UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant X Filed by a party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement
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CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2)
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X Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-12
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U.S. ENERGY CORP.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
X No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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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:
[COMPANY LOGO]
U.S. ENERGY CORP.
MINERALS PLAZA, GLEN L. LARSEN BUILDING
877 NORTH 8TH WEST
RIVERTON, WYOMING 82501
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
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We are pleased to give you notice of our Annual Meeting of Shareholders:
Date: Monday, December 16, 2002
Time: 10:00 AM MST
Place: 877 North 8th West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501
Purpose: - Elect three directors to serve until the third succeeding annual
meeting of shareholders, and until their successors have been
duly elected or appointed and qualified;
- Ratify appointment of the independent auditors; and
- Transact any other business that may properly come before
the meeting.
Record Date: October 18, 2002. The stock transfer books will not be closed.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting,
please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in
the enclosed envelope. We appreciate your cooperation.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Daniel P. Svilar, Secretary
INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING
Only shareholders of record on October 18, 2002 may vote at the meeting.
Only shareholders of record, and beneficial owners on the record date, may
attend the meeting. If you plan to attend the meeting, please bring personal
identification and proof of ownership if your shares are held in "street name"
(i.e., your shares are held of record by brokers, banks or other institutions).
Proof of ownership means a letter or statement from your broker showing your
ownership of shares on the record date.
A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available
for inspection by any record shareholder at the Company's principal executive
offices in Riverton, Wyoming. The inspection period begins two days after the
date this Notice is mailed and ends at the conclusion of the meeting.
U.S. ENERGY CORP.
MINERALS PLAZA, GLEN L. LARSEN BUILDING
877 NORTH 8TH WEST
RIVERTON, WYOMING 82501
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2002
The 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, including audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2002, is mailed to shareholders
together with these proxy materials on or before November 11, 2002. The proxy
materials consist of this proxy statement and notice of annual meeting, the
Annual Report, the Audit Committee Certification and the Audit Committee
Charter.
This proxy statement is provided in connection with a solicitation of
proxies by the board of directors of U.S. Energy Corp. for use at the annual
meeting of shareholders (the "meeting") to be held on Monday, December 16, 2002
and at any adjournments of the meeting.
WHO CAN VOTE
If you held any shares of common stock on the record date (October 18,
2002), then you will be entitled to vote at the meeting. If you held stock in
your own name, you may vote directly. If you owned stock beneficially but in the
record name (street name) of an institution, you may instruct the record holder
how to vote when the record holder contacts you about voting and gives you the
proxy materials.
COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING ON THE RECORD DATE: 12,075,493 SHARES
QUORUM AND VOTING RIGHTS
A quorum for the meeting will exist if a majority of the voting power of
the shareholders is present at the meeting, in person or represented by properly
executed proxy delivered to us prior to the meeting. Shares of common stock
present at the meeting that abstain from voting, or that are the subject of
broker non- votes, will be counted as present for determining a quorum. A broker
non-vote occurs when a nominee holding stock in street name or otherwise for a
beneficial owner does not vote on a particular matter because the nominee does
not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not
received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
You are entitled to one vote for each share of U.S. Energy Corp. common
stock you hold, except that in the election of directors you may cumulate your
votes. Cumulative voting generally allows each holder of shares of common stock
to multiply the number of shares owned by the number of directors being elected,
and to distribute the resulting number of votes among nominees in any proportion
that the holder chooses. Nominees in number equal to the seats to be filled, who
receive a plurality of votes cast, are elected. If you abstain from voting, your
shares will not be counted for or against any director.
Ratification of the appointment of independent auditors will be approved if
the number of votes cast in favor exceed the number of votes opposed, in
accordance with Wyoming law.
Any other matter which properly comes before the meeting would be approved
if the number of votes cast in favor exceed the number of votes opposed, unless
Wyoming law requires a different approval ratio.
1
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of
directors. Abstentions as to all other matters which properly may come before
the meeting will be counted as votes against those matters. Broker non-votes as
to all other matters will not be counted as votes for or against, and will not
be included in calculating the number of votes necessary for approval of these
matters.
HOW YOUR PROXY WILL BE VOTED; RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
The board of directors is soliciting a proxy in the enclosed form to
provide you with the opportunity to vote on all matters scheduled to come before
the meeting, whether or not you attend in person.
The board of directors recommends you vote in favor of the nominees for
director, and in favor of ratifying management's re-appointment of the audit
firm.
GRANTING YOUR PROXY
If you sign properly and return the enclosed form of proxy, your shares
will be voted as you specify. If you make no specifications, your proxy will be
voted in favor of both proposals.
We expect no matters to be presented for action at the meeting other than
the items described in this proxy statement. However, the enclosed proxy will
confer discretionary authority with respect to any other matter that may
properly come before the meeting, including any matter of which we did not have
notice at least 45 days before the date of mailing proxy materials for last
year's meeting, in accordance with SEC rule 14a-4(c). The persons named as
proxies intend to vote in accordance with their judgment on any matters that may
properly come before the meeting.
REVOKING YOUR PROXY
If you submit a proxy, you may revoke it later or submit a revised proxy at
any time before it is voted. You also may attend the meeting in person and vote
by ballot, which would cancel any proxy you previously submitted.
PROXY SOLICITATION
We will pay all expenses of soliciting proxies for the meeting. In addition
to solicitations by mail, arrangements have been made for brokers and nominees
to send proxy materials to their principals, and we will reimburse them for
their reasonable expenses. We have not hired a solicitation firm for the
meeting. Our employees and directors will solicit proxies by telephone or other
means, if necessary; these people will not be paid for these services.
REQUIREMENT AND DEADLINES FOR SHAREHOLDERS TO SUBMIT PROXY PROPOSALS
Generally, we will hold the annual meeting on the second Friday of each
December (December 13 in 2003). Under the rules of the SEC, if a shareholder
wants us to include a proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy for
presentation at our 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the proposal must be
received by us in writing at least 150 calendar days in advance of the meeting
date (which would be 120 days in advance of the mailing date), at U.S. Energy
Corp., 877 North 8th West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501; Attention: Daniel P. Svilar,
Secretary.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. The board of directors, which held five formal
meetings during fiscal 2002, has primary responsibility for directing management
of the business. The board currently consists of six members. A seventh member,
Mr. David Brenman, resigned in fiscal 2002 because he lives abroad. The board
conferred informally on several other occasions during the fiscal year. From
time to time the directors also approve various matters by consent minutes
without conducting formal meetings.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. To provide effective direction and review of fiscal
matters, the board has established an audit committee. The audit committee has
the responsibility of reviewing our financial statements, exercising general
oversight of the integrity and reliability of our accounting and financial
reporting practices, and monitoring the effectiveness of our internal control
systems. The audit committee also recommends selection of an auditing firm and
exercises general oversight of the activities of our independent auditors,
principal financial and accounting officers and employees and related matters.
The members of the audit committee are Nick Bebout, Don Anderson and H. Russell
Fraser, all of whom are independent directors under criteria established by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and the Nasdaq Stock Market
Inc. John L. Larsen was appointed as an alternate member o the audit committee
in the event one of the committee members could not attend committee meetings.
The audit committee has reviewed our financial statements for fiscal 2002
and discussed them with management. The committee also discussed with the
independent audit firm the various matters required to be so discussed in SAS 63
(Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380). The committee
received the written disclosure and the letter from the independent audit firm
as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committee),
and the committee discussed with the audit firm their independence. Based on the
foregoing, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the
audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K which
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in September 2002.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Company has a compensation committee, whose
members are Harold F. Herron, Nick Bebout and H. Russell Fraser. This committee
met formally on one occasion in fiscal 2002 and also discuss compensation
matters informally from time to time.
The compensation committee reviews and recommends to the board of directors
compensation packages for the officers of U.S. Energy Corp. and subsidiaries
(but not Crested Corp. which has its own compensation committee). The committee
takes into account the need for different types of executives (administrative,
financial, engineering, etc.), and the pay arrangements which corporations of
similar size have adopted in our industry on both the national and local levels.
Items considered include the experience of and contribution made (or to be made
for new hires or promotions) by each person, and the methods of paying them
(principally salary and stock options). In addition, the compensation committee
reviews and recommends to the board of directors the granting of stock options
to non-executive employees.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive committee members are Keith G. Larsen,
John L. Larsen, Harold F. Herron, Nick Bebout and H. Russell Fraser. This
committee helps implement the board of directors' overall directives as
necessary. This committee usually does not conduct formal meetings (none were
held in fiscal 2002).
NOMINATING COMMITTEE. When needed as determined by the board of directors,
the nominating committee considers and recommends to the board of directors
individuals who may be suitable to be nominated to serve as directors. Harold F.
Herron and Don Anderson are the nominating committee members.
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MANAGEMENT COST APPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE, established by USE and Crested in
1982, reviews the apportionment of costs between USE and Crested. John L. Larsen
and Robert Scott Lorimer are members of this committee.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
The following is a list of all record holders who, as of the record date,
beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock, and
the outstanding common stock beneficially held by each director and nominee, and
by all officers and directors as a group, as reported in filings with the SEC,
or as otherwise known to us. Except as otherwise noted, each holder exercises
the sole voting and dispositive powers over the shares listed opposite the
holder's name, excluding the shares subject to forfeiture and those held in ESOP
accounts established for the employee's benefit. Dispositive powers over the
forfeitable shares held by employees who are not officers and a non-employee
director ("Forfeitable Shares") are shared by the Company's board of directors.
Voting and dispositive powers over forfeitable shares held by the Company's five
executive officers and a former officer (now deceased) ("Officers' Forfeitable
Shares") are shared by the Company's non-employee directors (Messrs. Anderson,
Bebout and Fraser). The ESOP Trustees (John L. Larsen and Harold F. Herron)
exercise voting powers over non-allocated ESOP shares and dispositive powers
over all ESOP shares. It should be noted that voting and dispositive powers over
certain shares are shared by one or more of the listed holders. Such securities
are reported opposite each holder having a shared interest therein.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
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Voting Rights Dispositive Rights
Name and Address ---------------------- ------------------------ Total Percent
of beneficial owner Sole Shared Sole Shared Beneficial Ownership of Class(1)
------------------- ---- ------ ---- ------ -------------------- -----------
John L. Larsen*(2) 893,624 1,012,657 893,624 1,393,161 2,416,211 19.2%
201 Hill Street
Riverton, WY 82501
Keith G. Larsen*(3) 633,128 1,500 601,674 45,180 687,128 5.4%
4045 Valley Green Circle
Riverton, WY 82501
Harold F. Herron*(4) 454,622 285,843 430,386 663,452 1,167,746 9.4%
3425 Riverside Road
Riverton, WY 82501
Don C. Anderson*(5) 89,610 455,628 68,610 499,308 567,918 4.7%
P. O. Box 1556
Mesquite, NV 89024
Nick Bebout*(6) 75,561 463,128 75,561 506,808 582,369 4.8%
4424 Skylane Drive
Riverton, WY 82501
H. Russell Fraser*(7) 66,955 446,928 66,955 500,608 567,563 4.7%
3453 Southfork Road
Cody, WY 82414
Daniel P. Svilar**(8) 491,934 517,359 491,934 517,359 1,110,143 8.9%
580 S. Indiana Street
Hudson, WY 82515
4
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
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Voting Rights Dispositive Rights
Name and Address ---------------------- ------------------------ Total Percent
of beneficial owner Sole Shared Sole Shared Beneficial Ownership of Class(1)
------------------- ---- ------ ---- ------ -------------------- -----------
R. Scott Lorimer**(9) 458,362 -0- 418,356 -0- 525,595 4.2%
11 Korrel Court
Riverton, WY 82501
Peter G. Schoonmaker**(10) 324,628 -0- 306,900 -0- 324,628 2.6%
1746 Meadowlark Lane
Sheridan, WY 82801
All officers and
directors as a group
(nine persons)(11) 3,488,424 1,481,480 3,354,000 1,861,984 5,215,984 35.3%
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* Director
** Officer (Mr. Schoonmaker is president of the Company's majority-owned
subsidiary Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.)
(1) Percent of class is computed by dividing the number of shares
beneficially owned plus any options held by the reporting person, by the number
of shares outstanding plus the shares underlying options held by that person.
(2) Mr. John L. Larsen exercises sole voting powers over 243,163 directly
owned shares, 106,000 shares held in joint tenancy with his wife, 500 shares
held in a street name account for his benefit, 50,061 shares held in an
Individual Retirement Account ("IRA") established for his benefit, and 493,900
shares underlying options. The directly owned shares include 27,500 shares
gifted to his wife, that have remained in Mr. Larsen's name. He exercises shared
voting rights over 42,350 shares held directly by his wife, 155,811 shares held
by the ESOP, which have not been allocated to accounts established for specific
beneficiaries, and shares held by corporations of which Mr. Larsen is a director
consisting of 512,359 shares held by Crested Corp. ("Crested"), 125,556 shares
held by Plateau Resources Limited ("Plateau"), 175,000 shares held by Sutter
Gold Mining Company ("SGMC"), and 1,581 shares held by Northwest Gold, Inc.
("NWG"). Mr. Larsen shares the voting rights over such shares with the other
directors of those corporations. Mr. Larsen shares voting powers over the
unallocated ESOP shares in his capacity as an ESOP Trustee with the other ESOP
Trustees. Shares over which sole dispositive rights are exercised consist of
243,163 directly owned shares, 106,000 joint tenancy shares, 500 shares held in
street name, 50,061 shares held in his IRA, and the 493,900 shares underlying
options. Shared dispositive powers are exercised over 42,350 shares directly
held by wife, 492,635 shares held by the ESOP, 43,680 Forfeitable Shares,
512,359 shares held by Crested, 125,556 shares held by Plateau, 175,000 shares
held by SGMC and 1,581 shares held by NWG. The shares listed under "Total
Beneficial Ownership" also include 129,426 Officers' Forfeitable Shares.
(3) Mr. Keith Larsen exercises sole voting rights over 1,774 directly held
shares, 6,000 shares as custodian over shares held for his minor children under
the Wyoming Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (the "Custodial shares"), 31,454
shares held in an ESOP account established for his benefit, 593,900 shares
underlying options. He exercises shared voting rights over 1,500 shares held
directly by his minor children. Mr. Keith Larsen exercises sole dispositive
rights over 1,774 directly held shares, 6,000 Custodial shares, and 593,900
shares underlying options. He exercises shared dispositive rights over 1,500
shares held directly by his minor children and 43,680 Forfeitable Shares. The
shares listed under "Total Beneficial Ownership" also include 8,820 Officers'
Forfeitable Shares.
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(4) Mr. Herron exercises sole voting powers over 38,486 directly owned
shares, 11,000 shares held in an IRA established for his benefit, 12,000
Custodial Shares, 368,900 shares underlying options, and 24,236 shares held in
the ESOP account established for his benefit. Shared voting powers are exercised
over 2,895 shares held directly by his wife, 155,811 which have not been
allocated to accounts established for specific beneficiaries, 125,556 shares
held by Plateau, 1,581 shares held by NWG. Sole dispositive powers are exercised
over 38,486 directly held shares, 11,000 shares held in his IRA, 12,000
Custodial Shares and 368,900 shares underlying options. Mr. Herron exercises
shared dispositive rights over 2,895 wife's shares, 492,635 shares held by the
ESOP, 125,556 shares held by Plateau, 1,581 shares held by NWG, and 43,680
Forfeitable Shares. Mr. Herron exercises shared dispositive and voting powers
over the shares held by Plateau and NWG as a director of those companies with
the other directors of those companies and over the ESOP shares in his capacity
as an ESOP Trustee with the other ESOP Trustees. The shares listed under "Total
Beneficial Ownership" also include 71,013 Officers' Forfeitable Shares.
(5) Mr. Anderson exercises sole voting powers over 11,955 directly held
shares, 3,055 shares held in an IRA established for his benefit, 1,100 shares
held in a street name account for his benefit, 21,000 Forfeitable Shares, and
52,500 shares underlying options. He exercises shared voting powers over 455,628
Officers' Forfeitable Shares. Mr. Anderson exercises dispositive power over
11,955 directly held shares, 3,055 IRA shares, 1,100 street name shares, and
52,500 shares underlying his options. He exercises shared dispositive powers
over the 43,680 Forfeitable Shares and 455,628 Officers' Forfeitable Shares.
(6) Mr. Bebout exercises sole voting rights over 23,011 shares held
directly, 50 shares held in joint tenancy with his wife, and 52,500 shares
underlying options. He exercises shared voting rights over 455,628 Officers'
Forfeitable Shares, and 7,500 shares held by private companies of which he is a
director and officer. Mr. Bebout exercises sole dispositive rights over 23,011
shares held directly, 50 joint tenancy shares, and 52,500 shares underlying his
options. He exercises shared dispositive powers over 43,680 Forfeitable Shares,
455,628 Officers' Forfeitable Shares, and 7,500 shares held by the private
companies of which he is a director and officer.
(7) Mr. Fraser exercises sole voting rights over 10,455 directly held
shares, 4,000 shares held in an IRA for his benefit, and 52,500 shares
underlying options. He exercises shared voting rights over 1,300 shares held
directly by his wife and 455,628 Officers' Forfeitable Shares. Mr. Fraser
exercises sole dispositive rights over 10,455 directly held shares, 4,000 IRA
shares and 52,500 shares underlying his options. He exercises shared dispositive
powers over 1,300 wife's shares, 43,680 Forfeitable Shares, and 455,628
Officers' Forfeitable Shares.
(8) Mr. Svilar exercises sole voting powers over 50,121 directly owned
shares, 8,375 shares held in joint tenancy with his wife, 37,908 shares held in
an IRA established for his benefit, 630 shares held in a street name account
established for his benefit, 1,000 Custodial Shares, and 393,900 shares
underlying options. He exercises shared voting over 512,359 shares held by
Crested and 5,000 shares held by a private corporation of which he is a director
and officer. He exercises sole dispositive power over 50,121 directly held
shares, 8,375 joint tenancy shares, 37,908 IRA shares, 630 street name shares,
1,000 Custodial Shares, and 393,900 shares underlying his options. Mr. Svilar
exercises shared dispositive rights over 512,359 shares held by Crested and
5,000 shares held by a private corporation of which he is a director. The shares
listed under "Total Beneficial Ownership" also include 100,850 Officers'
Forfeitable Shares.
(9) Mr. Lorimer exercises sole voting rights over 24,456 directly held
shares, 40,006 shares held in the ESOP account established for his benefit, and
393,900 shares underlying options. He exercises sole dispositive rights over
24,456 directly held shares, and ;393,900 shares underlying options. The shares
listed under "Total Beneficial Ownership" also include 67,233 Officers'
Forfeitable Shares.
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(10) Mr. Schoonmaker is listed in the table because he is president of
Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. ("RMG"), a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company,
though which the Company conducts its primary business. He exercises sole voting
over 12,000 shares held directly, 1,000 Custodial Shares, 17,728 shares held in
the ESOP account established for his benefit, and 293,900 shares underlying
options. Mr. Schoonmaker exercises sole dispositive rights over 12,000 directly
held shares, 1,000 Custodial Shares, and 293,900 shares underlying his options.
(11) The group exercises sole voting rights over 415,421 directly held
shares, 114,425 shares held in joint tenancy, 106,024 shares held in IRAs, 2,230
shares held in street name, 20,000 Custodial Shares, 113,424 ESOP shares, and
2,695,900 shares underlying options. Shared voting rights are exercised over
46,545 shares held directly by spouses, 155,811 shares held in the ESOP which
are not allocated to plan participants, 512,359 shares held by Crested, 125,556
shares held by Plateau, 175,000 shares held by SGMC, 1,581 shares held by NWG,
and 7,500 shares held by private corporations. The sole dispositive shares
consist of 415,421 directly held shares, 114,425 shares held in joint tenancy,
106,024 shares held in IRAs, 2,230 shares held in street name, 20,000 Custodial
Shares, and 2,695,900 shares underlying options. The group exercises shared
dispositive rights over 46,545 shares held directly by wives, 492,635 shares
held in the ESOP, 512,359 shares held by Crested, 125,556 shares held by
Plateau, 175,000 shares held by SGMC, 1,581 shares held by NWG, 7,500 shares
held by private corporations, 43,680 Forfeitable Shares, and 455,628 Officers'
Forfeitable Shares.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES OF COMPANY SUBSIDIARY - CRESTED CORP.
The following table sets forth, as of the record date, the shares of common
stock of the Company's majority-owned (70.5%) subsidiary, Crested Corp., held by
each director and nominee of U.S. Energy Corp., and by all officers and
directors of U.S. Energy Corp. as a group. Unless otherwise noted, the listed
record holder exercises sole voting and dispositive powers over the shares
reported as beneficially owned, excluding the shares subject to forfeiture. It
should be noted that voting and dispositive powers for certain shares are shared
by or more of the listed holders. Such shares are reported opposite each holder
having a shared interest therein, but are only included once in the
shareholdings of the group presented in the table.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voting Rights Dispositive Rights
Name of ------------------------ ----------------------- Total Percent
beneficial owner Sole Shared Sole Shared Beneficial Ownership of Class(1)
---------------- ---- ------ ---- ------ -------------------- -----------
John L. Larsen(2) -0- 12,184,733 -0- 12,199,733 12,199,733 71.3%
Keith G. Larsen(3) -0- 12,020,848 -0- 12,020,848 12,020,848 70.2%
Harold F. Herron(4) 6,932 12,084,733 6,932 12,084,733 12,091,665 70.7%
Don C. Anderson(3) -0- 12,020,848 -0- 12,020,848 12,020,848 70.2%
Nick Bebout(3) -0- 12,020,848 -0- 12,020,848 12,020,848 70.2%
H. Russell Fraser(3) -0- 12,020,848 -0- 12,020,848 12,020,848 70.2%
Daniel P. Svilar(5) 216,850 -0- 216,850 15,000 231,850 1.4%
R. Scott Lorimer(6) -0- -0- -0- -0- 15,000 *
Peter G. Schoonmaker -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
All officers and
directors as a group
(nine persons)(7) 223,782 12,184,733 223,782 12,199,733 12,423,515 72.6%
----------
7
(1) Percent of class is computed by dividing the number of shares
beneficially owned plus any options held by the reporting person, by the number
of shares outstanding plus the shares underlying options held by that person.
(2) Consists of 12,020,848 Crested shares held by the Company, 100,000
shares held by SGMC, 60,000 shares held by Plateau and 3,885 shares held by NWG,
with respect to which shared voting and dispositive powers are exercised as a
director with the other directors of those Companies, and 15,000 forfeitable
shares held by an employee, over which Mr. J. Larsen exercises shared
dispositive powers with the remaining Crested directors.
(3) Consist of the 12,020,848 Crested shares held by the Company with
respect to which shared voting and dispositive powers are exercised as a
director with the other directors of the Company.
(4) Consists of 6,932 directly held shares over which Mr. Herron exercises
sole voting and investment powers, and the 12,020,848 Crested shares held by the
Company, 3,885 shares held by NWG and 60,000 shares held by Plateau, with
respect to which shared voting and dispositive powers are exercised as a USE,
NWG and Plateau director with the other directors of those companies.
(5) Consists of 216,850 directly held shares, over which Mr. Svilar
exercises sole voting and dispositive powers and 15,000 forfeitable shares held
by an employee, over which Mr. Svilar exercises shared dispositive powers with
the remaining Crested directors.
(6) Consists of 15,000 shares subject to forfeiture. Crested directors
exercise shared voting and dispositive powers over such shares.
(7) Sole voting rights are exercised over 223,782 directly held shares and
15,000 shares subject to forfeiture. Shared voting rights are exercised over
12,020,848 shares held by the Company, 100,000 shares held by SGMC, 60,000
shares held by Plateau and 3,885 shares held by NWG. Sole dispositive rights are
exercised over 223,782 directly held shares. Shared dispositive rights are
exercised over 12,020,848 shares held by the Company, 100,000 shares held by
SGMC, 60,000 shares held by Plateau, 3,885 shares held by NWG and 15,000 shares
held by an employee which are subject to forfeiture.
Each director beneficially holds the 7,562,219 and 255,000,000 shares of
NWG and Four Nines Gold, Inc. ("FNG") common stock, respectively, held by the
Company. They exercise shared voting and dispositive powers over those shares as
company directors with the other company directors. Those shares represent 96.8%
and 50.9% of the outstanding shares of NWG, and FNG, respectively. John L.
Larsen beneficially holds 272,500,000 shares of FNG common stock (54.4% of the
outstanding shares), which includes 255,000,000 shares held by the Company,
5,000,000 held by USECC Joint Venture and 5,000,000 shares held by Crested, over
which Mr. Larsen shares voting and dispositive powers with the remaining
directors of the Company and Crested. Mr. J. Larsen also holds 1,000 shares of
NWG over which he exercises sole voting and dispositive powers. Harold F. Herron
beneficially holds 7,567,794 and 265,000,000 shares of the common stock of NWG
and FNG, respectively, representing 96.9% and 52.9%, respectively, of those
classes of stock. Daniel P. Svilar beneficially owns 14,000,000 shares of the
common stock of FNG (4,000,000 shares directly in joint tenancy with other
family members), representing 2.8% of that class. None of the other directors or
officers directly hold any other shares of stock of NWG or FNG. All executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group (9 persons) hold 7,809,794 and
284,500,000 shares of the stock of NWG, and FNG, representing 96.9% and 56.2% of
the outstanding shares of those companies, respectively.
8
PROPOSAL ONE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The directors are divided into three classes, each consisting of two
persons so far as practicable, to be elected until the third succeeding annual
meeting and until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and
qualified or until death, resignation or removal. The term of directors Don C.
Anderson, Nick Bebout and H. Russell Fraser expires at the meeting and they have
been nominated for re-election. Current directors are:
Other Meeting at
Name, age and positions with Director which term
designation with the company since will expire
----------- ---------------- -------- --------------
Don C. Anderson (75) 1990 2002
(nominee) Annual Meeting
Nick Bebout (51) 1989 2002
(nominee) Annual Meeting
H. Russell Fraser (60) 1996 2002
(nominee) Annual Meeting
John L. Larsen (70) Chairman and CEO 1966 2003
(continuing director) Annual Meeting
Keith G. Larsen (43) President and COO 1997 2003
(continuing director) Annual Meeting
Harold F. Herron (49) Senior Vice President 1989 2004
(continuing director) Annual Meeting
----------
It is recommended that the shareholders vote for the re-election of Don C.
Anderson, Nick Bebout and H. Russell Fraser.
Executive officers are elected by the board of directors at the annual
directors' meeting, which follows each Annual Shareholders' Meeting, to serve
until the officer's successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until
death, resignation or removal.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
Harold F. Herron, a director and Senior Vice-President, is the son-in-law
of John L. Larsen, a principal shareholder, Chairman and CEO. Keith G. Larsen, a
director, President and COO, is a son of John L. Larsen. Nick Bebout, a
director, is a nephew of Daniel P. Svilar, a principal shareholder, Secretary
and General Counsel. There are no other family relationships among the executive
officers or directors of the Company.
9
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES.
JOHN L. LARSEN has been principally employed as an officer and director of
the Company and Crested Corp. for more than the past five years. Mr. Larsen is
also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He is also a director of
Northwest Gold, Inc. ("NWG"), an affiliate of the Company. Crested and NWG have
registered equity securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act"). Mr. Larsen is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board
of directors of Plateau Resources, Limited and of Sutter Gold Mining Company,
and he is a director of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. and Yellow Stone Fuels Corp.
KEITH G. LARSEN has been principally employed by the Company and Crested
for more than the past five years. From November 25, 1997, he has been a
director of the Company and its President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Keith
Larsen is Chief Executive Officer and a director of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.
HAROLD F. HERRON has been the Company's Vice-President since January 1989,
and now is Senior Vice President. From 1976, Mr. Herron was an employee of
Brunton, a manufacturer and/or marketer of compasses, binoculars and knives.
Brunton was a wholly owned company subsidiary until Brunton was sold in February
1996. Initially, he was Brunton's sales manager, and was its President from 1987
to April 1998, and served as its Chairman until August 1999. Mr. Herron is
president and a director of NWG, President and a director of Plateau, president
and a director of Sutter Gold Mining Company, and a director of Rocky Mountain
Gas, Inc. Mr. Herron received an M.B.A. degree from the University of Wyoming
after receiving a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of
Nebraska at Omaha.
DON C. ANDERSON has been a company director since May 1990. From January
1990 until mid-fiscal 1993, Mr. Anderson was the Manager of the Geology
Department for the Company. Mr. Anderson was Manager of Exploration and
Development for Pathfinder Mines Corporation, a major domestic uranium mining
and milling corporation, from 1976 until his retirement in 1988. Previously, he
was Mine Manager for Pathfinder's predecessor, Utah International, Inc., from
1965 to 1976. He received a B. S. degree in geology from Brigham Young
University.
NICK BEBOUT has been director of the Company since 1989. He has been a
director and President of NUCOR, Inc. ("NUCOR"), a privately-held corporation
that provides exploration and development drilling services to the mineral and
oil and gas industries, since 1987. Prior to that time, Mr. Bebout was Vice
President of NUCOR from 1984. Mr. Bebout is also an officer, director and owner
of other privately-held entities involved in the resources industry.
H. RUSSELL FRASER has been a director of the Company since 1996 and a
director of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. since 1999. He is past President and
director of American Capital Access, Inc., a bond rating company in New York,
New York. Mr. Fraser was chairman of the board and chief executive officer of
Fitch Investors Services, L.P. for more than the past five years. Fitch
Investors Services, L.P., New York, New York, is a nationwide stock and bond
rating and information distribution company. From 1980-1989, Mr. Fraser served
as president and chief executive officer of AMBAC, the oldest municipal bond
issuer in the United States.
Before joining AMBAC, Mr. Fraser was senior vice president and director of
fixed-income research at PaineWebber, Inc. While a member of the board of
directors at PaineWebber, Mr. Fraser participated in both the corporate and
public finance departments and headed PaineWebber's trading and sales for all
corporate bond products. Previously, he managed corporate ratings at Standard &
Poor's, supervising research analysis of corporate bonds, preferred stock, and
commercial paper. Mr. Fraser holds a B.S. in finance and
10
economics from the University of Arizona. He is a member of the Municipal
Analysts Group of New York and founder of the Fixed Income Analysts Society.
FILING OF REPORTS UNDER SECTION 16(A)
The Company has reviewed reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 of ownership of common
stock in the Company, which have been filed with the SEC under Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act, and received written representations from the filing persons.
Based solely upon review of the reports and representations, Keith G. Larsen and
Peter G. Schoonmaker each reported one transaction late; John L. Larsen and
Daniel P. Svilar each reported two transactions late; Harold F. Herron reported
three transactions late; and Robert Scott Lorimer reported four transactions
late. We know of no other untimely or not-made filings during fiscal 2002.
INFORMATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS
The following information is provided pursuant to Item 401 of Reg. S-K,
regarding the executive officers of the Company who are not also directors.
DANIEL P. SVILAR, age 73, has been General Counsel for USE and Crested for
more than the past five years. He also has served as Secretary and a director of
Crested, and Assistant Secretary of USE. He was appointed Secretary of USE on
March 23, 2002. His positions of General Counsel to, and as officers of the
companies, are at the will of each board of directors. There are no
understandings between Mr. Svilar and any other person pursuant to which he was
named as officer or General Counsel. He has no family relationships with any of
the other executive officers or directors of USE or Crested, except his nephew
Nick Bebout is a USE director. During the past five years, Mr. Svilar has not
been involved in any Reg. S-K Item 401(f) proceeding.
ROBERT SCOTT LORIMER, age 51, has been Chief Accounting Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer for both USE and Crested for more than the past
five years. Mr. Lorimer also has been their Vice President Finance since April
1998. He serves at the will of each board of directors. There are no
understandings between Mr. Lorimer and any other person, pursuant to which he
was named as an officer, and he has no family relationship with any of the other
executive officers or directors of USE or Crested. During the past five years,
he has not been involved in any Reg. S-K Item 401(f) listed proceeding.
PETER G. SCHOONMAKER, age 43 has been president and director of Rocky
Mountain Gas, Inc. since June 1999. From March 1995 until June 1999, he was
employed at different positions by U.S. Energy Corp. and its subsidiary
companies. He serves at the will of the board of directors of Rocky Mountain
Gas, Inc. There are no understandings between Mr. Schoonmaker and any other
person, pursuant to which he was named as an officer and director, and is a
son-in-law of John L. Larsen, Chairman and CEO of U.S. Energy Corp.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Under a Management Agreement dated August 1, 1981, USE and Crested share
certain general and administrative expenses, including compensation of the
officers and directors of the companies (but excluding directors' fees) which
have been paid through the USECC Joint Venture ("USECC"). Substantially all the
work efforts of the officers of USE and Crested are devoted to the business of
both companies.
All USECC personnel are company employees, in order to utilize the
Company's ESOP as an employee benefit mechanism. The Company charges USECC for
the direct and indirect costs of its
11
employees for time spent on USECC matters, and USECC charges one-half of that
amount to each of Crested and the Company.
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to the USE Chief
Executive Officer, and those of the four most highly compensated USE executive
officers and Peter G. Schoonmaker, president of RMG, who were paid more than
$100,000 cash in any of the three fiscal years ended May 31, 2002. The table
includes compensation paid such persons by Crested for 2000, 2001 and 2002 for
such persons' services to such subsidiaries.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long Term Compensation
---------------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
Other
Name Annual Restricted All Other
and Compen- Stock LTIP Compen-
Principal sation Award(s) Options/ Payouts sation
Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) ($)(1) ($) SARs(#) ($) ($)(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John L. Larsen 2002 $ 152,000 $18,000(3) $ -0- $ 78,000(4) 100,000(5) $ -0- $ 17,000
CEO and 2001 153,000 4,300(7) -0- 107,000(4) 184,400(6) -0- 15,700
Chairman 2000 156,000 3,500(7) 22,600 60,000(4) -0- -0- 15,200
Keith G. Larsen 2002 $ 152,300 $17,700(3) $ -0- $ -0- 100,000(5) $ -0- $ 17,000
President 2001 153,900 3,600(7) -0- -0- 309,400(6) -0- 15,700
and COO 2000 95,300 2,500(7) 11,700 -0- -0- -0- 10,900
Daniel P. Svilar 2002 $ 149,400 $17,400(3) $ -0- $ 58,500(4) 100,000(5) $ -0- $ 16,700
General Counsel 2001 140,400 4,000(7) -0- 80,250(4) 121,900(6) -0- 14,400
and Secretary 2000 147,600 3,300(3) 7,800 45,000(4) -0- -0- 13,000
Harold F. Herron 2002 $ 99,500 $53,600(8) $ -0- $39,000 (4) 100,000(5) $ -0- $ 15,300
Sr. Vice President 2001 96,400 40,760(8) -0- 53,500(4) 96,900(6) -0- 13,700
2000 106,900 21,500(7) 3,600 30,000(4) -0- -0- 13,200
R. Scott Lorimer 2002 $ 141,000 $17,000(3) $ -0- $39,000 (4) 100,000(5) $ -0- $ 15,800
Treasurer 2001 136,900 3,900(7) -0- 53,500 (4) 121,900(6) -0- 14,100
and CFO 2000 141,700 3,200(7) 10,100 30,000 (4) -0- -0- 15,300
Peter G. Schoonmaker 2002 $ 96,000 $ 46,300(9) $ -0- -0- 100,000(5) $ -0- $ 14,200
President of RMG 2001 95,100 19,200(9) -0- -0- 71,900(6) -0- 11,400
2000 90,700 2,500(7) -0- -0- -0- -0- 9,300
----------
(1) Dollar value of vehicles provided to employees. No vehicles were
provided after 2000.
(2) Dollar values for ESOP contributions.
(3) Consists of a $10,000 bonus granted to officers and employees after the
conclusion of a coalbed methane gas transaction, and a Christmas bonus granted
to employees. The Christmas bonus amounts granted for John L. Larsen, Keith G.
Larsen, Daniel P. Svilar, Harold F. Herron, R. Scott Lorimer and Pete
Schoonmaker during 2002 were $8,000, $7,700, $7,400, $6,700, $7,000 and $6,300.
12
(4) Consists of shares issued under the 1996 stock award program multiplied
by $3.00, $5.35 and $3.90 (the closing bid price on the issue dates for fiscal
2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively). These shares are subject to forfeiture on
termination of employment, except for retirement, death or disability. If the
Company were to pay a stock dividend, dividends would be paid on these shares.
The following table lists the number of shares issued to each executive each
year.
Number of Shares
------------------------------------
Name 2000 2001 2002
---- ---- ---- ----
John L. Larsen 20,000 20,000 20,000
Keith G. Larsen -0- -0- -0-
Daniel P. Svilar 15,000 15,000 15,000
Harold F. Herron 10,000 10,000 10,000
R. Scott Lorimer 10,000 10,000 10,000
Peter G. Schoonmaker -0- -0- -0-
(5) Stock options granted pursuant to the Company's 2001 Incentive Stock
Option Plan. See details of the options under "Grants to Executive Officers in
2002 (Qualified and Nonqualified)" below.
(6) Stock options granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Incentive Stock
Option Plan. See details of the options under "Grants to Executive Officers in
2001 (Qualified and Nonqualified)" below.
(7) Consists of a Christmas bonus paid in fiscal 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
(8) During the years ended May 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 Mr. Herron was
instrumental in growing The Brunton Company to the level that it could be sold
to a third party. For his efforts the Company granted Mr. Herron a bonus which
is paid out over several years, ending in August 2004. The amount of the bonus
paid was $36,900, $36,900 and $18,600 for fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000,
respectively. The total bonus paid also includes a Christmas bonus of $6,700,
$3,900 and $2,900 for fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and a $10,000
bonus paid in 2002 to officers and employees after the conclusion of a coalbed
methane gas transaction.
(9) Mr. Schoonmaker has successfully completed significant equity financing
for Rocky Mountain Gas. In recognition of Mr. Schoonmaker's accomplishments, the
Company has granted Mr. Schoonmaker a bonus which will be paid out over several
years, ending in November 2003. The compensation that Mr. Schoonmaker received
under this bonus plan was $30,000, $16,500 and $0.00 during 2002, 2001 and 2000,
respectively. The total bonus paid also includes a Christmas bonus of $6,300,
$2,600 and $2,500 in fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and a $10,000
bonus paid in 2002 to officers and employees after the conclusion of a coalbed
methane gas transaction.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has adopted a plan to pay the estates of Messrs. J. Larsen,
Evans and Svilar amounts equivalent to the salaries they are receiving at the
time of their death, for a period of one year after death, and reduced amounts
for up to five years thereafter. The amounts to be paid in such subsequent years
have not yet been established, but would be established by the boards of
directors of the Company and Crested.
13
Mr. Svilar has an employment agreement with the Company and Crested, which
provides for an annual salary in excess of $100,000, with the condition that Mr.
Svilar pay an unspecified amount of expenses incurred by him on behalf of the
Company and its affiliates. In the event Mr. Svilar's employment is
involuntarily terminated, he is to receive an amount equal to the salary he was
being paid at termination, for a year. If he should voluntarily terminate his
employment, The Company and Crested will pay him that salary for nine months
thereafter. The foregoing is in addition to Mr. Svilar's Executive Severance and
Non- Compete Agreement with the Company (see below).
In fiscal 1992, the Company signed Executive Severance and Non-Compete
Agreements with Messrs. John L. Larsen, Evans, Svilar and Lorimer, providing for
payment to such person upon termination of his employment with the Company,
occurring within three years after a change in control of the Company, of an
amount equal to (i) severance pay in an amount equal to three times the average
annual compensation over the prior five taxable years ending before change in
control, (ii) legal fees and expenses incurred by such persons as a result of
termination, and (iii) the difference between market value of securities
issuable on exercise of vested options to purchase securities in USE, and the
options' exercise price. These Agreements also provide that for the three years
following termination, the terminated individual will not compete with USE in
most of the western United States in regards to exploration and development
activities for uranium, molybdenum, silver or gold. During fiscal 2001, the
Company signed similar Agreements with Keith Larsen, Mark Larsen, Richard
Larsen, Harold Herron, Robin Kindle and Pete Schoonmaker. For such non-compete
covenant, such persons will be paid monthly over a three year period an agreed
amount for the value of such covenants. These Agreements are intended to benefit
the Company's shareholders, by enabling such persons to negotiate with a hostile
takeover offeror and assist the board of directors concerning the fairness of a
takeover, without the distraction of possible tenure insecurity following a
change in control. As of this proxy statement, the Company is unaware of any
proposed hostile takeover.
The Company and Crested provide all of their employees with certain forms
of insurance coverage, including life and health insurance, with the exception
of Messrs. John L. Larsen and Daniel P. Svilar. The Company and Crested
reimburse Messrs. John Larsen and Svilar for their medicare supplement premiums.
The health insurance plan does not discriminate in favor of executive employees;
life insurance of $50,000 is provided to each member of upper management (which
includes all persons in the compensation table), $25,000 of such coverage is
provided to middle-management employees, and $15,000 of such coverage is
provided to other employees.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN ("ESOP"). An ESOP has been adopted to
encourage ownership of the common stock by employees, and to provide a source of
retirement income to them. The ESOP is a combination stock bonus plan and money
purchase pension plan. It is expected that the ESOP will continue to invest
primarily in the common stock. Messrs. J. Larsen, Herron and Evans are the
trustees of the ESOP.
Contributions to the stock bonus plan portion of the ESOP are discretionary
and are limited to a maximum of 15% of the covered employees' compensation for
each year ended May 31. Contributions to the money purchase portion of the ESOP
are mandatory (fixed at ten percent of the compensation of covered employees for
each year), are not dependent upon profits or the presence of accumulated
earnings, and may be made in cash or shares of company's common stock.
The Company made a contribution of 70,075 shares to the ESOP for fiscal
2002, all of which were contributed under the money purchase pension plan. At
the time the shares were contributed, the market price was $3.38 per share, for
a total contribution with a market value of $236,900 (which has been funded by
the Company). The Company and Crested each are responsible for one-half of that
amount. 28,408 of the shares were allocated to the ESOP accounts of the
executive officers of the Company and the president of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc..
Additionally, 16,033 shares were allocated to the ESOP accounts of these same
individuals from ESOP shares forfeited by terminated employees who were not
fully vested.
14
Employee interests in the ESOP are earned pursuant to a seven year vesting
schedule; after three years of service, the employee is vested to 20% of the
ESOP account, and thereafter at 20% per year. Any portion which is not vested is
forfeited upon termination of employment, other than by retirement, disability,
or death.
The maximum loan outstanding during fiscal 2002 under a loan arrangement
between the Company and the ESOP was $927,013 at May 31, 2002 for loans made in
fiscal 1992 and 1991. Interest owed by the ESOP was not booked by the Company.
Crested pays one-half of the amounts contributed to the ESOP by the Company.
Because the loans are expected to be repaid by contributions to the ESOP,
Crested may be considered to indirectly owe one-half of the loan amounts to the
Company. The loan was reduced by the contribution of 10,089 shares by the ESOP
to the ESOP in 1996. There was no similar reduction, however, for fiscal 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002.
1998 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN. The Company's 1998 Incentive Stock Option
Plan ("1998 ISOP") reserved an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares of common stock for
issuance upon exercise of options granted thereunder. Awards under the plan were
made by a committee of three or more persons selected by the Board (presently
Messrs. Herron, Bebout and Fraser) and ratified by the board of directors.
Options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant, and upon
termination of employment for cause. Subject to the ten year maximum period,
upon termination, unless terminated for cause, options are exercisable for three
months or in the case of retirement, disability or death, for one year.
2001 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN ("2001 ISOP"). The 2001 ISOP was approved
at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders meeting, and provides for the
issuance of options to purchase up to 3.0 million shares of common stock; the
options are intended to qualify under section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Options are issued at exercise prices equal to (or for holders of 10% of more of
the outstanding stock at the time, 110% of) market price on grant dates, and
would vest (become exercisable) at various times as determined by the executive
committee and approved by the board of directors. All options are exercisable
for cash, or through other means as determined by the executive committee and
approved by the board of directors, in accordance with similar plans of public
companies. However, "cashless exercise" will not be permitted (cashless exercise
is a technique in some plans where the holder receives shares equal to the
"equity" in the option, being market value less exercise price, and forfeits the
balance of the option).
A total of 1,030,000 options were issued under the 2001 ISOP in fiscal
2002.
For information about options, please see the consolidated Financial
Statements for fiscal year ended May 31, 2002. In fiscal 2002, options on
1,030,000 shares were granted, and previously granted options on 253,337 shares
were exercised in fiscal 2002. Subsequent to May 31, 2002, options on 973,000
shares were granted.
In fiscal 2001, options on 1,499,000 shares were granted, and previously
granted options on 118,703 shares were exercised as of May 31, 2001.
15
OPTION GRANTS TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN 2002 (QUALIFIED AND NONQUALIFIED)
PERCENT
NUMBER OF OF ALL OPTIONS
SHARES UNDER- GRANTED TO
LYING OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE EXPIRATION GRANT DATE
NAME GRANTED IN 2002 PRICE DATE PRES. VALUE(1)
John L. Larsen 100,000 9.7% $3.90 12/06/11 $299,000
Keith G. Larsen 100,000 9.7% $3.90 12/06/11 $299,000
Harold F. Herron 100,000 9.7% $3.90 12/06/11 $299,000
Daniel P. Svilar 100,000 9.7% $3.90 12/06/11 $299,000
R. Scott Lorimer 100,000 9.7% $3.90 12/06/11 $299,000
Peter G. Schoonmaker* 100,000 9.7% $3.90 12/06/11 $299,000
* President of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.
(1) The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to determine the grant date
present value of the stock options that were granted to the named officer. The
following facts and assumptions were used in making this calculation: An
exercise price of $3.90 which was equal to the market value of the stock on the
grant date; a zero dividend yield; expected volatility of 62.65%, risk-free
interest rate of 5.6%, and an expected life of 10 years.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table shows options exercisable, and the dollar values for
in-the-money options, at May 31, 2002 (closing market price on that date was
$3.29).
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Value of
Number of In-the-Money
Shares Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
Acquired Value FY-End FY-End
Name on Exercise (#) Realized($) Exercisable Exercisable
---- --------------- ----------- ----------- -----------
John L. Larsen, -0- -0- 77,718 $ 100,256 (1)
CEO -0- -0- 34,782 $ 14,435 (2)
-0- -0- 184,400 $ 164,116 (3)
-0- -0- 100,000 $ (61,000)(4)
Keith G. Larsen -0- -0- 52,718 $ 68,006 (1)
President -0- -0- 34,782 $ 14,435 (s)
-0- -0- 309,400 $ 275,366 (3)
-0- -0- 100,000 $ (61,000)(4)
Harold F. Herron, -0- -0- 40,218 $ 51,881 (1)
Sr. Vice President -0- -0- 34,782 $ 14,435 (2)
-0- -0- 96,900 $ 86,241 (3)
-0- -0- 100,000 $ (61,000)(4)
Daniel P. Svilar -0- -0- 40,218 $ 51,881 (1)
Secretary -0- -0- 34,782 $ 14,435 (2)
-0- -0- 121,900 $ 108,491 (3)
-0- -0- 100,000 $ (61,000)(4)
R. Scott Lorimer 24,456 13,206 (5) -0- -0-
Treasurer -0- -0- 40,218 $ 51,881 (1)
-0- -0- 34,782 $ 14,435 (2)
-0- -0- 121,900 $ 108,491 (3)
-0- -0- 100,000 $ (61,000)(4)
Peter G. Schoonmaker -0- -0- 25,000 $ 32,250 (2)
President of RMG -0- -0- 71,900 $ 63,991 (3)
-0- -0- 100,00 $ (61,000)(4)
16
----------
(1) Equal to $3.29, the closing market price on last trading day in FY
2002, less $2.00 per share option exercise price, multiplied by all shares
exercisable.
(2) Equal to $3.29, the closing market price on last trading day in FY
2002, less $2.875 per share option exercise price, multiplied by all shares
exercisable.
(3) Equal to $3.29, the closing market price on last trading day in FY
2002, less $2.40 per share option exercise price, multiplied by all shares
exercisable.
(4) Equal to $3.29, the closing market price on last trading day in FY
2002, less $3.90 per share option exercise price, multiplied by all shares
exercisable.
(5) Equal to $3.29, the closing market price on the date of exercise, less
$2.75 per share option exercise price, multiplied by the number of options
exercised.
1996 STOCK AWARD PROGRAM. Since 1996 we have had an annual incentive
compensation arrangement for the issuance of up to 67,000 shares of common stock
each year (from 1997 through 2002) to executive officers of the Company, in
amounts determined each year based on earnings of the Company for the prior
fiscal.
Shares are issued annually, but each officer to whom shares are to be
issued must be employed by the Company as of the issue date of the grant year.
The officers receive up to an aggregate total of 67,000 shares per year for the
years 1997 through 2002, although if in prior years, starting in 1997, fewer
than 67,000 shares are awarded in any year, the unissued balance of the 67,000
share maximum would be available for issue in subsequent years (through 2007).
One-half of the compensation expense under the Program is the responsibility of
Crested. The board of directors determines the date each year when shares are to
be issued.
Each allocation of shares is issued in the name of the officer, and earns
out (vests) over 5 years, at the rate of 20% as of May 31 of each year following
the date of issue. However, none of the vested shares become available to or
come under the control of the officer until termination of employment by
retirement, death or disability. Upon termination, the share certificates will
be released to the officer; until termination, the certificates are held by the
Treasurer of the Company. Voting rights are exercised over the shares by the
non-employee directors of the Company; dividends or other distributions with
respect to the shares will be held by the Treasurer for the benefit of the
officers.
The number of shares to be awarded each year out of such 67,000 shares
aggregate limit is determined by the compensation committee. The total shares
issued are divided among the officers based on the following percentages: John
L. Larsen 29.85%, Daniel P. Svilar 22.39%, Max T. Evans 17.91%, Harold F. Herron
14.93% and R. Scott Lorimer 14.93%. For fiscal 2002, the compensation committee
awarded 67,000 shares to the officers, based on the revenues of the Company for
that year.
2001 STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN. The shareholders approved the 2001 Stock
Compensation Plan (the "plan"), at the 2001 Annual Shareholders Meeting.
The plan has an initial term of seven years, with up to 10,000 shares of
common stock to be issued in January of each year (starting 2002) to six
individuals (five officers: John L. Larsen, Keith G. Larsen, Robert Scott
Lorimer, Harold F. Herron, Daniel P. Svilar; and Peter Schoonmaker (president
and a director of Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc.). The number of shares to be issued
in any year will be determined by the
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executive committee and approved by the board of directors, taking into account
our public stock prices at date of grant and over the prior calendar year, the
Company's financial condition and business prospects, and other factors deemed
appropriate. The Company will pay the income taxes owed by recipients as a
result of receipt of the stock.
The stock recipients will agree not to sell or transfer such shares during
their employment with the Company.
The 2001 Stock Compensation Plan is now the sole mechanism for compensating
management with stock, however options may be granted to management and others
under the 2001 ISOP. This plan is designed to reward executives with equity, and
encourage them to increase their ownership of the Company and not sell their
shares in the market.
DIRECTORS' FEES AND OTHER COMPENSATION
The Company pays non-employee directors a fee of $150 per meeting attended.
All directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred with attending meetings.
Non-employee directors are compensated for services with $400 per month,
payable each year by the issue of shares of USE common stock based on the
closing stock market price as of January 15. In fiscal 2002, 3,429 shares were
issued to non-employee directors for service in that year.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
DEBT OWED BY DIRECTORS. In the early 1990s, Harold F. Herron, an officer
and director, had been living in and caring for a house owned by the Company. In
fiscal 1995, Mr. Herron purchased the house for $260,000 (equal to appraised
value), and was reimbursed by the Company for $22,830 of leasehold improvements
he had made to the property. The Company accepted a promissory note for $112,170
of the purchase price, with 7% annual interest; a payment schedule was entered
into and Mr. Herron is current in his payments on the note. This note was a
nonrecourse note secured by 30,000 shares of the Company's common stock owned by
Mr. Herron. At May 31, 2002 he owed $120,100 on the note; during fiscal 2002 and
2001 he gave up 5,000 shares, for a total of 10,000 shares, of the collateral to
reduce the debt.
As of May 31, 2001, David F. Brenman, a director who resigned in September
2001, owed the Company $25,000 (secured by 5,000 shares of the Company's common
stock) plus accrued interest of $34,400. The loan was provided as partial
consideration for Mr. Brenman's representation of the Company to the financial
community in New York City in the early 1990s. Mr. Brenman surrendered 5,000
shares of the Company's common stock in full payment of the debt when he
resigned as a director in fiscal 2002.
FAMILY EMPLOYMENT. Three of John L. Larsen's sons, three sons-in-law and
one grandson are employed by the Company or subsidiaries. Collectively, Mr.
Larsen and these family members received $1,030,700 in total gross cash
compensation for services in fiscal 2002.
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING USECC AND CRESTED. The Company and Crested conduct
most activities through their equally-owned joint venture USECC. From time to
time the Company and Crested advance funds to or make payments on behalf of
USECC, which create intercompany debt. The party extending funds is subsequently
reimbursed by the other venturer. The Company had a note receivable of
$7,560,700 from Crested at May 31, 2002. During fiscal 2001, the debt was
reduced by $3,000,000, by Crested issuing another 6,666,666 shares of its common
stock to the Company, thereby increasing the Company's ownership of Crested to
70.5%.
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PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The board of directors seeks shareholder ratification of the board's
appointment of Grant Thornton LLP, certified public accountants, to act as the
auditors of our financial statements for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2003.
The audit committee has recommended that the board retain this auditing firm for
year 2003. Grant Thornton audited our financial statements for fiscal 2002 and
2001. The board has not determined what action, if any, would be taken should
the appointment of Grant Thornton not be ratified at the meeting.
ACCOUNTANT'S FEES. Grant Thornton billed us the following fees
in fiscal 2002:
Audit and Tax Fees: $93,300
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees: $ -0-
All Other Fees: $ -0-
* For review of third quarter financial information filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q, pursuant to review
requirements imposed by the Commission.
The audit committee of the board of directors considers the provision of
services described above to be compatible with Grant Thornton's independence.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Grant Thornton LLP has audited the Company's financial statements for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 2002. A representative of Grant Thornton LLP will be
present at the meeting in person or by telephone to respond to appropriate
questions, and will be provided the opportunity to make a statement at the
meeting. There have been no disagreements between the Company and Grant Thornton
LLP, or Arthur Andersen LLP, concerning any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
were not resolved to the satisfaction of those firms. For information on the
change of audit firms, see the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in August 2001.
COPIES OF OUR FORM 10-K
Promptly upon receiving a request from any shareholder, without charge we
will send to the requester a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal
2002, with exhibits, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Please address your request to Daniel P. Svilar, Assistant Secretary, at U.S.
Energy Corp., 877 North 8th West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501. You also may call or
fax him at T 307.856.9271, F 307.857.3050.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
----------- ----------------------
99.1 Audit Committee Charter
99.2 Certification by Audit Committee
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PROXY U.S. ENERGY CORP. PROXY
KNOW ALL PERSONS: That the undersigned shareholder of U.S. Energy Corp.
(the "Company") in the amount noted below, hereby constitutes and appoints
Messrs. John L. Larsen and Keith G. Larsen, or either of them with full power of
substitution, as attorneys and proxies, to appear, attend and vote all of the
shares of stock standing in the name of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of
the Company's shareholders to be held at the Company's Offices at 877 North 8th
West, Riverton, Wyoming 82501 on Monday, December 16, 2002 at 10:00 a.m., local
time, or at any adjournments thereof upon the following:
THE PROXIES WILL VOTE: (1) AS YOU SPECIFY ON THIS CARD; (2) AS THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS WHERE YOU DO NOT SPECIFY YOUR VOTE ON A MATTER LISTED ON
THIS CARD, AND (3) AS THE PROXIES DECIDE ON ANY OTHER MATTER.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE DIRECTOR
NOMINEES, AND IN FAVOR OF RATIFYING THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
If you wish to vote on all matters as the Board of Director recommends,
please sign, date and return this card. If you wish to vote on items
individually, please also mark the appropriate boxes below.
INSTRUCTION: Mark only one box to each item.
1. Election of Directors:
o FOR the nominee o ABSTAIN
Don C. Anderson Nick Bebout H. Russell Fraser
2. Ratification of appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent auditors
for the current fiscal year.
o FOR the appointment o AGAINST the appointment o ABSTAIN
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PROXY U.S. ENERGY CORP. PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE SHARES REPRESENTED
HEREBY WILL BE VOTED AS PROVIDED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
Sign your name exactly as it appears on the mailing label below. It is
important to return this Proxy properly signed in order to exercise your right
to vote, if you do not attend in person. When signing as an attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, etc., indicate your full
title as such.
------------------------------------------
(Sign on this line - joint holders may
sign appropriately)
| | ------------------ -------------------
(Date) (Number of Shares)
PLEASE NOTE: Please sign, date and place
this Proxy in the enclosed self-addressed,
postage prepaid envelope and deposit it in
the mail as soon as possible.
Please check if you are planning to attend
the meeting |_|
| | If the address on the mailing label is not
correct, please provide the correct
address in the following space.
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