def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20529
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant þ |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12 |
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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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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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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
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DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
508 West Wall, Suite 800
Midland, TX 79701
432-684-3000
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held January 24, 2006
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the
Stockholders of Dawson Geophysical Company will be held at the
Petroleum Club of Midland, 501 West Wall, Midland, Texas
79701 at 10:00 a.m. on January 24, 2006 for the
following purposes:
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1. |
Electing Directors of the Company; |
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2. |
Considering and voting upon a proposal to amend the Restated
Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized common
stock from 10,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares; |
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3. |
Considering and voting upon a proposal to amend the Dawson
Geophysical Company 2004 Incentive Stock Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock available for allocation under
such plan by 250,000 shares; |
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4. |
Considering and voting upon a proposal to ratify the appointment
of KPMG LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2006; and |
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Considering all other matters as may properly come before the
meeting. |
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
November 25, 2005, as the record date for the determination
of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting
and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
DATED this 16th day of December, 2005.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Christina W. Hagan, |
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Secretary |
IMPORTANT
Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, you are
urged to execute the accompanying proxy card, which requires no
postage, and return it promptly. Any stockholder granting a
proxy may revoke the same at any time prior to its exercise.
Also, whether or not you grant a proxy, you may vote in person
if you attend the meeting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Dawson Geophysical Company
508 West Wall, Suite 800
Midland, Texas 79701
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held Tuesday, January 24, 2006
SOLICITATION OF PROXY
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors of Dawson Geophysical Company (the
Company) for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company to be held on Tuesday,
January 24, 2006, and at any adjournment or adjournments
thereof. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be
solicited by personal interview, telephone and telegraph by
officers, directors and other employees of the Company, who will
not receive additional compensation for such services. The
Company may also request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians
and fiduciaries to forward the soliciting material to the
beneficial owners of stock held of record and will reimburse
such persons for forwarding such material. The Company will bear
the cost of this solicitation of proxies. Such costs are
expected to be nominal. Proxy solicitation will commence with
the mailing of this Proxy Statement on or about
December 20, 2005.
Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke the same
at any time prior to its exercise by executing a subsequent
proxy or by written notice to the Secretary of the Company or by
attending the meeting and withdrawing the proxy.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
As stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
accompanying this Proxy Statement, the business to be conducted
and the matters to be considered and acted upon at the annual
meeting are as follows:
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1. |
Electing Directors of the Company; |
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Considering and voting upon a proposal to amend the Restated
Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized common
stock from 10,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares; |
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3. |
Considering and voting upon a proposal to amend the Dawson
Geophysical Company 2004 Incentive Stock Plan to increase the
number of shares of common stock available for allocation under
such plan by 250,000 shares; |
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Considering and voting upon a proposal to ratify the appointment
of KPMG LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2006; and |
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Considering all other matters as may properly come before the
meeting. |
VOTING RIGHTS
The voting securities of the Company consist solely of common
stock, par value
$0.331/3
per share (Common Stock).
The record date for stockholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the meeting is the close of business on
November 25, 2005, at which time the Company had
outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting
7,484,044 shares of Common Stock. Stockholders are entitled
to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of Common
Stock held in their name on the record date.
Stockholders representing a majority of the Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote must be present or represented
by proxy to constitute a quorum.
All proposals will require the affirmative vote of a majority of
the Common Stock present or represented by proxy at the meeting
and entitled to vote thereon. Cumulative voting for election of
directors is not authorized.
Abstentions and broker non-votes (shares held by brokers or
nominees as to which they have no discretionary power to vote on
a particular matter and have received no instructions from the
beneficial owners of such shares or persons entitled to vote on
the matter) will be counted for the purpose of determining
whether a quorum is present. Abstentions are counted in
tabulations of votes cast on proposals submitted to stockholders
to determine the total number of votes cast. Abstentions are not
counted as votes for or against any such proposal. Broker
non-votes are not counted as votes cast for purposes of
determining whether a proposal has been approved and will have
no effect on the vote for any matter properly introduced at the
Annual Meeting.
With regard to the election of directors, votes may be cast in
favor of or withheld from each nominee. Votes that are withheld
will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect.
Broker non-votes and other limited proxies will have no effect
on the outcome of the election of directors.
With regard to the proposed special resolution to amend the
Companys Restated Articles of Association, the proposal to
amend the Dawson Geophysical 2004 Incentive Stock Plan, and the
proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, an abstention
will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker
non-votes and other limited proxies will have no effect on the
outcome of the vote with respect to any of such proposals.
If the enclosed Proxy is properly executed and returned prior to
the Annual Meeting, the shares represented thereby will be voted
as specified therein. IF A STOCKHOLDER DOES NOT SPECIFY
OTHERWISE ON THE RETURNED PROXY, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE
STOCKHOLDERS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION
OF THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW UNDER ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS, FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE 2004
INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN, FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP,
AND ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting to be held on January 24, 2006, five
persons are to be elected to serve on the Board of Directors for
a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected
and qualified. All of the nominees have announced that they are
available for election to the Board of Directors. The
Companys nominees for the five directorships are:
Paul H. Brown
L. Decker Dawson
Gary M. Hoover
Stephen C. Jumper
Tim C. Thompson
For information about each nominee, see Directors and
Executive Officers.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Board of Directors currently consists of two persons who are
employees of the Company and three persons who are not employees
of the Company (i.e., outside directors). The Board of Directors
has determined that each of these three outside directors,
namely Messrs. Brown, Hoover and Thompson, are independent
in accordance with NASDAQ rules and under the Exchange Act. Set
forth below are the names, ages and positions of the
Companys executive officers and nominees for Director.
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L. Decker Dawson
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85 |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer |
Stephen C. Jumper
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44 |
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President, Chief Operating Officer and Director |
Howell W. Pardue
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69 |
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Executive Vice President |
C. Ray Tobias
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48 |
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Executive Vice President |
Christina W. Hagan
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50 |
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Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer |
Edward L. Huff
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68 |
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Senior Vice President |
K.S. Forsdick
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54 |
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Vice President |
A. Mark Nelson
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Vice President |
Paul H. Brown
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74 |
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Director |
Gary M. Hoover, Ph.D.
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65 |
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Director |
Tim C. Thompson
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71 |
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Director |
The Board of Directors elects executive officers annually.
Executive officers hold office until their successors are
elected and have qualified.
Set forth below are descriptions of the principal occupations
during at least the past five years of the Companys
executive officers and nominees for director.
L. Decker Dawson. Mr. Dawson founded the
Company in 1952. He served as President of the Company until
being elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer in January 2001. Prior to 1952,
Mr. Dawson was a geophysicist with Republic Exploration
Company, a geophysical company. Mr. Dawson served as
President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists
(1989-1990), received its Enterprise Award in 1997, and was
awarded honorary membership in 2002. He was Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the International Association of
Geophysical Contractors in 1981 and is an honorary life member
of such association. He was inducted into the Permian Basin
Petroleum Museums Hall of Fame in 1997.
Stephen C. Jumper. Mr. Jumper, a geophysicist,
joined the Company in 1985, was elected Vice President of
Technical Services in September 1997, and was subsequently
elected President, Chief Operating Officer and Director in
January 2001. Prior to 1997, Mr. Jumper served the Company
as manager of technical services with an emphasis on 3-D
processing. Mr. Jumper has served the Permian Basin
Geophysical Society as Second Vice President (1991), First Vice
President (1992), and as President (1993).
Howell W. Pardue. Mr. Pardue joined the Company in
1976 as Vice President of Data Processing and Director.
Mr. Pardue was elected Executive Vice President of Data
Processing in 1997. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Pardue was employed in data processing for
17 years by Geosource, Inc. and its predecessor geophysical
company. Mr. Pardue left the Board of Directors in 2005
when the size of the Board was reduced.
C. Ray Tobias. Mr. Tobias joined the Company in
1990, and was elected Vice President in September 1997 and
Executive Vice President and Director in January 2001.
Mr. Tobias supervises client relationships and survey cost
quotations to clients. He has served on the Board of Directors
of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors and
is Past President of the Permian Basin
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Geophysical Society. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Tobias was employed by Geo-Search Corporation where he
was an operations supervisor. Mr. Tobias left the Board of
Directors in 2005 when the size of the Board was reduced.
Christina W. Hagan. Ms. Hagan joined the Company in
1988, and was elected Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
in 1997 and Senior Vice President and Secretary in January 2003.
In January 2004, Ms. Hagan was elected as Executive Vice
President. Prior thereto, Ms. Hagan served the Company as
Controller and Treasurer. Ms. Hagan is a certified public
accountant.
Edward L. Huff. Mr. Huff joined the Company in 1956,
and was elected Vice President in September 1997 and Senior Vice
President in January 2004. Prior to election as Vice President,
Mr. Huff served as instrument operator, crew manager and
field supervisor for the Company. He has managed the
Companys field operations since 1987.
K.S. Forsdick. Mr. Forsdick joined the Company in
1993 and was elected Vice President in January 2001.
Mr. Forsdick is responsible for soliciting, designing and
bidding seismic surveys for prospective clients. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Forsdick was employed by Grant
Geophysical Company and Western Geophysical Company and was
responsible for marketing and managing land and marine seismic
surveys for domestic and international operations. He has served
on the Governmental Affairs Committee of the International
Association of Geophysical Contractors.
A. Mark Nelson. Mr. Nelson joined the Company
in 1993 and was elected Vice President in January 2004.
Mr. Nelson has over twenty five years of seismic
experience, holds a masters degree in Environmental Science and
is a registered environmental professional. He has also served
as the Chairman of the Health, Safety and Environmental
Committee of the International Association of Geophysical
Contractors, is a member of the National Registry of
Environmental Professionals and of the American Society of
Safety Engineers.
Paul H. Brown.* Mr. Brown has served the Company as
a director since September 1999. Mr. Brown, an independent
management consultant with various companies since May 1998, was
President and Chief Executive Officer at WEDGE Energy Group,
Inc. from January 1985 to May 1998.
Gary M. Hoover, Ph.D.* Dr. Hoover has served
the Company as a director since December 2002. Dr. Hoover,
prior to his retirement in October 2002, was Senior Principal
Geophysicist with Phillips Petroleum Company. His
responsibilities for the previous ten years with Phillips
included geophysical research management, geoscience technology
coordination, exploration and production technology consultation
and active research into new seismic data acquisition
techniques. Dr. Hoover served as Vice President of the
Society of Exploration Geophysicists (1990-1991) and received
its Life Membership Award in 2000. Dr. Hoover holds a
doctorate in physics from Kansas State University.
Tim C. Thompson.* Mr. Thompson has served the
Company as director since 1995. Mr. Thompson, an
independent management consultant with various companies since
May 1993, was President and Chief Executive Officer of
Production Technologies International, Inc. from November 1989
to May 1993.
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Indicates independence has been determined by the Board of
Directors in accordance with NASDAQ rules. |
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, the Board
of Directors held ten meetings. All of the Directors attended
these meeting, except that four members of the Board of
Directors were absent from one meeting each and one member was
absent from two meetings.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is a standing
committee of the Board of Directors and currently consists of
Messrs. Brown, Hoover and Thompson, all of whom are
non-employee directors and independent as defined in
Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards and the
Exchange Act. The Board of Directors has determined that
Mr. Thompson, who currently serves as the Chairman of the
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Audit Committee, is an audit committee financial
expert (as that term is defined under the applicable SEC
rules and regulations) based on the Boards qualitative
assessment of Mr. Thompsons level of knowledge,
experience and formal education. The functions of the Audit
Committee are to determine whether management has established
internal controls which are sound, adequate and working
effectively; to ascertain whether the Companys assets are
verified and safeguarded; to review and approve external audits;
to review audit fees and appointment of the Companys
independent public accountants; and to review non-audit services
provided by the independent public accountants. The Audit
Committee held ten meetings during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005. All members of the Audit committee
attended these meetings, except that one member was absent from
one meeting. The Audit Committee operates under a written
charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors adopted
and approved by the Board of Directors on June 16, 2005 and
attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A. The
report of the Audit Committee for fiscal year 2005 is included
in this proxy statement on page 14.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee
currently consists of Messrs. Brown, Hoover and Thompson,
all of whom are non-employee directors and
independent as defined in
Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards and
the Exchange Act. The primary function of the Compensation
Committee is to determine compensation for the officers of the
Company that is competitive and enables the Company to motivate
and retain the talent needed to lead and grow the Companys
business. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. All members of the
Compensation Committee attended this meeting. The report of the
Compensation Committee for fiscal year 2005 is included in this
proxy statement on page 8.
The Compensation Committee currently operates under a written
charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors on
October 3, 2004.
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Brown, Hoover and Thompson, all of whom
are non-employee directors and independent as
defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ listing standards
and the Exchange Act. The Nominating Committee held one meeting
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, at which
all members of the Nominating Committee were present. The
primary function of the Nominating Committee is to determine the
slate of Director nominees for election to the Companys
Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee considers
candidates recommended by security holders, directors, officers
and outside sources and considers criteria such as business
experience, ethical standards and personal qualifications in
evaluating all such nominees. In accordance with
Article 11, Section 13 of the Companys Bylaws,
stockholders who wish to have their nominees for election to the
Board of Directors considered by the Nominating Committee must
submit such nomination to the Secretary of the Company for
receipt not less than 80 days prior to the date of the next
Annual Meeting of stockholders and include (i) the name and
address of the stockholder making the nomination,
(ii) information regarding such nominee as would be
required to be included in the proxy statement, (iii) a
representation of the stockholder as to the class and number of
shares of the Companys stock that are beneficially owned
by such stockholder, and the stockholders intent to appear
in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination,
and (iv) the written consent of the nominee to serve as a
director if so elected.
The Nominating Committee currently operates under a written
charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors on
December 3, 2004. Following the election of Directors at
the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee will be composed of
the three independent, non-employee members of the Board of
Directors, currently Messrs. Brown, Hoover and Thompson.
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
The compensation levels of the Company are believed to be
competitive and in line with those of comparable companies and
to align the interests of the Companys employees with
those of its stockholders through potential stock ownership.
5
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information concerning
the annual and long-term compensation paid to or for
(i) the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
(ii) those of the Companys four other most highly
compensated executive officers whose total annual salary and
bonus exceeded $100,000 in fiscal year 2005 (collectively, the
Named Officers), for services rendered to the
Company during fiscal years 2003, 2004 and 2005.
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Long Term | |
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Compensation | |
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Annual Compensation |
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Other Annual |
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Year | |
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Bonus(1) | |
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L. Decker Dawson
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2005 |
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$ |
102,289 |
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$ |
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$ |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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2004 |
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102,000 |
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2003 |
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96,755 |
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11,111 |
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Stephen C. Jumper
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2005 |
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$ |
197,354 |
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$ |
10,432 |
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$ |
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10,000 |
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President, Chief Operating Officer |
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2004 |
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175,000 |
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10,000 |
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2003 |
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163,353 |
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11,111 |
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10,000 |
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C. Ray Tobias
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2005 |
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$ |
138,609 |
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$ |
6,659 |
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$ |
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5,000 |
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Executive Vice President |
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2004 |
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125,000 |
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5,000 |
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2003 |
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117,987 |
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|
9,259 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Christina W. Hagan
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
138,269 |
|
|
$ |
6,974 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
114,615 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
91,538 |
|
|
|
7,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Edward L. Huff
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
128,641 |
|
|
$ |
7,716 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
112,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
109,158 |
|
|
|
7,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Any bonus that might be paid for fiscal 2005 is not yet
calculable and, in accordance with Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations, will be reported in the proxy statement
for the annual meeting of stockholders for fiscal year 2006. |
The following table sets forth the number of options granted
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 to the
Named Officers to purchase shares of Common Stock and the
potential realizable value of those options.
OPTION GRANTS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants(1) | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Potential Realizable | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
Value at Assumed | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
Annual Rates of Stock | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
Price Appreciation for | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise or | |
|
|
|
Option Term(2) | |
|
|
Granted | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Base Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
(3) | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
($/share) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% ($) | |
|
10% ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stephen C. Jumper
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
22.2 |
% |
|
|
17.91 |
|
|
|
11/9/2009 |
|
|
|
188,712 |
|
|
|
263,937 |
|
C. Ray Tobias
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
% |
|
|
17.91 |
|
|
|
11/9/2009 |
|
|
|
94,356 |
|
|
|
131,968 |
|
Christina W. Hagan
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
% |
|
|
17.91 |
|
|
|
11/9/2009 |
|
|
|
94,356 |
|
|
|
131,968 |
|
Edward L. Huff
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
% |
|
|
17.91 |
|
|
|
11/9/2009 |
|
|
|
94,356 |
|
|
|
131,968 |
|
|
|
(1) |
No options were granted to Mr. Dawson during fiscal year
2005. |
|
(2) |
The amounts in these columns are the result of calculations at
the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are not intended to forecast possible future
appreciation, if any, of our stock price. The actual value
realized will depend on the difference between the market value
of the Common Stock on the date the option is exercised and the
exercise price. |
|
(3) |
The options vest and become exercisable ratably over four years
(25% per year) beginning on the first anniversary of the
date of grant. |
6
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the exercise of options to purchase Common Stock during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, and unexercised
options held at September 30, 2005 by each of the Named
Officers.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR 2005
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/30/2005 | |
|
in-the-Money Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
at 9/30/2005(1) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable/ | |
|
| |
|
|
Shares Acquired | |
|
Value | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable/ | |
Name(2) |
|
on Exercise | |
|
Realized | |
|
(No. of Shares) | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stephen C. Jumper
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000/25,000 |
|
|
$ |
185,749/$276,616 |
|
C. Ray Tobias
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,750/16,250 |
|
|
$ |
61,991/$160,591 |
|
Christina W. Hagan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,750/16,250 |
|
|
$ |
176,924/$160,591 |
|
Edward L. Huff
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
40,141 |
|
|
|
3,750/16,250 |
|
|
$ |
21,850/$160,591 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The closing price per share on September 30, 2005 was
$30.25 as reported by the Nasdaq National market. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Dawson does not hold any options to purchase shares of
the companys Common Stock. |
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Arrangements. Long-term
incentive compensation for senior executive officers is not a
policy of the Company. Accordingly, no awards or payouts have
been made. The Company has no retirement or pension plan except
for its 401(k) Plan and its Incentive Stock Option Plans. These
plans are described below.
Directors who are not also employees of the Company receive
$1,000 per month, $1,000 per meeting and
1,000 shares of Common Stock per year for serving as
directors. In addition, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an
additional $500 per month.
COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table summarizes certain information regarding
securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation
plans as of September 30, 2005.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available for | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future Issuance under | |
|
|
Number of Securities to | |
|
Weighted-average | |
|
Equity Compensation Plans | |
|
|
be Issued upon Exercise | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
|
|
of Outstanding Options | |
|
Outstanding Options | |
|
Reflected in Column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
224,500 |
|
|
$ |
8.87 |
|
|
|
319,000 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
224,500 |
|
|
$ |
8.87 |
|
|
|
319,000 |
|
Stock Option Plans. Dawson Geophysical Company has
reserved a total of 500,000 shares of its Common Stock for
issuance as restricted stock and pursuant to stock options
granted under its 2000 Incentive Stock Plan (the 2000
Plan). The 2000 Plan is administered by the Companys
Compensation
7
Committee. The 2000 Plan provides that up to a total of 50,000
of such shares authorized for issuance may be awarded and issued
as restricted stock to key employees, officers and non-employee
members of the Board of Directors of the Company with or without
payment therefor. The remainder of such shares, and any shares
not issued pursuant to stock grants, may be issued to officers
and key employees of the Company pursuant to stock options
granted under the 2000 Plan. Options under the 2000 Plan are
granted at an exercise price not less than the market price of
the Companys stock on the date of grant. Each option
granted is exercisable after the period or periods specified in
the individual option agreement, but prior to the expiration of
five years after the date of grant. Commencing one year after
the date of grant, optionees generally may purchase up to
one-fourth of the shares covered by a particular grant, and each
option grant becomes exercisable with respect to an additional
one-fourth of the shares covered in each of the next three
anniversaries of the date of grant. The 2000 Plan covers a
ten-year period and expires on January 12, 2009.
The Dawson Geophysical Company 2004 Incentive Stock Plan
provides for the award of stock grants and options to purchase
shares of the Companys Common Stock. For a description of
this plan and a description of our Boards proposal to
amend this plan, which will be considered by stockholders at the
annual meeting, see Proposal 3: Amendment to the 2004
Stock Incentive Plan beginning on page 11 of this
proxy statement.
During the fiscal year ended 2005, 46,750 shares of Common
Stock were issued pursuant to the exercise of options granted
under the 2000 Plan. During fiscal 2005, there were no options
to purchase shares of common stock granted under the 2000 Plan.
As of September 30, 2005, the total number of outstanding
options under the Companys 2000 Plan and 2004 Plan was
224,500.
401(k) Plan. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company
initiated a 401(k) plan as part of its employee benefits package
in order to retain quality personnel. During fiscal year 2005,
the Company elected to match 100% of employee contributions up
to a maximum of 5% of the participants gross salary. The
Companys matching contributions for the fiscal year ended
2005 were approximately $555,000.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
To the Stockholders of Dawson Geophysical Company:
The Companys Compensation Committee makes recommendations
regarding compensation of the Companys executive officers,
including the CEO, subject to approval of the entire Board of
Directors.
Compensation for executive officers is based on the principle
that compensation must be competitive to enable the Company to
motivate and retain the talent needed to lead and grow the
Companys business, and to provide rewards which are
closely linked to the Company and individual performance.
Executive compensation for all executive officers, including the
CEO, is based on performance against a combination of financial
and non-financial measures. In addition to business results,
employees are expected to uphold a commitment to integrity,
maximize the development of each individual, and continue to
improve the environmental quality of the Companys services
and operations. In upholding these financial and non-financial
objectives, executives not only contribute to their own success,
but also help ensure that the business, employees, stockholders
and communities in which we live and work will prosper.
|
|
|
November 25, 2005
|
|
Compensation Committee |
|
|
|
Paul H. Brown |
|
|
Gary M. Hoover |
|
|
Tim C. Thompson |
8
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
During the fiscal year ended 2005, the Compensation Committee
was composed of Messrs. P. Brown, Hoover and Thompson. No
member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee
of the Company. None of the Companys executive officers
served on the board of directors or the compensation committee
of any other entity, for which any officers of such other entity
served either on our Board of Directors or our Compensation
Committee.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total
return of the Companys Common Stock as compared with the
S&P 500 Stock Index and a peer group made up of
companies in the Value-Line Oilfield Services Industry Index.
The Oilfield Services Index consists of far larger companies
that perform a variety of services as compared to land-based
acquisition and processing of seismic data performed by the
Company.
Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return*
Among Dawson Geophysical Company, the S & P 500 Index
and the Value Line Oilfield Services Index
|
|
* |
$100 invested on 9/30/2000 in stock or index-including
reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending Sept. 30. |
9
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
beneficial ownership of the Companys Common Stock, as of
November 25, 2005, by each of the Companys Directors
and executive officers, by all executive officers and Directors
of the Company as a group, and by each person known to the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class
of the Companys outstanding Common Stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of | |
|
Percent of | |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficial Ownership | |
|
Class(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MORE THAN 5%
OF OUR COMMON STOCK |
Beddow Capital Management Incorporated
|
|
|
451,930 |
(2) |
|
|
6.04 |
% |
|
250 Healdsburg Avenue, Suite 202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Healdsburg, California 95448
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rubicon Master Fund
|
|
|
435,000 |
(3) |
|
|
5.81 |
% |
|
P.O. Box 309
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ugland House
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Town, Cayman Islands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT |
L. Decker Dawson
|
|
|
408,192 |
|
|
|
5.45 |
% |
Christina W. Hagan
|
|
|
58,399 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Stephen C. Jumper
|
|
|
57,808 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Howell W. Pardue
|
|
|
37,000 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
C. Ray Tobias
|
|
|
28,775 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Edward L. Huff
|
|
|
9,756 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
A. Mark Nelson
|
|
|
8,891 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
K.S. Forsdick
|
|
|
7,750 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Tim C. Thompson
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Paul H. Brown
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gary M. Hoover
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)
|
|
|
626,571 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
8.26 |
% |
|
|
|
|
* |
Indicates less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. |
|
|
(1) |
As of November 25, 2005, there were 7,484,044 shares
of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Unless otherwise
indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares listed. |
|
(2) |
Based on a Schedule 13F-HR for the period ended
September 30, 2005 filed by Beddow Capital Management
Incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Beddow
Capital Management Incorporated reports that it has sole voting
and investment power with respect to all 451,930 shares. |
|
(3) |
Based on a Form 13G dated April 8, 2005 filed by
Rubicon Master Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on April 19, 2005. Rubicon Master Fund reports that it has
shared voting and investment power with Rubicon
Fund Management Ltd., Rubicon Fund Management LLP, Paul
Anthony Brewer, Jeffrey Eugene Brummette, William Francis
Callanan, Vilas Gadkari, Robert Michael Greenshields and Horace
Joseph Leitch III with respect to all 435,000 shares. |
|
(4) |
Includes shares attributable to Common Stock not outstanding but
subject to currently exercisable options, as follows:
Mr. Jumper 25,000 shares;
Ms. Hagan 23,750 shares;
Mr. Pardue 6,250 shares;
Mr. Tobias 8,750 shares;
Mr. Huff 3,750 shares;
Mr. Forsdick 3,750 shares;
Mr. Nelson 3,750 shares. |
10
|
|
(5) |
Includes shares attributable to Common Stock not outstanding,
but subject to options exercisable within sixty days of the
record date, as follows: Mr. Jumper
7,500 shares; Ms. Hagan 5,000 shares;
Mr. Pardue 3,750 shares;
Mr. Tobias 5,000 shares;
Mr. Huff 5,000 shares;
Mr. Forsdick 3,000 shares;
Mr. Nelson 1,750 shares. |
PROPOSAL 2: AMENDMENT OF THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES
On September 27, 2005, our Board unanimously adopted a
resolution declaring it advisable to amend our Restated Articles
of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common
Stock that we have authority to issue to 50,000,000 shares
of Common Stock. Our Board further directed that this amendment
to our Restated Articles of Incorporation be submitted for
consideration by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. In the
event stockholders approve this amendment, we will amend
Article Four of our Restated Articles of Incorporation to
increase the number of shares of Common Stock which we are
authorized to issue from 10,000,000 to 50,000,000. This
amendment will become effective at the close of business on the
date the amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation are
accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of Texas. At
November 25, 2005, there were 7,484,044 shares of our
Common Stock outstanding and 311,000 reserved for issuance in
connection with options and restricted stock awards. The
Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation is attached
to this proxy statement as Exhibit B.
Our Board believes that it is in our best interest to increase
the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock in
order to have additional shares available to create
opportunities for future equity growth. Our Board believes the
availability of these additional shares will provide us with the
flexibility to issue Common Stock for a variety of purposes the
Board may deem advisable without further action by shareholders,
unless required by law, regulation or the rules of The Nasdaq
National Market. These purposes could include, among other
things, the sale of stock to obtain additional funding, the use
of additional shares for various equity compensation and other
employee benefit plans, the declaration of stock splits or
distributions, and other bona fide corporate purposes. We have
no present plans, agreements, commitments or understandings with
regard to the issuance of the proposed additional shares of
Common Stock. The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock
could have a dilutive effect on a shareholders voting
power.
Although an increase in the authorized shares of Common Stock
could, under certain circumstances, also be construed as having
an anti-takeover effect (for example, by diluting the stock
ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the
composition of our Board or contemplating a tender offer or
other transaction for the combination of our Company with
another company), we are not proposing this amendment to our
Restated Articles of Incorporation in response to any effort to
accumulate our stock or to obtain control of us by means of a
merger, tender offer, or solicitation in opposition to
management. Our Board has no knowledge of any effort by any
person or group to obtain control of the Company.
Recommendation and Required Affirmative Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our Common
Stock entitled to vote and who do vote (in person or by proxy)
at the annual meeting is required for approval of the proposal
to amend the Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Our Board believes
the amendment of the Restated Articles of Incorporation is in
the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.
Accordingly, our Board recommends that you vote FOR
approval of the proposal.
PROPOSAL 3: AMENDMENT TO THE 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE
PLAN
General
The Dawson Geophysical Company 2004 Incentive Stock Plan (the
Plan) was approved by our Board, with stockholder
approval, in fiscal year 2004. Our Board has decided to amend
the Plan, subject to stockholder approval, to increase the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance
11
under the Plan from 375,000 to 625,000, and to eliminate the
125,000 aggregate share limitations imposed upon restricted and
unrestricted stock grants and options.
The purpose of the Plan is to encourage stock ownership by
certain officers and employees of the Company so that they may
acquire or increase their proprietary interest in the success of
the Company and to encourage them to remain in the employ of the
Company.
If approved by stockholders, the amendment will become effective
as of January 24, 2006.
Proposal Regarding the Plan
Plan Amendment. As of November 25, 2005, 311,000
shares remained available for future issuance under the Plan.
The amendment of the Plan would result in an additional 250,000
shares of Common Stock (the Additional Shares) being
available for future issuance under the Plan (the Plan
Amendment). All such additional shares authorized for
issuance by the Company pursuant to the Plan may be distributed
as either stock options, stock grants with restrictions
(Restricted Stock) or stock grants without
restrictions (Unrestricted Stock). We intend to file
a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, as soon as practicable following
stockholder approval of the proposal to amend the Plan to
register the additional 250,000 shares available for future
issuance under the Plan.
In September 2005, our Board determined that the number of
shares that remained available for additional awards under the
Plan should be increased to maintain a percentage of Plan shares
to the total number of shares outstanding. An equity offering of
1,800,000 shares of Common Stock in March 2005 having diluted
the percentage of Plan shares to the total shares outstanding.
The authorization of the Additional Shares pursuant to this
proposal would restore the ratio of Plan shares to total shares
outstanding to approximately eight percent. In addition, the
Board determined that in order to simplify the administration of
the Plan, the Company should eliminate the Plan share
limitations imposed on the separate categories of Restricted
Stock and Unrestricted Stock. After approval of the Plan
Amendment, the Company will be able to make awards based on
managements judgment of the type of award that would be
most effective, rather than an arbitrary limit on the type of
award. As a result of these considerations, our Board is
proposing the Plan Amendment to our stockholders at the annual
meeting. The Plan Amendment is attached to this proxy statement
as Exhibit C.
Description of the Plan
The material features of the Plan, giving effect to the Plan
Amendment, are as described below.
General. As amended, the Plan provides for the award of
Restricted Stock, the award of Unrestricted Stock and the award
of stock options (collectively Awards) to purchase
up to 625,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock. Awards
may be granted by the Compensation Committee (as hereinafter
defined), in its sole discretion, to officers, directors and
employees of the Company, with or without payment therefor, and
will reduce the total number of shares available for the
issuance of other Awards under the Plan.
Stock options issued under the Plan have an option price that is
equal to the market value of the Companys Common Stock at
date of grant, except that the option price shall be 110% of the
market value if the option is granted to a stockholder who owns
more than a 10% interest in the Company. Generally, options are
exercisable 25% annually from the date of the grant and the
options expire five years from date of grant. During the fiscal
year ended 2005, options to purchase an aggregate of 45,000
shares of Common Stock were granted to employees of the Company
under the Plan. As of November 25, 2005, the total number
of outstanding options under the Companys Plan was 45,000
and the total number of shares available for issuance was
311,000.
Administration. The Plan is administered by the
compensation committee of the Board (the Compensation
Committee). The Compensation Committee is authorized to
interpret the Plan, make recommendations to the Board with
respect to officers, directors and employees of the Company who
shall
12
be granted Awards, recommendations to the Board regarding the
terms and restrictions attributable to Awards, and make all
other determinations concerning the Plan.
Eligibility. Executives and other employees of the
Company (including officers, whether or not they are directors)
may receive stock options from the Company. Restricted Stock and
Unrestricted Stock awards may be granted to officers, directors
and employees of the Company with or without payment at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Term, Amendment and Termination of the Plan. To the
extent permitted by law, our Board may at any time suspend,
terminate, amend or modify the Plan. However, no amendment or
modification may become effective without the approval of such
amendment or modification by stockholders of the Company if the
amendment changes the number of shares subject to the Plan,
changes the designation of the class of employees eligible to
receive Awards, decreases the price at which options may be
granted, removes the administration of the Plan from the
Compensation Committee, renders a member of the Compensation
Committee eligible to receive an Award under the Plan while
still on the Compensation Committee or amends the Plan in any
manner that will cause any stock options issued under it that
were otherwise intended to qualify as incentive stock options at
the time of grant to fail to meet the requirements of incentive
stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code. The
term of the 2004 Plan is five years from the date of its
adoption, such that the 2004 Plan expires January 27, 2009.
Recommendation and Required Affirmative Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our Common
Stock entitled to vote and who do vote (in person or by proxy)
at the annual meeting is required for approval of the proposal
to amend the Plan in accordance with the Plan Amendment. Our
Board believes that the Plan Amendment is in the best interests
of the Company and our stockholders. Accordingly, our Board
recommends that you vote FOR approval of the proposal.
PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors has selected KPMG LLP for appointment as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, subject to
ratification by the stockholders. KPMG LLP served as independent
registered public accountants for the Company for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2005. Representatives of that firm
are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of stockholders
to respond to appropriate questions and will have an opportunity
to make a statement if they desire to do so. Our Board
recommends that you vote FOR the appointment of KPMG LLP as
our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2006.
FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal
years 2004 and 2005 for professional services rendered by the
principal independent accountant, KPMG LLP, for the audit of the
Companys annual financial statements and review of the
Companys quarterly reports on Form 10-Q are $66,500
and $170,667 respectively.
Audit Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in fiscal
year 2005 for services provided by the principal independent
accountant, KPMG LLP, related to the Companys March 2005
common stock offering and shelf registration statement are
$99,023. There were no Audit-Related Fees billed by KPMG during
fiscal year 2004.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal years
2004 and 2005 for professional services rendered by the
principal independent accountant, KPMG LLP, for tax compliance,
tax advice and tax planning are $8,625 and $12,060, respectively.
13
All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed in each
of the last two fiscal years for products or services provided
by the principal independent accountant, KPMG LLP, other than
those reported under the captions Audit Fees,
Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees above.
The Audit Committees policy on pre-approval of audit and
audit related fees requires the Chairman of the Audit Committee
to sign all engagement letters of the principal independent
accountant prior to commencement of any audit or audit related
services, all of which was performed in connection with the last
two fiscal years of the Company by the principal independent
accountants, KPMG LLP, full-time, permanent employees.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
To the Stockholders of Dawson Geophysical Company:
It is the responsibility of the members of the Audit Committee
to contribute to the reliability of the Companys Financial
Statements. In keeping with this goal, the Board of Directors
adopted a written charter (attached to this Proxy Statement as
Exhibit A) to govern the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee is satisfied with the adequacy of the charter based
upon its evaluation of the charter during fiscal 2005. The Audit
Committee met ten times during fiscal 2005. The members of the
Audit Committee are independent directors.
The audit committee oversees the Companys financial
reporting process on behalf of the entire Board. Management has
the primary responsibility for the Companys financial
statements and the reporting process, including the systems of
internal controls. The primary responsibilities of the Audit
Committee are to select and retain the Companys auditors
(including review and approval of the terms of engagement and
fees), to review with the auditors the Companys financial
reports (and other financial information) provided to the SEC
and the investing public, to prepare and publish this report,
and to assist the Board with oversight of the following:
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integrity of the Companys financial statements, |
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compliance by the Company with standards of business ethics and
legal and regulatory requirements, |
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qualifications and independence of the Companys
independent auditors and |
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performance of the Companys independent auditors and
internal auditors. |
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the
Companys audited financial statements with management. It
has also discussed with the independent auditors the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Accounting Standards
No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, by
the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, the Audit Committee
has received the written disclosures and the letter from the
independent accountants at KPMG LLP, as required by Independent
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees, and has discussed with the independent
accountants that firms independence from the Company and
its management. The Audit Committee has concluded that non-audit
services provided by KPMG LLP do not result in conflict in
maintaining that firms independence.
Audit fees billed to the Company by KPMG LLP during the
Companys 2005 fiscal year for the audit of the
Companys annual financial statements and the review of
those financial statements included in the Companys
quarterly reports of Form 10-Q totaled approximately
$170,667. The Company was billed approximately $12,060 by KPMG
LLP for tax related services. In addition, the Company was
billed approximately $99,023 by KPMG LLP for audit related
services related to the Companys March 2005 common stock
offering and shelf registration statement.
14
Based on reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
financial statements for fiscal 2005 be included in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Audit Committee |
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Paul H. Brown |
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Gary M. Hoover |
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Tim C. Thompson |
November 25, 2005
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the
Companys directors and officers, and persons who own more
than 10 percent of the Companys outstanding Common
Stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock held by such
persons. These persons are also required to furnish the Company
with copies of all forms they file under this regulation.
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on a review of the
copies of such reports furnished to the Company and without
further inquiry, during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2005, the Companys directors, officers and beneficial
owners of more than 10 percent of Common Stock complied
with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
The next Annual Meeting of the Companys stockholders is
scheduled to be held on January 23, 2007. Stockholders may
submit proposals appropriate for stockholder action at the next
Annual Meeting consistent with the regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission. If a stockholder desires to have such
proposal included in the proxy statement and form of proxy
distributed by the Board of Directors with respect to such
meeting, the proposal must be received at the Companys
principal executive offices, 508 West Wall, Suite 800,
Midland, Texas 79701, Attention: Ms. Christina W. Hagan,
Secretary, no later than August 25, 2006.
In addition, the Companys Bylaws establish advance notice
procedures with regard to certain matters, including shareholder
proposals not included in the Companys proxy statement, to
be brought before an Annual Meeting. In general, the Secretary
of the Company must receive notice of any such proposal not less
than 80 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting at the
address of the Companys principal executive offices above.
Such notice must include the information specified in
Article II, Section 14 of the Companys Bylaws.
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no other business which will be presented at
the Annual Meeting other than as explained herein. The Board of
Directors of the Company has approved a process for collecting,
organizing and delivering all stockholder communications to each
of its members. To contact all directors on the Board, all
directors on a Board committee or an individual member or
members of the Board of Directors, a stockholder may mail a
written communication to: Dawson Geophysical Company, Attention:
Secretary, 508 West Wall, Suite 800, Midland, Texas
79701. All communications received in the mail will be opened by
the Companys Secretary for the purpose of determining
whether the contents represent a message to the Board of
Directors. The contents of stockholder communications to the
Board of Directors will be promptly relayed to the appropriate
members. The Company encourages all members of the Board of
Directors to attend the Annual Meeting of stockholders. All
nominees for election to the Board of Directors in 2005 attended.
15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
You can learn more about the Company and our operations by
visiting our website at www.dawson3d.com. Among other
information we have provided there, you will find:
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The charters of each of our standing committees of the Board. |
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Our code of business conduct and ethics. |
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Information concerning our business and recent news releases and
filings with the SEC. |
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Information concerning our board of directors and stockholder
relations. |
For additional information about the Company, please refer to
our 2005 Annual Report, which is being mailed with this proxy
statement.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Christina W. Hagan, Secretary |
16
EXHIBIT A
DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Composition
The Audit Committee shall be composed of at least three
directors who are independent of the management of Dawson
Geophysical Company (the Company) and are free of
any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors,
would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as a
committee member and are, or will shortly become, financially
literate. In addition, the members shall have the financial
expertise to fulfill the required responsibilities of the Audit
Committee.
Objective of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee shall assist the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its responsibility to the shareholders, potential
shareholders, and the investment community relating to corporate
accounting, reporting practices of the Company, and the quality
and integrity of the financial reports of the Company.
Specific Responsibilities of the Audit Committee
In fulfilling its objective, the Audit Committee shall have the
following responsibilities with respect to:
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The Companys Risks and Control Environment: |
To review managements overview of the risks, policies,
procedures, and controls surrounding the integrity of financial
reporting, and particularly, the adequacy of the Companys
controls in areas representing significant financial and
business risks;
To establish, review and update periodically a code of ethical
conduct, ensure that management has established a system to
enforce the code, and receive updates and briefings from
management and others on how compliance with ethical policies
and other relevant Company procedures is being achieved;
To review, with the Companys counsel, legal matters,
including litigation, compliance with securities trading
policies, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws
having a significant impact on the Companys business or
its financial statements; and
To investigate any matter brought to its attention within the
scope of its duties, and retain outside counsel for this purpose
if, in its judgment, that is appropriate;
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The Hiring and Firing of and Relationship with the
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: |
To participate, on behalf of the Board of Directors, in the
process by which the Company selects the independent registered
public accounting firm to audit the Companys financial
statements, evaluate annually the effectiveness and objectivity
of such accountants, and recommend the engagement or replacement
of the independent registered public accounting firm to the
Board of Directors;
To have an open line of communication with the independent
registered public accounting firm, who shall have ultimate
accountability to the Board of Directors and the Audit
Committee, as representatives of the shareholders;
To approve the fees and other compensation paid to the
independent registered public accounting firm; and
To review the independence of the independent registered public
accounting firm prior to engagement;
A-1
To review with the representatives from the independent
registered public accounting firm, at least annually following
the engagement, their independence based upon the written
disclosures and the letter from the independent registered
public accounting firm required by Independent Standards Board
Standard No. 1, as modified or supplemented, and To discuss
with the Board of Directors any relationships that may adversely
affect the independence of the independent registered public
accounting firm.
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The Financial Reporting Process: |
To meet with the representatives from the independent registered
public accounting firm and the financial management of the
Company with respect to major changes to the Companys
auditing and accounting principles;
To meet with the representatives of the independent registered
public accounting firm (independent accountants) and the
financial management of the Company, together, and with the
representatives from the independent registered public
accounting firm, separately, (a) prior to the performance
by the independent accountants of the audit to discuss the scope
of the proposed audit for the current year and the audit
procedures to be utilized; and (b) at the conclusion of the
audit to discuss (i) the independent accountants
judgments about the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
Companys accounting principles as applied in its financial
reporting, the consistency of application of the Companys
accounting policies and the clarity, consistency, and
completeness of the entitys accounting information
contained in the financial statements and related disclosures,
(ii) the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and
financial controls of the Company, including the internal
controls to expose any payments, transactions or procedures that
might be deemed illegal or otherwise improper, and any
recommendations for improvement of such internal control
procedures or for new or more detailed controls or procedures of
the Company, (iii) any other results of the audit,
including any comments or recommendations, and (iv) the
view of the independent accountants with respect to the
financial, accounting and auditing personnel and the cooperation
that the independent accountants received during the course of
the audit;
To review and discuss with the representatives of the
independent registered public accounting firm and the financial
management of the Company the Companys financial results
before they are made public. In general, the Chairman of the
Audit Committee may represent the entire committee with respect
to the review and discussions about interim financial
results; and
To review other reports submitted by the Company to any
governmental body of the public, including any certification,
report, opinion or review rendered by the independent registered
public accounting firm;
Other
Responsibilities of the Audit Committee:
To review and update periodically the charter for the Audit
Committee;
To review, assess and approve or disapprove conflicts of
interest and related-party transactions;
To review accounting and financial human resources and
succession planning within the Company;
To meet at least four times annually, or more frequently, as
circumstances dictate;
To report to the Board of Directors the matters discussed at
each committee meeting;
To enhance the Audit Committee effectiveness through
self-assessment; and
To keep an open line of communication with the financial and
senior management, any internal audit personnel, the
representatives of the independent registered public accounting
firm, and the Board of Directors.
A-2
EXHIBIT B
AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The proposal is to amend the preface and
subsection (a) of Article Four of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Company to read as follows:
The total number of shares of stock which the corporation
shall have authority to issue is fifty-five million (55,000,000)
divided into two classes:
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(a) One class designated as common stock shall consist of
Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares having a par value of
Thirty-Three and One/third Cents
($0.331/3)
per share; and the other class designated as preferred shares
shall consist of Five Million (5,000,000) shares having a par
value of One Dollar ($1.00) per share. |
B-1
EXHIBIT C
AMENDMENT TO THE 2004 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
The proposal is to amend Sections 4 and 11 of the Dawson
Geophysical Company 2004 Incentive Stock Plan to read as follows:
1. The first paragraph of Section 4 of the Plan is
hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
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The stock subject to the options shall be shares of the
Companys authorized but unissued or reacquired
$0.331/3
par value per share common stock hereinafter sometimes called
the Stock. The aggregate number of shares which may
be issued under options shall not exceed 625,000 shares of
Stock. The limitations established by the preceding sentence
shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article 5(h)
of the Plan. |
2. Section 11 of the Plan is hereby deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following:
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The Committee may award to officers, directors and
employees of the Company shares of capital stock out of the
625,000 shares of Stock provided for in Article 4 of the
Plan for the purpose of additional compensation for outstanding
achievement and to encourage ownership of the Stock. These
awards, in the discretion of the Committee, may be made with or
without payment therefor by any officer, director or employee to
whom such capital stock is made under such terms and conditions
as the Committee may in its sole discretion provide. Such awards
shall not constitute incentive stock options within the meaning
of Section 422 of the Code and shall not exceed 625,000
shares of Stock provided for under Article 4 of the Plan.
Such awards may be awarded without payment by any officer,
director, or employee to whom such capital stock is made under
such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole
discretion may provide and may also be awarded with the
restrictions that such shares shall not be assignable nor may
any other person acquire any rights therein and that the
officer, director or employee of the Company remain in the
employment of the Company for a period of not less than three
years from the date of the award, subject to such other terms
and conditions as the Committee may in its sole discretion may
provide. Any shares not awarded under this Article 11 of
the Plan may be the subject of incentive stock options under the
Plan. |
C-1
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PROXY |
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY. |
ANNUAL MEETING
January 24, 2006 10:00 A.M.
Petroleum Club of Midland
501 West Wall, Midland, TX 79701
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
COMPANY
Please return this proxy card which requires no postage if
mailed in the U.S.A.
The undersigned stockholder of Dawson Geophysical Company hereby
appoints L. Decker Dawson, Tim C. Thompson, and Paul H. Brown or
any one or more of them, attorneys, agents and proxies of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution to each of them, to
vote all the shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would
be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held January 24, 2006, and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would
possess if personally present and voting thereat, (A) as
instructed below with respect to the following matters and
(B) in their discretion upon other matters which properly
come before the meeting. UNLESS A CONTRARY INSTRUCTION IS
SPECIFIED BELOW, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL ITEMS.
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1. |
Election of Directors: |
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FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the
contrary below) |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
Paul H. Brown, L. Decker Dawson, Gary M. Hoover, Stephen C.
Jumper and Tim C. Thompson. |
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, write that nominees name in the space
provided):
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2. |
Proposal to amend the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company to increase the number of authorized shares. |
o FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN
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3. |
Proposal to amend the 2004 Incentive Stock Plan of the Company
to increase the number of authorized shares. |
o FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN
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4. |
Proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as independent
public accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2006. |
o FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement of the Company dated
December 16, 2005.
Please date and sign exactly as name appears on this proxy.
Joint owners should each sign. If the signer is a corporation,
please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer.
Executors, administrators, trustees, etc., should give full
title as such.
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Dated |
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(Signature of Stockholder) |