]
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the
appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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[ ] Confidential,
for Use of the
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Commission
Only (as permitted by
Rule
14a-6 (e) (2)
[X] Definitive
Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive
Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting
Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
Adams
Resources & Energy, Inc.
(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) (1) 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 of 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 No.:
(3) Filing
Party:
(4) Date
Filed:
ADAMS
RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
4400
POST OAK PARKWAY, SUITE 2700
Houston,
Texas 77027
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May
28, 2008
To our
Stockholders:
Notice is
hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Adams Resources &
Energy, Inc. will be held at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston, Texas,
on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., Houston time, for the following
purposes:
1. Elect
a Board of five Directors; and
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2.
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Transact
such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
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Further
information regarding the meeting and the above proposals is set forth in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. The close of business on April 7, 2008
has been fixed as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled
to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s)
thereof.
By Order
of the Board of Directors
/s/ David B.
Hurst
David B.
Hurst
Secretary
Houston,
Texas
April 7,
2008
IMPORTANT
YOU ARE
CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. EVEN IF YOU PLAN
TO BE PRESENT, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY
PROMPTLY. THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE MAY BE USED FOR THAT
PURPOSE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU CAN VOTE EITHER IN PERSON OR
BY PROXY.
ADAMS
RESOURCES & ENERGY, INC.
4400
Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700
Houston,
Texas 77027
PROXY
STATEMENT
2008
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To
Be Held May 28, 2008
This
Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy are being furnished to stockholders in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Adams
Resources & Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for use at
the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 4400 Post Oak Parkway,
Suite 2700, Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., Houston
time, and any and all adjournments thereof, (such meeting or adjournment(s)
thereof referred to as the “Annual Meeting”), for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy
Statement and the accompanying proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or
about April 9, 2008.
The
Company will pay the cost of solicitation of the proxies. In addition
to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone or
telegram by directors, officers and employees of the Company, and arrangements
may be made with brokerage houses or other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
to send proxies and proxy material to their principals. Compensation
and expenses of any such firms, which are not expected to exceed $1,000, will be
borne by the Company.
VOTING
SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
At the
close of business on April 7, 2008, the record date of those entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the meeting, the Company had outstanding 4,217,596
shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share ("Common
Stock"). The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock on the record date is necessary to constitute
a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are
counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business. Each share of common stock is entitled to
one vote on all issues requiring a stockholder vote at the Annual
Meeting. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes for the election
of directors. Directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes
of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote
on Item 1. Broker non-votes will not be counted in the tabulations of
the votes cast on Item 1 and will have no effect on the outcome of the
vote.
All shares represented by properly
executed or submitted proxies, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the
Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions on the proxies. If
no direction is indicated, the shares will be voted FOR the election as directors
of the nominees listed herein, and in the discretion of the persons named in the
proxy in connection with any other business that may properly come before the
Annual Meeting. The enclosed proxy, even though executed and
returned, may nevertheless be revoked at any time before it is voted by the
subsequent execution and submission of a revised proxy, by written notice of
revocation to the Secretary of the Company or by voting in person at the
meeting. However, simply attending the Annual Meeting and not voting
will not revoke a proxy.
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
persons named as proxy holders in the enclosed proxy have been selected by the
Board of Directors to serve as proxies and will vote the shares represented by
valid proxies at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof. They have indicated that, unless otherwise specified in the
proxy, they intend to vote for the election as director each of the persons
named as a nominee listed below under “Nominees for Director” unless authority
to vote in the election of directors is withheld on each proxy. Each
nominee is currently a member of the Board of Directors. Each duly
elected director will hold office until the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
or until his successor shall have been elected and
qualified. Although the Board of Directors of the Company does not
contemplate that a nominee will be unable to serve, if such a situation arises
prior to the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote
for the election of such other person as may be nominated by the Board of
Directors. Proxies cannot be voted in the election of directors for
more than five persons, as that is the number of nominees named
herein.
Nominees
for Director
The Board of Directors unanimously
recommends a vote FOR the election of
the nominees listed below.
For each
of the Company’s directors, the following table sets forth their names, ages,
principal occupations, other directorships of public companies held by them and
length of continuous service as a director.
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Principal
Occupation
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Director
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K.
S. Adams, Jr. (85)
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Chairman
of the Board
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1973
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and
Chief Executive
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Officer
of the Company
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E.
C. Reinauer, Jr. (72)
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International
Project Manager
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1973
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E.
Jack Webster, Jr.(87)
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Chairman
and CEO of Petrol
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1985
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Properties,
Inc.
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Frank
T. Webster (59)
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President
and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
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2004
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Larry
E. Bell (60)
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Risk
Manager --Frontier Oil Corporation
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2006
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All of
the directors other than Mr. Adams own less than one percent of the class of
shares outstanding. All of the directors have been engaged in the
principal occupations indicated above for the last five years except Mr. Frank
T. Webster. Mr. Frank T. Webster joined the Company as its President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director in May 2004. From July 2003
until May 2004, Mr. Webster was engaged in private investments. From
December 2000 through July 2003 he served as Executive Vice President and
Managing Director and also as President and Chief Executive Officer of Duke
Capital Partners, LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy. There is no
family relationship between Mr. E. Jack Webster, Jr. and Mr. Frank T.
Webster.
Meetings
and Committees of the Board
In 2007,
the Board met four times in person and had one additional telephonic
meeting. During 2007, all directors attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served for the period in
which they held office. It is the Company’s policy that all
persons nominated for election to the Board at the time of the annual meeting be
present at such meeting. All directors attended the 2007 annual
meeting with the exception of Mr. K. S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. The Board has three
standing committees – the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the
Nominating Committee.
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Summary
of
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Committee
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Meetings
in
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Audit
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Retains
independent accountants and pre-approves their
services. Reviews and approves financial statements and
internal controls.
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Reinauer, Jr.*
Bell**
Webster, Jr.
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Seven
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Compensation
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Evaluates
the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and establishes the
compensation of the Chief Executive
Officer
and other executive officers.
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Reinauer, Jr.*
Bell
Webster, Jr.
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Three
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Nominating
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Identifies,
considers and recommends to the Board nominees for
directors.
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Reinauer, Jr.*
Bell
Webster, Jr.
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Two
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______________________________
* Indicates
Committee chair
**
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Mr.
Bell is the Company’s designated Audit Committee financial expert under
Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
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The
responsibilities of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating
Committee are described in each of the committees’ respective charters, which
were adopted by the respective committees and the Board. These
committee charters are available on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com. Copies may also be obtained by writing to Investor
Relations, Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite
2700, Houston, Texas 77027.
Independence
The
Company’s Board of Directors is comprised of a majority of independent directors
as defined under American Stock Exchange listing standards. There are no family
relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of the
Company. The directors determined by the Board to be independent are
Mr. Reinauer, Mr. E. Jack Webster, Jr. and Mr. Bell. The Board has determined
that none of the designated independent directors has any relationship that,
under American Stock Exchange rules, would preclude their service on any of the
standing committees of the Board. In making its determination, the
Board considered transactions and relationships between each director or his
immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries, including those reported
under “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and
“Transactions with Related Persons” below. The purpose of this review
was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were material
and, therefore, inconsistent with a determination that the director is
independent. In addition, the Board requires each of its members and
each of the director nominees to disclose in an annual questionnaire any
relationship he or she or his or her family members have had with the Company,
its subsidiaries, its independent accountants, directors and officers within the
past five years. The Board considers any such relationship in making its
determination.
Nomination
Policy
The
Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors consists of current members
Messrs. Reinauer, E. Jack Webster, Jr., and Bell. Each of the members
of the Nominating Committee is independent, as defined in Section 121A of the
listing standards of the American Stock Exchange.
The
Nominating Committee identifies and recommends to the Board nominees for
directors to be considered at the annual meeting of shareholders or to serve as
replacements in the event of a vacancy on the Board. The Committee
also considers nominees submitted by stockholders to the Secretary of the
Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s Bylaws. You
may obtain a copy of the Bylaws by writing to Adams Resources & Energy,
Inc., 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston Texas 77027,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, David Hurst. The Company’s Bylaws can
also be found on the Company’s website www.adamsresources.com.
In
identifying and evaluating candidates for nomination to the Board, the
Nominating Committee considers several factors, including education, experience,
knowledge, expertise, independence and availability to effectively carry out the
duties of a Board member. The qualifications and backgrounds of
prospective candidates are reviewed in the context of the current composition of
the Board to ensure the Board maintains the proper balance of knowledge,
experience and diversity to effectively manage the Company’s business for the
long-term interests of the shareholders. The Nominating Committee
initially identifies candidates for nomination through its and management’s
general industry contacts. It is not the policy of the Nominating
Committee to consider for nomination any director candidates recommended by
shareholders as no such request has ever occurred. The Nominating
Committee will review its policy position if such a request is
received. Shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors as
described herein below.
In
connection with the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee has recommended the
Directors listed in this proxy.
Communications
with the Board
You may
contact the Board, a committee of the Board, or an individual director by
writing to them at Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., 4400 Post Oak Parkway,
Suite 2700, Houston Texas 77027, Attention: Corporate Secretary-Board
Communication. All communications will be compiled by the Secretary
and submitted to the presiding member of the Board, a committee chair, or an
individual director, as applicable, on a periodic basis. The
Secretary will respond to letters to take other actions in accordance with
instructions from the applicable Board contact.
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The
following table provides information regarding the executive officers of the
Company as of April 7, 2008. The officers of the Company serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company.
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K.
S. Adams, Jr.
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85
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Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
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F.
T. Webster
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59
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President
and Chief Operating Officer
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Richard
B. Abshire
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55
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Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
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K.
S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. established his
business interests beginning in 1947 with varying interests including
petroleum products marketing, trucking and oil and gas exploration and
production. Certain of Mr. Adams' personal holdings became the
basis of the Company when it made its initial public offering in
1974. In addition to his involvement with the Company, Mr.
Adams' other activities include farming, ranching, automobile dealerships,
and the National Football League franchise Tennessee
Titans.
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F.
T. “Chip” Webster was elected
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in May
2004. Mr. Webster was previously President and Chief Executive
Officer of Duke Capital Partners, a business unit of Duke
Energy. Prior to joining Duke, he was a partner and managing
director of Andersen’s energy corporate finance group. He also
spent 20 years in energy and corporate banking with First City
Bank-Houston where he was Executive Vice President. He is a member of the
Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Houston Producers’
Forum.
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Richard
B. Abshire joined the Company in 1985 and was previously employed by
Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Abshire is a Certified Public
Accountant in the State of Texas and he serves as the Company’s principal
financial and accounting
officer.
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SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
The
following table sets forth the total compensation of the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and each of the Company’s other most highly compensated
executive officers during the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006,
whose total annual salary and bonus for fiscal 2007 exceeded
$100,000. There were no pension plans, stock options, shares of
restricted stock or other equity awards granted by the registrant during the
periods presented.
Name
and
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K.
S. Adams, Jr.
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2007
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$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
20,462 |
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$ |
495,462 |
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Chairman
and Chief
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2006
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$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
16,239 |
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$ |
391,329 |
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Executive
Officer
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F.
T. Webster
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2007
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$ |
385,000 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
23,617 |
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$ |
658,617 |
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President
and
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2006
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$ |
378,440 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
22,999 |
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$ |
551,439 |
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Chief
Operating Officer
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Richard
B. Abshire
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2007
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$ |
220,000 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
17,707 |
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$ |
487,707 |
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Vice
President and
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2006
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$ |
220,000 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
17,097 |
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$ |
387,097 |
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Chief
Financial Officer
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(1)
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Other
compensation includes employer matching contributions to the Company’s
401(K) savings plan, a car allowance, reimbursement for club dues and life
and disability insurance premiums. The named executive officers
receive no other perquisites or personal benefits. In 2007, Mr.
Adams received $9,469 in cash reimbursement for club dues. In
2007, Mr. Webster received $10,800 in cash reimbursement for club dues
including a $3,240 tax “gross-up”. Life and disability
insurance premiums paid on behalf of Messrs. Adams, Webster and Abshire
totaled $3,878, $3,809 and $3,507, respectively for
2007.
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Potential Payments
upon Termination or Change in
Control
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Mr. F. T.
Webster entered into an employment agreement with the Company in May
2004. He is to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company and received $350,000, $367,000 and $385,000 as base salary from May 14,
2004 to May 13, 2005, May 14, 2005 to May 13, 2006 and May 13, 2006 to May 14,
2007, respectively. Mr. F. T. Webster is eligible to participate in
any leave, insurance and other employee benefit plans of the Company that may be
in effect from time to time for management-level employees. In
addition, he is eligible to earn annual performance bonuses at the sole
discretion of the Board of Directors and separately the Compensation Committee
of the Board of the Company and the recommendation of the Chairman of the
Board. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster’s employment is terminated due
to his death, his estate will be entitled to receive: (i) any earned and unpaid
salary accrued through the date of his death; (ii) any benefits due to
applicable plans and programs of the Company; and (iii) if applicable, any
benefits due under or pursuant to workers compensation. In the event
Mr. F. T. Webster becomes disabled to the extent that he is unable to perform
his duties and responsibilities under his employment agreement and such
disability continues for a period of 90 days or an aggregate of 120 days during
any calendar year, the Company will have the right to terminate the employment
agreement upon 10 days’ prior written notice. In the event Mr. F. T.
Webster’s employment is terminated due to his disability, Mr. Webster will be
entitled to receive: (i) any earned and unpaid salary accrued through the date
of termination; (ii) any benefits due to applicable plans and programs of the
Company; and (iii) any benefits available to him pursuant to applicable
law. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster is terminated for cause he will
be entitled to receive; (i) any earned and unpaid salary accrued through the
date of termination of his employment; (ii) any benefits due to applicable plans
and programs of the Company; and (iii) any benefits available to him pursuant to
applicable law. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster voluntarily resigns,
he will be entitled to receive only any earned and unpaid salary accrued through
the actual date of acceptance of his resignation by the Board of
Directors. In the event Mr. F. T. Webster’s employment is terminated
without cause, he will be entitled to receive the balance of his salary due
under the employment agreement subject to offset for amounts which he receives
due to any other employment or work. If there is a change of control
of the Company and as a result of such change of control Mr. F. T. Webster’s
employment agreement is terminated, then he will receive the greater
of: (i) the remaining salary due to him under his employment
agreement or (ii) a sum equal to $385,000 less applicable withholdings and
deductions. Mr. F. T. Webster’s original employment agreement was
scheduled to terminate May 13, 2007. The agreement was amended on May
19, 2006, March 5, 2007 and December 17, 2007 to extend the termination date to
May 13, 2011 with all other terms remaining unchanged. Mr. Webster’s
annual base salary is to remain at the current $385,000 level. Based
upon a hypothetical termination date of December 31, 2007, the severance
benefits for Mr. F. T. Webster would have been as follows:
Termination
due to
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Termination
due to
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Termination
for cause or
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Termination
without
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$1,311,575
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$16,288
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$16,288
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$1,311,575
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COMPENSATION,
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The
Company’s executive compensation policies are designed to provide aggregate
compensation opportunities for its executive officers that are competitive in
the business marketplace and that are based upon Company and individual
performance.
Compensation
Philosophy
The
Company’s compensation philosophy has the following objectives and executive
compensation levels are determined in consideration thereof:
·
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Establish
and maintain a level of compensation that is competitive within the
Company’s industry.
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·
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Provide
an incentive mechanism for favorable
results.
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·
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Provide
a level of executive compensation that is consistent with the level of
compensation for non-executive
personnel.
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·
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Maintain
a compensation system that is consistent with the objectives of sound
corporate governance.
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Design
of Reward
Together
with the need to retain its executive officers, the Company’s compensation
program is designed to reward and create an incentive for the executive officers
provided the Company’s overall financial condition and liquidity is
sound. Executive compensation as a reward is generally considered as
a group rather than an individual achievement. This approach fosters
a team approach to management.
It is the
policy of the Company to pay all forms of compensation currently and in
cash. This is believed to be the simplest, most readily understood
approach and does not expose the Company to potential future diminution of
corporate value. This policy also removes any issues regarding
accounting and the tax deductibility of executive compensation.
Elements
of Compensation
The
Company’s executive compensation program is comprised of the following
elements:
The
Company utilizes these three elements of executive compensation because these
elements are believed to be the minimum required in order to retain its
executive officer group. Compensation decisions are made solely by
the Company’s Compensation Committee without the use of compensation
consultants. Base salaries are initially determined based on
negotiations occurring at the time of the executive joining the
Company. In subsequent years, such levels may be adjusted based on
current competitive conditions. Discretionary bonuses are used as an
incentive for favorable results. The discretionary bonus may also
serve as a supplement to base salary levels, while allowing the Board to avoid
such expense during a year when earnings do not meet expectations. A
pre-defined formula bonus system is not utilized. This is because the
discretionary approach is believed to better align management with the long-term
interest of the Company rather than toward a set short-term formula
target.
The
determination of a discretionary bonus generally originates with a
recommendation from executive officers based on the Company’s compensation
philosophy. An important consideration for the recommended amount is
the level of salaries and bonuses paid to the Company’s non-executive officer
employees. The Company has a diverse group of non-executive employees
with levels of compensation consistent with industry practices and varying
responsibilities. Recommended bonus amounts are consistent with the
bonus amounts and concepts applied to non-executive employees. The
Compensation Committee retains final approval authority over such recommended
amounts. Discretionary bonuses may be awarded intermittently during
the year as warranted by current results. Such amounts are expensed
as incurred. Discretionary bonuses are anticipated to increase or
decrease with the prevailing trend for consolidated net earnings.
The
Company also provides employee benefits, primarily consisting of a 401(k) Plan
(discussed below) and an employer sponsored medical plan. The
benefits provided the executive officer group are no different than those
offered to non-executive employees. The Company does not provide
stock options or other common stock incentives. The Company does not
offer a defined benefit pension plan.
Perquisites
The Company provides the
following:
·
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Club
Dues Reimbursement
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·
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Life
and Disability Insurance Premiums
|
Automobile
allowance and club dues reimbursements are paid to the executive officers
consistent with the payment of such amounts to non-executive
employees. The requirement to pay such amounts is negotiated with the
executive at the time of their initial employment. Life and
disability insurance premiums are paid on behalf of the executives consistent
with the payment of such insurance premiums for non-executive
employees.
Perquisite
amounts are not considered annual salary for bonus purposes.
401(k)
Plan
Consistent with the Company’s desire to
provide financial security in retirement, the Company offers a 401(k) plan to
its employees, including its executive officers. As described in
footnote (1) to the Summary Compensation Table, the Company makes a matching
contribution to the plan. In 2007, the Company matched 100% of
employee contributions up to 3% of compensation and matched 50% of employee
contributions from 3% to 5% of compensation, subject to the current annual limit
of $8,800. This policy conforms with the IRS allowed safe harbor
rules for matching contributions.
Employment
and Severance Agreements
The Company has an employment agreement
with Mr. F. T. Webster. His agreement expires on May 13,
2011. The agreement contains no automatic extensions. Mr. Webster’s
employment agreement contains conditions of employment and entitles him to
participate in the Company’s leave, insurance and other employee benefit plans
of the Company that may be in effect from time to time for management-level
employees of the Company. Mr. Webster’s employment agreement also
provides for severance payments in certain cases of termination. For
additional information concerning Mr. F. T. Webster’s employment agreement, see
“Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control — Employment
Agreements” above.
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Mr.
Adams’ base salary, discretionary bonus and benefits for each of the past two
years are presented in the table above. The methodology for
establishing such levels of compensation is consistent with the methodology
utilized for other executive officers. As the major shareholder of
the Company, Mr. Adams is acutely aware of the need to balance the goal of
reinvesting available cash flow to build the Company’s equity base with the need
to attract and retain key employees.
Internal
Revenue Code 162(m) Considerations
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, limits a company’s ability to
deduct compensation paid in excess of $1 million to the Chief Executive Officer
and the next four highest paid officers in any year, unless the compensation
meets certain performance requirements. The Company has no officers
receiving compensation in excess of $1 million.
REPORT
OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The following report of the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall not be deemed to be
“soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to the SEC’s
proxy rules, except for the required disclosure in this Proxy Statement, or
subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates by reference into any filing made by the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of Messrs. Reinauer,
E. Jack Webster, Jr. and Bell. The duties and responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee are set forth in a written charter adopted by the Board
of Directors and such charter is available on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com. Each of the members of the Compensation
Committee is independent, as defined in Section 121A of the listing standards of
the American Stock Exchange.
We have
reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s above Compensation
Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) and based on our review and discussions
with management, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be
included in this proxy statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007.
E. C. Reinauer, Jr.
Chairman
E. Jack Webster, Jr.
Larry E. Bell
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Directors
who are employees of the Company do not receive fees or any other compensation
for their services as directors. Directors who are not employees
received cash compensation as presented in the table below. Directors
are also reimbursed for direct out-of-pocket expenses in connection with travel
associated with meeting attendance. There were no stock awards,
option awards, non-equity incentive plans, pension plans or other non-qualified
deferred compensation or other forms of compensation during 2007.
NAME
|
|
CASH FEES
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
E.
C. Reinauer, Jr.
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
E.
Jack Webster, Jr.
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
Larry
E. Bell
|
|
$ |
41,250 |
|
|
$ |
41,250 |
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The
members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors during the year
ending December 31, 2007 were Messrs. Reinauer (Chairman), E. Jack Webster, Jr.,
and Bell. None of the members of the Compensation Committee was an
officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or was formerly
an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had any relationship
requiring disclosure by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2007. No
executive officer of the Company served as a member of the Compensation
Committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of another
entity that had an executive officer serving as a member of the Company’s Board
of Directors or the Compensation Committee.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Deloitte & Touche LLP performed the
audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended
2007. The scope and all fees associated with audit and other services
performed by Deloitte & Touche are pre-approved by the Audit Committee on an
annual basis. The aggregate fees billed for 2007 and 2006 are set
forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
of Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
$ |
514,747 |
|
|
$ |
391,150 |
|
Subsidiary
Company audits
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
34,384 |
|
Audit
Related Fees -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internal
control advisory
|
|
|
37,742 |
|
|
|
105,562 |
|
Total
Audit fees and Audit Related Services
|
|
|
582,489 |
|
|
|
531,096 |
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
582,489 |
|
|
$ |
531,096 |
|
The Audit
Committee, established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has the responsibility to assist the Board of
Directors in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities as to accounting policies
and reporting practices of the Company and its subsidiaries and the sufficiency
of the audits of all Company activities. This committee is the
Board's agent in ensuring the integrity of financial reports of the Company and
its subsidiaries, and the adequacy of disclosures to
stockholders. The Audit Committee is the focal point for
communication between other directors, the independent auditors and management
as their duties relate to financial accounting, reporting and controls. The
Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing the financial transactions of
the Company involving any related parties.
Audit
Committee Pre-Approval Policies
The Audit
Committee has established a policy intended to clearly define the scope of
services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accountants
for non-audit services. This policy relates to audit services,
audit-related services, tax and all other services which may be provided by the
Company’s independent registered public accountants and is intended to assure
that such services do not impair the auditor’s independence. The
policy requires the pre-approval by the Audit Committee of all services to be
provided by the Company’s independent registered public
accountants. Under the policy, the Audit Committee will annually
review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent
registered public accountants. The Audit Committee may delegate
pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or
members to whom such authority is delegated is required to report to the Audit
Committee at its next meeting any services which such member or members has
approved. The policy also provides that the Audit Committee will
pre-approve the fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent
registered public accountants.
All of
the services provided by the Company’s principal accounting firm described in
the table above were approved in accordance with this policy and the Audit
Committee has determined that the independent registered public accountants’
independence has not been compromised as a result of providing these services
and receiving the fees for such services as noted above.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
April 7,
2008
To the
Board of Directors:
The Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors currently consists of Messrs. Reinauer, E.
Jack Webster, Jr. and Bell. The duties and responsibilities of the
Audit Committee are set forth in a written charter adopted by the Board of
Directors, a copy of which is and available on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is
independent, as defined in Section 121A of the listing standards of the American
Stock Exchange.
We have
reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31,
2007.
The audit committee received from and
discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the written disclosure and the letter
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board in Rule 3600T. These items relate to that firm’s
independence from the company. The audit committee also discussed
with Deloitte & Touche LLP matters required to be discussed by the Statement
on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended,
as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule
3200T. The audit committee monitored auditor independence, reviewed
audit and non-audit services performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP and
discussed with the auditors their independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions
referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the financial
statements referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
E. C.
Reinauer, Jr., Chairman
E. Jack
Webster, Jr.
Larry E.
Bell
TRANSACTIONS
WITH RELATED PERSONS
Mr. K. S. Adams, Jr., Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and certain of his family limited partnerships and
affiliates have participated as working interest owners with the Company’s
subsidiary, Adams Resources Exploration Corporation. Mr. Adams and
such affiliates participate on terms no better than those afforded the
non-affiliated working interest owners. In recent years, such related party
transactions generally result after the Company has first identified oil and gas
prospects of interest. Typically the available dollar commitment to
participate in such transactions is greater than the amount management is
comfortable putting at risk. In such event, the Company first determines the
percentage of the transaction it wants to obtain, which allows a related party
to participate in the investment to the extent there is excess
available. In those instances where there was no excess availability
there has been no related party participation. Similarly, related
parties are not required to participate, nor is the Company obligated to offer
any such participation to a related or other party. When such related
party transactions occur, they are individually reviewed and approved by the
Audit Committee comprised of the independent directors on the Company’s Board of
Directors. During 2007, such related party investment commitments
totaled approximately $7.4 million in those oil and gas projects where a related
party was also participating in such investment. As of December 31,
2007, the Company owed a combined net total of $84,284 to these related
parties. In connection with the operation of certain oil and gas
properties, the Company also charges such related parties for administrative
overhead primarily as prescribed by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society
Bulletin 5. Such overhead recoveries totaled $125,600 in
2007. A synopsis of each proposed transaction that involves a related
party is presented to the Audit Committee for their
review. Documentation of the Audit Committee’s conclusions is noted
in the committee minutes.
David B. Hurst, Secretary of the
Company, is a partner in the law firm of Chaffin & Hurst. The Company has
been represented by Chaffin & Hurst since 1974 and plans to use the services
of that firm in the future. Chaffin & Hurst currently leases
office space from the Company. Transactions with Chaffin & Hurst
are on the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with unrelated entities.
The
Company also enters into certain transactions in the normal course of business
with other affiliated entities. These transactions with affiliated
companies are on the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with unrelated entities.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company held of record on April 7, 2008, by beneficial owners of
more than five percent of the Common Stock, and by all officers and directors as
a group. Unless otherwise stated below, the address of each
beneficial owner listed on the table is c/o Adams Resources & Energy, Inc.
4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston, Texas 77027. Unless
otherwise indicated, each person named below has sole voting and investment
power over all shares of Common Stock indicated as beneficially
owned.
Name
and address
|
|
Shares
of Common Stock
|
|
|
Percent
|
|
of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Of Class
|
|
K.
S. Adams, Jr.
|
|
|
2,080,887 |
(1) |
|
|
49.3 |
% |
E.
C. Reinauer, Jr.
|
|
|
7,873 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Frank
T. Webster
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
E.
Jack Webster, Jr.
|
|
|
15,189 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard
B. Abshire
|
|
|
13,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Larry
E. Bell
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FMR
Corp.
|
|
|
413,200 |
(2) |
|
|
9.8 |
% |
82
Devonshire St.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston,
MA 02109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
2,124,849 |
|
|
|
50.3 |
% |
as
a group (6 persons)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes
1,644,275 shares owned by KSA Industries, Inc., 324,680 shares owned by
Mr. Adams directly, 7,973 shares owned by Mrs. Adams and 103,959 shares
held in trusts for Mr. Adams’ grandchildren, with Mr. Adams serving as
trustee.
|
(2)
|
Based
on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed February 13,
2008. Beneficial owners associated with FMR Corp. include
Fidelity Management & Research Company, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
and Edward C. Johnson 3d.
|
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3
and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company during its most recent
fiscal year and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company with
respect to its most recent fiscal year, and written representations from
reporting persons that no Form 5 was required, the Company believes that all
required Form 3, 4 and 5 reports for transactions occurring in 2007 were timely
filed.
CODE
OF ETHICS
The
Company has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to all
officers, directors and employees, including the Company’s principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons
performing similar functions (the “Principal Officers”). A copy of
the Company’s Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s website at
www.adamsresources.com and the Company intends to satisfy the disclosure
requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver
from, a provision of its Code of Ethics with respect to its Principal Officers
by posting such information on this Internet website.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Appointment
of Auditors
The
present intention of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is to appoint
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accountants, to audit
the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31,
2008. Deloitte & Touche LLP was first appointed as the Company’s
auditors in 2002. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will
be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will be given an
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.
Shareholders
Proposals
Any
stockholder may communicate with the Board of Directors, any committee of the
Board, or any director, by sending written communications addressed to the Board
of Directors of Adams Resources & Energy, Inc., a Board committee or such
individual director or directors, c/o Investor Relations Manager, Adams
Resources & Energy, Inc., 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 2700, Houston, Texas
77027. All communications will be forwarded to the Board, the Board
committee or such individual director or directors in accordance with the
request of the stockholder.
Any
proposal to be presented by any stockholder at the 2009 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must be received by the Company prior to December 1,
2008.
Other
Matters
The
Company knows of no matters to be presented for consideration at the meeting
other than those described above. If other matters are properly
presented to the meeting for action, it is intended that the persons named in
the accompanying proxy, and acting pursuant to authority granted thereunder,
will vote in accordance with their best unanimous judgment on such
matters.
Number
of Proxy Statements and Annual Reports
Only one
copy of this Proxy Statement and the annual report accompanying this Proxy
Statement will be mailed to stockholders who have the same address unless the
Company receives a request that the stockholders with the same address are to
receive separate Proxy Statements and Annual Reports. These additional copies
will be supplied at no additional cost to the requesting
stockholder.
REGARDLESS
OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE REPRESENTED AT THE
MEETING, AND YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY
CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
By Order
of the Board of Directors
/s/ David B.
Hurst
David B.
Hurst
Secretary
Houston,
Texas
April 7,
2008