Linn Energy, LLC PRE 14A
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 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant o
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
þ |
|
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|
o |
|
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
|
o |
|
Definitive Proxy Statement |
|
o |
|
Definitive Additional Materials |
|
o |
|
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Linn Energy, LLC
(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):
þ |
|
No fee required. |
|
o |
|
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 on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined): |
|
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
o |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
o |
|
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: |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not
required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
LINN ENERGY, LLC
650 Washington Road, 8th Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF UNITHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 16, 2007
Dear Unitholders:
You are cordially invited to attend a Special Meeting of Unitholders (the Special Meeting)
of Linn Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Linn Energy), which will be held on
Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at 650 Washington Road, 8th Floor,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228. The Special Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
|
1. |
|
To vote upon (a) a change in the terms of our Class B Units to provide that
each Class B Unit will automatically convert into one of our Units and (b) the issuance
of 9,185,965 Units upon such conversion (the Class B Conversion and Issuance
Proposal). |
|
|
2. |
|
A proposal to approve an amendment to the Linn Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the LTIP) to provide that not more than 1,500,000 of the total number of Units
authorized to be issued under the LTIP may be issued as Restricted Units (the LTIP
Amendment Proposal). |
Our board of directors unanimously recommends that the unitholders approve the Class B
Conversion and Issuance Proposal and the LTIP Amendment Proposal.
We are submitting the Class B Conversion Proposal and Issuance Proposal to you as a result of
our sale of 9,185,965 Class B Units at $20.55 per Class B Unit to certain institutional investors. The
sales price of the Class B Units was determined through negotiations with the institutional
investors. We used the proceeds from the sale of the Class B Units to repay indebtedness
outstanding under our bridge facility and our revolving credit facility, which were used to
partially finance the acquisitions of certain affiliated entities of Blacksand Energy, LLC and
certain Mid-Continent assets of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company. Concurrently with their acquisition of
Class B Units on October 24, 2006, the institutional investors purchased 5,534,687 Units, the
proceeds of which were also used to repay indebtedness.
We decided to issue Class B Units to expedite the repayment of our one-year bridge facility.
Alternative sources of equity could have potentially been obtained, but at a risk of delaying the
repayment of indebtedness. For example, to have issued all the requisite equity capital in the
form of Units would have required a unitholder vote prior to such issuance under the Nasdaq
Marketplace Rules and thereby delayed the repayment of indebtedness. The institutional investors
agreed to accept Class B Units in lieu of additional Units, provided we ask unitholders to approve
the conversion of the Class B Units into Units no later than 90 days after acquisition of the Class
B Units. We are now asking you for this approval.
If our unitholders approve the proposal, then the Class B Units will convert automatically
into an equal number of Units. If our unitholders do not approve the proposal, then the Class B
Units will continue to receive from us 115% of the per Unit distributions paid on the Units,
reducing the amount of cash available for distribution on the Units. The failure to approve the
proposal would have no effect on our prior repayment of indebtedness, our issuance of 5,534,687
Units to the institutional investors, the listing of these Units on The NASDAQ Global Market or our
issuance of 9,185,965 Class B Units.
In addition, we are also asking you to approve the LTIP Amendment Proposal, which was
previously approved and adopted by our Board of Directors, subject to unitholder approval. We
believe that this amendment is necessary in order to continue to attract and retain high caliber
individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees and consultants of our company.
We urge you to read the accompanying Proxy Statement carefully as it sets forth important
information about the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal, the LTIP Amendment Proposal and the
Special Meeting. Adoption of the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal and the LTIP Amendment
Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such
proposal at the Special Meeting by holders of Units, provided that the total votes cast represent
over 50% in interest of all outstanding Units.
Only holders of record of Units at the close of business on December 12, 2006 are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponement thereof.
Units purchased by the institutional investors simultaneously with the Class B Units are not
entitled to vote on the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal according to the rules of The
NASDAQ Global Market. A list of our holders will be available for examination at the Special
Meeting and at Linn Energys office at least ten days prior to the Special Meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
|
|
Roland P. Keddie |
|
|
Secretary |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, 2006
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID RETURN ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS
POSSIBLE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING AND SO DESIRE, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
2
LINN ENERGY, LLC
650 Washington Road, 8th Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228
PROXY STATEMENT
Special Meeting of Unitholders
To Be Held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007
This Proxy Statement, which was first mailed to our unitholders on ,
2006, is being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of
our board of directors for use at a Special Meeting of Unitholders (the Special Meeting) or at
any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Special Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January
16, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at 650 Washington Road, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15228. Only holders of record of Units at the close of business on December 12, 2006
(the Record Date) are entitled to notice of, and are entitled to vote at, the Special Meeting and
any adjournments or postponement thereof, unless such adjournment or postponement is for more than
45 days, in which event we will set a new record date. Units purchased simultaneously with our
Class B Units are not entitled to vote on the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal (as defined
herein) according to the rules of The NASDAQ Global Market. Unless the context requires otherwise,
the terms our, we, us and similar terms refer to Linn Energy, LLC, together with its
consolidated subsidiaries.
Proposals
|
|
|
At the Special Meeting of Unitholders, we are asking our Unitholders to consider and act
upon a proposal to: (a) change the terms of our Class B Units to provide that each Unit
will convert automatically into one of our Units and (b) issue 9,185,965 Units upon such
conversion (the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal). |
|
|
|
|
approve an amendment to the Linn Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) to
provide that not more than 1,500,000 of the total number of Units authorized to be issued
under the LTIP may be issued as Restricted Units (the LTIP Amendment Proposal). |
Quorum Required
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders as of the Record Date of a majority of our
outstanding Units is necessary to constitute a quorum for purposes of voting on the Class B
Conversion and Issuance Proposal at the Special Meeting. Withheld votes will count as present for
purposes of establishing a quorum on the proposals.
How to Vote
You may vote in person at the Special Meeting or by proxy. Even if you plan to attend the
Special Meeting, we encourage you to complete, sign and return your proxy card in advance of the
Special Meeting. If you plan to attend the Special Meeting and wish to vote in person, then we
will give you a ballot at the meeting. However, if your Units are held in the name of a broker,
then you must obtain from the brokerage firm an account statement, letter or other evidence
satisfactory to us of your beneficial ownership of the Units. Please mail your completed, signed
and dated proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible so that your
Units may be represented at the Special Meeting.
Revoking Your Proxy
You may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the Special Meeting as follows: (i) by
delivering, before or at the Special Meeting, a new proxy with a later date; (ii) by delivering, on
or before the business day prior to the Special Meeting, a notice of revocation to our Secretary at
the address set forth in the notice of the Special Meeting; (iii) by attending the Special Meeting
in person and voting, although your attendance at the Special Meeting, without
1
actually voting, will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy; or (iv) if you have
instructed a broker to vote your Units, then you must follow the directions received from your
broker to change those instructions.
Outstanding Units Held on Record Date
As of the Record Date, there were 33,417,187 Units outstanding. Of the 33,417,187 Units
outstanding as of the Record Date, 5,534,687 Units are not entitled to vote on the Class B
Conversion and Issuance Proposal.
Units Owned by Our Affiliates as of the Record Date
As of the Record Date: (i) Quantum Energy Partners II, LP; and (ii) our directors and
executive officers collectively held 14,706,343 Units. Please read Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management.
In conjunction with the sale of Class B Units and Units to the institutional investors,
Quantum Energy Partners II, LP, Michael C. Linn, Kolja Rockov, Lisa D. Anderson and Roland P.
Keddie entered into a voting agreement (the Voting Agreement), pursuant to which they agreed to
vote all of the Units beneficially owned by them in favor of the conversion of the Class B Units
into Units at any meeting of the unitholders convened to consider and vote upon the conversion of
Class B Units to Units. Quantum Energy Partners II, LP, Michael C. Linn, Kolja Rockov, Lisa D.
Anderson and Roland P. Keddie collectively held 14,676,093 as of the Record Date, representing
approximately 52.6% of the outstanding Units (excluding the 5,534,687 Units purchased by
institutional investors in the October 24, 2006 private placement) as of the Record Date.
Additionally, pursuant to the agreement among us and the institutional investors regarding the
purchase of the Class B Units (the Class B and Unit Purchase Agreement), each of the
institutional investors agreed to vote all of its Units, with the exception of the Units purchased
in the private placement, which are not entitled to vote according to the rules of The NASDAQ
Global Market, in favor of the conversion of the Class B Units into Units.
For additional copies of this Proxy Statement or proxy cards or if you have any questions
about the Special Meeting, please contact Georgeson Inc., our proxy solicitor, at 17 State Street,
New York, New York 10004. Banks and brokerage firms, please call
212-440-9800. Unitholders, please call
Toll-Free 1-866-785-7361.
2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: |
|
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
The purpose of the Special Meeting is for our unitholders to consider and act upon proposals to approve: |
|
|
|
(a) a change in the terms of our Class B Units to provide that each Class B Unit will
automatically convert into one of our Units and (b) the issuance of additional Units upon
such conversion. Upon approval of this proposal, each of the 9,185,165 Class B Units will
convert into one Unit totaling 9,185,165 Units. We refer to this proposal in this proxy
statement as the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal. |
|
|
|
|
We are submitting the Class B Conversion Proposal and Issuance Proposal to you as a result
of our sale of 9,185,965 Class B Units at $20.55 per Unit to certain institutional
investors. The sales price of the Class B Units was determined through negotiations with
the institutional investors. We used the proceeds from the sale of the Class B Units to
repay borrowings under our bridge facility and our revolving credit facility, which were
used to partially finance the acquisitions of certain affiliated entities of Blacksand
Energy, LLC and certain Mid-Continent assets of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company. Concurrently
with their acquisition of Class B Units on October 24, 2006, the institutional investors
purchased 5,534,687 Units, the proceeds of which were also used to repay indebtedness. |
|
|
|
|
We decided to issue Class B Units to expedite the repayment of our one-year bridge facility.
Alternative sources of equity could have potentially been obtained, but at a risk of
delaying the repayment of indebtedness. For example, to have issued all the requisite
equity capital in the form of Units would have required a unitholder vote prior to such
issuance under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and thereby delayed the repayment of
indebtedness. The institutional investors agreed to accept Class B Units in lieu of
additional Units, provided we ask unitholders to approve the conversion of the Class B Units
into Units no later than 90 days after acquisition of the Class B Units. We are now asking
you for this approval. |
|
|
|
|
an amendment to the LTIP to provide that not more than 1,500,000 of the total number of
Units authorized to be issued under the LTIP may be issued as Restricted Units. |
Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal
Q: |
|
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REQUIRED APPROVAL FOR THE CLASS B
CONVERSION AND ISSUANCE PROPOSAL IS OBTAINED? |
|
A: |
|
Each outstanding Class B Unit will be converted
automatically into one Unit upon approval and the new
Units will be issued and listed on The NASDAQ Global
Market. For purposes of future distributions, former
Class B unitholders will become unitholders and will
no longer be entitled to 115% of per Unit
distributions. The voting power of each Unit will be
decreased due to the conversion of nonvoting Class B
Units to voting Units. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REQUIRED APPROVAL FOR THE CLASS B
CONVERSION AND ISSUANCE PROPOSAL IS NOT OBTAINED? |
|
A: |
|
If our unitholders do not approve the conversion of
Class B Units to Units, each Class B Unit will
continue to receive 115% of the amount of
distributions paid on each Unit. This distribution
reduces the amount of cash available for distribution
to unitholders. Upon written notice from the parties
holding a majority of the Class B Units, a second
vote will occur to consider conversion of Class B
Units to Units. If approval is not obtained at the
second vote, the proposal to convert Class B Units to
Units will be voted upon at no more than two
subsequent annual meetings of our unitholders. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE CLASS B
CONVERSION AND ISSUANCE PROPOSAL? |
|
A: |
|
Adoption of the Class B Conversion and Issuance
Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast at the Special Meeting by holders
of Units, provided that the total votes cast
represent over
|
3
|
|
50% in interest of all Units entitled to vote at the Special Meeting with respect to the
Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal. Units purchased by the institutional investors
simultaneously with the Class B Units are not entitled to vote on the Class B Conversion and
Issuance Proposal according to the rules of The NASDAQ Global Market. A properly executed
proxy submitted without instructions on how to vote will be voted FOR this proposal, unless
your proxy is properly revoked. A properly executed proxy submitted and marked ABSTAIN
with respect to any matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of
determining the existence of a quorum. |
|
|
|
In conjunction with the sale of Class B Units and Units to the institutional investors,
Quantum Energy Partners II, LP, Michael C. Linn, Kolja Rockov, Lisa D. Anderson and Roland
P. Keddie entered into a voting agreement (the Unitholder Voting Agreement), pursuant to
which they agreed to vote all of the Units beneficially owned by them in favor of the
conversion of the Class B Units into Units at any meeting of the unitholders convened to
consider and vote upon the conversion of Class B Units to Units. Quantum Energy Partners
II, LP, Michael C. Linn, Kolja Rockov, Lisa D. Anderson and Roland P. Keddie collectively
held 14,676,093 Units as of the Record Date, representing approximately 52.6% of the
outstanding Units (excluding the 5,534,687 Units purchased by institutional investors in the
October 24, 2006 private placement) as of the Record Date. |
|
|
|
Additionally, pursuant to the Class B and Unit Purchase Agreement, each of the institutional
investors agreed to vote all of its Units, with the exception of the purchased Units which
are not entitled to vote according to the rules of The NASDAQ Global Market, in favor of the
conversion of the Class B Units into Units. |
LTIP Amendment Proposal
Q: |
|
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LTIP AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS APPROVED? |
|
A: |
|
We will use the additional Restricted Units deliverable under the LTIP to provide incentive to our officers,
directors, employees and consultants for superior performance and to enhance our ability to attract and retain
the services of individuals essential for our growth and profitability. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LTIP AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS NOT APPROVED? |
|
A: |
|
As of the date hereof, we have made Restricted Unit awards under the LTIP of 298,909 Restricted Units in
connection with hiring certain officers of Linn Energy, which does not include another 200,000 Restricted Units
that will be awarded in December 2006 under the LTIP in connection with the appointment of Mark E. Ellis as our
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. As a result, an aggregate of 1,091 Restricted Units are
currently available for delivery with respect to awards under the LTIP out of the initial 500,000 Restricted
Units authorized at the time of our initial public offering. If the LTIP Amendment Proposal is not approved,
then we will be unable to award Restricted Units under the LTIP beyond the current limitation because the Nasdaq
Marketplace Rules require unitholder approval of material amendments to our LTIP. Once current availability of
Restricted Units under the LTIP is exhausted, our Board of Directors would be required to consider making other
awards under the LTIP to help attract, retain and motivate new employees and directors. |
|
Q: |
|
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE LTIP AMENDMENT PROPOSAL? |
|
A: |
|
Adoption of the LTIP Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the
Special Meeting by holders of Units, provided that the total votes cast represent over 50% in interest of all
outstanding Units. A properly executed proxy submitted without instructions on how to vote will be voted FOR
this proposal, unless your proxy is properly revoked. A properly executed proxy submitted and marked ABSTAIN
with respect to any matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining the
existence of a quorum. |
4
The Special Meeting; Voting
Q: |
|
WHO IS SOLICITING MY PROXY? |
|
A: |
|
We are sending you this Proxy Statement in connection with our solicitation of proxies for use at our Special
Meeting of unitholders. Certain directors, officers and employees of Linn Energy and Georgeson Inc. may also
solicit proxies on our behalf by mail, phone, fax or in person. You may obtain additional information regarding
this Special Meeting from Georgeson Inc. as follows: 17 State Street, New York, New York 10004. Banks and
brokerage firms, please call 212-440-9800. Unitholders, please call
Toll-Free 1-866-785-7361. |
|
Q: |
|
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
The Special Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at 650
Washington Road, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228. |
|
Q: |
|
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING? |
|
A: |
|
Only holders of record of Units at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the Special Meeting. Units purchased by the institutional investors simultaneously with the Class B
Units are not entitled to vote on the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal according to the rules of The
NASDAQ Global Market. |
|
Q: |
|
HOW DO I VOTE? |
|
A: |
|
After you read and carefully consider the information contained in this Proxy Statement, please mail your
completed, signed and dated proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible so that
your Units may be represented at the Special Meeting. You may also vote by attending the Special Meeting and
voting your Units in person. Even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting, your plans may change, so it is a
good idea to complete, sign and return your proxy card or vote by otherwise following the instructions on the
proxy card in advance of the Special Meeting. |
|
Q: |
|
MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER RETURNING A PROXY CARD? |
|
A: |
|
Yes. To change your vote after you have submitted your proxy card, send in a later dated, signed proxy card to
us or attend the Special Meeting and vote in person. You may also revoke your proxy by sending in a notice of
revocation to our Secretary at the address set forth in the notice of the Special Meeting. Please note that
attendance at the Special Meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy. |
|
Q: |
|
HOW DO I VOTE MY UNITS IF THEY ARE HELD IN STREET NAME? |
|
A: |
|
Your broker will not vote your Units unless you provide instructions on how to vote. Please contact your broker
if you have not received a request for voting instructions. If you have instructed your broker to vote your
Units and wish to change those instructions before the vote at the Special Meeting, then you must follow the
directions received from your broker. |
5
PROPOSAL ONE CLASS B CONVERSION AND ISSUANCE PROPOSAL
Background
We are submitting the Class B Conversion Proposal and Issuance Proposal to you as a result of
our sale of 9,185,965 Class B Units at $20.55 per Unit to certain institutional investors. The
sales price of the Class B Units was determined through negotiations with the institutional
investors. We used the proceeds from the sale of the Class B Units to repay indebtedness
outstanding under our bridge facility and our revolving credit facility, which were used to
partially finance the acquisitions of certain affiliated entities of Blacksand Energy, LLC and
certain Mid-Continent assets of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company. Concurrently with their acquisition of
Class B Units on October 24, 2006, the institutional investors purchased 5,534,687 Units, the
proceeds of which were also used to repay indebtedness.
We decided to issue Class B Units to expedite the repayment our one-year bridge facility.
Alternative sources of equity could have potentially been obtained, but at a risk of delaying the
repayment of indebtedness. For example, to have issued all the requisite equity capital in the
form of Units would have required a unitholder vote prior to such issuance under the Nasdaq
Marketplace Rules and thereby delayed the repayment of indebtedness. The institutional investors
agreed to accept Class B Units in lieu of additional Units, provided we ask unitholders to approve
the conversion of the Class B Units into Units no later than 90 days after acquisition of the Class
B Units. We are now asking you for this approval.
The Proposal
At the Special Meeting, our unitholders will consider and act upon a proposal to approve: (a)
a change in the terms of our 9,185,965 Class B Units to provide that each Class B Unit will convert
automatically into one Unit effective upon such approval and (b) our issuance of 9,185,965 Units
upon conversion of the Class B Units.
Effects of Approval
If our unitholders approve the conversion of Class B Units at the Special Meeting, each
outstanding Class B Unit will convert automatically into one Unit upon approval and will be listed
on the NASDAQ Global Market. For purposes of future distributions, former Class B unitholders will
become unitholders and will no longer be entitled to 115% of per Unit distributions. The voting
power of each Unit will be decreased due to the conversion of nonvoting Class B Units to voting
Units.
Effects of Failure to Approve
Each Class B Unit currently is entitled to receive 115% of the amount of distributions paid on
each Unit. If our unitholders do not approve the conversion of Class B Units to Units, each Class
B Unit will continue to receive 115% of the amount of distributions paid on each Unit. This
distribution reduces the amount of cash available for unitholders. Upon written notice from the
parties holding a majority of the Class B Units, a second vote will occur to consider conversion of
Class B Units to Units. If approval is not obtained pursuant to the second vote, the proposal to
convert Class B Units to Units will be voted upon at no more than two subsequent annual meetings of
our unitholders.
The 115% distribution terminates if at any time there are no longer any Class B Units
outstanding, which would occur upon the automatic conversion of the Class B Units into Units either
(1) upon receipt of approval of the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal, whether at this
Special Meeting or a subsequent meeting, or (2) if at any time unitholder approval is no longer
required under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules as a condition to the listing on the Nasdaq of the
Units that would be issued upon such conversion.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT UNITHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
CLASS B CONVERSION AND ISSUANCE PROPOSAL.
6
Reasons for Board of Directors Recommendation
Our board of directors believes that the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal is in the
best interests of our company and our unitholders and should be approved for the following reasons:
|
|
|
If our unitholders fail to approve the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal, each
class B Unit will continue to be entitled to receive 115% of the amount of distributions
paid on each Unit. This would reduce the amount of cash available to be distributed to the
unitholders holding Units. |
|
|
|
|
Issuance of all the requisite equity capital in the form of Units would
have required a unitholder vote prior to such issuance under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules
and thereby delayed the repayment of indebtedness. Any delay in the repayment of
indebtedness would have caused us to continue to incur interest expense at a rate higher
than the cost of issuing the Class B Units. The institutional investors agreed to accept
Class B Units in lieu of additional Units, provided we ask unitholders to approve the
conversion of the Class B Units into Units no later than 90 days after acquisition of the
Class B Units. We are now asking you for this approval. |
|
|
|
|
If our unitholders fail to approve the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal at this
Special Meeting, we have agreed to solicit our unitholders again at a subsequent Special
Meeting. Any subsequent solicitation would result in additional costs and expenses to us
and would decrease the amount of cash available to be distributed to our unitholders. |
7
PROPOSAL TWO APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE LINN ENERGY, LLC
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Pursuant to a recommendation of the Compensation Committee made in November 2006, the Board of
Directors has approved an amendment to our LTIP, subject to unitholder approval. The Board of
Directors believes that this amendment is necessary in order to continue to attract and retain high
caliber individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees and consultants of our company. If
the amendment is approved, it will be effective as of the date of the Special Meeting of
unitholders. The proposed amendment to the LTIP, if approved, will provide that not more than
1,500,000 of the total number of Units authorized to be issued under the LTIP may be issued as
Restricted Units.
Adoption of the LTIP Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast at the Special Meeting by holders of Units, provided that the total votes cast represent
over 50% in interest of all our outstanding Units. A properly executed proxy submitted without
instructions on how to vote will be voted FOR this proposal, unless your proxy is properly revoked.
A properly executed proxy submitted and marked ABSTAIN with respect to any matter will not be
voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum.
For a more complete description of the LTIP Amendment, please read Proposed Amendment to the
LTIP below and a copy of the First Amendment to the Linn Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan
included as Annex A to this Proxy Statement (the LTIP Amendment). For a more complete
description of the LTIP generally, please read Summary Description of the Linn Energy Long-Term
Incentive Plan below. A copy of the LTIP is included as Annex B to this Proxy Statement.
The statements made in this Proxy Statement with respect to the LTIP Amendment Proposal should be
read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the full text of the
LTIP and the LTIP Amendment, which are incorporated by reference herein from Annex A and
Annex B.
Proposed Amendment to the LTIP
As of the date hereof, we have made Restricted Unit awards under the LTIP of 298,909
Restricted Units in connection with hiring certain officers of Linn Energy, which does not include
another 200,000 Restricted Units that will be awarded in December 2006 under the LTIP in connection
with the appointment of Mark E. Ellis as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
As a result, an aggregate of 1,091 Restricted Units are currently available for delivery with
respect to awards under the LTIP out of the initial 500,000 Restricted Units authorized at the time
of our initial public offering. Based on our expectations regarding near-term awards, our Board of
Directors does not believe that this amount would be sufficient.
Effects of Approval
We will use the additional Units deliverable under the LTIP to provide incentive to our
officers, directors, employees and consultants for superior performance and to enhance our ability
to attract and retain the services of individuals essential for our growth and profitability. These
amendments will be effective immediately upon the approval of our unitholders. The LTIP will
continue to be administered under the direction of the Compensation Committee of our Board of
Directors.
Effects of Failure to Approve
If the LTIP Amendment Proposal is not approved, then we will be unable to award Restricted
Units under the LTIP beyond the current limitation because the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules require
unitholder approval of material amendments to our LTIP. Once current availability of Restricted
Units under the LTIP is exhausted, our Board of Directors would be required to consider making
other awards under the LTIP to help attract, retain and motivate new employees and directors.
Summary Description of the Linn Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan
The LTIP consists of four components: Restricted Units, Phantom Units, Unit Options and unit
appreciation rights. The LTIP currently limits the number of units that may be delivered pursuant
to awards to 3,900,000 Units, provided that no more than 500,000 of such Units (as adjusted) may be
issued as Restricted Units. Units withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding
obligations are available for delivery pursuant to other awards.
8
Unit Grants. A unit grant is a unit that vests immediately upon issuance. In the future, the
compensation committee may make unit grants under the plan to employees and members of our Board of
Directors.
Unit Options. A unit option is a right to purchase a unit at a specified price. In the future,
the compensation committee may make option grants under the plan to employees and members of our
Board containing such terms as the committee shall determine. Unit options will have an exercise
price that will not be less than the fair market value of the units on the date of grant. In
general, unit options granted will become exercisable over a period determined by the compensation
committee, although vesting may accelerate upon the achievement of specified financial objectives.
In addition, the unit options will become exercisable upon a change in control of our company,
unless provided otherwise by the committee. If a grantees employment, consulting relationship or
membership on the Board of Directors terminates for any reason, the grantees unvested unit options
will be automatically forfeited unless, and to the extent, the option agreement or the compensation
committee provides otherwise.
Upon exercise of a unit option (or a unit appreciation right, as defined below, settled in
units), we will issue new units, acquire units on the open market or directly from any person or
use any combination of the foregoing, in the compensation committees discretion. If we issue new
units upon exercise of the unit options (or a unit appreciation right settled in units), the total
number of units outstanding will increase. The availability of unit options and unit appreciation
rights is intended to furnish additional compensation to employees and members of our Board of
Directors and to align their economic interests with those of unitholders.
Restricted Units. A restricted unit is a unit that vests over a period of time and that during
such time is subject to forfeiture. In the future, the compensation committee may make additional
grants of restricted units under the plan to employees, consultants and directors containing such
terms as the compensation committee shall determine. The compensation committee will determine the
period over which restricted units (and distributions related to such units) will vest. The
committee may base its determination upon the achievement of specified financial objectives. In
addition, the restricted units will vest upon a change of control of our company, as defined in the
plan, unless provided otherwise by the committee.
If a grantees employment, consulting relationship or membership on the Board of Directors
terminates for any reason, the grantees restricted units will be automatically forfeited unless,
and to the extent, the compensation committee or the terms of the award agreement provide
otherwise. Units to be delivered as restricted units may be units issued by us, units acquired by
us in the open market, units already owned by us, units acquired by us from any other person or any
combination of the foregoing. If we issue new units upon the grant of the restricted units, the
total number of units outstanding will increase.
We intend the restricted units under the plan to serve as a means of incentive compensation
for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to participate in the equity appreciation of
our units. Therefore, plan participants will not pay any consideration for the units they receive,
and we will receive no remuneration for the units.
Phantom Units. A phantom unit entitles the grantee to receive a unit upon the vesting of the
phantom unit or, in the discretion of the compensation committee, cash equivalent to the value of a
unit. In the future, the compensation committee may make grants of phantom units under the plan to
employees, consultants and directors containing such terms as the compensation committee shall
determine. The compensation committee will determine the period over which phantom units will vest.
The committee may base its determination upon the achievement of specified financial objectives. In
addition, the phantom units will vest upon a change of control of our company, unless provided
otherwise by the committee.
If a grantees employment, consulting relationship or membership on the Board of Directors
terminates for any reason, the grantees phantom units will be automatically forfeited unless, and
to the extent, the compensation committee or the terms of the award agreement provide otherwise.
Units to be delivered upon the vesting of phantom units may be units issued by us, units acquired
by us in the open market, units already owned by us, units acquired by us from any other person or
any combination of the foregoing. If we issue new units upon vesting of the phantom units, the
total number of units outstanding will increase. The compensation committee, in its discretion, may
grant tandem distribution equivalent rights with respect to phantom units that entitle the holder
to receive cash equal to any cash distributions made on units while the phantom units are
outstanding.
We intend the issuance of any units upon vesting of the phantom units under the plan to serve
as a means of incentive compensation for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to
participate in the equity appreciation
9
of our units. Therefore, plan participants will not pay any consideration for the units they
receive, and we will receive no remuneration for the units.
Unit Appreciation Rights. A unit appreciation right is an award that, upon exercise, entitles
the participant to receive the excess of the fair market value of a unit on the exercise date over
the exercise price established for the unit appreciation right. Such excess may be paid in units,
cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the compensation committee in its discretion.
Initially, we do not expect to grant unit appreciation rights under our long-term incentive plan.
In the future, the compensation committee may make grants of unit appreciation rights under the
plan to employees, consultants and directors containing such terms as the committee shall
determine. Unit appreciation rights will have an exercise price that will not be less than the fair
market value of the units on the date of grant. In general, unit appreciation rights will become
exercisable over a period determined by the compensation committee. In addition, the unit
appreciation rights will become exercisable upon a change in control of our company, unless
provided otherwise by the committee. If a grantees employment, consulting relationship or
membership on the Board of Directors terminates for any reason, the grantees unvested unit
appreciation rights will be automatically forfeited unless, and to the extent, the grant agreement
or compensation committee provides otherwise.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT UNITHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE LTIP AMENDMENT
PROPOSAL, AND PROXIES EXECUTED AND RETURNED WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS ARE
INDICATED THEREON.
Reasons for Board of Directors Recommendation
Our Board of Directors believes that our future success depends, in large part, upon our
ability to maintain a competitive position to:
|
|
|
attract new employees and executives with competitive compensation packages; |
|
|
|
|
retain our existing executives who are attractive candidates to other companies in our industries; |
|
|
|
|
motivate and recognize our directors, officers, employees and consultants; and |
|
|
|
|
ensure the availability of incentive awards for employees we hire as a result of acquisitions. |
10
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
In considering the recommendation of our board of directors to approve the Class B Conversion
and Issuance Proposal, you should be aware that if the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal is
approved at our Special Meeting, the Class B Unitholders will receive Units. The Units will be
listed on The NASDAQ Global Market and will therefore be a more liquid security than the Class B
Units. Our other unitholders will not receive any additional securities or other consideration if
the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal is approved.
You should also be aware that, upon conversion of the Class B Units to Units, Quantum Energy
Partners II LP will own 23.84% of our outstanding Units, Michael C. Linn will own 8.67% of our
outstanding Units and Lehman Brothers MLP Partners, L.P. will own 5.2% of our outstanding Units.
11
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
UNITS
The Units represent limited liability company interests in us. The holders of Units are
entitled to participate in distributions and exercise the rights or privileges available to
unitholders under our limited liability company agreement.
Distributions
The Units currently receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an
amount equal to the quarterly distribution of $0.43 per Unit. The amount of available cash, if
any, at the end of any quarter may be greater or less than the current aggregate quarterly
distribution to be distributed on all units.
Voting Rights
Unitholders have the right to vote with respect to the election of our board of directors,
certain amendments of our limited liability company agreement, the merger of our company or the
sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and the dissolution of our company.
Dissolution and Liquidation
If we liquidate, we will allocate gain and loss to entitle the holders of Units a preference
over the holders of Class B Units to the extent required to permit the unitholders to receive their
unrecovered initial Unit price, plus the initial quarterly distribution for the quarter during
which liquidation occurs, plus any arrearages.
No Preemptive Rights
Holders of Units are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to issuances of
additional securities by us.
CLASS B UNITS
We amended our limited liability company agreement in connection with the private placement to
create a new series of units designated as Class B Units. The Class B Units, together with our
Units, represent membership interests in us. Unlike the Units, the Class B Units are not publicly
traded.
Conversion
Upon approval of the Class B Conversion and Issuance Proposal, each Class B Unit will convert
automatically into one Unit and none of the Class B Units will remain outstanding. If unitholder
approval is not received, then each Class B Unit will remain outstanding and will continue to
receive distributions of 115% of the amount of distributions paid on each Unit.
Distributions
Each Class B Unit has the right to share in distributions on a pro rata basis with the Units,
with the amount of any distributions on such Class B Unit equaling 115% of the quarterly cash
distribution amount payable on each Unit.
Voting Rights
Class B Units are non-voting except that the Class B Units shall be entitled to vote as a
separate class on any matter that adversely affects the rights or preferences of the Class B Units
in relation to other classes of interests or as required by law. The approval of a majority of the
Class B Units shall be required to approve any matter upon which the holders of Class B Units are
entitled to vote.
12
Dissolution and Liquidation
If we liquidate, we will allocate gain and loss to entitle the holders of Units a preference
over the holders of Class B Units to the extent required to permit the unitholders to receive their
unrecovered initial Unit price, plus the initial quarterly distribution for the quarter during
which liquidation occurs, plus any arrearages for the unitholders.
No Preemptive Rights
Holders of Class B Units, like holders of Units, are not entitled to preemptive rights with
respect to issuances of additional securities by us.
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for services rendered
in all capacities to Linn Energy, LLC and its subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2004 for our President and Chief Executive Officer and our four other most highly compensated
executive officers.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual |
|
All Other |
|
|
Year |
|
Salary($) |
|
Bonus($) |
|
Compensation(1)($) |
|
Compensation (2)($) |
Michael C. Linn
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,400 |
|
President and Chief
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kolja Rockov(3)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
159,848 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gerald W. Merriam (4)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,400 |
|
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
115,572 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Engineering Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roland P. Keddie
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald T. Robinson (5) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
70,833 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
34,021 |
(6) |
|
$ |
2,817 |
|
Chief Accounting Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Except as described, the value of perquisites and other personal benefits did not exceed the
lesser of either $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus reported for each named
executive officer. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts shown reflect company matching contributions under our 401(k) Plan. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Rockov commenced employment with us in March 2005. |
|
(4) |
|
Effective April 7, 2006, Mr. Merriam resigned his position with our company. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Robinson commenced employment with us in April 2005 and resigned his position with our
company in June 2006. |
|
(6) |
|
Amount represents a reimbursement by our company of relocation costs and expenses. |
Employment Agreements; Change-of-Control Arrangements
We have entered into an employment agreement with Michael C. Linn, our Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer, effective upon the closing of our initial public offering on January 19,
2006. Mr. Linns employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $1.00 for the first 12
months and $250,000 thereafter subject to annual increase. Mr. Linns employment agreement also
provides for incentive compensation payable at the discretion of our Board of Directors. In
addition, under his employment agreement, Mr. Linn received, upon completion of our initial public
offering, an option to purchase 111,250 units at an exercise price of $21.00 per unit and a
one-time cash bonus in the amount of $500,000. Mr. Linn will also receive, if he remains employed
by us at such time, a grant of 625,781 units on the first anniversary of the completion of our
initial public offering.
The unit grant will be fully vested upon issuance. The unit option award vests in equal annual
installments over three years and will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination
without cause, with good reason or upon Mr. Linns death or disability.
The employment agreement also provides for piggyback registration rights with respect to the
units to be issued pursuant to the unit option and unit grant following the earlier to occur of 18
months after our initial public offering
14
or the date on which Quantum Energy Partners holds less than 50% of the units it owned
immediately following our initial public offering.
In the event of termination by us other than for cause or termination by Mr. Linn for good
reason, his employment agreement provides for severance payments in 24 monthly installments at an
annual base salary of $250,000 if his employment is terminated in the first 12 months and at his
highest base salary in effect at any time during the 36 months prior to the date of termination if
terminated thereafter. If, within one year of a change of control, we terminate his employment
other than for cause or Mr. Linn terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to
receive a lump-sum payment equal to $750,000. The employment agreement prohibits Mr. Linn from
soliciting any of our employees or customers as well as from competing with us for a period of two
years. The non-compete provision will not be applicable if we terminate Mr. Linn within one year of
a change of control.
We
entered into an employment agreement effective as of December 18, 2006 with Mark E. Ellis,
our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ellis employment agreement provides
for an annual base salary of not less than: (i) $250,000 for 2007 and (ii) $300,000 for 2008, in
each case subject to annual increase, and a one-time bonus of $250,000, payable within five
business days after January 1, 2007. Mr. Ellis is also entitled to receive a guaranteed bonus of
not less than 100% of his then current annual base salary with respect to the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008. Thereafter, Mr. Ellis will be eligible for incentive
compensation payable at the discretion of our board of directors. Mr. Ellis also is entitled to
receive: (i) an option awarded under the Linn Energy, LLC Long Term Incentive Plan as of the
effective date to purchase 50,000 units at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our
units on the date of grant, which are expected to vest one-third on January 1, 2007, one-third on
January 1, 2008, and the remaining one-third on January 1, 2009; and (ii) a grant of 200,000
restricted units awarded under the incentive plan as of the effective date, one-half of which are
expected to vest on January 1, 2007, one-quarter of which are expected to vest on January 1, 2008
and one-quarter of which are expected to vest on January 1, 2009. On the first anniversary of the
effective date, Mr. Ellis is also entitled to receive an option award under the incentive plan to
purchase 50,000 units at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our units on the date
of grant, which are expected to vest one-third at the end of each twelve-month period following the
award. Not later than January 1, 2008, Mr. Ellis is also entitled to receive a grant of 100,000
restricted units awarded under the incentive plan, which are expected to vest one-third on January
1, 2008, one-third on January 1, 2009, and the remaining one-third on January 1, 2010. The options
and restricted units will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination of Mr. Ellis
employment by us without cause, termination of employment by Mr. Ellis with good reason or upon Mr.
Ellis death or disability.
In the event of termination of Mr. Ellis employment by us other than for cause or termination
by Mr. Ellis for good reason, the employment agreement provides for severance payments, if prior to
the first anniversary of the effective date, in 12 monthly installments, and if on or after the
second anniversary of the effective date, in 24 monthly installments, in an amount equal to
one-twelfth (1/12th) of his highest base salary in effect at any time during the 36 months prior to
the date of termination. In the event of termination by of Mr. Ellis employment by us other than
for cause or termination by Mr. Ellis for good reason, on or prior to December 31, 2007, he will
also be entitled to a cash payment equal to his pro-rata guaranteed bonus.
If, within one year of a change of control, we terminate his employment other than for cause
or Mr. Ellis terminates his employment for good reason, Mr. Ellis will be entitled to receive a
lump-sum payment equal to his highest base salary if prior to the first anniversary of the
effective date, and two times his highest base salary if on or after the first anniversary of the
effective date.
Mr. Ellis employment agreement prohibits him from soliciting any of our employees or
customers as well as from competing directly with us for a period of one year following termination
of employment. The non-compete provision will not be applicable if Mr. Ellis is terminated within
one year of a change of control.
We entered into an employment agreement effective as of September 15, 2005 with Kolja Rockov,
our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Rockovs employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $200,000 subject to annual increase, plus a guaranteed cash
bonus of not less than $100,000 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, and incentive
compensation payable at the discretion of our Board of Directors for the remainder of the term of
employment. In addition, under his employment agreement, Mr. Rockov received, upon completion of
our initial public offering, a grant of an aggregate 343,364 units and restricted units and an
option to purchase 111,250 units at an exercise price of $21.00 per unit. Mr. Rockov also received
a one-time cash bonus in the amount of $1.5 million.
15
The restricted unit award vests in equal installments over two years and the unit option award
vests in equal annual installments over three years. The restricted unit and the unit option award
will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination without cause, with good reason or upon
Mr. Rockovs death or disability.
Mr. Rockovs employment agreement also provides for piggyback registration rights with respect
to the units to be issued pursuant to the unit option, unit grant and the restricted unit awards
following the earlier to occur of 18 months after our initial public offering or the date on which
Quantum Energy Partners holds less than 50% of the units it owned immediately following our initial
public offering.
In the event of termination of Mr. Rockov by us other than for cause or termination by Mr.
Rockov for good reason, his employment agreement provides for severance payments in 24 monthly
installments at his highest base salary in effect at any time during the 36 months prior to the
date of termination. If, within one year of a change of control, we terminate Mr. Rockovs
employment other than for cause or he terminates his employment for good reason, he will be
entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to 36 months of his highest annual base salary during
the prior 36 months. The employment agreement prohibits Mr. Rockov from soliciting any of our
employees or customers as well as from competing with us for a period of two years. The non-compete
provision will not be applicable if we terminate Mr. Rockov within one year of a change of control.
We entered into an employment agreement, effective as of April 3, 2006, with Thomas A. Lopus,
our Senior Vice President Operations. Mr. Lopus employment agreement provides for an annual base
salary of $175,000 subject to annual increase. Mr. Lopus employment agreement also provides for a
guaranteed bonus in 2006 of not less than $125,000 and thereafter, incentive compensation payable
at the discretion of our Board of Directors. In addition, under the employment agreement Mr. Lopus
is entitled to receive:
|
|
|
an option to purchase 50,000 units at an exercise price of $19.74 per unit subject to a
service based three-year vesting schedule; |
|
|
|
|
a second option to purchase 25,000 units at an exercise price of $19.74 per unit subject
to a specified service requirement and a performance based vesting schedule; and |
|
|
|
|
a grant of 20,000 restricted units subject to a specified service requirement and a
performance based vesting schedule. |
The service based option will vest in equal annual installments over three years and will vest
in full upon a change of control or a termination without cause, with good reason or upon Mr.
Lopus death or disability.
The performance based unit option award and restricted unit grant vest upon the later of the
date the performance goal for each tier is achieved, and the date of the required service period
for each tier set forth in the third column of the following schedule:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tier |
|
Performance Goal |
|
Service Period |
|
|
Companys annualized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
distribution rate is at least: |
|
|
|
|
Tier A |
|
$1.92 per unit |
|
March 31, 2007 |
Tier B |
|
$2.30 per unit |
|
March 31, 2008 |
Tier C |
|
$2.76 per unit |
|
March 31, 2009 |
In the event the performance goal applicable to a particular tier is not met on or before
December 31, 2009, that tier shall be forfeited as of December 31, 2009. Upon a change of control
or a termination without cause, with good reason or upon Mr. Lopus death or disability the
performance awards vest to the extent that the applicable performance goals set have been met with
respect to each tier on or before the date of termination.
In the event of termination by us other than for cause or termination by Mr. Lopus for good
reason, his employment agreement provides for severance payments, if prior to the April 3, 2007, in
12 monthly installments and, if after April 3, 2007, in 24 monthly installments in an amount equal
to one-twelfth (1/12th) of his highest base salary in effect at any time during the 36 months prior
to the date of termination. In the event of termination by us other than for cause or termination
by Mr. Lopus for good reason, on or prior to December 31, 2006 he will be entitled to a cash
payment equal to his pro-rata guaranteed bonus. If, within one year of a change of control, we
terminate his employment other than for cause or Mr. Lopus terminates his employment for good
reason, he will be
16
entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to, his highest base salary if prior to April 3,
2007, two times his highest base salary if on or after April 3, 2007 and our annualized
distribution rate at the time of the change of control is at least $2.30 per unit, three times his
highest base salary if on or after April 3, 2008 and before December 31, 2009 and our annualized
distribution rate at the time of the change of control is at least $2.76 per unit or up to three
times his highest base salary if on or after December 31, 2009 depending upon whether or not the
foregoing specified annual distribution rates were achieved by us in the specified time periods set
forth above.
Mr. Lopus employment agreement prohibits Mr. Lopus from soliciting any of our employees or
customers as well as from competing with us for a period of two years. The non-compete provision
will not be applicable if we terminate Mr. Lopus within one year of a change of control.
On July 7, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with Lisa D. Anderson, our Senior
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective July 17, 2006. Ms. Andersons employment
agreement provides for an annual base salary of $175,000, subject to annual increase, and a
one-time bonus of $100,000, payable within thirty days of the effective date. Ms. Anderson is also
entitled to receive a guaranteed bonus of not less than $62,500 with respect to the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2006, and not less than $125,000 with respect to the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007. Thereafter, she will be eligible for incentive compensation payable at the
discretion of our Board of Directors. Ms. Anderson also received an option awarded under the Linn
Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan to purchase 50,000 units at an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of our units on the date of grant and subject to a service-based vesting
schedule. Ms. Anderson also received a grant of 50,000 restricted units awarded under the
Long-Term Incentive Plan, subject to a service-based vesting schedule. The option and restricted
unit awards are expected to vest one-third on January 1, 2007, one-third on January 1, 2008, and
the remaining one-third on January 1, 2009. The options and restricted units will vest in full
upon a change of control or a termination of Ms. Andersons employment by us without cause,
termination of employment by Ms. Anderson with good reason or upon Ms. Andersons death or
disability.
In the event of termination of Ms. Andersons employment by us other than for cause or
termination by Ms. Anderson for good reason, Ms. Andersons employment agreement provides for
severance payments, if prior to the first anniversary of the effective date, in twelve monthly
installments, and if on or after the second anniversary of the effective date, in twenty-four
monthly installments, in an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of her highest base salary in
effect at any time during the thirty-six months prior to the date of termination. In the event of
termination of Ms. Andersons employment by us other than for cause or termination by Ms. Anderson
for good reason, on or prior to December 31, 2007, she will also be entitled to a cash payment
equal to her pro-rata guaranteed bonus.
If, within one year of a change of control, we terminate her employment other than for cause
or Ms. Anderson terminates her employment for good reason, she will be entitled to receive a
lump-sum payment equal to her highest base salary if prior to the first anniversary of the
effective date, and two times her highest base salary if on or after the first anniversary of the
effective date.
Ms. Andersons employment agreement prohibits her from soliciting any of our employees or
customers as well as from competing directly with us for a period of two years following
termination of employment. The non-compete provision will not be applicable if Ms. Anderson is
terminated within one year of a change of control.
Effective April 14, 2006, we entered into a separation agreement and general release with
Gerald W. Merriam, formerly our Executive Vice President Engineering Operations. Under the terms
of Mr. Merriams separation agreement, Mr. Merriam received a severance payment of $217,600 less
all applicable withholdings.
Mr. Merriam has agreed to release us and our predecessors, successors, affiliates,
shareholders, unitholders, directors, officers, employees and agents from all claims arising from
the beginning of time to the date of Mr. Merriams separation agreement, including but not limited
to claims relating to Mr. Merriams employment relationship with us, termination of such
relationship and his capacity as a unitholder of our company.
Additionally, Mr. Merriam has agreed to make himself available to us from time to time for a
period not to exceed one year to provide consulting services to our company at a rate of $100 per
hour.
On June 5, 2006, we entered into a separation agreement and general release with Donald T.
Robinson, formerly our Chief Accounting Officer. Under the terms of Mr. Robinsons separation
agreement, Mr. Robinson received a severance payment of $65,000 less all applicable withholdings.
17
Mr. Robinson has agreed to release us and our predecessors, successors, affiliates,
shareholders, unitholders, directors, officers, employees and agents from all claims arising from
the beginning of time to the date of Mr. Robinsons separation agreement, including but not limited
to claims relating to Mr. Robinsons employment relationship with us, termination of such
relationship and his capacity as a unitholder of our company.
Additionally, Mr. Robinson has agreed to make himself available to us from time to time for a
period not to exceed one year to provide consulting services to us at a rate of $100 per hour.
Director Compensation
On August 3, 2006, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the award of
3,000 phantom units to each of our independent directors. The phantom units were granted under the
LTIP. Under the terms of the grant agreement, the forfeiture restrictions on the phantom units
lapse on the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that such director continues to serve on
the Board of Directors on such date, or such director stood for re-election to the Board of
Directors but was not elected. Additionally, if a directors service on the Board of Directors is
terminated for cause at anytime after the grant date and regardless of whether the restricted
period has terminated, then all phantom units awarded under the grant agreement shall be forfeited.
The forfeiture restrictions on the phantom units will not lapse upon a change of control. With
respect to phantom units that vest, payment in respect of such units shall be made in unrestricted
Units, which payment shall be deferred until the earliest of such directors separation from
service, death, disability or an unforeseen emergency. Our compensation policy for independent
directors in 2007 has not been determined.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation
committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our
Board of Directors or compensation committee.
18
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our units, as of the Record Date, by:
|
|
|
each person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our units; |
|
|
|
|
each member of our Board of Directors; |
|
|
|
|
each of our named executive officers; and |
|
|
|
|
all directors and executive officers as a group. |
The amounts and percentage of units beneficially owned are reported on the basis of
regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the
rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or
shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security,
or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such
security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person
has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of the Record Date. Under these rules,
more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be
deemed a beneficial owner of securities as to which he has no economic interest.
Except as indicated by footnote, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all units shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to
community property laws where applicable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units |
|
Percentage |
|
|
to be |
|
of Units to be |
|
|
Beneficially |
|
Beneficially |
Name of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Owned (2) |
|
Owned (2) |
Quantum Energy Partners(3) |
|
|
10,144,585 |
|
|
|
36.4 |
% |
Michael C. Linn |
|
|
3,662,122 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
% |
Kolja Rockov(4) |
|
|
343,764 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
% |
Gerald W. Merriam (5) |
|
|
475,622 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Roland P. Keddie |
|
|
475,622 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Donald T. Robinson (6) |
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alan L. Smith(7) |
|
|
10,144,585 |
|
|
|
36.4 |
% |
George A. Alcorn(8) |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Terrence S. Jacobs(8) |
|
|
17,750 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jeffrey C. Swoveland(8) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)(9) |
|
|
14,736,343 |
|
|
|
52.8 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1% of class. |
|
(1) |
|
The address of each beneficial owner, unless otherwise noted, is c/o Linn Energy, LLC, 650
Washington Road, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. |
|
(2) |
|
Does not include 5,534,687 Units and 9,185,965 Class B Units purchased by institutional
investors on October 24, 2006. |
|
(3) |
|
Based solely on information furnished in the Schedule 13D/ A (Amend. No. 1) filed by QEP,
QEM-LP and QEM-LLC (each as defined below) with the SEC on February 17, 2006. Quantum Energy
Partners owns its units through Quantum Energy Partners II, LP (QEP). QEP is controlled by
its general partner, Quantum Energy Management II, LP (QEM-LP), which is controlled by its
general partner, Quantum Energy Management II, LLC (QEM-LLC), an affiliate of Quantum Energy
Partners. QEP, QEM-LP and QEM-LLC can be contacted at the following address: c/o Quantum
Energy Partners, 777 Walker Street, Suite 2530, Houston, Texas 77002. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 228,909 restricted units that vest in equal installments over a two-year period and
400 units as custodian under certain UGMA accounts for immediate family members as to which
Mr. Rockov disclaims beneficial ownership. |
19
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Merriam resigned from our company in April 2006. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Robinson resigned from our company in June 2006. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 10,144,585 units beneficially owned by Quantum Energy Partners and affiliated
entities as described in note (2) above. Mr. Smith, a principal of Quantum Energy Partners,
could be deemed to beneficially own the units held by Quantum Energy Partners II, LP. Mr.
Smith disclaims beneficial ownership in the reported securities in excess of his indirect
pecuniary interest in the securities. Mr. Smith can be contacted at the following address: 777
Walker Street, Suite 2530, Houston, Texas 77002. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 10,000 units receivable upon the exercise of a unit option that is exercisable
within 60 days of the date of the table set forth above. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 10,144,585 units beneficially owned by Quantum Energy Partners and its affiliated
entities which could be deemed to be beneficially owned by our director, Alan L. Smith, a
Managing Director of Quantum Energy Partners, as to which Mr. Smith disclaims beneficial
ownership in excess of his indirect pecuniary interest. Also includes an aggregate of 30,000
units receivable upon the exercise of options that are held by certain of our directors and
that are exercisable within 60 days of the date of the table set forth above. Excludes 475,622
units beneficially owned by Mr. Merriam and 1,200 Units beneficially owned by Mr. Robinson. |
20
SOLICITATION AND MAILING OF PROXIES
The expense of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement and the proxies solicited
hereby will be borne by us. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by our
representatives in person or by telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission. These
representatives will not be additionally compensated for such solicitation, but may be reimbursed
for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. If undertaken, we expect the expenses
of such solicitation by our representatives to be nominal. We will also request brokerage firms,
banks, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of
our Units as of the Record Date and will provide reimbursement for the cost of forwarding the proxy
materials in accordance with customary practice.
We have retained Georgeson Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies, for which we will pay
approximately $8,500, plus certain other fees and out of pocket expenses, for all of these
solicitation services. Your cooperation in promptly signing and returning the enclosed proxy card
will help to avoid additional expense. If a unitholder wishes to give such holders proxy to
someone other than the names appearing in the proxy card, the names appearing in the proxy card
must be crossed out and the name of another individual or individuals (not more than three)
inserted. The signed card must be presented at the Special Meeting by the individual or individuals
representing such unitholder.
If a unitholder wishes to give such holders proxy to someone other than the names appearing
in the proxy card, the names appearing in the proxy card must be crossed out and the name of
another individual or individuals (not more than three) inserted. The signed card must be
presented at the Special Meeting by the individual or individuals representing such unitholder.
As a matter of policy, proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual
unitholders are kept private by us. Such documents are available for examination only by the
inspectors of election and certain personnel associated with processing proxy cards and tabulating
the vote. The vote of any unitholder is not disclosed except as necessary to meet legal
requirements.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and Proxy Statements with the SEC. Our SEC
filings are available to the public via the internet at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. You may
also read and copy any document that we file with the SEC at the SECs public reference room at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference room and its copy charges. We maintain a website at
www.linnenergy.com, where we post our SEC filings.
You may also request a copy of our filings, without charge, by calling our Investor Relations
at (713) 223-0880 or write to Investor Relations, 600 Travis, Suite 7000, Houston, Texas 77002.
If you would like to request documents from us, please do so at least five business days
before the date of the Special Meeting in order to receive timely delivery of the documents before
the Special Meeting.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Proxy Statement to vote your Units
at the Special Meeting. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is
different from what is contained in this Proxy Statement.
The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date indicated on the cover
of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.
21
OTHER MATTERS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our board of directors knows of no matters to be acted
upon at the Special Meeting other than the proposals included in the accompanying notice and
described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter requiring a vote of unitholders arises,
including a question of adjourning the Special Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the
accompanying proxy card will have the discretion to vote thereon according to their best judgment
of what they consider to be in the best interests of our company. The accompanying proxy card
confers discretionary authority to take action with respect to any additional matters that may come
before the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
|
|
Roland P. Keddie |
|
|
Secretary |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, 2006
22
Annex A
First Amendment to
Linn Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan
WHEREAS, Linn Energy, LLC (the Company) maintains the Linn Energy, LLC Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the LTIP) for the purpose of granting Awards thereunder to Employees and Directors of the
Company and its Affiliates who perform services for the Company and its Affiliates; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan to increase the number of Restricted Units that
may be awarded under the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, the following provisions of the Plan shall be amended to read as follows:
4. Units.
(a) Limits on Units Deliverable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the
maximum number of Units that may be delivered or reserved for delivery or underlying any Award with
respect to the Plan is 3,900,000, except that no more than 1,500,000 Units in the aggregate may be
issued under the Plan as Restricted Units. If any Award expires, is canceled, exercised, paid or
otherwise terminates without the delivery of Units, or if the maximum number of Units delivered is
reduced for any reason other than tax withholding or payment of the exercise price, then the Units
covered by such Award, to the extent of such expiration, cancellation, exercise, payment or
termination, shall again be Units with respect to which Awards may be granted. Units that cease to
be subject to an Award because of the exercise of the Award, or the vesting of Restricted Units or
similar Awards, shall no longer be subject to or available for any further grant under this Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may
be granted under the Plan and paid in cash.
All terms used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings given to such
terms in the Plan, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
Except as amended and modified hereby, the Plan shall continue in full force and effect and
the Plan and this instrument shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.
Executed this , 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linn Energy, LLC
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
Kolja Rockov |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer |
|
A-1
Annex B
Linn Energy, LLC
Long-Term Incentive Plan
1. Purpose of the Plan.
The Linn Energy Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan) is intended to promote the interests of
Linn Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), by providing to employees,
consultants, and directors of the Company and its Affiliates incentive compensation awards for
superior performance that are based on Units. The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the ability
of the Company and its Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are
essential for the growth and profitability of the Company and to encourage them to devote their
best efforts to advancing the business of the Company.
2. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the
Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Award means an Option, Restricted Unit, Unit Grant, Phantom Unit or Unit Appreciation Right
granted under the Plan, and shall include tandem DERs granted with respect to an Option, Phantom
Unit or Unit Appreciation Right.
Award Agreement means the written agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced.
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
|
(i) |
|
the acquisition by any person, as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), other
than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, of beneficial ownership (as defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing more than 35% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however,
that any acquisition of securities from QEP will be disregarded for purposes of
determining whether a Change of Control has occurred; or |
|
|
(ii) |
|
the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form of
business transaction or series of business transactions, in each case, with respect to
which persons who were the members of the Company immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation or other transaction do not, immediately
thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated companys then
outstanding voting securities; or |
|
|
(iii) |
|
the sale, lease or disposition (in one or a series of related transactions) by
the Company of all or substantially all our assets to any Person or its Affiliates,
other than the Company or its Affiliates; or |
|
|
(iv) |
|
a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a
majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. Incumbent Directors shall mean
directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the effective date of the
initial public offering of the Companys equity interests, or (B) are elected, or
nominated for election, thereafter to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least
a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of |
B-1
|
|
|
such election or nomination or (C) are among the five original independent directors of the
Company, but Incumbent Director shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is
in connection with (i) an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule
14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or an actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board or (ii) a plan
or agreement to replace a majority of the then Incumbent Directors; or |
|
|
(v) |
the approval by the Board or the members of the Company of a complete or
substantially complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
Solely with respect to any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code and to the extent
that the definition of change of control under Section 409A applies to limited liability companies,
this definition is intended to comply with the definition of change of control under Section 409A
of the Code as in effect commencing January 1, 2005 and, to the extent that the above definition
does not so comply, such definition shall be void and of no effect and, to the extent required to
ensure that this definition complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the
definition of such term set forth in regulations or other regulatory guidance issued under Section
409A of the Code by the appropriate governmental authority is hereby incorporated by reference into
and shall form part of this Plan as fully as if set forth herein verbatim and the Plan shall be
operated in accordance with the above definition of Change of Control as modified to the extent
necessary to ensure that the above definition complies with the definition prescribed in such
regulations or other regulatory guidance insofar as the definition relates to any Award that is
subject to Section 409A of the Code.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of the Board
as may be appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
Consultant means an individual, other than an Employee or a Director, providing bona fide
services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as a consultant or advisor, as applicable,
provided that such individual is a natural person and that such services are not in connection with
the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly
promote or maintain a market for any securities of the Company.
DER or Distribution Equivalent Right means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a
specific Option, Unit Appreciation Right or Phantom Unit, to receive an amount in cash equal to the
cash distributions made by the Company with respect to a Unit during the period such tandem Award
is outstanding.
Director means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
Employee means any employee of the Company or an Affiliate who perform services for the
Company and its Affiliates.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Fair Market Value means the closing sales price of a Unit on the applicable date (or if
there is no trading in the Units on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was
trading) as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or other reporting service approved by the
Committee). In the event Units are not publicly traded at the time a determination of fair market
value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in
good faith by the Committee.
LLC Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of
Linn Energy, LLC, as it may be subsequently amended or restated from time to time.
Option means an option to purchase Units granted under the Plan.
Participant means any Employee, Consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan.
Person means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint
venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political
subdivision thereof or other entity.
Phantom Unit means a phantom (notional) Unit granted under the Plan which upon vesting
entitles the Participant to receive a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a
Unit. Whether cash or Units
B-2
are received for Phantom Units shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and
shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
QEP means Quantum Energy Partners II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Restricted Period means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award
during which the Award remains subject to forfeiture or is either not exercisable by or payable to
the Participant, as the case may be.
Restricted Unit means a Unit granted under the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.
Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, or any successor
rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.
UDR or Unit Distribution Right means a distribution made by the Company with respect to a
Restricted Unit.
Unit means a Unit of the Company.
Unit Appreciation Right (UAR) means an Award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to
receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the exercise date over the exercise price
established for such Unit Appreciation Right. Such excess may be paid in cash and/or in Units as
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement.
Unit Grant means an Award of an unrestricted Unit.
3. Administration.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute
a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at
which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing,
shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in
addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the
Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the
type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be
covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to
what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited;
(vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made
under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint
such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make
any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable
for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all
designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the
Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and
shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any
Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.
4. Units.
(a) Limits on Units Deliverable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the
maximum number of Units that may be delivered or reserved for delivery or underlying any Award with
respect to the Plan is 3,900,000, except that no more than 500,000 Units in the aggregate may be
issued under the Plan as Restricted Units. If any Award expires, is canceled, exercised, paid or
otherwise terminates without the delivery of Units, or if the maximum number of Units delivered is
reduced for any reason other than tax withholding or payment of the exercise price, then the Units
covered by such Award, to the extent of such expiration, cancellation, exercise, payment or
termination, shall again be Units with respect to which Awards may be granted. Units that cease to
be subject to an Award because of the exercise of the Award, or the vesting of Restricted Units or
similar Awards, shall no longer be subject to or available for any further grant under this Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may
be granted under the Plan and paid in cash.
B-3
(b) Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards. Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award
shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units acquired in the open market, from any Affiliate, the
Company or any other Person, newly issued Units or any combination of the foregoing as determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion.
(c) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee determines that any distribution (whether
in the form of cash, Units, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, split, reverse
split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or
exchange of Units or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to
purchase Units or other securities of the Company, or other similar transaction or event affects
the Units such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or
all of (i) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which
Awards may be granted, (ii) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject
to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award or, if
deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award;
provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole number and,
provided further, that the Committee shall not take any action otherwise authorized under this
subparagraph (c) to the extent that (i) such action would cause (A) the application of Section 409A
of the Code to the Award or (B) create adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code
should that Code section apply to the Award or (ii) except as
permitted in Section 7(c), materially
reduce the benefit to the Participant without the consent of the Participant.
5. Eligibility.
Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and
receive an Award under the Plan.
6. Awards.
(a) Options. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees,
Consultants and Directors to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by
each Option, whether DERs are granted with respect to such Option, the purchase price therefor and
the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option, including the following terms and
conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.
(i) Exercise Price. The purchase price per Unit purchasable under an Option shall
be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted, provided such purchase
price may not be less than its Fair Market Value as of the date of grant.
(ii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times
at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, which may include, without
limitation, accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals, and the
method or methods by which payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or
deemed to have been made, which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to
the Company, a cashless-broker exercise through procedures approved by the Company, with
the consent of the Committee, the withholding of Units that would otherwise be delivered to
the Participant upon the exercise of the Option, other securities or other property, or any
combination thereof, having a fair market value (as determined by the Committee) on the
exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price.
(iii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Award Agreement,
upon termination of a Participants employment with or consulting services to the Company
and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason prior
to the date an Option becomes exercisable, all Options shall be forfeited by the
Participant. The Committee may in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture
with respect to a Participants Options.
(iv) DERs. To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of
Options may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be credited
to a bookkeeping
B-4
account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee) subject to the
same vesting restrictions as the tandem Award, or be subject to such other provisions or
restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
(b) Restricted Units and Unit Grants. The Committee shall have the authority to determine
the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Restricted Units and Unit Grants shall be granted,
the number of Restricted Units and/or Unit Grants to be granted to each such Participant, the
Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units may become vested or forfeited,
and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards,
including whether UDRs are granted with respect to Restricted Units.
(i) UDRs. To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of
Restricted Units may provide that distributions made by the Company with respect to the
Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the
Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, without interest,
until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the
same time, as the case may be. Absent such a restriction on the UDRs in the grant agreement,
UDRs shall be paid to the holder of the Restricted Unit without restriction.
(ii) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Award Agreement,
upon termination of a Participants employment with the Company and its Affiliates or
membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable
Restricted Period, all outstanding Restricted Units awarded the Participant shall be
automatically forfeited on such termination. The Committee may in its discretion, waive in
whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participants Restricted Units.
(iii) Lapse of Restrictions. Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the
vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant
shall be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate so that
the Participant then holds an unrestricted Unit.
(c) Phantom Units. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees,
Consultants and Directors to whom Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Phantom Units to be
granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the time or conditions under which the
Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited, which may include, without limitation, the
accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals, and such other terms and
conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards, including whether DERs are
granted with respect to such Phantom Units.
(i) DERs. To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of
Phantom Units may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be
credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the
Committee) subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem Award, or be subject to
such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, any grant of DERs with
respect to Phantom Units shall contain terms that (i) are designed to avoid application of
Section 409A of the Code to the Award or (ii) are designed to avoid adverse tax consequences
under Section 409A should that Code section apply.
(ii) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Award Agreement,
upon termination of a Participants employment with or consulting services to the Company
and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason
during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Phantom Units awarded the
Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination. The Committee may, in its
discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participants
Phantom Units.
(iii) Lapse of Restrictions. Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the
vesting of each Phantom Unit, subject to the provisions of Section 8(b), the Participant
shall be entitled to receive from the Company one Unit or cash equal to the Fair Market
Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
B-5
(d) Unit Appreciation Rights. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the
Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Unit Appreciation Rights shall be granted, the number
of Units to be covered by each grant and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise
of the Unit Appreciation Right, including the following terms and conditions and such additional
terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan.
(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Unit Appreciation Right shall be not
less than its Fair Market Value as of the date of grant.
(ii) Vesting/Time of Payment. The Committee shall determine the time or times at
which a Unit Appreciation Right shall become vested and the time or times at which a Unit
Appreciation Right shall be paid in whole or in part.
(iii) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Award
Agreement, upon termination of a Participants employment with or services to the Company
and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason prior
to vesting, all unvested Unit Appreciation Rights awarded the Participant shall be
automatically forfeited on such termination. The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in
whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participants Unit Appreciation Rights,
in which case, such Unit Appreciation Rights shall be deemed vested upon termination of
employment or service and paid as soon as administratively practical thereafter.
(iv) Unit Appreciation Right DERs. To the extent provided by the Committee, in its
discretion, a grant of Unit Appreciation Rights may include a tandem DER grant, which may
provide that such DERs shall be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest
in the discretion of the Committee) subject to the same vesting restrictions as the tandem
Unit Appreciation Rights Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as
determined by the Committee in its discretion.
(e) General.
(i) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in the discretion of
the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution
for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the
Company or any Affiliate. No Award shall be issued in tandem with another Award if the
tandem Awards would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code.
Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any
other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a
different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(ii) Limits on Transfer of Awards.
(A) Except as provided in Section 6(e)(ii)(C)
below, each Award shall be exercisable or payable only to the
Participant during the Participants lifetime, or to the person to whom
the Participants rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.
(B) Except as provided in Section 6(e)(ii)(C) below, no Award and no right
under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or
otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported
assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance
shall be void and unenforceable against the Company, the Company or any
Affiliate.
(C) To the extent specifically provided by the
Committee with respect to an Award, an Award may be transferred by a
Participant without consideration to immediate family members or
related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on
such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time
establish.
(iii) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be
determined by the Committee, but shall not exceed 10 years.
B-6
(iv) Unit Certificates. All certificates for Units or other securities of the
Company delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be
subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem
advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any
stock exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable
federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such
certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(v) Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted for such consideration,
including services, as the Committee determines.
(vi) Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any grant agreement to the contrary, delivery of
Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during
which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able
to obtain Units to deliver pursuant to such Award without violating the rules or regulations
of any applicable law or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be
delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid
pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award grant agreement (including, without limitation,
any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Company.
(vii) Change of Control. Unless specifically provided otherwise in the Award
Agreement, upon a Change of Control or such time prior thereto as established by the
Committee, all outstanding Awards shall automatically vest or become exercisable in full, as
the case may be. In this regard, all Restricted Periods shall terminate and all performance
criteria, if any, shall be deemed to have been achieved at the maximum level. To the extent
an Option or UAR is not exercised, or a Phantom Unit or Restricted Unit does not vest, upon
the Change of Control, the Committee may, in its discretion, cancel such Award or provide
for an assumption of such Award or a replacement grant on substantially the same terms;
provided, however, upon any cancellation of an Option or UAR that has a positive spread or
a Phantom Unit or Restricted Unit, the holder shall be paid an amount in cash and/or other
property, as determined by the Committee, equal to such spread if an Option or UAR or
equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, if a Phantom Unit or Restricted Unit.
7. Amendment and Termination.
Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:
(a) Amendments to the Plan. Except as required by the rules of the principal securities
exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or the
Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including
increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any
partner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person.
(b) Amendments to Awards Subject to Section 7(a). The Committee may waive any conditions
or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided no change,
other than pursuant to Section 7(c), in any Award shall materially reduce the benefit to
Participant without the consent of such Participant and no change may be made which would cause any
Participant to be subject to excise tax under Section 409A of the Code.
(c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events.
The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the
criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without
limitation, the events described in Section 4(c) of the Plan) affecting the Company or the
financial statements of the Company, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting
principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
to Participants under the Plan or such Award.
B-7
(a) No Rights to Award. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the
Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and
conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
(b) Tax Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any
Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other
amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, other securities, Units that would
otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in
respect of the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment
or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in
the opinion of the Company to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.
(c) No Right to Employment or Services. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as
giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, to
continue as a consultant, or to remain on the Board, as applicable. Further, the Company or an
Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or terminate a consulting
relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan, any Award agreement or other agreement.
(d) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and
regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
(e) Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, any
Award granted under the Plan shall contain terms that (i) are designed to avoid application of
Section 409A of the Code to the Award or (ii) are designed to avoid adverse tax consequences under
Section 409A of the Code should that section apply to the Award. If any Plan provision or Award
under the Plan would result in the imposition of an applicable tax under Section 409A of the Code
and related regulations and pronouncements, that Plan provision or Award will be reformed to avoid
imposition of the applicable tax and no action taken to comply with Section 409A of the Code shall
be deemed to adversely affect the Participants rights to an Award or to require the Participants
consent.
(f) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any award is or becomes or is deemed to
be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would
disqualify the Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable by the Compensation Committee,
such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it
cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Compensation Committee,
materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to
such jurisdiction, person or award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in
full force and effect.
(g) Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other
consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or
transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation,
the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the
Company or an Affiliate to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any
payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with
the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or
beneficiary.
(h) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any award shall create or be construed
to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or
any participating Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person
acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any participating Affiliate pursuant to an
Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the
Company or any participating Affiliate.
(i) No Fractional Units. No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the
Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other
property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional
Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
B-8
(j) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a
convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or
relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
(k) Facility Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal disability
or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to properly manage his financial affairs, may
be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit of such
person in any manner which the Committee may select, and the Company shall be relieved of any
further liability for payment of such amounts.
(l) Participation by Affiliates. In making Awards to Consultants and Employees employed by
an Affiliate, the Committee shall be acting on behalf of the Affiliate, and to the extent the
Company has an obligation to reimburse the Affiliate for compensation paid to Consultants and
Employees for services rendered for the benefit of the Company, such payments or reimbursement
payments may be made by the Company directly to the Affiliate, and, if made to the Company, shall
be received by the Company as agent for the Affiliate.
(m) Gender and Number. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender,
the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
(n) No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. None of the Board, the Company, nor the Committee
makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be
available to any person participating or eligible to participate hereunder.
9. Term of the Plan.
The Plan shall be effective on the date of its approval by the Board and shall continue until
the date terminated by the Board. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an
applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the
Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award
or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.
B-9
(Front of Card)
PROXY FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF UNITHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael C. Linn and Kolja Rockov, and each of them, with or
without the other, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all Units that the undersigned
is entitled to vote at the 2007 Special Meeting of Unitholders of Linn Energy, LLC (the Company),
to be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at 650 Washington
Road, 8th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228, and all adjournments and postponements thereof as
follows:
(1) To change the terms of Class B Units to provide that each Unit will automatically convert
into one Unit and to issue additional Units upon such conversion.
(2) To amend the LTIP to provide that not more that 1,500,000 of the total number of Units
authorized to be issued under the LTIP may be issued as Restricted Units.
FOR CERTAIN IMPORTANT VOTING RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS, PLEASE READ THE REVERSE SIDE OF
THIS PROXY CARD BEFORE YOU VOTE YOUR UNITS ON THE PROPOSALS.
(continued on reverse side)
(Back of Card)
PROPOSAL
ONE: IF YOU ARE THE HOLDER OF UNITS PURCHASED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH CLASS B
UNITS ON OCTOBER 24, 2006, THEN YOUR EXECUTION OF THIS PROXY CARD WILL INDICATE YOUR VOTE OF ANY
UNITS OTHER THAN THOSE PURCHASED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE CLASS B UNITS HELD BY YOU ON THE
RECORD DATE WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSAL 1.
PROPOSAL
TWO: ALL UNITS HELD BY YOU AS OF THE RECORD DATE ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE ON PROPOSAL
2, EXCEPT THAT THE CLASS B UNITS ARE NON-VOTING.
This Proxy is revocable and will be voted as you specify. If
no specification is made with regard to the proposal, this Proxy will be voted FOR the proposal.
Receipt of the Notice of the Special Meeting and the related Proxy Statement is hereby
acknowledged.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated:
December , 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature, if jointly held |
|
|
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners must each sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as it
appears hereon. If held by a corporation, please sign in the full corporate name by the president
or other authorized officer.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.