chk03072013_8k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 7, 2013 (March 7, 2013)


 
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

Oklahoma
  
1-13726
  
73-1395733
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
  
(Commission File No.)
  
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  
73118
(Address of principal executive offices)
  
(Zip Code)

 
(405) 848-8000
  
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
  

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
*           Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
*           Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
*           Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
*           Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 
 

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
 
On March 7, 2013, V. Burns Hargis, a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) and the chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee, tendered a letter of resignation from the Board, which was accepted by the Board.  There was no disagreement between Mr. Hargis and the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

Also on March 7, 2013, the Board appointed Louis A. Raspino to the Board to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Hargis, and appointed him to serve as chairman of the Audit Committee. The Company is aware of no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Raspino and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as a director. Mr. Raspino has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or series of similar transactions contemplated by Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Mr. Raspino will receive compensation that is commensurate with that received by the Company’s other non-employee directors, although his annual cash retainer and restricted stock grants will be pro rated to reflect his term of service in 2013.  For their service on the Board, the Company’s non-employee directors receive total annual compensation of approximately $350,000, comprised of a $100,000 annual cash retainer and annual restricted stock awards with an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $250,000. Directors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses directly related to their service as directors. In addition, each newly appointed director is awarded 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which may be unrestricted.  For his service as chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Raspino will receive an additional annual restricted stock award with a grant date fair value of approximately $25,000.  Restricted stock awards vest 25% immediately upon award and 25% on the grant date anniversary in each of the three years following the date of award. Unvested shares of restricted stock vest on the date of a non-employee director’s termination of service as a director, unless the director is removed for cause. Non-employee directors are eligible to defer any or all of their annual retainers through the Chesapeake Energy Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “DCP”) on a tax-deferred basis. Deferrals into the DCP are not matched or subsidized by the Company nor are they eligible for above-market or preferential earnings.

The Company has also entered into a standard indemnity agreement with Mr. Raspino, a form of which was filed with the SEC on June 27, 2012 as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K. Pursuant to this agreement, subject to the exceptions and limitations provided therein, the Company will indemnify Mr. Raspino for obligations he may incur in his capacity as a director, as authorized by the Company’s restated certificate of incorporation.


Section 7 – Regulation FD

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 7, 2013, the Company issued a press release announcing the resignation of Mr. Hargis from the Board and appointment of Mr. Raspino to the Board, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits.  See "Exhibit Index" attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated by reference.

 
 
 
 


SIGNATURE

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

   
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
     
 
By:
/s/ JENNIFER M. GRIGSBY
   
Jennifer M. Grigsby
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary


Date:           March 7, 2013


 
 
 
 


EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.
  
Document Description
  
       
99.1
  
Chesapeake Energy Corporation press release dated March 7, 2013