Unassociated Document
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by
the Registrant x
Filed
by
a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check
the
appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x |
Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12.
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(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):
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3)
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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):
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4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary
materials.
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¨
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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.
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(1)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing
Party:
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(4)
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Date
Filed:
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ENERJEX
RESOURCES, INC.
27
Corporate Woods, Suite 350
10975
Grandview Drive
Overland
Park, KS 66210
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
be
held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dear
EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stockholders:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of EnerJex
Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“EnerJex”), to be held on Tuesday,
October 14, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., local time, at 27 Corporate Woods, Suite 350,
10975 Grandview Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. At the annual meeting,
you
will be asked to consider and vote on the following proposals;
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1.
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To
elect a new board of directors for EnerJex to hold office until the
next
annual stockholder’s meeting, (the current nominees are C. Stephen
Cochennet, Robert G. Wonish, Daran G. Dammeyer, Darrel G. Palmer
and Dr.
James W. Rector);
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2.
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To
amend and restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc.
Stock Option Plan;
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3.
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To
reaffirm the appointment of Weaver & Martin, LLC as EnerJex’s
independent auditors for the next year;
and
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4.
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To
consider and act upon any other matters that may properly come before
the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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EnerJex’s
board of directors has fixed the close of business on September 3, 2008 as
the
record date for the purpose of determining the stockholders who are entitled
to
receive notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any adjournment
thereof. A list of such stockholders will be available for examination by a
stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting during normal business hours
at EnerJex’s Executive offices at 27 Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975 Grandview
Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 for 10 days prior to the annual
meeting.
Overland
Park, Kansas
September
19, 2008
IMPORTANT
Whether
or not you expect to attend the annual meeting in person, EnerJex urges you
to
please vote your shares at your earliest convenience. This will ensure the
presence of a quorum at the meeting. Promptly voting your shares by signing,
dating and mailing the enclosed proxy will save EnerJex the expenses and extra
work of additional solicitation. Submitting your proxy now will not prevent
you
from voting your shares at the meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy
is
revocable at your option.
27
Corporate Woods, Suite 350
10975
Grandview Drive
Overland
Park, Kansas 66210
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
October
14, 2008
This
statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the board of
directors of EnerJex Resources, Inc. (hereinafter “EnerJex” or the “Company”) of
proxies in the accompanying form for the annual meeting of stockholders to
be
held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment
thereof.
This
proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy were first sent to stockholders
on or about September 19, 2008.
If
the
form of proxy enclosed herewith is executed and returned as requested, it may
nevertheless be revoked at any time prior to exercise by filing an instrument
revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date.
Solicitation
of proxies will be made by mail and by EnerJex’s chairman, C. Stephen Cochennet.
EnerJex will bear the costs of such solicitation and will reimburse brokerage
firms, banks, trustees and others for their actual out-of-pocket expenses in
forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners of its common
stock.
As
of the
close of business on September 3, 2008, the record date for the annual meeting,
EnerJex had outstanding and entitled to vote 4,443,467 shares of common stock.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of EnerJex’s stockholders. Only stockholders of record at
the close of business on September 3, 2008 are entitled to vote at the annual
meeting or at any adjournment thereof.
Stockholders
who send in proxies but attend the meeting in person may vote directly if they
prefer and withdraw their proxies or may allow their proxies to be voted with
the similar proxies sent in by other stockholders.
VOTING
PROCEDURES AND TABULATION
EnerJex
will appoint an election inspector to act at the meeting and to make a written
report thereof. Prior to the meeting, the inspector will sign an oath to perform
its duties in an impartial manner and to the best of its ability. The inspector
will ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of such
shares, determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of
proxies and ballots, count all votes and ballots and perform certain other
duties as required by law. The inspector will tabulate
the number of votes cast for, against or abstained from the proposals described
in the foregoing notice.
The
presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of common stock
holding in the aggregate a majority of the voting power of EnerJex’s stock
entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of
business. The vote of holders of common stock holding in the aggregate a
majority of the voting power of EnerJex’s stock present at the meeting, in
person or by proxy, shall decide the proposals to elect directors, amend and
restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Option Plan and ratify the appointment
of auditors. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum
for the meeting, but will not count as votes cast for the election of Directors
or any other question. Accordingly, abstentions will have the same effect as
a
vote cast “AGAINST” each proposal.
If
EnerJex receives a signed proxy card with no indication of the manner in which
shares are to be voted on the proposals, such shares will be voted in accordance
with the recommendation of the board of directors for such
proposal.
Brokers
who hold shares in street name only have the authority to vote on certain items
when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. Any “broker
non-votes” will be counted for the purposes of establishing a quorum for the
meeting, but will not be counted as votes cast for the election of Directors
or
any other question. Accordingly, “broker non-votes” will have the same effect as
a vote cast “AGAINST” each proposal.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ABOUT
THE PROXY MATERIALS, PROPOSALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
Q. |
Why
am I receiving these
materials?
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A.
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EnerJex’s
board of directors is providing these proxy materials to you in connection
with the annual meeting of stockholders, which will take place on
Tuesday,
October 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., local time, at the EnerJex executive
office, at 27 Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975 Grandview Drive,
Overland
Park, Kansas 66210. As a stockholder, you are invited to attend the
annual
meeting and are requested to vote on the items of business described
in
this Proxy Statement.
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Q. |
How
may I obtain EnerJex’s annual report for the fiscal ended March 31,
2008?
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A.
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Stockholders
may request a free copy of EnerJex’s annual report by writing to: EnerJex
Resource, Inc., 27 Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975 Grandview Drive,
Overland Park, Kansas 66210. Current and prospective investors can
also
access or order free copies of EnerJex’s annual report, this Proxy
Statement, and other financial information and reports from the SEC
website at http://www.sec.gov.
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Q. |
What
proposals are stockholders being asked to consider at the upcoming
annual
meeting?
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A.
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EnerJex
is electing directors to serve for the next fiscal year, seeking
approval
to amend and restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Option Plan
and
seeking ratification of the appointment of its independent registered
public accounting firm.
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Q.
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Why
is EnerJex seeking stockholder approval to amend and restate the
EnerJex
Resources, Inc. Stock Option
Plan?
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A.
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EnerJex’s
governance, compensation and nominating committee of the board of
directors proposes to amend and restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc.
Stock
Option Plan (the “Plan”) to (i) increase the maximum number of shares of
its common stock that may be issued under the Plan from 1,000,000
to
1,250,000 and (ii) add restricted stock as an eligible award that
can be
granted under the Plan. If these amendments are approved, the Plan
will
also be renamed the EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.
The
purpose of the amendments is to increase the flexibility in finding
appropriate long-term incentives for EnerJex’s officers, directors,
employees, independent contractors and consultants as alternatives
to
short-term cash payments. EnerJex expects that equity-based incentives
will comprise an important part of future compensation packages needed
to
attract qualified executives, key employees, directors and consultants
to
EnerJex.
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Q.
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What
happens if the proposal to amend and restate the EnerJex Resources,
Inc.
Stock Option Plan is
approved?
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A.
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If
the proposal to amend and restate the Plan is approved, then EnerJex
will
amend and restate the Plan and the governance, compensation and nominating
committee of the board of directors will have the ability to grant
an
additional 250,000 stock options and also grant shares of restricted
stock
under the Plan.
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Q.
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What
if the proposal to amend and restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc.
Stock
Option Plan not
approved?
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A.
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If
the proposal to amend and restate the Plan does not receive stockholder
approval, the Plan will remain the same and the governance, compensation
and nominating committee will only be able to grant the number of
stock
options currently available and will not be able to grant shares
of
restricted stock under the Plan.
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Q. |
How
does the board of directors recommend that I
vote?
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A.
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EnerJex’s
board of directors recommends that you vote your shares “FOR” each of the
proposals at the annual meeting.
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Q. |
What
shares can I vote?
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A.
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Each
share of EnerJex common stock outstanding as of the close of business
on
September 3, 2008 (the record date) is entitled to one vote on all
items
being voted on at the annual meeting. You may vote all shares owned
by you
as of the record date, including (i) shares held directly in your
name as
the stockholder of record and (ii) shares held for you as the beneficial
owner through a broker, trustee or other nominee, such as a
bank.
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Q.
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What
is the difference between holding shares as a “stockholder of record” and
as a “beneficial owner?”
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A.
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Many
EnerJex common stockholders hold their shares through a broker or
other
nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below,
there
are some distinctions between common shares held of record and those
owned
beneficially.
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·
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Stockholder
of Record:
If your common shares are registered directly in your name with EnerJex’s
common stock transfer agent (Standard Registrar & Transfer Co., Inc.),
you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those
shares.
As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting
proxy directly to EnerJex or to vote in person at the annual meeting.
A
proxy card is enclosed for you to
use.
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·
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Beneficial
Owner:
If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee
(often referred to as being held in “street name”), you are considered the
beneficial owner of such shares, and these proxy materials are being
forwarded to you together with a voting instruction card by your
broker,
trustee or nominee, as the case may be. As the beneficial owner,
you have
the right to direct your broker, trustee or nominee how to vote,
and you
are also invited to attend the annual
meeting.
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Since
a
beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares
in person at the annual meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the
broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to
vote
the shares at the meeting. Your broker, trustee or nominee should have enclosed
or provided voting instructions for you to use in directing the broker, trustee
or other nominee how to vote your shares.
Q. |
How
can I attend the annual meeting?
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A.
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Because
seating is limited, admission to the meeting will be on a first-come,
first-served basis. You should be prepared to present photo identification
for admittance. If you are not a stockholder of record as of the
record
date but held your shares in street name, you should provide proof
of
beneficial ownership as of the record date, such as your most recent
account statement prior to September 3, 2008, a copy of the voting
instruction card provided by your broker, trustee or nominee, or
other
similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide photo identification
or comply with the other procedures outlined above, you may not be
admitted to the annual meeting.
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Please
let EnerJex know if you plan to attend the meeting by marking the box on the
enclosed proxy card. The meeting will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. local time.
Check-in will begin at 1:30 p.m. local time, and you should allow ample time
for
the check-in procedures.
Q. |
How
can I vote my shares in person at the annual
meeting?
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A.
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Shares
held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted by you
in
person at the annual meeting. Shares held in street name may be voted
by
you in person at the annual meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy
from
the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you
the right
to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting,
EnerJex
recommends that you submit your proxy or voting instructions as described
below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to
attend
the meeting.
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Q. |
How
can I vote my shares without attending the annual
meeting?
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A.
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Whether
you hold shares as the stockholder of record or in street name, you
may
direct how your shares are voted without attending the annual meeting.
If
you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by submitting a proxy
to
EnerJex. If you hold shares in street name, you may vote by submitting
voting instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee. For directions
on
how to vote, please refer to the instructions included on your proxy
card
or, for shares held in street name, the voting instruction card provided
by your broker, trustee or nominee.
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A.
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You
may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the annual
meeting.
If you are the stockholder of record, you may change your vote by
(i)
granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes
the
earlier proxy), (ii) providing a written notice of revocation of
your
proxy to EnerJex’s corporate Secretary prior to your shares being voted,
or (iii) attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Mere
attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted
proxy to
be revoked unless you specifically so request. If you hold shares
in
street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting
instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee, or, if you have
obtained
a legal proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to
vote
your shares, by attending the meeting and voting in
person.
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VOTING
SECURITIES
The
following table presents information,
to the
best of EnerJex’s knowledge, about
the
ownership of its common stock on September 3, 2008 relating
to those persons known to beneficially own more than 5% of its capital stock
and
by its directors and executive officers. The
percentage of beneficial ownership for the following table is based on 4,443,467
shares of common stock outstanding. All information in this proxy statement
gives effect to a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of EnerJex’s outstanding shares of
common stock effected on July 25, 2008. The reverse stock split did not affect
the number of authorized shares or par value per share.
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership
for
any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes those shares
of common stock over which the stockholder has sole or shared voting or
investment power. It also includes shares of common stock that the stockholder
has a right to acquire within 60 days after September 3, 2008 pursuant to
options, warrants, conversion privileges or other right. The percentage
ownership of the outstanding common stock, however, is based on the assumption,
expressly required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
that
only the person or entity whose ownership is being reported has converted
options or warrants into shares of EnerJex’s common stock.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner, Officer or Director(1)
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Number
of Shares
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Percent of
Outstanding Shares
of Common Stock(2)
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C. Stephen
Cochennet, President & Chief Executive Officer(3)
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630,000
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(4)
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13.5
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%
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Dierdre
P. Jones, Chief Financial Officer(3)
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60,000
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(5)
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1.3
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%
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Robert
G. Wonish, Director(3)
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68,000
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(6)
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1.5
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%
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Darrel
G. Palmer, Director(3)
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68,000
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(6)
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1.5
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%
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Daran
G. Dammeyer, Director(3)
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72,102
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(6)
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1.6
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%
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Dr.
James W. Rector, Director(3)
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38,000
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(7)
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*
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Directors
and Officers as a Group
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936,102
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(8)
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18.8
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%
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West
Coast Opportunity Fund LLC(9)
West
Coast Asset Management, Inc.
Paul
Orfalea, Lance Helfert & R. Atticus Lowe
2151
Alessandro Drive, #100
Ventura,
CA 93001
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1,000,000
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22.5
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%
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Enable
Growth Partners L.P.(10)
Enable
Capital Management, LLC
Mitchell
S. Levine
One
Ferry Building, Suite 225
San
Francisco, CA 94111
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385,980
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8.7
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%
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*
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Represents
beneficial ownership of less than 1%
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(1)
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As
used in this table, “beneficial ownership” means the sole or shared power
to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, or the sole or shared
investment power with respect to a security (i.e., the power
to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, a security).
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(2)
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Figures
are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.
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(3)
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The
address of each person is care of EnerJex: 27
Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975 Grandview Drive, Overland Park,
Kansas
66210.
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(4)
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Includes
230,000 currently exercisable
options.
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(5)
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Includes
60,000 currently exercisable options.
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(6)
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Includes
68,000 currently exercisable
options.
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(7)
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Includes
38,000 currently
exercisable options.
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(8)
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Includes
532,000 currently exercisable options held by our executive officers
and
directors.
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(9)
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Based
on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 4, 2008, the investment
manager of West Coast Opportunity Fund, LLC (“WCOF”) is West Coast Asset
Management (“WCAM”). WCAM has the authority to take any and all actions on
behalf of WCOF, including voting any shares held by WCOF. Paul Orfalea,
Lance Helfert and R. Atticus Lowe constitute the Investment Committee
of
WCOF. Messrs. Orfalea, Helfert and Lowe disclaim beneficial ownership
of
the shares.
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(10)
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Based
on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 20, 2008, Enable
Capital Management, LLC, as general and investment manager of Enable
Growth Partners L.P. and other clients, may be deemed to have the
power to
direct the voting or disposition of shares of common stock held by
Enable
Growth Partners L.P. (1,385,200 shares of common stock) and other
clients
(544,700 shares of common stock). Therefore, Energy Capital Management,
LLC, as Enable Growth Partners L.P.’s and those other accounts’ general
partner and investment manager, and Mitchell S. Levine, as managing
member
and majority owner of Enable Capital Management, LLC, may be deemed
to
beneficially own the shares of common stock owned by Enable Growth
Partners L.P. and such other
accounts.
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PROPOSAL
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
At
the
2008 annual meeting of stockholders, a board of directors consisting of five
members will be elected, each director to hold office until the next annual
meeting of stockholders, or a successor is elected and qualified, or until
the
director resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.
EnerJex’s
governance, compensation and nominating committee has nominated for election
all
five of the current members of the board of directors: C. Stephen Cochennet,
Robert G. Wonish, Daran G. Dammeyer, Darrel G. Palmer and Dr. James W. Rector.
The nominees have consented to their nomination to the board of directors,
and
will serve if elected. However, if the nominees should become unavailable for
election, the accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of holding a vacancy
to
be filled by EnerJex’s current Directors. EnerJex has no reason to believe that
Messrs. Cochennet, Wonish, Dammeyer, Palmer or Dr. Rector will be unavailable
to
serve as Directors.
The
following information is provided regarding the nominees for election to the
board of directors.
Name
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|
Age
|
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Term
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|
Board
Committee(s)(1)
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet
|
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51
|
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Since
8/15/06
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None
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Robert
G. Wonish
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54
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Since
5/4/07
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GCNC
(Chairman) and Audit
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Daran
G. Dammeyer
|
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47
|
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Since
5/4/07
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Audit
(Chairman) and GCNC
|
Darrel
G. Palmer
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50
|
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Since
5/4/07
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GCNC
|
Dr.
James W. Rector
|
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47
|
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Since
3/19/08
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None
|
(1) “GCNC”
means the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee of the board of
directors. “Audit” means the Audit Committee of the board of
directors.
C.
Stephen Cochennet
has been
EnerJex’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since August 15, 2006.
From July 2002 to present, Mr. Cochennet has been President of CSC Group, LLC.
Mr. Cochennet formed the CSC Group, LLC, through which he supports a number
of
clients that include Fortune 500 corporations, international companies, natural
gas/electric utilities, outsource service providers, as well as various start
up
organizations. The services provided include strategic planning, capital
formation, corporate development, executive networking and transaction
structuring. Mr. Cochennet currently spends less than 10 hours per month on
activities associated with CSC Group, LLC. From 1985 to 2002, he held several
executive positions with UtiliCorp United Inc. (Aquila) in Kansas City. His
responsibilities included finance, administration, operations, human resources,
corporate development, natural gas/energy marketing, and managing several new
start up operations. Prior to his experience at UtiliCorp United Inc., Mr.
Cochennet served 6 years with the Federal Reserve System. Mr. Cochennet
graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.A. in Finance and
Economics.
Robert
G. Wonish
has
served as a member of EnerJex’s board of directors since May 2007. Effective
April 21, 2008, Mr. Wonish was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer
of Striker Oil & Gas, Inc. (OTC:BB SOIS), which is an oil and natural gas
exploration and production company. Mr. Wonish also serves on the board of
directors of Striker Oil & Gas, Inc. From December 2004 to June 30, 2007,
Mr. Wonish was Vice President of Petroleum Engineers Inc., a subsidiary of
The
CYMRI Corporation, now CYMRI, L.L.C., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Stratum Holdings, Inc. On July 1, 2007, Mr. Wonish was appointed President
and
Chief Operating Officer of Petroleum Engineers Inc. Mr. Wonish was also
President of CYMRI, L.L.C. After the sale of Petroleum Engineers Inc. in March
of 2008, Mr. Wonish resigned all positions in Petroleum Engineers Inc. and
CYMRI, L.L.C. as well as resigning as a member of the Stratum Holdings, Inc.
board of directors. He previously achieved positions of increasing
responsibility with PANACO, Inc., a public oil and natural gas company,
ultimately serving as that company’s President and Chief Operating Officer. He
began his engineering career at Amoco in 1975 and joined Panaco’s engineering
staff in 1992. Mr. Wonish received his Mechanical Engineering degree from the
University of Missouri-Rolla.
Daran
G. Dammeyer
has
served as a member of EnerJex’s board of directors since May 2007. Since July
1999, Mr. Dammeyer has served as President of D-Two Solutions through which
he
supports clients by primarily providing merger and acquisition support,
strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting process development and
implementation. From March 1999 through July 1999, Mr. Dammeyer was a Director
of International Financial Management for UtiliCorp United Inc. (Aquila), a
multinational energy solutions provider in Kansas City, Missouri. From November
1995 through March 1999, Mr. Dammeyer served as the Chief Financial Controller
of United Energy Limited in Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Dammeyer also served
in
numerous management positions at Michigan Energy Resources Company, including
Director of Internal Audit. Mr. Dammeyer earned his Bachelor of Business
Administration degree, with dual majors in Accounting and Corporate Financial
Management from The University of Toledo, Ohio.
Darrel
G. Palmer
has
served as a member of EnerJex’s board of directors since May of 2007. Since
January 1997, Mr. Palmer has been President of Energy Management Resources,
an
energy process management firm serving industrial and large commercial companies
throughout the U. S. and Canada. Mr. Palmer has 25 years of expertise in the
natural gas arena. His experiences encompass a wide area of the natural gas
industry and include working for natural gas marketing companies, local
distribution companies, and FERC regulated pipelines. Prior to becoming an
independent energy consultant in 1997, Mr. Palmer’s last position was Vice
President/National Account Sales at UtiliCorp United Inc. (Aquila) of Kansas
City, Missouri. Over the years Mr. Palmer has worked in many civic
organizations including United Way and has been a President of the local Kiwanis
Club. Junior Achievement of Minnesota awarded him the Bronze Leadership Award
for his accomplishments which included being an advisor, program manager,
holding various Board positions, and ultimately being Board President.
Dr.
James W. Rector
has
served as a member of EnerJex’s board of directors since March 19,
2008.
Dr.
Rector is the author of numerous technical papers along with a number of patents
on seismic technology. He was a co-founder of two seismic technology startups
that were later sold to NYSE-listed companies, and he regularly consults for
many of the major oil companies including Chevron and BP. In 1998, he founded
Berkeley GeoImaging LLC, which has completed five equity private placements
for
oil and natural gas exploration and development projects. Dr. Rector is a
tenured professor of Geophysics at the University of California at Berkeley
and
a faculty staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He
has
been the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal
of Applied Geophysics and
has
also served on the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Executive Committee.
He
received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Geophysics from Stanford
University.
When
the
accompanying proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares it represents
will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated thereon or, if no
direction is indicated, the shares will be voted in favor of the election of
the
five nominees identified above. EnerJex expects each nominee to be able to
serve
if elected, but if any nominee notifies EnerJex before this meeting that he
is
unable to do so, then the proxies will be voted for the remainder of those
nominated and, as designated by the Directors, may be voted (i) for a substitute
nominee or nominees, or (ii) to elect such lesser number to constitute the
whole
Board as equals the number of nominees who are able to serve.
The
vote
of holders of common stock holding in the aggregate a majority of the voting
power of EnerJex’s stock present at the meeting is required to elect the
nominees.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES.
Director
Independence
EnerJex’s
board of directors has determined that Messrs. Wonish, Dammeyer, Palmer and
Dr.
Rector are independent directors, as defined by Section 803 of the American
Stock Exchange Company Guide.
Board
of Directors’ Meetings, Committees, Directors’ Compensation and
Nominations
On
25
occasions during fiscal 2008, board of directors’ actions were taken by
unanimous written consent or resolution. The board of directors held an annual
meeting of directors following the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders and
three
other meetings during fiscal 2008. All directors attended this annual meeting
and each of the meetings of the board committees on which he served. Directors
are encouraged, but not required, to attend the annual meetings of EnerJex’s
stockholders.
Audit
Committee and Financial Expert
On
May 4,
2007, EnerJex established and appointed initial members to the audit committee
of its board of directors. Mr. Dammeyer is the chairman and Mr. Wonish serves
as
the other member of the committee. Currently, none of the members of the audit
committee are, or have been, EnerJex officers or employees, and each member
qualifies as an independent director as defined by Section 803 of the American
Stock Exchange Company Guide, Section 10A(m) of the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10A-3 thereunder. The board of
directors has determined that Mr. Dammeyer is an “audit committee financial
expert” as that term is used in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated
under the Exchange Act. The audit committee held ten meetings during fiscal
2008.
The
audit
committee has the sole authority to appoint and, when deemed appropriate,
replace EnerJex’s independent registered public accounting firm, and has
established a policy of pre-approving all audit and permissible non-audit
services provided by EnerJex’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The audit committee has, among other things, the responsibility to evaluate
the
qualifications and independence of EnerJex’s independent registered public
accounting firm; to review and approve the scope and results of the annual
audit; to review and discuss with management and the independent registered
public accounting firm the content of EnerJex’s financial statements prior to
the filing of its quarterly reports and annual reports; to review the content
and clarity of EnerJex’s proposed communications with investors regarding its
operating results and other financial matters; to review significant changes
in
EnerJex’s accounting policies; to establish procedures for receiving, retaining,
and investigating reports of illegal acts involving EnerJex or complaints or
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, and supervise
the investigation of any such reports, complaints or concerns; to establish
procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by EnerJex’s employees of
concerns or complaints regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;
and to provide sufficient opportunity for the independent auditors to meet
with
the committee without management present.
A
copy of
the audit committee charter is available on EnerJex’s website www.enerjexresources.com.
Governance,
Compensation and Nominating Committee
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee is comprised of Messrs.
Wonish, Dammeyer and Palmer. Mr. Wonish serves as the chairman of the
governance, compensation and nominating committee. The governance, compensation
and nominating committee is
responsible for, among other things; identifying,
reviewing, and evaluating individuals qualified to become members of the
board,
setting
the
compensation of the chief executive officer and performing other compensation
oversight, reviewing
and recommending the nomination of board members,
and
administering EnerJex’s equity compensation plans.
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee held five meetings during
fiscal 2008.
Officer
and Director Compensation Procedures
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee is responsible for
establishing and implementing, and monitoring adherence with, EnerJex’s
compensation philosophy. This responsibility also includes establishing and
approving the compensation program for its named executive officers and members
of EnerJex’s board of directors, which this committee believes is fair,
reasonable, and competitive. This committee acts pursuant to a charter approved
by EnerJex’s board of directors and may not delegate its authority.
EnerJex’s
compensation program is designed to retain and reward talented executives who
can contribute to its long-term success and to reward performance that is valued
by its stockholders. Key principles of EnerJex’s compensation philosophy, as
established by the governance, compensation and nominating committee, include
providing total compensation opportunities that are competitive within EnerJex’s
industry and ensuring that it aligns those compensation opportunities with
appropriate performance metrics. In this regard, EnerJex’s compensation
practices are intended to (i) provide competitive compensation packages
relative to our industry and competitors, at expected levels of performance,
which the governance, compensation and nominating committee believes is
sufficient to retain the talent necessary to run EnerJex’s business and execute
its strategies, (ii) support and reinforce important business goals and
objectives, and (iii) provide balanced incentives for achieving consistent
and strong results for all of EnerJex’s stakeholders, including stockholders,
employees, and customers.
Based
on
the foregoing objectives, the governance, compensation and nominating committee
has structured EnerJex’s executive compensation to motivate employees to achieve
the business goals established by its board of directors. During fiscal 2008,
the governance, compensation and nominating committee made compensation
decisions without the assistance of a compensation consultant. However,
subsequent to year-end, the governance, compensation and nominating committee
engaged Longnecker & Associates (“Longnecker”) to serve as EnerJex’s
independent compensation consultant. Longnecker provides expertise in the design
and implementation of EnerJex’s executive and director compensation plans, as
well as providing the governance, compensation and nominating committee with
relevant market data.
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee annually reviews all
compensation decisions relating to EnerJex’s named executive officers.
Administrative staff serves as management’s liaison with the governance,
compensation and nominating committee. In addition, outside legal counsel and
Accuity Financial, Inc., a consulting firm, provides assistance to the
governance, compensation and nominating committee in connection with
administration of its responsibilities, such as negotiating and drafting
employment agreements, setting meetings and assembling and distributing meeting
materials.
EnerJex’s
chief executive officer has no direct role in setting his own compensation.
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee does, however, meet with
its
chief executive officer to evaluate his performance against his pre-established
goals, and he makes recommendations to the board of directors regarding budgets
that may affect certain of those goals. The chief executive officer also makes
recommendations regarding compensation matters related to his direct reports
and
provides input regarding executive compensation programs and policies in
general.
Management
assists the governance, compensation and nominating committee by providing
information needed or requested by the governance, compensation and nominating
committee, such as reconciliation between actual performance and budget or
forecasted performance; historic compensation information; compensation expense;
EnerJex’s policies, reports and programs; and, information related to peer
companies. Management also provides input and advice regarding compensation
programs and policies, and their impact on EnerJex and its executives.
Director
Nomination Procedures
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee determines nominees for
EnerJex’s board of directors. EnerJex’s directors approved the selection of the
nominees for directors named in this proxy statement.
Generally,
nominees for directors are identified and suggested by the members of the board
or management using their business networks. The board has not retained any
executive search firms or other third parties to identify or evaluate director
candidates in the past and does not intend to in the near future. In selecting
a
nominee for director, the governance, compensation and nominating committee
considers the following criteria:
|
1.
|
whether
the nominee has the personal attributes for successful service on
the
board, such as demonstrated character and integrity; experience at
a
strategy/policy setting level; managerial experience dealing with
complex
problems; an ability to work effectively with others; and sufficient
time
to devote to the affairs of
EnerJex;
|
|
2.
|
whether
the nominee has been the chief executive officer or senior executive
of a
public company or a leader of a similar organization, including industry
groups, universities or governmental
organizations;
|
|
3.
|
whether
the nominee, by virtue of particular experience, technical expertise
or
specialized skills or contacts relevant to EnerJex’s current or future
business, will add specific value as a board member;
and
|
|
4.
|
whether
there are any other factors related to the ability and willingness
of a
new nominee to serve, or an existing board member to continue his
service.
|
The
governance, compensation and nominating committee has not established any
specific minimum qualifications that a candidate for director must meet in
order
to be recommended for board membership. Rather the governance, compensation
and
nominating committee will evaluate the mix of skills and experience that the
candidate offers, consider how a given candidate meets the board’s current
expectations with respect to each such criterion and make a determination
regarding whether a candidate should be recommended to the stockholders for
election as a director. For the year ended March 31, 2008, EnerJex did not
receive any recommendations for directors from its stockholders; however, the
board appointed Dr. Rector to serve as a new member on March 19, 2008.
EnerJex
will consider for inclusion in its nominations of new board of director nominees
proposed by stockholders who have held at least 1% of the outstanding voting
securities of EnerJex for at least one year. Board candidates referred by such
stockholders will be considered on the same basis as board candidates referred
from other sources. Any stockholder who wishes to recommend for EnerJex’s
consideration a prospective nominee to serve on the board of directors may
do so
by giving the candidate’s name and qualifications in writing to EnerJex’s
secretary at the following address: 27 Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975
Grandview Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66210.
A
copy of
the governance, compensation and nominating committee charter is available
on
EnerJex’s website at www.enerjexresources.com.
Stockholder
Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders
who wish to communicate with the board or a particular director may send a
letter to the secretary of EnerJex at: 27 Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975
Grandview Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66210. The mailing envelope must contain
a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board
Communication” or “Stockholder-Director Communication.” All such letters must
identify the author as a stockholder and clearly state whether the intended
recipients are all members of the board or just certain specified individual
directors. The secretary will make copies of all such letters and circulate
them
to the appropriate director or directors.
Code
of Ethics
EnerJex
has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of its
directors, officers and employees, as well as to directors, officers and
employees of each subsidiary of EnerJex. A copy of the code of business conduct
and ethics is available on EnerJex’s website at www.enerjexresources.com.
If any
substantive amendments are made to the code of business conduct and ethics
or if
EnerJex’s grants any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of
the code to any of its officers and directors, EnerJex will satisfy any
disclosure requirements of Form 8-K by disclosing the nature of such amendment
or waiver on its website at www.enerjexresources.com.
Limitation
of Liability of Directors
Pursuant
to the Nevada General Corporation Law, EnerJex’s articles of incorporation
exclude personal liability for its directors for monetary damages based upon
any
violation of their fiduciary duties as directors, except as to liability for
any
breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or any transaction
from which a director receives an improper personal benefit. This exclusion
of
liability does not limit any right which a director may have to be indemnified
and does not affect any director’s liability under federal or applicable state
securities laws. EnerJex has agreed to indemnify its directors against expenses,
judgments, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim against
a
director if he acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be in
EnerJex’s best interests.
Executive
Officers
The
following table sets forth certain information
regarding EnerJex’s current executive officers. EnerJex’s executive officers
serve at the discretion of the board of directors, unless otherwise governed
by
employment contracts.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet
|
|
51
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Dierdre
P. Jones
|
|
44
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet
has been
EnerJex’s president and chief executive officer since August 15, 2006. See Mr.
Cochennet’s biography on page 6 above.
Dierdre
P. Jones has
been
EnerJex’s chief financial officer since August 1, 2008. From August 2007
through July 2008 Ms. Jones served as our director of finance and
accounting. From May 2007 through August 2007, Ms. Jones provided
independent consulting services for the company, primarily in the testing and
implementation of financial accounting and reporting software. From May 2002
through May 2007, Ms. Jones was sole proprietor of These
Faux Walls, a
specialty design company. She holds the professional designations of Certified
Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor. Prior to joining EnerJex,
Ms. Jones held management positions with UtiliCorp United Inc. (Aquila),
and served three years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co.
Ms. Jones graduated with distinction from the University of Kansas with a
B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration.
Executive
Compensation
The
following table sets forth summary compensation information for the fiscal
years
ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 for EnerJex’s chief executive officer. EnerJex did
not have any other executive officers as of the end of fiscal 2008 whose total
compensation exceeded $100,000 and no compensation was paid to Mr. Cochennet
in
fiscal 2006. EnerJex refers to Mr. Cochennet as its named executive officer
elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
156,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
859,622
|
(2)
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
1,015,622
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
110,500
|
(1)
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
9,500
|
(3)
|
$
|
120,000
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Cochennet began receiving compensation as of August 1, 2006; therefore
the
amounts listed for fiscal 2007 represent compensation for only a
portion
of the year. EnerJex agreed to pay Mr. Cochennet a monthly salary
of
$13,000. Mr. Cochennet received $26,000 as compensation for August
1, 2006
through October 1, 2006. As of October 15, 2006, Mr. Cochennet agreed
to
defer his salary until financing was secured. As of March 31, 2007,
EnerJex accrued $84,500 of Mr. Cochennet’s salary. Subsequent to March 31,
2007, Mr. Cochennet’s accrued salary was
paid.
|
|
(2)
|
Amount
represents the estimated total fair value of stock options granted
to Mr.
Cochennet under SFAS 123(R).
|
|
(3)
|
Represents
automobile maintenance and related
costs.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at 2008 Fiscal Year-End
The
following table lists the outstanding equity incentive awards held by EnerJex’s
named executive officer as of March 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet
|
|
2008
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6.25
|
|
|
05/03/2011
|
|
Option
Exercises for Fiscal 2008
There
were no options exercised by EnerJex’s named executive officer in fiscal 2008.
Employment
Agreements
As
of the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, EnerJex had not entered into any employment
agreements with its executive officers. On August 1, 2008, EnerJex entered
into
employment agreements with C. Stephen Cochennet, its chief executive officer,
and Dierdre P. Jones, its chief financial officer. Each employment agreement
was
approved by the governance, compensation and nominating committee of the board
of directors.
Cochennet
Employment Agreement
In
general, Mr. Cochennet’s employment agreement contains provisions concerning
terms of
employment, voluntary and involuntary termination, indemnification, severance
payments, and other termination benefits, in addition to a non-compete clause
and certain other perquisites, such as; long-term disability insurance, director
and officer insurance, and a $1,000 per month automobile allowance. The original
term of Mr. Cochennet’s employment agreement runs from August 1, 2008 until July
31, 2011. The term of the employment agreement is automatically extended for
additional one year terms unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the
terms of the employment agreement.
Mr.
Cochennet’s employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of
$200,000, which may be adjusted by the governance, compensation and nominating
committee or the board of directors of EnerJex.
In
addition, Mr. Cochennet is eligible to receive an annual bonus up to one hundred
percent (100%) of his applicable base salary in cash or shares of restricted
stock (if approved by EnerJex’s stockholders in accordance with Proposal 2)
subject to EnerJex obtaining certain business objectives established by the
board of directors. Mr. Cochennet is eligible to receive up to 135,000 options
to purchase shares of EnerJex’s common stock based upon EnerJex’s achievement of
specified performance targets. Additional information regarding these options
is
set forth in the following table.
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
Maximum # of
Options
|
|
Strike Price
of Options
|
|
Option
Expiration Date*
|
|
2009
|
|
7/01/2009
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
Fair Market Value on
Grant Date
|
|
6/30/2012
|
|
2010
|
|
7/01/2010
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
Fair Market Value on
Grant Date
|
|
6/30/2013
|
|
2011
|
|
7/01/2011
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
Fair Market Value on
Grant Date
|
|
6/30/2014
|
|
|
*
The options shall be immediately vested and exercisable from the
grant
date through the option expiration
date.
|
The
number of stock options granted each fiscal year shall be based upon a schedule
set forth in Mr. Cochennet’s employment agreement and will be prorated if actual
performance does not equal or exceed 100% of the targeted performance
conditions. Mr. Cochennet must be employed by EnerJex on the grant date to
receive the stock options.
The
maximum number of options available to be earned by Mr. Cochennet each year
is
subject to “catch-up”, such that if an element in year one is missed, it may be
“caught-up” in year two, so long as the cumulative goal is met. Any catch-up
options will be granted at the then current stock price.
As
consideration for his efforts during fiscal 2008, EnerJex also agreed to pay
Mr.
Cochennet a $50,000 cash bonus and grant him 30,000 options to purchase shares
of EnerJex’s common stock at $6.25 per share. These options have a term of three
years and vested immediately upon grant.
EnerJex
also granted Mr. Cochennet 45,000 options to purchase shares of EnerJex’s common
stock at $6.25 per share as a signing bonus under the employment agreement.
These options vest, assuming Mr. Cochennet remains employed by EnerJex, based on
the following schedule: 10,000 on July 1, 2009; 15,000 on July 1, 2010; and
20,000 on July 1, 2011. The options will be exercisable for a three year term
following each respective vesting date.
Jones
Employment Agreement
In
general, Ms. Jones’ employment agreement contains provisions concerning terms of
employment, voluntary and involuntary termination, indemnification, severance
payments, and other termination benefits, in addition to certain other
perquisites. The original term of Ms. Jones’ employment agreement runs from
August 1, 2008 until July 31, 2011.
Ms.
Jones’ employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of
$140,000, which may be adjusted by the governance, compensation and nominating
committee or the board of directors of EnerJex.
In
addition, Ms. Jones is eligible to receive an annual bonus up to thirty percent
(30%) of her applicable base salary and is also eligible to participate in
other
incentive programs established by EnerJex.
The
Company granted Ms. Jones 40,000 options to purchase shares of EnerJex’s common
stock at $6.25 per share for a period of three years, which vested immediately
upon grant.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
As
of the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, EnerJex had not entered into any compensatory
plans or arrangements with respect to its named executive officer, which would
in any way result in payments to such officer because of his resignation,
retirement, or other termination of employment with EnerJex or its subsidiaries,
or any change in control of, or a change in his responsibilities following
a
change in control.
However,
on August 1, 2008, EnerJex entered into employment agreements with C. Stephen
Cochennet, its chief executive officer, and Dierdre P. Jones, its chief
financial officer. Both of these agreements provide for payments to Mr.
Cochennet and Ms. Jones upon termination and for a change of
control.
C.
Stephen Cochennet
In
the
event of a termination of employment with EnerJex by Cochennet for “good
reason”, which includes by reason of a “change of control”, or by EnerJex
without “cause” (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Cochennet would
receive: (i) a lump sum payment equal to all earned but unpaid base salary
through the date of termination of employment; (ii) a lump sum payment equal
to
the annual incentive amount (assuming achievement at 100% of target) that
Cochennet would have earned if he had remained employed through June
30th
following the last day of the current fiscal year; (iii) a lump sum payment
equal to an amount equal to the lesser of (a) 12-months base salary or (b)
the
base salary Cochennet would have received had he remained in employment through
the end of the then existing term of the agreement; and (iv) immediate vesting
of all equity awards (including but not limited to stock options and restricted
shares).
In
the
event of a termination of Mr. Cochennet’s employment with EnerJex by reason of
incapacity, disability or death, Mr. Cochennet, or his estate, would
receive: (i) a lump sum payment equal to all earned but unpaid base
salary through the date of termination of employment or death; (ii) a lump
sum
payment equal to the annual incentive amount (assuming achievement at 100%
of
target) that Cochennet would have earned if he had remained employed through
June 30th
following the last day of the current fiscal year; and (iii) a lump sum payment
equal to an amount equal to six-months base salary.
If
the
event of a termination of Mr. Cochennet’s employment by EnerJex for “cause” (as
defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Cochennet would receive all earned
but
unpaid base salary through the date of termination of
employment. However, if a dispute arises between EnerJex and Mr.
Cochennet that is not resolved within 60 days and neither party initiates
arbitration proceedings pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement,
EnerJex shall have the option to pay Mr. Cochennet a lump sum payment equal
to
six-months base salary in lieu of any and all other amounts or payments to
which
Mr. Cochennet may be entitled relating to his employment with
EnerJex.
Dierdre
P. Jones
In
the
event of a termination of employment by Jones for “good reason” prior to a
“change of control” or by EnerJex without “cause” prior to a “change of control”
(all terms as defined in the employment agreement), Ms. Jones would receive:
(i)
a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of her salary; plus (ii) a lump sum
payment equal to the prorated portion of her bonus through the date of
termination; plus (iii) all unvested stock or options held by Jones shall
immediately vest and become exercisable for the full term set forth in such
stock option or equity award agreements; plus (iv) health insurance premiums
for
a period of 12 months.
Further,
in the event of the termination of Ms. Jones’ employment by EnerJex in
connection with a “change of control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement),
without cause within 12 months of a “change of control”, or by Ms. Jones for
“good reason” within 12 months of a “change of control,” Ms. Jones shall be
entitled to: (i) a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of her salary; plus
(ii)
a lump sum payment equal to 100% of her prior year’s bonus; plus (iii) all
unvested stock or options held by Jones shall immediately vest and become
exercisable for the full term set forth in such stock option or equity award
agreements; plus (iv) health insurance premiums for a period of 12
months.
Non-Employee
Director Compensation
The
following table sets forth summary compensation information for the fiscal
year
ended March 31, 2008 for each of EnerJex’s non-employee directors:
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or Paid in
Cash
$
|
|
Stock
Awards
$
|
|
Option
Awards
$
|
|
All Other
Compensation
$
|
|
Total
$
|
|
Daran
G. Dammeyer
|
|
$
|
42,000
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
(1)
|
$
|
171,924
|
(2)
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
225,924
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darrel
G. Palmer
|
|
$
|
14,500
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
171,924
|
(2)
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
186,424
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
G. Wonish
|
|
$
|
12,250
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
171,924
|
(2)
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
184,174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr.
James W. Rector(3)
|
|
$
|
357
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
357
|
|
(1)
|
|
Amount
represents the estimated total fair market value of 1,920 shares
of common
stock issued to Mr. Dammeyer for services as audit committee chairman
under SFAS 123(R), as discussed in Note 2 to EnerJex’s audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
|
(2)
|
|
Amount
represents the estimated total fair market value of 40,000 stock
options
granted to each of Messrs. Dammeyer, Palmer and Wonish under SFAS
123(R),
as discussed in Note 2 to EnerJex’s financial statements for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2008. The 40,000 options granted to Messrs.
Dammeyer,
Palmer and Wonish were outstanding at fiscal year end.
|
(3)
|
|
Mr.
Rector was appointed to the board of directors on March 19,
2008.
|
Board
compensation was recently increased for fiscal 2009 upon the recommendation
of
an independent compensation consultant and the governance, compensation and
nominating committee of the board of directors. The annual retainer for
non-employee directors is now $20,000 with a meeting fee of $1,500 for those
in
attendance and $750 for those who participate by telephone. The chair of
the audit committee will be paid an annual retainer of $42,000, payable with
$2,500 per month in cash and $12,000 worth of common stock, at the
beginning of this fiscal year based on the fair market value of such stock
on or
around April 1st of each year. Members of the audit committee will be paid
an annual cash retainer of $15,000 and $375 per meeting attended. The
chair of the governance, compensation and nominating committee will be paid
an
annual cash retainer of $8,000, payable quarterly, while members of that
committee will be paid an annual cash retainer of $2,000, payable quarterly,
and
$375 per meeting attended. In addition, the directors are reimbursed
for expenses incurred in connection with board and committee
membership.
For
joining the board this fiscal year, Dr. Rector was granted options to purchase
10,000 shares of common stock for three years at an exercise price of $6.25
per
share. Each non-employee director was also granted options to purchase
28,000 shares of common stock for three years at an exercise price of $6.25
per
share as equity-based compensation for fiscal year 2009.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at 2008 Fiscal Year-End
The
following table lists the outstanding equity incentive awards held by EnerJex’s
non-employee directors as of March 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daran
G. Dammeyer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6.25
|
|
05/03/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darrel
G. Palmer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6.25
|
|
05/03/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
G. Wonish
|
|
2008
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
$
|
6.25
|
|
05/03/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr.
James W. Rector
|
|
2008
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
—
|
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
EnerJex
was not a party to any transactions or series of similar transactions since
the
beginning of its last fiscal year in which:
|
|
|
|
•
|
The
amounts involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of
the
average of its total assets at year end for the last two completed
fiscal
years; and
|
|
•
|
A
director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of its common
stock or
any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or
indirect
material interest.
|
Section
16(a) Beneficial Owner Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
requires EnerJex’s executive officers and directors, and persons who
beneficially own more than ten percent of its common stock, to file initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission and to furnish EnerJex with copies of all such Section
16(a)
forms they file. Based upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished
to it
and written representations from its executive officers and directors, EnerJex
believes that as of the date of this proxy each of its executive officers,
directors and ten percent stockholders were current in their 16(a)
reports.
PROPOSAL
2. APPROVAL TO AMEND AND RESTATE THE ENERJEX STOCK OPTION
PLAN
General. EnerJex’s
board of directors proposes to amend and restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc.
Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) to (i) increase the maximum number of shares of
its common stock that may be issued under the Plan from 1,000,000 to 1,250,000,
(ii) add restricted stock as an eligible award that can be granted under the
Plan, (iii) impose limits required by Section 162(m) of the tax code and (iv)
extend the term of the Plan to October of 2018. The purpose of the amendments
is
to increase the flexibility in finding appropriate long-term incentives for
its
officers, directors, employees and consultants as alternatives to short-term
cash payments. EnerJex expects that equity based incentives will comprise an
important part of future compensation packages needed to attract qualified
executives, key employees, directors and consultants to EnerJex. EnerJex’s board
of directors believes it is in its best interests and those of its stockholders
to approve the Amended and Restated EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Incentive
Plan
(the “Amended Plan”). If approved, the Amended Plan will also be renamed the
EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.
Below
is
a summary of the Amended Plan proposed to be approved by EnerJex’s stockholders.
The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety
by
reference to the provisions of the Amended Plan. A copy of the Amended Plan
is
attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement.
Purpose.
The
purpose of the Amended Plan is to enhance the long-term stockholder value of
EnerJex by offering opportunities to EnerJex’s directors, employees, officers,
consultants and independent contractors (collectively the “Participants”) of
EnerJex and its subsidiaries to acquire and maintain stock ownership in EnerJex.
The Amended Plan seeks to accomplish this purpose by enabling specified persons
to purchase or be issued shares of common stock of EnerJex, thereby increasing
their proprietary interest in EnerJex’s success and encouraging them to remain
in the employ or service of EnerJex.
Administration
and Eligibility. The
administration of the Amended Plan will be provided by the governance,
compensation and nominating committee of the board of directors (the
“Committee”), which will have the authority to determine the types of equity
awards and the terms on which such awards are granted under the Amended Plan.
The Committee has the exclusive authority, in its discretion, to (i) construe
and interpret the Amended Plan, decide all questions and settle all
controversies and disputes which may arise in connection with the Amended Plan
and to define terms therein, (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to administration of the Amended Plan, (iii) determine
the
purchase price of the shares covered by each award and the method of payment
of
such price, individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, options shall
be granted and exercisable and the number of shares covered by each option
or
restricted stock grant, (iv) determine the terms and provisions of the
respective option or restricted stock agreements (which need not be identical),
(v) determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence which may be
granted to participants without constituting a termination of their employment
for purposes of the Amended Plan, and (vi) make all other determination
necessary or advisable to the administration of the Amended Plan.
The
Committee’s determination on matters referred to above will be conclusive and
binding on all parties involved or affected.
In
general, only officers, employees, and directors who are also employees of
EnerJex or any subsidiary shall be eligible to receive grants of incentive
stock
options. Officers, employees, and directors (whether or not they are also
employees) of EnerJex or any subsidiary, as well as consultants, independent
contractors or other service providers shall be eligible to receive grants
of
nonqualified options or restricted stock. The Committee from time to time will
determine and designate to whom options or restricted stock may be granted.
All
such designations will be made at the discretion of the Committee.
There
are
approximately 30 persons who are currently eligible for participation in the
Amended Plan.
Shares
Subject to Amended Plan. A
maximum of 1,250,000 shares of common stock may be issued pursuant to awards
granted under the Amended Plan. As of September 3, 2008, 495,500 shares were
reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding awards. Upon any merger,
reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, or similar
change in EnerJex’s capital structure, appropriate adjustments will be made to
the shares subject to the Amended Plan, to the terms of the grant of awards
described below and to outstanding awards. If shares of EnerJex’s common stock
are subject to an Award that terminates without such shares being issued, then
such shares of stock will again be available for grant and issuance under this
Plan. Shares of common stock used to pay the exercise price of an option or
to
satisfy tax withholding obligations shall not be available for future grant
or
issuance under the Amended Plan. The maximum number of options that may be
granted to a grantee in any fiscal year of EnerJex is 500,000. The maximum
number of shares subject to a restricted stock award to a grantee in any fiscal
year of EnerJex is 250,000.
The
following table sets forth the number of options granted or reserved for grant
under the Plan as of September 3, 2008 to each of EnerJex’s executive officers
(individually and as a group); all non-employee directors; and all non-executive
officers, other employees and consultants as a group.
Name
and Position
|
|
Number of
Options
|
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet, President & Chief Executive
Officer(1)
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
Dierdre
P. Jones, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
All
named executive officers
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
Robert
G. Wonish, Director
|
|
|
68,000
|
|
Daran
G. Dammeyer, Director
|
|
|
68,000
|
|
Darrel
G. Palmer, Director
|
|
|
68,000
|
|
Dr.
James W. Rector, Director
|
|
|
38,000
|
|
All
non-employee directors
|
|
|
242,000
|
|
All
non-executive officers, other employees and consultants
|
|
|
118,500
|
|
Total
|
|
|
495,500
|
|
|
(1) |
Mr.
Cochennet holds 200,000 options issued under EnerJex’s 2000/2001 Stock
Option Plan.
|
Anticipated
Issuances or Grants under the Amended Plan.
Under
the terms of Mr. Cochennet’s employment agreement, EnerJex has agreed that, if
the Amended Plan is approved by stockholders, Mr. Cochennet shall be entitled
to
participate in an annual incentive bonus plan with a maximum potential amount
of
up to 100% of Mr. Cochennet’s base salary in effect at the commencement of each
fiscal year. At the discretion of the Committee, the annual incentive
bonus for each fiscal year will be paid in cash or restricted stock pursuant
to
the Amended Plan. Fifty percent (50%) of the annual bonus shall be
earned upon the obtainment of mutually acceptable yearly business goals
determined by Mr. Cochennet and the Committee within thirty (30) days following
the commencement of each fiscal year (or with respect to the 2009 fiscal year,
within thirty (30) days following August 1, 2008). The remaining fifty percent
(50%) of the bonus shall be subject to the annual incentive elements set forth
in Mr. Cochennet’s employment agreement.
Other
than the potential grant of restricted stock to Mr. Cochennet described above,
the Committee does not currently have any intentions of granting additional
stock option or restricted stock awards under the Amended Plan.
Transfer
of Awards. In
general, during the lifetime of the optionee, an option will be exercised only
by the optionee and awards may not be transferred or assigned, except by will
or
the laws of descent and distribution. Awards may also be transferred under
a
qualified domestic relations order.
Terms
of Awards. The
Committee has the authority in its sole discretion to grant restricted stock,
and stock option awards as incentive stock options or non-qualified stock
options, as appropriate. The following are a summary of terms that will apply
to
any stock option or restricted stock awards granted under the Amended Plan,
unless otherwise amended or decided upon by the Committee:
|
a.
|
Exercise
price per share for each share a Participant is entitled to purchase
under
a nonqualified option will be determined by the Committee. The exercise
price per share for each share a Participant is entitled to purchase
under
an incentive stock option shall be determined by the Committee but
will
not be less than fair market value per share on the grant date. However,
incentive stock options issued to 10% or more holders hall be issued
at no
less than 110% of fair market value.
|
|
b.
|
The
consideration to be paid for the shares to be issued upon the exercise
of
an option shall be determined by the Committee and may consist of
cash,
shares of EnerJex’s common stock, such other cashless basis, or such other
consideration and method permitted under the applicable state and
federal
laws.
|
|
c.
|
Each
option granted shall be exercisable at such times and under conditions
determined by the Committee. However, in no event, shall an option
be
exercisable after 10 years from the grant date or 5 years from the
grant
date if the Participant owns more than 10% of the total combined
voting
power of all classes of stock of EnerJex or its subsidiaries on the
grant
date.
|
|
d.
|
Each
restricted stock grant shall vest at such times and under conditions
determined by the Committee.
|
To
the
extent that the right to purchase shares under a stock option award has vested,
in order to exercise the stock option the Participant must execute and deliver
to EnerJex a written stock option exercise agreement or notice in a form and
in
accordance with procedures established by the Committee. In addition, the full
exercise price of the option must be delivered to EnerJex and must be paid
in a
form acceptable to the Committee.
The
exact
terms of the option or restricted stock granted will be contained in an
agreement between EnerJex and the person to whom such option was granted.
Options will become exercisable by the Participant and restricted stock shall
vest in such amounts and at such times as determined by the Committee in each
individual grant. Options and unvested restricted stock are not transferable
except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and will be
exercisable or earned during the Participant’s lifetime only by such
Participant.
Termination
of Options. If
a Participant’s employment is terminated as a result of disability or death, any
options granted to such optionee may be exercised by such optionee (or, in
the
case of death, his estate) at any time within one year after the date such
optionee’s employment is terminated or expiration of the stated term of such
options, but only to the extent such options were exercisable on such date.
If
an optionee’s employment is terminated other than for cause (except as described
above), any options granted to such optionee may be exercised by such optionee
at any time within three months after the date of such optionee’s termination,
but only to the extent such options were exercisable on such date. If a
Participant is terminated from EnerJex for cause (as defined in the Amended
Plan), the Participant’s options shall expire immediately, unless the Committee,
in its sole discretion, within 30 days of such termination, waives the
expiration through written notice to the Participant.
Termination
of Restricted Stock. In
the event a grantee ceases to be an employee of EnerJex or fails to meet other
specified conditions, all shares of restricted stock awarded to him that are
still subject to restrictions will be forfeited.
Adjustments. In
the
event in which EnerJex’s outstanding shares are increased, decreased or changed
into, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities,
without consideration being received by EnerJex, through reorganization, merger,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, stock consolidation or otherwise then the following will occur: (i)
appropriate and proportionate adjustments will be made to the number and kind
of
shares and exercise price for the shares granted under the Amended Plan, (ii)
appropriate and proportionate adjustments will be made to the number and kind
of
and exercise price for the shares then outstanding under the Amended Plan,
and
(iii) appropriate amendments to the award agreements will be executed by EnerJex
and the Participant if the Committee determines is necessary to reflect the
adjustments.
Rule
16b-3 Compliance. The
terms, provisions, conditions and limitations of the Amended Plan shall be
construed and interpreted so as to be consistent with the provisions of Rule
16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
Tax
Treatment of ISOs. In
general, no taxable income for federal income tax purposes will be recognized
by
an option holder upon receipt or exercise of an incentive stock option, and
EnerJex will not then be entitled to any tax deduction. Assuming that the option
holder does not dispose of the option shares before the later of (1) two years
after the date of grant or (2) one year after the exercise of the option, upon
any such disposition, the option holder will recognize capital gain equal to
the
difference between the sale price on disposition and the exercise price. If,
however, the option holder disposes of his option shares prior to the expiration
of the required holding period, he will recognize ordinary income for federal
income tax purposes in the year of disposition equal to the lesser of (1) the
difference between the fair market value of the shares at the date of exercise
and the exercise price, or (2) the difference between the sale price upon
disposition and the exercise price. Any additional gain on such disqualifying
disposition will be treated as capital gain. In addition, if such a
disqualifying disposition is made by the option holder, EnerJex will be entitled
to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the option
holder provided that such amount constitutes an ordinary and reasonable expense
of EnerJex’s.
Tax
Treatment of Nonqualified Stock Options. No
taxable income will be recognized by an option holder upon receipt of a
nonqualified stock option, and EnerJex will not be entitled to a tax deduction
for such grant. Upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the option
holder will include in taxable income, for federal income tax purposes, the
excess in value on the date of exercise of the shares acquired pursuant to
the
nonqualified stock option over the exercise price. Upon a subsequent sale of
the
shares, the option holder will derive short-term or long-term gain or loss,
depending upon the option holder’s holding period for the shares, commencing
upon the exercise of the option, and upon the subsequent appreciation or
depreciation in the value of the shares. EnerJex generally will be entitled
to a
corresponding deduction at the time that the participant is required to include
the value of the shares in his income.
Tax
Treatment of Restricted Stock. Restricted
stock is taxable to the grantee as ordinary income in the year in which the
shares vest, and EnerJex is generally entitled to a tax deduction in the same
amount and at the same time as the grantee recognizes income. However, a grantee
may elect to include the restricted stock in taxable income for tax purposes
as
of the grant date if certain conditions are met. By doing so, the grantee may
be
eligible for capital gains treatment (other than ordinary income) at the time
the grantee disposes of the shares.
Amendment
and Termination of Plan. The
Committee may at any time discontinue granting options or issuing restricted
stock under the Amended Plan or otherwise suspend, amend, or terminate the
Amended Plan and may with the consent of the Participant make such modification
of the terms and conditions of Participant’s option as permitted under the
Amended Plan. The Committee shall not have authority to make any amendment
or
modification to the Amended Plan or any outstanding option or restricted stock
which would: (i) increase the maximum number of shares which may be purchased
pursuant to options or restricted stock granted under the Amended Plan, either
in the aggregate or by the Participant, (ii) change the designation of the
class
of the employees eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, (iii) extend
the
terms of the Amended Plan or the maximum option period, (iv) decrease the
minimum Incentive Stock Option price or permit reductions of the price at which
shares may be purchased Incentive Stock Options that were granted under the
Amended Plan, or (v) cause Incentive Stock Options issued under the Plan to
fail
to meet the requirements of incentive stock options under Sections 421 through
424 of the Code.
An
amendment or modification shall be considered adopted as of the date of the
Committee’s action effecting such amendment or modification and will be
effective immediately, unless otherwise provided, and subject to the approval
within 12 months before or after the effective date by the stockholders with
respect to Incentive Stock Options and by any appropriate governmental
agency.
Unless
terminated earlier by the board of directors, the Amended Plan will expire
on
October 13, 2018.
The
vote
of holders of common stock holding in the aggregate a majority of the voting
power of EnerJex’s stock present at the meeting is required to approve the
Amended Plan.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE
THE AMENDED PLAN.
PROPOSAL
3. REAFFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF WEAVER & MARTIN, LLC AS AUDITORS FOR THE NEXT
YEAR
EnerJex’s
board of directors has selected Weaver & Martin, LLC as its independent
auditor for the current fiscal year, and the board is asking stockholders to
ratify that selection. Although current law, rules, and regulations require
EnerJex’s independent auditor to be engaged, retained, and supervised by the
audit committee of the board of directors, EnerJex’s board considers the
selection of the independent auditor to be an important matter of stockholder
concern and is submitting the selection of Weaver & Martin for ratification
by stockholders as a matter of good corporate practice.
It
is expected that a representative of Weaver & Martin will be present at the
annual meeting to respond to questions, but not to make a
statement.
The
vote
of holders of common stock holding in the aggregate a majority of the voting
power of EnerJex’s stock present at the meeting is required to approve the
ratification of the selection of Weaver & Martin.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE REAFFIRMATION OF WEAVER &
MARTIN, LLC AS AUDITORS FOR THE NEXT
YEAR.
Independent
Public Accountants
Weaver
& Martin, LLC served as EnerJex’s principal independent public accountants
for fiscal 2008 and 2007 years. Aggregate fees billed to EnerJex for the fiscal
years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 by Weaver & Martin, LLC were as
follows:
|
|
For
the Fiscal Years Ended
March
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees(1)
|
|
$
|
105,000
|
|
$
|
46,079
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees(2)
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
10,340
|
|
Tax
Fees(3)
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Total
fees paid or accrued to EnerJex’s principal accountant
|
|
$
|
118,000
|
|
$
|
56,419
|
|
|
(1) |
Audit
Fees include fees billed and expected to be billed for services performed
to comply with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), including
the
recurring audit of EnerJex’s consolidated financial statements for such
period included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and for the reviews
of the consolidated quarterly financial statements included in the
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. This category also includes fees for audits
provided
in connection with statutory filings or procedures related to audit
of
income tax provisions and related reserves, consents and assistance
with
and review of documents filed with the SEC.
|
|
(2) |
Audit-Related
Fees include fees for services associated with assurance and reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of EnerJex’s financial
statements. This category includes fees related to assistance in
financial
due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, consultations
regarding
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, reviews and evaluations
of the
impact of new regulatory pronouncements, general assistance with
implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requirements and audit
services not required by statute or regulation.
|
|
(3) |
Tax
fees consist of fees related to the preparation and review of EnerJex’s
federal and state income tax
returns.
|
Audit
Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
EnerJex’s
audit committee pre-approves all services to be provided to it by the
independent auditor. This process involves obtaining (i) a written
description of the proposed services, (ii) the confirmation of its
principal accounting officer that the services are compatible with maintaining
specific principles relating to independence, and (iii) confirmation from
its securities counsel that the services are not among those that the
independent auditors have been prohibited from performing under SEC rules,
as
outlined in the audit committee charter. The members of the audit committee
then
make a determination to approve or disapprove the engagement of Weaver &
Martin for the proposed services. In fiscal 2008, all fees paid to Weaver &
Martin were unanimously pre-approved in accordance with this
policy.
Less
than
50 percent of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit
EnerJex’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed
to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time,
permanent employees.
Report
of the Audit Committee
EnerJex’s
audit committee submits the following report:
The
audit
committee retains and oversees EnerJex’s independent registered public
accountants, discusses and reviews with management accounting policies and
financial statements, evaluates external and internal audit performance,
investigates complaints and other allegations of fraud or misconduct by
EnerJex’s management and employees and evaluates policies and procedures. The
audit committee, which operates under a written charter adopted by the board,
met ten times during fiscal year 2008 to carry out these activities. The
remainder of this report relates to certain actions taken by the audit committee
in fulfilling its roles as they relate to ascertaining the independence of
EnerJex’s registered public accountants and recommending the inclusion of
EnerJex’s financial statements in its annual report.
During
fiscal 2008, the audit committee discussed with EnerJex’s independent registered
public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their audit. The audit
committee also met periodically with the independent registered public
accounting firm to discuss the results of their examinations, the overall
quality of EnerJex’s financial reporting and their evaluations of its internal
controls.
The
audit
committee of the board has received from Weaver & Martin, LLC, EnerJex’s
independent registered public accounting firm, written disclosures and the
letter required by the Independence Standards Board’s Standard No. 1,
“Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” that discloses all
relationships between EnerJex and Weaver & Martin that may be thought to
bear on the independence of Weaver & Martin from EnerJex. The audit
committee has discussed with Weaver & Martin the contents of the written
disclosure and letter as well as the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114. The audit committee has reviewed
and discussed the audited financial statements of EnerJex for the year ended
March 31, 2008, with EnerJex’s management, which has primary responsibility for
the financial statements.
In
addition, the audit committee has received the written disclosures and the
letter from Weaver & Martin required by relevant professional and regulatory
standards and has discussed with Weaver & Martin its independence from
EnerJex and its management. In concluding that Weaver & Martin is
independent, the audit committee considered, among other factors, whether the
non-audit services provided by the firm were compatible with its independence.
Based
on
the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the board
of
directors that EnerJex’s audited financial statements be included in its annual
report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
The
foregoing report is furnished by the audit committee of the board.
Daran
G.
Dammeyer (Chairman)
Robert
G.
Wonish
OTHER
MATTERS
As
of the
date of this statement EnerJex’s management knows of no business to be presented
to the meeting that is not referred to in the accompanying notice. As to other
business that may properly come before the meeting, it is intended that proxies
properly executed and returned will be voted in respect thereof at the
discretion of the person voting the proxies in accordance with their best
judgment, including upon any stockholder proposal about which EnerJex did not
receive timely notice.
Expenses
of Proxy Solicitation
The
principal solicitation of proxies will be made by mail. Expense of distributing
this proxy statement to stockholders, which may include reimbursement to banks,
brokers and other custodians for their expenses in forwarding this proxy
statement, will be borne exclusively by EnerJex.
Proposals
of Stockholders
Any
stockholder proposal intended to be considered for inclusion in the proxy
statement for presentation at the EnerJex 2009 annual meeting must be received
by EnerJex by April 15, 2009. The proposal must be in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Exchange Act. It is suggested the proposal be submitted by certified
mail -- return receipt requested. Stockholders who intend to present a proposal
at the EnerJex 2009 annual meeting without including such proposal in EnerJex’s
proxy statement must have provided EnerJex notice of such proposal no later
than
July 1, 2009. EnerJex reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take
other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply
with
these and other applicable requirements.
By
order of the board of directors
|
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet,
|
Chairman
|
Overland
Park, Kansas
September
19, 2008
ENERJEX
RESOURCES, INC.
PROXY
Annual
Meeting of Stockholders
October
14, 2008
This
Proxy is solicited on behalf of the EnerJex board of
directors
The
undersigned appoints C. Stephen Cochennet, Chairman of EnerJex Resources, Inc.,
with full power of substitution, the attorney and proxy of the undersigned,
to
attend the annual meeting of stockholders of EnerJex Resources, Inc., to be
held
Tuesday, October 14, 2008, beginning at 2:00 p.m., Central Time, at 27 Corporate
Woods, Suite 350, 10975 Grandview Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 and at
any
adjournment thereof, and to vote the stock the undersigned would be entitled
to
vote if personally present, on all matters set forth in the Proxy Statement
to
stockholders dated September 19, 2008, a copy of which has been received by
the
undersigned, as follows:
|
Election
of directors, to serve until the next annual meeting and until
their
successors are elected and qualify (the Board recommends a vote
FOR each
of the following nominees):
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
C.
Stephen Cochennet
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
Robert
G. Wonish
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
Daran
G. Dammeyer
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
Darrel
G. Palmer
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
Dr.
James W. Rector
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
2.
|
Approval
to Amend and Restate the EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Option
Plan.
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
|
FOR
|
AGAINST
|
ABSTAIN
|
3.
|
Reaffirmation
of Weaver & Martin, LLC as auditors for the next year.
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFIC INDICATIONS ABOVE. IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATIONS, THIS PROXY, IF OTHERWISE DULY EXECUTED, WILL BE
VOTED FOR EACH OF THE MATTERS SET FORTH ABOVE.
Date
___________________________, 2008
|
Number
of Shares ________________
|
Please
sign exactly as
|
|
|
your
name appears on
|
|
|
your
stock certificate(s).
|
|
If
your stock is issued in
|
Signature
|
|
the
names of two or more
|
Print Name Here:
|
|
persons, all
of them must
|
|
|
sign
this proxy. If signing
|
|
in
representative capacity,
|
Signature
|
|
please
indicate your title.
|
Print Name Here:
|
|
Please check
the following box if you intend to attend the annual meeting in
person:
o
PLEASE
SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY PRIOR TO OCTOBER
13, 2008.
Mail
To:
EnerJex Resources, Inc.,
27
Corporate Woods, Suite 350, 10975 Grandview Drive, Overland Park, Kansas
66210
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
ENERJEX
RESOURCES, INC.
STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN
(As
amended through October 14, 2008)
1.
PURPOSE.
The
purpose of the Amended and Restated EnerJex Resources, Inc. Stock Incentive
Plan
(the “Plan”) is to strengthen EnerJex Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation
(“Corporation”), by providing to employees, officers, directors, consultants and
independent contractors of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (including
dealers, distributors, and other business entities or persons providing services
on behalf of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) added incentive for
high levels of performance and unusual efforts to increase the earnings of
the
Corporation. The Plan seeks to accomplish this purpose by enabling specified
persons to acquire shares of the common stock of the Corporation, $0.001 par
value, thereby increasing their proprietary interest in the Corporation’s
success and encouraging them to remain in the employ or service of the
Corporation. Further purposes of the Plan are:
|
·
|
To
provide officers and other employees of the Corporation with opportunities
to purchase stock pursuant to options which qualify as “incentive stock
options” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), granted hereunder (“ISO” or “ISOs”);
|
|
·
|
To
provide directors, officers, employees, consultants and independent
contractors of the Corporation with opportunities to purchase stock
pursuant to options granted hereunder, which do not qualify as ISOs
(“Non-Qualified Option” or “Non-Qualified Options”); and
|
|
·
|
To
provide directors, officers, employees, consultants and independent
contractors of the Corporation with opportunities to make direct
purchases
of or be granted shares of restricted stock (“Restricted
Stock”).
|
Both
ISOs
and Non-Qualified Options are referred to hereafter individually as an “Option”
and collectively as “Options.”
As
used
herein, the terms “Parent” and “Subsidiary” mean “Parent Corporation” and
“subsidiary corporation” as those terms are defined in Section 425 of the Code.
2.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. As
used
in this Plan, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings
set forth below, unless the context clearly indicates a contrary meaning:
2.1
“Award
Agreement”:
The
document setting forth the terms and conditions of each Option or Restricted
Stock grant.
2.2
“Board
of Directors”:
The
Board of Directors of the Corporation.
2.3
“Code”:
The
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.4
“Committee”:
The
Committee means the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee of the
Corporation’s Board of Directors.
2.5
“Fair
Market Value Per Share”:
The
fair market value per share of the Shares as determined by the Committee in
good
faith. The Committee is authorized to make its determination as to the fair
market value per share of the Shares on the following basis: (i) if the Shares
are traded only otherwise than on a securities exchange and are not quoted
on
the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System
(“NASDAQ”), but are quoted on the bulletin board or in the “pink sheets”, the
greater of (a) the average of the mean between the average daily bid and average
daily asked prices of the Shares during the thirty (30) day period preceding
the
date of grant of an Option, as quoted on the bulletin board or in the “pink
sheets”, or (b) the mean between the average daily bid and average daily asked
prices of the Shares on the date of grant, as published on the bulletin board
or
in such “pink sheets;” (ii) if the Shares are traded only otherwise than on a
securities exchange and are quoted on NASDAQ, the greater of (a) the average
of
the mean between the closing bid and closing asked prices of the Shares during
the thirty (30) day period preceding the date of grant of an Option, as reported
by the Wall Street Journal and (b) the mean between the closing bid and closing
asked prices of the Shares on the date of grant of an Option, as reported by
the
Wall Street Journal; (iii) if the Shares are admitted to trading on a securities
exchange, the daily closing price of the Shares on the date of grant of an
Option, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal; or (iv) if the Shares are traded
only otherwise than as described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, or if the Shares
are not publicly traded, the value determined by the Committee in good faith
based upon the fair market value as determined by completely independent and
well qualified experts.
2.6
“Grantee”:
A
holder of an Option or Restricted Stock.
2.7
“Incentive
Stock Option”:
An
Option intended to qualify for treatment as an incentive stock option under
Code
Sections 421 and 422A, and designated as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.8
“Nonqualified
Option”:
An
Option not qualifying as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.9
“Option”:
A
stock option granted under the Plan.
2.10
“Restricted
Stock”:
Shares
subject to restrictions determined by the Committee, or federal or state
securities laws.
2.11
“Shares”:
The
shares of common stock $.001 par value of the Corporation.
3.
ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN.
3.1
In
General.
This
Plan shall be administered by the Committee.
3.2
Authority.
Subject
to the express provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have the authority
to: (i) construe and interpret the Plan, decide all questions and settle all
controversies and disputes which may arise in connection with the Plan and
to
define the terms used therein; (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to administration of the Plan; (iii) determine the purchase
price of the Shares covered by Options and Restricted Stock, if any, and the
method of payment of such price, individuals to whom, and the time or times
at
which, Options or Restricted Stock shall be granted and exercisable and the
number of Shares covered by Options or Restricted Stock; (iv) determine the
terms and provisions of the respective Award Agreements (which need not be
identical); (v) determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence which
may be granted to Grantees without constituting a termination of their
employment for purposes of the Plan; (vi) determine whether each Option granted
shall be an ISO or a Non-Qualified Option; (vii) determine the time or times
and
specific conditions and restrictions subject to Options or Restricted Stock
and
the nature of those conditions or restrictions; and (viii) make all other
determinations necessary or advisable to the administration of the Plan.
Determinations of the Committee on matters referred to in this Section 3 shall
be conclusive and binding on all parties howsoever concerned. With respect
to
ISOs, the Committee shall administer the Plan in compliance with the provisions
of Code Section 422A as the same may hereafter be amended from time to time.
No
member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made
in
good faith with respect to the Plan or any Option or Restricted Stock
grant.
4.
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION.
4.1
In
General.
Only
officers, employees and directors who are also employees of the Corporation
or
any Subsidiary shall be eligible to receive grants of ISOs. Officers, employees
and directors (whether or not they are also employees) of the Corporation or
any
Subsidiary, as well as consultants, independent contractors or other service
providers of the Corporation or any Subsidiary shall be eligible to receive
grants of Nonqualified Options and Restricted Stock. Within the foregoing
limits, the Committee, from time to time, shall determine and designate persons
to whom Options or Restricted Stock may be granted. All such designations shall
be made in the absolute discretion of the Committee and shall not require the
approval of the stockholders. In determining (i) the number of Shares to be
covered by each Option or Restricted Stock grant, (ii) the purchase price for
such Shares and the method of payment of such price (subject to the other
sections hereof), (iii) the individuals of the eligible class to whom Options
or
Restricted Stock shall be granted, (iv) the terms and provisions of the
respective Award Agreements, and (v) the times at which such Options or
Restricted Stock shall be granted, the Committee shall take into account such
factors as it shall deem relevant in connection with accomplishing the purpose
of the Plan as set forth in Section 1. An individual who has been granted an
Option or Restricted Stock may be granted an additional Option or Restricted
Stock if the Committee shall so determine. No Option or Restricted Stock shall
be granted under the Plan after October 13, 2018, but Options or Restricted
Stock granted before such date may be exercisable or vest after such
date.
4.2
Certain
Limitations.
In no
event shall ISOs be granted to a Grantee such that the sum of (i) the aggregate
fair market value (determined at the time the ISOs are granted) of the Shares
subject to all Options granted under the Plan which are exercisable for the
first time during the same calendar year, plus (ii) the aggregate fair market
value (determined at the time the Options are granted) of all stock subject
to
all other ISOs granted to such Grantee by the Corporation, its parent and
Subsidiaries which are exercisable for the first time during such calendar
year,
exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). For purposes of the immediately
preceding sentence, fair market value shall be determined as of the date of
grant based on the Fair Market Value Per Share as determined pursuant to Section
2.5.
5.
AVAILABLE SHARES AND ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN
CAPITALIZATION.
5.1
Shares.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2 below, the total number of Shares
to be
subject to Options and Restricted Stock awards granted pursuant to this Plan
shall not exceed One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (1,250,000) Shares.
Shares subject to the Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or
shares that were once issued and subsequently reacquired by the Corporation;
the
Committee shall be empowered to take any appropriate action required to make
Shares available for Options or Restricted Stock granted under this Plan. If
(i)
any Option is surrendered before exercise or lapses without exercise in full
or
for any other reason ceases to be exercisable, or (ii) Restricted Stock is
surrendered before vesting or lapses without vesting in full or for any other
reason ceases to be outstanding, the Shares reserved therefore shall continue
to
be available under the Plan. The maximum number of Options that may be granted
to a Grantee in any fiscal year of the Corporation is 500,000. The maximum
number of Shares subject to a Restricted Stock award to a Grantee in any fiscal
year of the Corporation is 250,000.
5.2
Adjustments.
As used
herein, the term “Adjustment Event” means an event pursuant to which the
outstanding Shares of the Corporation are increased, decreased or changed into,
or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, without
receipt of consideration by the Corporation, through reorganization, merger,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, stock consolidation or otherwise. Upon the occurrence of an Adjustment
Event, (i) appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made to the number
and kind of Shares and exercise price for the Shares subject to the Options
or
Restricted Stock grants which may thereafter be granted under this Plan, (ii)
appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made to the number and kind
of and exercise price for the Shares subject to the then outstanding Options
or
Restricted Stock granted under this Plan, and (iii) appropriate amendments
to
the Award Agreements shall be executed by the Corporation and the Grantees,
if
the Committee determines that such an amendment is necessary or desirable to
reflect such adjustments. If determined by the Committee to be appropriate,
in
the event of an Adjustment Event that involves the substitution of securities
of
a corporation other than the Corporation, the Committee shall make arrangements
for the assumptions by such other corporation of any Options or Restricted
Stock
then or thereafter outstanding under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
such adjustment in an outstanding Option or Restricted Stock award shall be
made
without change in the total exercise price applicable to the unexercised portion
of the Option or Restricted Stock, but with an appropriate adjustment to the
number of shares, kind of shares and exercise price for each share subject
to
the Option or Restricted Stock award. The determination by the Committee as
to
what adjustments, amendments or arrangements shall be made pursuant to this
Section 5.2, and the extent thereof, shall be final and conclusive. No
fractional Shares shall be issued under the Plan on account of any such
adjustment or arrangement.
6.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF GRANTS.
6.1
Intended
Treatment as ISOs.
ISOs
granted pursuant to this Plan are intended to be “incentive stock options” to
which Code Sections 421 and 422 apply, and the Plan shall be construed and
administered to implement that intent. If all or any part of an ISO shall not
be
an “incentive stock option” subject to Sections 421 or 422 of the Code, such
Option shall nevertheless be valid and carried into effect. All Options granted
under this Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section 6 (except as provided in Section 5.2) and to such other terms and
conditions as the Committee shall determine to be appropriate to accomplish
the
purpose of the Plan as set forth in Section 1.
6.2
Amount
and Payment of Exercise Price for Options.
6.2.1
Exercise
Price.
The
exercise price per Share for each Share which the Grantee is entitled to
purchase under a Nonqualified Option shall be determined by the Committee but
shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value
Per
Share on the date of the grant of the Nonqualified Option. The exercise price
per Share for each Share which the Grantee is entitled to purchase under an
ISO
shall be determined by the Committee but shall not be less than 100% of the
Fair
Market Value Per Share on the date of the grant of the ISO; provided, however,
that the exercise price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%)
of
the Fair Market Value Per Share on the date of the grant of the ISO in the
case
of an individual then owning (within the meaning of Code Section 425(d)) more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Corporation or of its parent or Subsidiaries.
6.2.2
Payment
of Exercise Price.
The
consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option,
including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Committee and may
consist of shares of the common stock of the Corporation or such other
consideration and method of payment for the Shares as may be permitted under
applicable state and federal laws.
6.3
Exercise
of Options.
6.3.1
Each Option granted under this Plan shall be exercisable at such times and
under
such conditions as may be determined by the Committee at the time of the grant
of the Option and as shall be permissible under the terms of the Plan; provided,
however, in no event shall an Option be exercisable after the expiration of
ten
(10) years from the date it is granted, and in the case of a Grantee owning
(within the meaning of Code Section 425(d)), at the time an ISO is granted,
more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Corporation or of its parent or Subsidiaries, such ISO shall not
be
exercisable later than five (5) years after the date of grant.
6.3.2
A
Grantee may purchase less than the total number of Shares for which the Option
is exercisable.
6.4
Grant
of Restricted Stock.
Subject
to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Committee, at any time and from
time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Grantees in such amounts
as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in
its
sole discretion, shall determine the number of Shares to be granted to each
Grantee.
6.4.1
Restricted
Stock Agreement.
Each
award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall
specify the period of restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other
terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
Unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines otherwise, Shares
of
Restricted Stock shall be held by the Corporation as escrow agent until the
end
of the applicable period of restriction.
6.4.2
Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 6.4, Shares of
Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, gifted, bequeathed, pledged,
assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, voluntarily or involuntarily,
until the end of the applicable period of restriction.
6.4.3
Other
Restrictions.
The
Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares
of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate in accordance with
this Section 6.4.
6.4.3.1
General
Restrictions.
The
Committee may set restrictions based upon (a) the achievement of specific
performance objectives (Corporation-wide, divisional or individual), (b)
applicable Federal or state securities laws, or (c) any other basis determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion.
6.4.3.2
Legend
on Certificates.
The
Committee, in its sole discretion, may legend the certificates representing
Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions. For example,
the Committee may determine that some or all certificates representing Shares
of
Restricted Stock shall bear the following legend:
“THE
SALE
OR OTHER TRANSFER OF THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE,
WHETHER VOLUNTARY, INVOLUNTARY, OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE ENERJEX RESOURCES, INC. STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN, AND IN A RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT. A COPY OF THIS PLAN AND
SUCH RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF ENERJEX
RESOURCES, INC.”
6.4.4
Removal
of Restrictions.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 6.4, Shares of Restricted Stock covered
by
each Restricted Stock grant made under this Plan shall be released from escrow
as soon as practicable after the end of the applicable period of restriction.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the time at which any
restrictions shall lapse and remove any restrictions. After the end of the
applicable period of restriction, the Grantee shall be entitled to have any
legend or legends under Section 6.4.3.2 removed from his or her Share
certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the
Grantee.
6.4.5
Voting
Rights.
During
the period of restriction, Grantees holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted
hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless
the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise.
6.4.6
Dividends
and Other Distributions.
During
the period of restriction, Grantees holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall
be
entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect
to
such Shares unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement. If
any
such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject
to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares
of
Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
6.4.7
Return
of Restricted Stock to Corporation.
On the
date set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for
which
restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Corporation and thereafter
shall be available for grant under this Plan.
6.5
Nontransferability of Options.
All
Options granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable, either voluntarily
or
by operation of law, otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and shall be exercisable during the Grantee’s lifetime only by
such Grantee.
6.6
Effect
of Termination of Employment or Other Relationship.
Except
as otherwise determined by the Committee in connection with the grant of
Options, the effect of termination of a Grantee’s employment or other
relationship with the Corporation on such Grantee’s rights to acquire Shares
pursuant to the Plan shall be as follows:
6.6.1
Termination
for Other than Disability, Death or Cause.
If a
Grantee ceases to be employed by, or ceases to have a relationship with, the
Corporation for any reason other than for disability, death or cause, such
Grantee’s Options shall expire not later than three (3) months thereafter.
During such three (3) month period and prior to the expiration of the Option
by
its terms, the Grantee may exercise any Option granted to him, but only to
the
extent such Options were exercisable on the date of termination of his
employment or relationship and except as so exercised, such Options shall expire
at the end of such three (3) month period unless such Options by their terms
expire before such date. The decision as to whether a termination for a reason
other than disability, cause or death has occurred shall be made by the
Committee, whose decision shall be final and conclusive, except that employment
shall not be considered terminated in the case of sick leave or other bona
fide
leave of absence approved by the Corporation.
6.6.2
Disability
or Death.
If a
Grantee ceases to be employed by, or ceases to have a relationship with, the
Corporation by reason of disability (within the meaning of Code Section
22(e)(3)) or death, such Grantee’s Options shall expire not later than one (1)
year thereafter. During such one (1) year period and prior to the expiration
of
the Option by its terms, the Grantee may exercise any Option granted to him,
but
only to the extent such Options were exercisable on the date the Grantee ceased
to be employed by, or ceased to have a relationship with, the Corporation by
reason of disability or death and except as so exercised, such Options shall
expire at the end of such one (1) year period unless such Options by their
terms
expire before such date. The decision as to whether a termination by reason
of
disability or death has occurred shall be made by the Committee, whose decision
shall be final and conclusive.
6.6.3
Termination
for Cause.
If a
Grantee’s employment by, or relationship with, the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries is terminated for cause, such Grantee’s Option shall expire
immediately; provided, however, the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
within thirty (30) days of such termination, waive the expiration of the Option
by giving written notice of such waiver to the Grantee at such Grantee’s last
known address. In the event of such waiver, the Grantee may exercise the Option
only to such extent, for such time, and upon such terms and conditions as if
such Grantee had ceased to be employed by, or ceased to have a relationship
with, the Corporation upon the date of such termination for a reason other
than
disability, cause, or death. Termination for cause shall include termination
for
malfeasance or gross misfeasance in the performance of duties or conviction
of
illegal activity in connection therewith or any conduct detrimental to the
interests of the Corporation. The determination of the Committee with respect
to
whether a termination for cause has occurred shall be final and
conclusive.
6.7
Withholding
of Taxes.
The
Corporation or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct
or withhold, or require a Grantee to remit to the Corporation, an amount
sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the
Grantee's employment tax obligations) required by law to be withheld with
respect to any taxable event concerning a Grantee arising as a result of this
Plan. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing
requirement allow a Grantee to elect to have the Corporation withhold Shares
otherwise issuable under an Award Agreement (or allow the return of Shares
)
having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of Shares which
may
be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any
award (or which may be repurchased from the Grantee of such award within six
months after such Shares were acquired by the Grantee from the Corporation)
in
order to satisfy the Grantee's federal, state, local and foreign income and
payroll tax liabilities with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or
payment of the award shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a
Fair
Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate
amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates
for
federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that
are
applicable to such supplemental taxable income.
6.8
No
Rights to Continued Employment or Relationship. Nothing contained in this
Plan or in any Award Agreement shall obligate the Corporation to employ or
have
another relationship with any Grantee for any period or interfere in any way
with the right of the Corporation to reduce such Grantee’s compensation or to
terminate the employment of or relationship with any Grantee at any
time.
6.9
Privileges
of Stock Ownership.
No
Grantee shall be entitled to the privileges of stock ownership as to any Shares
not actually issued to such Grantee. No Shares shall be issued unless and until,
in the opinion of the Corporation’s counsel, any then applicable requirements of
any laws or governmental or regulatory agencies having jurisdiction and of
any
exchanges upon which the stock of the Corporation may be listed shall have
been
fully complied with.
6.10
Securities
Laws Compliance.
The
Corporation will diligently endeavor to comply with all applicable securities
laws before any Options or Restricted Stock are granted under the Plan and
before any Shares are issued pursuant to Options or as Restricted Stock. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Corporation may require from
the
Grantee such investment representation or such agreement, if any, as counsel
for
the Corporation may consider necessary or advisable in order to comply with
the
Securities Act of 1933 as then in effect, and may require that the Grantee
agree
that any sale of the Shares will be made only in such manner as is permitted
by
the Committee. The Committee in its discretion may cause the Shares underlying
the Options or subject to Restricted Stock grants to be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by the filing of a Form S-8 Registration
Statement covering the Shares available for grant or issuance under this Plan.
Grantee shall take any action reasonably requested by the Corporation in
connection with registration or qualification of the Shares under federal or
state securities laws.
6.11
Award
Agreement.
Each
Option and Restricted Stock granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by the
appropriate written Award Agreement executed by the Corporation and the Grantee
and shall contain each of the provisions and agreements specifically required
to
be contained therein pursuant to this Section 6, and such other terms and
conditions as are deemed desirable by the Committee and are not inconsistent
with the purpose of the Plan as set forth in Section 1.
7.
PLAN AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
7.1
Authority
of Committee.
The
Committee may at any time discontinue granting Options or Restricted Stock
under
the Plan or otherwise suspend, amend or terminate the Plan and may, with the
consent of a Grantee, make such modification of the terms and conditions of
such
Grantee’s Option or Restricted Stock grant as it shall deem advisable; provided
that, except as permitted under the provisions of Section 5.2, the Committee
shall have no authority to make any amendment or modification to this Plan
or
any outstanding Option or Restricted Stock grant thereunder which would: (i)
increase the maximum number of shares which may be purchased pursuant to Options
or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, either in the aggregate or by a
Grantee (except pursuant to Section 5.2); (ii) change the designation of the
class of the employees eligible to receive ISOs; (iii) extend the term of the
Plan or the maximum Option period thereunder; (iv) decrease the minimum ISO
price or permit reductions of the price at which shares may be purchased for
ISOs granted under the Plan; or (v) cause ISOs issued under the Plan to fail
to
meet the requirements of incentive stock options under Code Section 422. An
amendment or modification made pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7
shall be deemed adopted as of the date of the action of the Committee effecting
such amendment or modification and shall be effective immediately, unless
otherwise provided therein, subject to approval thereof (1) within twelve (12)
months before or after the effective date by stockholders of the Corporation
holding not less than a majority vote of the voting power of the Corporation
voting in person or by proxy at a duly held stockholders meeting when required
to maintain or satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422 with respect to
ISOs, and (2) by any appropriate governmental agency. No Option or Restricted
Stock may be granted during any suspension or after termination of the Plan.
7.2
Ten
(10) Year Maximum Term.
Unless
previously terminated by the Committee, this Plan shall terminate on October
13,
2018, and no Options shall be granted under the Plan
thereafter.
7.3
Effect
on Outstanding Options.
Amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan shall not, without the consent
of the Grantee, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Option
theretofore granted.
8.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
This
Plan was originally adopted effective as of May 4, 2007, and was scheduled
to
terminate on August 1, 2012. The maximum number of shares available for award
under the original Plan was 1,000,000 shares. The Plan is being amended and
restated in its entirety effective as of October 14, 2008, upon the approval
by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares of
common stock of the Corporation represented at a duly held meeting at which
a
quorum was present.
9.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
9.1
Exculpation
and Indemnification.
The
Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless the Committee from and against
any
and all liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by such persons as a result
of
any act, or omission to act, in connection with the performance of such persons’
duties, responsibilities and obligations under the Plan, other than such
liabilities, costs and expenses as may result from the gross negligence, bad
faith, willful conduct and/or criminal acts of such persons.
9.2
Governing
Law.
The
Plan shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of
Nevada and the Code.
9.3
Compliance
with Applicable Laws.
The
inability of the Corporation to obtain from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction authority deemed by the Corporation’s counsel to be necessary to
the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares upon the exercise of an Option or
Restricted Stock grant shall relieve the Corporation of any liability in respect
of the non-issuance or sale of such Shares as to which such requisite authority
shall not have been obtained.
As
approved by the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee
of the
Board of Directors on September 12, 2008 and a majority of the outstanding
shares of common stock of EnerJex Resources, Inc. represented at
a meeting
on October 14, 2008.
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By:
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C.
Stephen Cochennet, Secretary
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