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

 

 

 

 

 

DAWSON GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY

508 West Wall, Suite 800

Midland, TX 79701

432‑684‑3000

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held June 9, 2020

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:

 

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Dawson Geophysical Company will be held at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on June 9, 2020. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting held over the internet. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DWSN2020 and entering your control number contained on your proxy card. The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 13, 2020 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

 

DATED this 24th day of April, 2020.

 

 

IMPORTANT

 

To be sure your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting, please vote (1) by calling the toll‑free number (800) 690‑6903 and following the prompts; (2) by Internet at www.proxyvote.com; or (3) by completing, dating, signing and returning your Proxy Card in the enclosed postage‑paid envelope as soon as possible. Any shareholder granting a proxy may 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 Annual Meeting (via the live audio webcast).  You may vote at the Annual Meeting even if you send in your Proxy Card, vote by telephone or vote by Internet. The vote you submit electronically at the Annual Meeting will supersede any prior vote.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Dawson Geophysical Company

508 West Wall, Suite 800

Midland, Texas 79701

PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held Tuesday, June 9, 2020

 

SOLICITATION OF PROXY

 

The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) of Dawson Geophysical Company (the “Company”, “our” or “we”) for use at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DWSN2020, 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. We 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. We 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  April 24, 2020.

 

Any shareholder 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 our Secretary or by attending the Annual Meeting (via the live audio webcast) and withdrawing the proxy.

 

PURPOSE OF MEETING

 

As stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders 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:

 

 

 

 

 

5.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof.

 

VOTING RIGHTS

 

Right to Vote and Record Date

 

Our voting securities consist solely of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”).

 

The record date for shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting was the close of business on April 13, 2020, at which time there were 23,287,410 shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders are entitled to one vote, in person (via the live audio webcast) or by proxy, for each share of Common Stock held in their name on the record date.

 

Quorum

 

Shareholders representing a majority of the Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote must be present (via the live audio webcast) or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum.

 

Voting at the Annual Meeting

 

If your shares of Common Stock are registered directly with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, you are a “record holder” and may vote in person (via the live audio webcast) at the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/DWSN2020 and entering your control number contained on your proxy card. If a bank, broker or other nominee holds your shares for your benefit but not in your own name, your shares are in “street name.” In that case, your bank, broker or other nominee will send you a voting instruction form to use in voting your shares. The availability of telephone and internet voting depends on the voting procedures of your bank, broker or other nominee. Please follow the instructions on the voting instruction form they send you. If your shares are held in the name of your bank, broker or other nominee and you wish to vote in person (via the live audio webcast) at the Annual Meeting, you will need to ask your broker or bank for a control number and your broker or bank will provide you with instructions that you must follow to have your shares voted.

 

Voting by Proxy

 

Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting (via the live audio webcast), we urge you to vote by proxy.

 

Vote Required

 

All proposals other than election of directors will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Common Stock present (via the live audio webcast) or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast. This means that the director nominees with the most votes are elected, regardless of whether any nominee receives a majority of votes cast.

 

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. Cumulative voting for election of directors is not authorized.

 

With regard to the proposal to amend the Company’s 2016 Stock and Performance Incentive Plan, 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 such proposal.

 

With regard to the proposal to ratify the selection of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020, 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 such proposal.

 

With regard to the proposal to approve a non‑binding advisory resolution on the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, 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 such proposal. This vote is advisory in nature and will not be binding on the Company.

 

Abstentions and Broker Non‑Votes

 

Abstentions and broker non‑votes will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. Abstentions are also considered to be present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on any matter from which the shareholder abstains. Generally, a bank, broker or other nominee may vote the shares that it holds for you only in accordance with your instructions. However, if your bank, broker or other nominee has not received your

instructions, your bank, broker or other nominee has the discretion to vote only on certain matters that are routine. A “broker non‑vote” occurs if your bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote on a particular matter because your bank, broker or other nominee has not received instructions from you and because the proposal is not routine. Therefore, for purposes of determining the outcome of any matter to be voted upon as to which the broker has indicated on the proxy that the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote, these shares will be treated as not present at the Annual Meeting and will not be entitled to vote with respect to that matter, even though those shares are considered to be present at the Annual Meeting for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other matters.

 

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 SHAREHOLDER DOES NOT SPECIFY OTHERWISE ON THE RETURNED PROXY, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE SHAREHOLDER’S PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW UNDER “PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS”; FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE 2016 STOCK AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN UNDER “PROPOSAL 2:  AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 STOCK AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN”; FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF RSM US LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM AS SET FORTH UNDER “PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM”; FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE A NON‑BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS DESCRIBED UNDER “PROPOSAL 4: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION”; AND ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on June 9, 2020

 

This Proxy Statement and our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10‑K are available on our website at www.dawson3d.com in the “Financial Reports” area of the “Investor Relations” section.

 

PROPOSAL 1:

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Five directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to comprise the entire membership of the Company’s Board of Directors. All of our nominees have announced that they are available for election to the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the nominees shown below to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors shall be elected and qualified. Our nominees for the five directorships are:

 

Craig W. Cooper

Stephen C. Jumper

Michael L. Klofas

Ted R. North

Mark A. Vander Ploeg

 

For information about each nominee, see “Directors” below.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR all of the nominees listed above.

 

DIRECTORS

 

On February 11, 2015, TGC Industries, Inc. (“Legacy TGC”) completed a strategic business combination (the “Merger”) with Dawson Operating Company, which was formerly known as Dawson Geophysical Company (“Legacy Dawson”), pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 8, 2014 (the “Merger Agreement”). In connection with the Merger, Legacy Dawson changed its name to “Dawson Operating Company” and Legacy TGC changed its name to “Dawson Geophysical Company.”

 

Mr. Stephen C. Jumper, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, is the only executive officer of the Company who is a nominee as set forth below. There are no family relationships by blood, marriage, or adoption between any director, executive officer, or any person nominated or chosen by the Company to become an executive officer or a director. The information set forth below with respect to each of the directors has been furnished by each respective nominee.

 

 

Stephen C. Jumper.  Mr. Jumper, a geophysicist, joined Legacy Dawson in 1985, was elected Vice President in September 1997, and President, Chief Operating Officer and Director in January 2001. In January 2013, Mr. Jumper was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Legacy Dawson. Prior to 1997, Mr. Jumper served Legacy Dawson 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). Mr. Jumper was appointed as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company in February 2015.

 

Mark A. Vander Ploeg.  Mr. Vander Ploeg is the Lead Director of the Company and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Mr. Vander Ploeg previously served as a director of Legacy Dawson from March 2014 until February 2015. Mr. Vander Ploeg has over 35 years of investment banking experience, providing advice to major companies on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, long‑term strategy and governance. Until his retirement in 2011, Mr. Vander Ploeg was a Senior Managing Director of Evercore Partners. Prior to Evercore Partners, Mr. Vander Ploeg was Vice Chairman of

Investment Banking for Merrill Lynch & Co., where he worked from 1995 to 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Vander Ploeg was a Managing Director of Salomon Brothers and Head of the firm’s San Francisco investment banking business. Mr. Vander Ploeg formerly served as a director of Okabena Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is the investment and business company for the Dayton Family, founders of Target Corporation. He was a member of that Board’s Investment Committee and was Chair of the Compensation & Personnel Committee. Elsewhere, Mr. Vander Ploeg serves as a director of the Spencer Foundation, Chicago, Illinois, and chairs its Investment Committee, and also serves as an associate member of Stanford University’s Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). Mr. Vander Ploeg has an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, and a B.A. from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota, where he is a former trustee and served as Board Chair from 2000 to 2006.

 

Craig W. Cooper.  Mr. Cooper was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Mr. Cooper previously served as a director of Legacy Dawson from September 2010 until February 2015, including as Lead Director from January 2013 until February 2015. Prior to his retirement in April 2010, Mr. Cooper was a Senior Advisor, Seismic at BP p.l.c., in the Unconventional Gas unit from 2008 to 2010. Prior to 2008, Mr. Cooper was the Seismic Program Coordinator, North America at BP p.l.c. for three years, Seismic Technology Advisor for two years and Manager of Seismic Imaging & Operations for four years. Mr. Cooper was employed by BP p.l.c. and its predecessor, Amoco Corporation, for 35 years.

 

Michael L. Klofas.  Mr. Klofas was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on May 1, 2018. Mr. Klofas was a member of Babson Capital Management and Affiliates, a MassMutual Financial Group Company from 1988 to 2016 where he served as Managing Director, Head of the Mezzanine and Private Equity Group from 2009 to 2016. Mr. Klofas served as President of Babson Capital Corporate Investors and President of Babson Capital Participation Investors, both NYSE-listed closed-end bond funds, from 2009 to 2016. Mr. Klofas is a Director of PeoplesBank, a Massachusetts-charted mutual bank, since 2017; was a Director of Supreme Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of specialized truck bodies from 2016 until the company was sold in 2017; and was a Director of Glynlyon Holding Company, a provider of web-based educational content and curriculum for public school districts, from 2016 to 2019.

 

Ted R. North.  Mr. North was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Mr. North previously served as a director of Legacy Dawson from August 2008 until February 2015. Mr. North was a partner at Grant Thornton LLP from August 1987 to his retirement on July 31, 2008. He served as the Managing Partner and in other positions of responsibility in the Midland, Texas and Oklahoma City offices of Grant Thornton. He is a Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years of public accounting experience.

 

Retiring Directors

Wayne A. Whitener.  Effective June 30, 2019, Mr. Wayne A. Whitener, Executive Vice Chairman of the Company, retired from his position as an officer and employee of the Company and resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors. Information regarding his retirement can be found on the Company’s Form 8-K dated June 30, 2019 under Item 5.02 and Exhibit 10.2.

 

William J. Barrett.  Mr. Barrett, who has been a Director of the Company since 1980, will not seek an additional term as Director and will retire following the Annual Meeting. Mr. Barrett will serve as a Director Emeritus after the expiration of his term as Director as described below.

 

Gary M. Hoover, Ph.D.  Dr. Hoover, who was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015, and previously served as a director of Legacy Dawson since December 2002, will not seek an additional term as Director and will retire following the Annual Meeting. Dr. Hoover will serve as a Director Emeritus after the expiration of his term as Director as described below.

 

The Company thanks Messrs. Whitener and Barrett, and Dr. Hoover for their dedicated service to, and guidance of, the Company during their time on the Board of Directors.

 

Director Emeritus

 

In order to provide continued access to their specialized knowledge and expertise concerning the Company, the Board of Directors has requested and Mr. Barrett and Dr. Hoover have agreed that they will each serve as a Director Emeritus after the expiration of his term as Director until the next annual meeting of shareholders. As a Director Emeritus, Mr. Barrett and Dr. Hoover will be invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and participate in board discussions, but they will not be entitled to vote on any matters. Each of Mr. Barrett and Dr. Hoover will be entitled to receive a cash fee of $3,000 for each board meeting they attend and cash compensation of $24,000 annualy up to a maximum of $36,000 per year during their term as Director Emeritus.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

“Independent” Directors

 

Messrs. Cooper, Klofas, North and Vander Ploeg qualify as “independent” in accordance with the published listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). Further, during 2019 and currently, each of the members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, as applicable, qualified as “independent” in accordance with the NASDAQ listing requirements. The NASDAQ independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not an employee of the company and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with the company. In addition, as further required by the NASDAQ rules, our Board of Directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

 

In addition, during 2019 and currently, each of the members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors qualified as “independent” under special standards established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for members of such committees. The Audit Committee includes at least one member who is determined by our Board of Directors to meet the qualifications of an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules, including that the person meets the relevant definition of an “independent” director. Mr. North is the independent director who has been determined to be the audit committee financial expert, based on the Board’s qualitative assessment of Mr. North’s level of knowledge, experience (as described above in his biographical statement) and formal education. The designation does not impose on Mr. North any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than those that are generally imposed on him as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, and Mr. North’s designation as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liabilities of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors.

 

Meetings and Committees of Directors

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Board of Directors held four regularly scheduled meetings and one additional meeting. All of our current directors attended the regularly scheduled meetings.

 

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors. The functions of the Audit Committee are to determine whether our management has established internal controls which are sound, adequate and working effectively; to ascertain whether our assets are verified and safeguarded; to review and approve external audits; to select, engage and supervise our independent public accountants; and to determine and approve the fees paid to the independent public accountants. During 2019, the members of the Audit Committee were Messers. North (Chair),  Barrett, and Vander Ploeg.

 

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors that is periodically reviewed, updated and approved by the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors approved the Audit Committee Charter effective as of February 11, 2015 in connection with the Merger, and has subsequently updated, reviewed, and approved the charter. The Audit Committee Charter was most recently reviewed by the Audit Committee on October 29, 2019, and minor updates were made. The Audit Committee Charter is posted on our website at www.dawson3d.com in the “Corporate Governance” area of the “Investor Relations” section.

 

The Audit Committee Report for the year ended December 31, 2019 is included in this Proxy Statement beginning on page 32.

 

Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors. The primary function of the Compensation Committee is to determine that compensation for our officers is competitive and enables the Company to motivate and retain the talent needed to lead and grow our business. During 2019, the members of the Compensation Committee were Dr. Hoover (Chair), and Messers. Cooper and Klofas.

 

The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors that is periodically reviewed, updated and approved by the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors approved the Compensation Committee Charter effective as of February 11, 2015 in connection with the Merger. The charter is posted on our website at www.dawson3d.com in the “Corporate Governance” area of the “Investor Relations” section.

 

The Compensation Committee Report for the year ended December 31, 2019 is included in this Proxy Statement on page 17.

 

Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors. During 2019, the members of the Nominating Committee were Messrs. Cooper (Chair), Klofas, and Vander Ploeg. The primary function of the Nominating Committee is to determine the slate of director nominees for election to our Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee considers candidates recommended by our shareholders, directors, officers and outside sources, and considers each nominee’s personal and professional integrity, experience, skills, ability, and willingness to devote the time and effort necessary to be an effective board member with the commitment to acting in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders. While the Company has no specific diversity policy, the Nominating Committee gives consideration to having an appropriate mix and diversity of backgrounds, skills and professional experiences on our Board of Directors, the qualifications that the Committee believes must be met by prospective nominees, qualities or skills that the Committee believes are necessary for one or more of our directors to possess, and standards for the overall structure and composition of our Board of Directors. The same criteria would be evaluated with respect to candidates recommended by shareholders.

 

In accordance with our Bylaws, shareholders who wish to have their nominees for election to the Board of Directors considered by the Nominating Committee must submit such nomination to our Secretary for receipt not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials for the preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to our Bylaws, the notice of nomination is required to contain certain information about both the nominee and the shareholder making the nomination, including information sufficient to allow the independent directors to determine if the candidate meets the criteria for Board of Director membership. A nomination that does not comply with the above procedure will be disregarded.

 

The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approved the Nominating Committee Charter effective as of February 11, 2015 in connection with the Merger. The charter is posted on our website at www.dawson3d.com in the “Corporate Governance” area of the “Investor Relations” section.

 

During 2019, the Board of Directors held five meetings, the Audit Committee held six meetings, the Compensation Committee held two meetings, and the Nominating Committee held three meetings. Each of the directors attended 75% or more of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and all of the committees on which they served during 2019.

 

Director Qualifications

 

The following is a brief discussion of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led us to the conclusion that our nominees for director should serve as Directors for the Company: For our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jumper, his leadership qualities, technical expertise and long experience in the seismic industry. For Mr. Vander Ploeg, his extensive experience in investment banking and expertise with mergers and acquisitions. For Mr. Cooper, his significant experience in management in the seismic division of a major

oil company. For Mr. Klofas, his extensive knowledge and experience in capital markets and his broad business evaluation experience. For Mr. North, his significant accounting and auditing expertise and experience.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

Currently our Chairman of the Board of Directors is Mr. Stephen C. Jumper, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors believes that the determination of whether the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors should be separate should be based on the composition, skills and experience of the Board of Directors and its members and governance efficiency. Based on these factors, the Board of Directors has determined that having Mr. Jumper serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman is in the best interest of the Company, and that such arrangement makes the best use of Mr. Jumper’s unique skills and experience with the Company and his long experience in the seismic industry to act as the representative of the Company.

 

Following the Merger in February of 2015,  the Board of Directors established the position of Lead Director. The Lead Director is appointed annually by the Board if the Chairman of the Board is not an independent director. Since our Chairman is also a member of management, the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Mark A. Vander Ploeg,  an independent director, as Lead Director. The responsibilities of the Lead Director include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Directors is generally responsible for risk oversight. Management has implemented internal processes to identify and evaluate the risks inherent in the Company’s business and to assess the mitigation of those risks. Our Board of Directors’ leadership structure, including the Audit Committee’s responsibility to oversee any significant financial risk exposures and our practice of a high degree of interaction between our directors and members of senior management, facilitates and provides this oversight function. Management reports either to the Audit Committee or the full Board of Directors, depending on the type of risk involved, regarding the identified risks and the mitigation strategies planned or in place to address such risks.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

For services performed in 2019, each non‑employee director received fees of $75,000, consisting of $29,250 representing quarterly cash payments of approximately $7,300, and stock grants with a value of $45,750. In addition, members of the Audit Committee received stock grants and cash payments totaling $18,000, with the Chairman receiving an additional $6,000 in stock grants and cash. Members of the Compensation Committee received stock grants and cash totaling an additional $6,000. The Lead Director received stock grants and cash totaling an additional $12,000. We also reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by our directors in attending meetings and other company business. None of the reimbursements for our non‑employee directors exceeded the $10,000 threshold in 2019, and consequently, are not included in the table below.

 

Directors who are also full‑time officers or employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for serving as directors. During 2019, Mr. Jumper and Mr. Whitener were the only members of our Board of Directors who were also executive officers of the Company. Compensation for each is set forth under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation,” below.

 

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by each of our non‑employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following individuals, except for Mr. Wayne A. Whitener, are currently serving as executive officers of the Company. Mr. Whitener retired from the Company on June 30, 2019.

 

 

Biographical information for Mr. Jumper is included above under “Directors”.

 

James K. Brata.  Mr. Brata was named Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Effective May 5, 2016, Mr. Brata was also named Secretary of the Company. Mr. Brata joined Legacy TGC in 2008 in the capacity of Vice President. Mr. Brata served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Legacy TGC from March 2009 until February 2015. Prior to joining Legacy TGC, Mr. Brata served in a variety of capacities at Fortune 500 and other publicly traded

companies, and was a consultant with KPMG LLP and Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Brata holds a B.S. degree in Accounting, an M.B.A. in Finance, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

C. Ray Tobias.  Mr. Tobias was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Mr. Tobias supervises client relationships and survey cost quotations to clients. Mr. Tobias joined Legacy Dawson in 1990, and was elected Vice President in September 1997, and Executive Vice President and Director in January 2001. He has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors and is Past President of the Permian Basin Geophysical Society. Prior to joining Legacy Dawson, Mr. Tobias was employed by Geo‑Search Corporation, where he was an operations supervisor.

 

James W. Thomas.  Mr. Thomas was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Mr. Thomas holds a B.S. and M.S. in Physics. Prior to joining Legacy Dawson in 2002, Mr. Thomas worked for Phillips Petroleum. He is a recognized leader in the geophysical sector for the innovation and application of 3D seismic acquisition and specialized processing techniques. Mr. Thomas holds patents in seismic data acquisition and processing and has published his concepts and methods. He is a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Geophysical Society of Oklahoma City, and Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics Honor Society).

 

Wayne A. Whitener.  Mr. Whitener was a Director of the Company from 1984 until his retirement and was named Executive Vice Chairman in connection with the closing of the Merger in February 2015. Mr. Whitener joined Legacy TGC in 1983 and served as its President from 1986 to 1996 and as its Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to February 2015. Mr. Whitener served as a Director of Supreme Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of specialized truck bodies and shuttle buses, from 2008 until the company was sold in September 2017, and has served as a Director of Chase Packaging Corporation, a development stage company, since 2009. Mr. Whitener retired from the Company effective at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Overview of Compensation Program

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence to our compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee seeks to fairly compensate our employees in a manner consistent with market practices, and reward them for achieving financial results that ultimately lead to sustained financial strength and long‑term shareholder value.

 

In this compensation discussion and analysis, the executive officers named below who are current and former employees are referred to as the “Named Executive Officers.”

 

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

The Compensation Committee believes that compensation for executive officers must be competitive to enable the Company to motivate and retain the talent needed to lead and grow the Company, reward successful performance and closely align the interests of our executives with the Company. The ultimate objective of our compensation program is to improve the intrinsic value of the Company and long‑term shareholder value.

 

In setting compensation levels, the Compensation Committee evaluates both individual performance and the financial performance of the Company. The review of executive officers’ performance includes a mix 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 quality of the Company’s services and operations.

 

In order to continue to attract and retain the best employees, the Compensation Committee believes the executive compensation packages provided to the Company’s executives, including the Named Executive Officers, should include both cash and stock‑based compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) compare the Company’s compensation practices to general industry comparative parameters, but do not formally benchmark officer compensation against any peer group.

 

Competitive Considerations

We believe competition for talented employees goes well beyond the seismic industry to include oil and gas companies, development companies and oilfield service companies. Many of the companies with whom we compete for top level talent are larger and have more financial resources than we do. Both our Compensation Committee and CEO consider known information regarding the compensation practices of likely competitors, to the extent that such information is available from public sources, to form a general understanding of our competitors’ current compensation practices when reviewing and setting the compensation of all our officers, including the Named Executive Officers.

 

Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions

 

On an annual basis, our CEO reviews the performance of each of the other Named Executive Officers and, based on this review, makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers, excluding himself. Our CEO considers internal pay equity issues, individual contribution and performance, competitive pressures and Company performance in making his recommendations to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the final authority to act on our CEO’s recommendations which are not binding on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may accept or adjust such recommendations at its discretion. The Compensation Committee has the sole responsibility for evaluating the compensation of our CEO.

 

Establishing Executive Compensation

 

Consistent with our compensation objectives, the Compensation Committee has structured our annual and long‑term incentive‑based executive compensation in a manner intended to attract and retain the best talent, reward financial success and closely align executives’ interests with the Company’s interests. In setting the compensation, the Compensation Committee reviews total direct compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers, which includes salary, short‑term cash incentives and long‑term equity incentives. The appropriate level and mix of incentive compensation is not based upon a formula, but is a subjective determination made by the Compensation Committee. We do not have a policy of stock ownership requirements. We have employment contracts for our Named Executive Officers as described below in “Employment Agreements,” and, subject to the Employment Agreements, equity issued pursuant to the Dawson Geophysical Company 2016 Stock and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”), is subject to accelerated vesting as described below in “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments Upon a Change of Control or Termination.”

 

The Compensation Committee reviews compensation matters from time to time during the year. The Compensation Committee typically recommends the accrual of amounts for the cash bonus and profit sharing plan shortly prior to or during the first quarter of a fiscal year and then recommends the allocation of the accrued amounts (i.e., to the extent such amounts are earned) in the first quarter of the following fiscal year. The Compensation Committee sets both Company and individual performance targets for our performance‑based incentive plan. In addition, the Compensation Committee generally performs its annual review of officer salaries during the middle of each fiscal year.

 

Elements of Compensation

 

The components of compensation for our Named Executive Officers include the following elements:

 

 

Base Salary

 

The Compensation Committee believes base salary is a critical element of executive compensation because it provides executives with a base level of monthly income. We do not have a formal salary program with salary grades or salary ranges. Instead, salary increases are awarded periodically based on individual performance, when appropriate, under the relevant economic conditions. The Compensation Committee determines the base salary of each Named Executive Officer based on his position and responsibility. During its review of base salaries for executives, the Compensation Committee primarily considers the internal value of the position relative to other positions, external value of the position or comparable position, individual performance and ability to represent our Company’s values. For Named Executive Officers other than the CEO, the Compensation Committee also considers the recommendations of the CEO. The Compensation Committee typically considers base salary levels annually as part of its performance review and, from time to time, upon a promotion or other change in job responsibilities.

 

Short‑Term Incentive Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee believes short‑term incentive compensation is a critical element of executive compensation in order to attract and retain high quality executives, officers and employees and provide further incentives to such executives, officers and employees to maximize the Company’s annual financial performance and thereby increase shareholder value. Historically, our short‑term incentive compensation for executives consisted of participation in our profit sharing program and discretionary cash bonuses.

 

We have, from time to time, used discretionary cash bonuses to meet market and competitive demands. Discretionary bonus amounts have been based upon a variety of factors, including perceived competitive pressures, base salary, internal value of the position and seniority. All of our Named Executive Officers received a discretionary bonus during the years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

 

Beginning in fiscal 2014, executives became eligible to participate in our performance‑based incentive plan, known as the 2014 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which was approved by the Board of Directors and adopted on November 19, 2013 by the Compensation Committee. Under the 2014 Plan, the payment of performance‑based cash incentives may be made to participating employees, including the Named Executive Officers, based on the achievement of Company‑wide targets related to EBITDA (the “Company goal”) for the relevant year and the attainment of personal goals to be established for each participating employee (“personal goals”). Accordingly, the 2014 Plan is designed to align the efforts and results of individual employees with the Company’s financial

business objectives, and rewards and recognizes participating employees when the Company and the participating employee perform at or above expected levels.

 

Actual incentive amounts paid to the Named Executive Officers may be more or less than the target incentive amounts based on the level of attainment of the Company goal and personal goals. Incentive amounts are first determined based upon the level of attainment of the Company goal. The incentive amount paid to a participating employee is then adjusted to reflect the attainment of personal goals by increasing or decreasing the incentive amount within a range of 25% to 125%.

 

The Compensation Committee has delegated to Mr. Jumper the authority to determine the final incentive amounts that are payable to participating employees (other than Mr. Jumper) based upon criteria set forth in the 2014 Plan. The Compensation Committee has retained the authority to determine the final incentive amount payable to Mr. Jumper based upon the criteria set forth in the 2014 Plan. The 2014 Plan was suspended in 2017 and will remain suspended until such time as reinstated by the Compensation Committee.

 

Long‑Term Equity Incentive Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee believes that in order to align the interests of the executive officers and its shareholders, such officers should own a meaningful amount of its Common Stock. In order to reach this objective and to retain its executives, the Company has historically granted and continues to grant long‑term equity‑based awards pursuant to various long-term equity incentive plans. Since the date of the effectiveness of the 2016 Plan on May 5, 2016, the Company has issued new grants of stock-based awards pursuant to such plan on an exclusive basis. The awards outstanding and available under the 2016 Plan and their associated accounting treatment are discussed below.

 

2016 Plan.  The 2016 Plan became effective on May 5, 2016. The 2016 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), Common Stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, cash awards, performance awards and other awards which may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem, and which may be awarded to our officers, non‑employee directors, employees (including any employee who is also a director or officer) and consultants. Our Compensation Committee selects the employees and consultants to whom the awards will be granted and determines the number and type of awards to be granted to such individuals. Our Board of Directors selects the non‑employee directors eligible to whom awards will be granted and determines the number and type of award to be granted to such individuals. All of our employees, non‑employee directors and consultants are eligible to receive awards under the 2016 Plan.

 

Stock Options.  The Compensation Committee may grant awards in the form of an option, which may be an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. Stock options are rights to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a specified price. The grant price of an option may not be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to such option on the grant date. The term of the option may not extend more than 10 years after the grant date. Options may not include provisions that reload the option upon exercise. Similarly, options may not be repriced or otherwise modified in any way that would constitute a reduction in the grant price associated with such options. Subject to the foregoing provisions, the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any options awarded pursuant to the 2016 Plan, including the grant price, the term of the options, the number of shares subject to the option and the date or dates upon which they become exercisable, will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Compensation Committee may grant awards in the form of stock appreciation rights. A stock appreciation right is a right to receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of such stock appreciation right. On the grant date, the grant price of a stock appreciation right may be not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to such stock appreciation right. The holder of a tandem stock appreciation right may elect to exercise either the option or the stock appreciation right, but not both. The exercise period for a stock appreciation right will extend no more than 10 years after the grant date. Stock appreciation rights may not include provisions that reload the stock appreciation right upon exercise. Similarly, stock appreciation rights may not be repriced or otherwise modified in any way that would constitute a reduction in the grant price associated with such stock appreciation rights. Subject

to the foregoing provisions, the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any stock appreciation rights awarded pursuant to the 2016 Plan, including the grant price, the term of any stock appreciation rights, and the date or dates upon which they become exercisable, will be determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

Stock Awards.  The Compensation Committee may grant awards in the form of shares of Common Stock or stock units, including an award of restricted stock or restricted stock units. Common Stock consists of shares that are transferred or sold by the Company without restriction and not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Restricted stock are shares of Common Stock that are transferred or sold by the Company and are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, restrictions on transferability and any other restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee. Restricted stock units are stock units that are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, restrictions on transferability and any other restrictions determined by the Compensation Committee. Dividend or dividend equivalent rights may be granted or made with respect to restricted stock or restricted stock units as applicable; provided that, no such dividend or dividend equivalent rights will be paid with respect to unvested performance awards.

 

Cash Awards.  The Compensation Committee may grant awards in the form of cash awards, which are awards denominated and payable in cash.

 

Performance Awards.  The Compensation Committee may grant awards in the form of a performance award. A performance award is an award that is subject to the attainment of one or more performance goals. The terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any performance awards granted to participants pursuant to the 2016 Plan will be determined by the Compensation Committee, subject to the limitations set forth below. Any stock award granted to employees which is a performance award will have a minimum restriction period of 12 months from the grant date, provided that the Compensation Committee may provide for earlier vesting upon a termination of employment by reason of death, disability, layoff, retirement or change in control. The Compensation Committee may set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value and/or amount of performance awards that will be paid out to the participant and/or the portion of an award that may be exercised.

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a deduction to public companies for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our CEO and certain other executive officers (“covered employees”) for this purpose. However, for 2017 and prior years, any compensation paid to our CEO and covered employees that met the requirements of qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code was not subject to this deduction limitation. Under tax reform introduced in 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”), effective for our taxable year beginning January 1, 2018, the exception under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code for performance-based compensation is no longer available, subject to transition relief for certain grandfathered arrangements in effect as of November 2, 2017. In addition, the 2017 Tax Act expanded the executives covered under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code to include our Chief Financial Officer, and implemented that once one of our Named Executive Officers is considered a covered employee, such Named Executive Officer will remain a covered employee so long as he receives compensation from us.

 

For periods after 2017, it is expected that any compensation deductions (other than grandfathered amounts) for any individual who is a covered employee in 2017 or any later year will be subject to a $1 million annual deduction limitation. Although the deductibility of compensation is a consideration evaluated by the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee believes that the lost deduction on compensation payable in excess of the $1 million limitation for the covered employees is not material relative to the benefit of being able to attract and retain talented management. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee will continue to retain the discretion to pay compensation that is in excess of the $1 million deductibility limit.

 

The 2016 Plan authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The 2016 Plan will terminate on May 5, 2026. No awards may be made under the 2016 Plan after its expiration date, but awards prior thereto may extend beyond that date.

 

In the event of a “change of control” and except as otherwise provided in an award agreement or applicable employment agreement, the Compensation Committee, acting in its discretion, will effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual participants and which may vary among awards held by any individual

participant: (i) provide for the substitution of a new award or other arrangement (which, if applicable, may be exercisable for such property or stock as the Compensation Committee determines) for an award or the assumption of the award, (ii) provide for acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of, or lapse of restrictions, in whole or in part, with respect to, the award and, if the transaction is a cash merger, provide for the termination of any portion of the award that remains unexercised at the time of such transaction, or (iii) cancel any such awards and deliver to the participants cash in an amount that the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion is equal to the fair market value of such awards on the date of such event, which in the case of options or stock appreciation rights will be the excess of the fair market value of shares on such date over the exercise or grant price of such award. All stock options and stock appreciation rights will remain exercisable until (i) the expiration of the term of the award or, (ii) if the participant should die before the expiration of the term of the award, until the earlier of: (x) the expiration of the term of the award or (y) two years following the date of the participant’s death. The 2016 Plan defines a “change of control” as, except as otherwise reflected in an award agreement, occurring when (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) is or becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (ii) the individuals who were members of the Board of Directors of the Company immediately prior to a meeting of the shareholders of the Company involving a contest for the election of directors shall not constitute a majority of the Board of Directors following such election unless a majority of the new members of the Board were recommended or approved by majority vote of members of the Board of Directors immediately prior to such shareholders’ meeting; (iii) the Company shall have merged into or consolidated with another corporation, or merged another corporation into the Company, on a basis whereby less than 50% of the total voting power of the surviving corporation is represented by shares held by former shareholders of the Company prior to such merger or consolidation; or (iv) the Company shall have sold, transferred or exchanged all, or substantially all, of its assets to another corporation or other entity or person. The change of control definition under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code will apply to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code in the event an award under the 2016 Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

In addition, our form stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit agreements also provide for accelerated vesting upon death or termination of a participant’s employment due to disability or if a participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for reasons other than “cause” (as defined in the agreement). Stock options which are accelerated under this provision may be exercised in whole or in part until their expiration pursuant to the terms of the stock option agreement or the 2016 Plan.

 

Health, Retirement and Other Benefits

 

401(k) Plan.  We include a 401(k) plan as part of our employee benefits package in order to retain quality personnel. This plan is a tax‑qualified retirement savings plan under which all employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are able to contribute to the plan the lessor of up to 100% of their annual eligible compensation or the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service on a pre‑tax or Roth after‑tax basis. During fiscal 2019, we elected to match 100% of employee contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the participant’s gross eligible compensation or the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. Our matching contributions for all of our employees during fiscal 2019 were approximately $1,340,000. All contributions to the plan, as well as our matching contributions, are fully vested upon contribution.

 

Health, Life and Disability Insurance.  We offer major medical, dental and vision insurance to all eligible employees. We also provide the following other insurance benefits to the majority of our salaried employees, including the Named Executive Officers:

 

 

 

Executive Benefits and Perquisites

 

We provide our Named Executive Officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that are believed to be reasonable and consistent with the overall compensation program to better enable us to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. Our Compensation Committee reviews and, when appropriate, adjusts the levels of these perquisites and other personal benefits provided to the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis.

 

Employment Agreements

 

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into employment agreements (each, as amended, an “Employment Agreement” and collectively, the “Employment Agreements”) with each of the Named Executive Officers that set forth the terms and conditions of each executive’s employment. Each Employment Agreement became effective on February 11, 2015 upon the consummation of the Merger and remained in effect for a term of three years thereafter, which automatically extends for one additional calendar year on each anniversary of the effective date of the Employment Agreement (unless either the Company or the applicable executive provides written notice of the intent to not extend the Employment Agreement). As a result of this automatic extension, the term of each current Employment Agreement is a rolling three‑year period, renewed on each anniversary of the effective date of such Employment Agreement. The current three-year term of each of the Employment Agreements runs from February 11, 2020 to February 10, 2023, subject to the other provisions of the agreements. The annual base salary of each of our Named Executive Officers for 2019 pursuant to his respective Employment Agreement is set forth below:

 

 

Each Employment Agreement provides that if the executive officer’s employment is terminated, he will receive any accrued and unpaid base salary as of the effective date of his termination and any employment benefits that have fully accrued and vested but have not been paid, in each case, as of the effective date of the termination of his employment and otherwise in accordance with applicable law. Further, if, during the term of the Employment Agreement, the executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or by the Executive for “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement): (i) the executive will receive severance payments in an amount equal to the continuation of the executive’s then‑current base salary for the remainder of the term of the Employment Agreement, payable in equal bi‑weekly payments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices, (ii) all award agreements in effect between the Company and the executive under any equity compensation plan maintained by the Company will become automatically fully vested and exercisable, (iii) the executive will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the cost to the executive under COBRA to extend his then‑current group health plan benefits for 18 months following the date of termination, (iv) the executive will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the prorated amount of the bonus, if any, the executive was eligible to earn pursuant to the Company’s annual incentive plan or similar arrangement, during the calendar year or fiscal year, as applicable, of his termination and (v) if the Company was providing the executive with an automobile, the executive may, for ten dollars ($10) of consideration paid to the Company, cause the Company to (x) transfer the title of such automobile to the executive, if such automobile is owned by the Company, or (y) assign the executive the Company’s right, title and interest in such automobile’s lease, if such automobile is leased by the Company. Each Employment Agreement also provides the executive with additional benefits if the Executive is terminated without “cause” or the executive terminates his employment for “good reason” within the 12 month period immediately following a “change of control” which is defined in a manner consistent with the “change of control” definition under the 2016 Plan described above. These additional benefits are further discussed below under “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments Upon a Change of Control or Termination”.

 

In addition, the Employment Agreements contain customary provisions relating to confidentiality, non‑solicitation, non‑competition and non‑disparagement.

 

In connection with Mr. Whitener’s retirement, the Company and Mr. Whitener entered into a letter agreement (the “Whitener Letter Agreement”) to amend Mr. Whitener’s employment agreement. Under the terms of the Whitener Letter Agreement, Mr. Whitener continues to receive payments equal to his current base salary through February 11, 2022.

 

Role of Shareholder Say‑on‑Pay Votes

 

In May 2019, the Company held a shareholder advisory vote on the compensation of its Named Executive Officers as described in the 2019 Proxy Statement, commonly referred to as a say‑on‑pay vote. The shareholders approved the Named Executive Officers’ compensation, with approximately 67% of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2019 annual meeting voting in favor of the say‑on‑pay resolution. As the Company evaluated its compensation practices and talent needs throughout 2019, it was mindful of the support shareholders expressed for its pay for performance compensation philosophy. As a result, following its annual review of executive compensation, the Compensation Committee decided to maintain a consistent approach to executive compensation that rewards senior executives for delivering value for shareholders. In addition, the Compensation Committee considered ways to strengthen the pay for performance culture at the Company.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

To the Shareholders of Dawson Geophysical Company:

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, above, with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following narrative, tables and footnotes describe the “total compensation” earned during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 by our Named Executive Officers. The total compensation presented below in the Summary Compensation Table does not reflect the actual compensation received by our Named Executive Officers in such fiscal years.

 

The individual components of the total compensation reflected in the Summary Compensation Table are broken out below:

 

Salary — The table reflects base salary earned during the years ending December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Establishing Executive Compensation — Base Salary.”

 

Bonus — See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Establishing Executive Compensation — Short‑Term Incentive Compensation.”

Stock Awards — The awards disclosed under the heading “Stock Awards” consist of grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units to our Named Executive Officers. See also “Compensation Discussion and Analysis —  Establishing Executive Compensation — Long‑Term Equity Incentive Compensation.”

 

Option Awards — The awards disclosed under the heading “Option Awards” consist of a grant of stock options to our Named Executive Officers. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Establishing Executive Compensation — Long‑Term Equity Incentive Compensation.”

 

All Other Compensation — The column reflects all compensation not reported in the other columns of the Summary Compensation Table other than perquisites and other personal benefits with an aggregate value for a Named Executive Officer of less than $10,000.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for services to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards At December 31, 2019

 

The following table provides information regarding the value of all unexercised options and unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units previously awarded to our Named Executive Officers. The Board of Directors approved a 5% stock dividend (or 0.05 share for each share outstanding) (the “Stock Dividend”) on the outstanding shares of our common stock on May 1, 2018. The Stock Dividend was paid on May 29, 2018 to shareholders of record on May 14, 2018. All share and per share information in this proxy for prior years has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Stock Dividend.

 

Stock Vested for Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

The following table provides information with respect to the restricted stock units held by our current Named Executive Officers that vested during the year ended December 31, 2019. No stock options held by the Named Executive Officers were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 

Grants of Plan‑Based Awards

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no stock grants to any of our Named Executive Officers.

 

Pension Benefits

 

Our only retirement plan for our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, is our 401(k) plan. We do not have a defined benefit pension plan in which our Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate.

Non‑Qualified Deferred Compensation

 

We do not have a non‑qualified deferred compensation plan.

 

Potential Payments Upon a Change of Control or Termination

 

The award agreements under the 2016 Plan generally permit accelerated vesting of awards in the event of a change of control or upon termination of employment for reasons other than cause, or termination of employment due to death or disability. The Employment Agreements limit the extent to which such accelerated vesting will apply for the Named Executive Officers. Under the Employment Agreements, if a Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause”, by the Executive for “good reason” or due to “disability” (as each such term is defined in the Employment Agreement), whether before or after a change of control, accelerated vesting and exercisability of the Named Executive Officer’s currently outstanding awards under the 2016 Plan will occur. Similarly, in the event of a Named Executive Officer’s death, the award agreements under the 2016 Plan will provide for such accelerated vesting and exercisability. The Employment Agreements also provide for severance, bonus payments and other compensation, all as described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Establishing Executive Compensation — Employment Agreements,” in the event that a Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason.” Further, in the event of a “change in control” of the Company that results in the termination of the executive’s employment by the Company without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” within 12 months of the change in control, the executive would be entitled to receive two times the stated amounts for severance payments, bonus payments and COBRA benefits.

 

For the definition of “change of control” as defined under the 2016 Plan see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Establishing Executive Compensation — Long‑Term Equity Incentive Compensation.” The definition of “change of control” under the Employment Agreements is defined in a manner consistent with the 2016 Plan.

 

To describe the payments and benefits that are triggered for each change of control and/or event of termination, we have created the following table estimating the payments and benefits that would be paid to our Named Executive Officers under each element of our compensation program assuming that such executive’s employment was terminated and/or there was a change in control on December 31, 2019, the last day of our 2019 fiscal year. In all cases, the amounts were valued as of December 31, 2019, based upon, where applicable, an estimated fair value of our Common Stock of $2.40 per share. The amounts in the following table are calculated as of December 31, 2019 pursuant to SEC rules and are not intended to reflect actual payments that may be made. Actual payments that may be made will be based on the dates and circumstances of the applicable event.

 

COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND RISK MITIGATION

 

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the Company’s compensation policies and practices to ensure that they do not encourage excessive risk‑taking. The Company believes that its compensation policies and practices for all employees, including executive officers, do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, our Compensation Committee was composed of Dr. Hoover and Messers. Cooper and Klofas. No member of the Compensation Committee during 2019 was a current or former officer or employee of the Company. None of our executives served on the board of directors or on the compensation

committee of any other entity, for which any officers of such other entity served either on our Board of Directors or on our Compensation Committee.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

 

Transactions with related persons are reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth in our code of business conduct and ethics, our Audit Committee charter, the procedures described below with respect to director and officer questionnaires and the other procedures described below.

Our code of business conduct and ethics provides that directors, officers and employees must avoid situations that involve, or could appear to involve, “conflicts of interest” (refer to Conflicts of Interest section below) with regard to the Company’s interest. Exceptions may only be made after review of fully disclosed information and approval of specific or general categories by senior management (in the case of employees) or the Board of Directors (in the case of officers or directors). Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict of interest should bring the matter to the attention of a supervisor or other appropriate personnel.

 

Based on these reviews, our Board of Directors has determined that the Company did not engage in any new transactions during the year ended December 31, 2019 with related persons which would require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S‑K as adopted by the SEC, and there are currently no such proposed transactions.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements (each, individually, an “Indemnification Agreement,” and collectively, the “Indemnification Agreements”) with each of our current directors and executive officers (each, individually, an “Indemnitee,” and collectively, the “Indemnitees”). Pursuant to the Indemnification Agreements, we agreed to indemnify each Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against any and all expenses arising from any Proceeding (as defined in the Indemnification Agreements) in which an Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of any Indemnitee’s service as, or actions taken while (i) a director or officer of the Company or (ii) at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. Following a request by an Indemnitee, we are required to advance (within five days of receipt of such request) to such Indemnitee any and all expenses relating to the Indemnitee’s defense of such Proceeding, subject to the Indemnitee’s compliance with certain provisions of the Texas Business Organizations Code (“TBOC”).

 

Our obligation to provide indemnification under the Indemnification Agreements is subject to a determination in accordance with Section 8.103(a)(1) or (2) of the TBOC.

 

Any costs and expenses that an Indemnitee is entitled to under the Indemnification Agreements will not be exclusive to any other rights to which the Indemnitee may currently or in the future be entitled under any provision of applicable law, our amended and restated certificate of formation, our amended and restated Bylaws or otherwise. We are not required to indemnify an Indemnitee to the extent such indemnification conflicts with Texas law.

 

Each of the Indemnification Agreements will continue until the earlier of (i) the sixth (6th) anniversary after the Indemnitee has ceased to occupy the position or have the relationships described in the Indemnification Agreement that qualifies the Indemnitee for indemnification or (ii) the final termination of all Proceedings with respect to the Indemnitee commenced in such six (6) year period.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Transactions with related persons are reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth in our code of business conduct and ethics, our Audit Committee charter, the procedures described below with respect to director and officer questionnaires and the other procedures described below.

 

Our code of business conduct and ethics provides that directors, officers and employees must avoid situations that involve, or could appear to involve, “conflicts of interest” with regard to the Company’s interest. Exceptions may only be made after review of fully disclosed information and approval of specific or general categories by senior

management (in the case of employees) or the Board of Directors (in the case of officers or directors). Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict of interest should bring the matter to the attention of a supervisor or other appropriate personnel.

 

A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. Conflicts of interest generally interfere with the person’s effective and objective performance of his or her duties or responsibilities to the Company. Our code of business conduct and ethics sets forth several examples of how conflicts of interest may arise, including when:

 

 

 

 

Our Audit Committee also has the responsibility, according to its charter, to review, assess, and approve or disapprove conflicts of interest and related‑party transactions.

 

Each year we require all our directors, nominees for director and executive officers to complete and sign a questionnaire in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at our annual general meeting of members. The purpose of the questionnaire is to obtain information, including information regarding transactions with related persons, for inclusion in our Proxy Statement or Annual Report.

 

In addition, we annually review SEC filings made by beneficial owners of more than five percent of any class of our voting securities to determine whether information relating to transactions with such persons needs to be included in our Proxy Statement or Annual Report.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table summarizes certain information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2019. See information regarding material features of the plans in Note 8, “Stock‑Based Compensation” to the Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock, as of April 13, 2020, by beneficial owners of more than five percent of our Common Stock, each of our directors and executive officers individually and all executive officers and directors as a group.

 

 

* Indicates less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

2019 PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

 

In accordance with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, promulgated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we calculated a reasonable estimate of the ratio of the annual total compensation of Stephen C. Jumper, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, to the annual total compensation of our median employee in 2019.  

 

For purposes of determining our CEO pay ratio, we are permitted to use the same median employee for up to three years, provided there is no material change to the employment population or change in employee compensation arrangements that would significantly impact our pay ratio disclosure. After reviewing data related to our employees and employee compensation, we determined that there were no changes to our employee population or our employee compensation arrangements in the past year that would significantly impact our pay ratio in 2019 as compared to 2018 or 2017. When determining the median employee for the 2017 pay ratio the median fell between two employees. We selected the employee with the higher wages for the 2017 pay ratio calculation. The employee that was selected for the 2017 pay ratio was terminated during 2018 and, therefore, cannot be used for the 2018 pay ratio. The other median employee from 2017 is still employed and worked for us for all of 2018 and 2019. Therefore, in accordance with the relevant rules, we elected to use this same median employee determined in 2017 for our 2018 and 2019 pay ratio calculation.

 

To determine the population of our workforce, in accordance with Item 402(u), we included all full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees. The date of employment we selected was December 8, 2017. We believe that the use of annualized gross wages is the best consistently applied compensation measure of our workforce, of whom the majority are hourly workers. We annualized all full-time workers who were hired during 2017. We did not exclude any employees other than Mr. Jumper from our population.

 

After applying the methodology described above, our median employee was a U.S. full-time hourly worker on one of our land survey crews, whose total annual compensation using the Summary Compensation Table requirements was $41,367  for the year ended December 31, 2019. Mr. Jumper’s compensation found in the Summary Compensation Table on page 18 was  $643,972. Therefore, our CEO to median employee pay ratio is 16:1.

 

The SEC’s rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices. As a result, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

 

PROPOSAL 2:

 

AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2016 STOCK AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

We are requesting that our shareholders vote in favor of approving the amendment to the 2016 Plan, which amendment would be reflected in an amended and restated version of the 2016 Plan. The 2016 Plan, as amended and restated, is referred to as the “Restated 2016 Plan” in this proxy statement. Upon recommendation of the Company’s Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted the Restated 2016 Plan, subject to shareholder approval.

The 2016 Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 5, 2016 and originally authorized the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which authorized amount has been increased to 1,050,000 as a result of the Stock Dividend (it being understood that the Stock Dividend has been deemed to apply to all shares under all awards that were granted under the 2016 Plan prior to the Stock Dividend for purposes of maintaining records of the remaining shares of Common Stock for usance under the 2016 Plan).  As of April 24, 2020, 337,869 shares of Common Stock remained available for future issuance under the 2016 plan. If the Restated 2016 Plan is approved by our shareholders, the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance as long-term incentive compensation to our employees, consultants and non-employee directors will increase by 1,000,000 shares relative to the 2016 Plan. This increase will cause the total aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved under the Restated 2016 Plan to

be 2,050,000 shares (i.e., with such shares being comprised of the 1,050,000 shares originally reserved with respect to the 2016 Plan plus the 1,000,000 additional shares that would be reserved with respect to the Restated 2016 Plan). If the Restated 2016 Plan is approved by our shareholders, the termination date of the Restated 2016 Plan would be extended by 10 years from the date on which the Restated 2016 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company.

A summary description of the material features of the Restated 2016 Plan is set forth below. The Restated 2016 Plan document is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A and is incorporated by reference into this proposal.

Introduction

Purpose.  The purpose of the Restated 2016 Plan is to further the interests of the Company, its subsidiaries, if any, and its shareholders by providing incentives in the form of awards to employees, consultants and non-employee directors who can contribute materially to the success of the Company and its subsidiaries. These awards are intended to recognize and reward outstanding performances and individual contributions and give participants in the Restated 2016 Plan an interest in the Company that is intended to be parallel to that of the shareholders in order to enhance the proprietary and personal interest of such participants in the Company's continued success and progress. The Restated 2016 Plan is also intended to support the Company's and its subsidiaries' ongoing efforts to attract and retain such employees, consultants and non-employee directors.

General.  Awards to participants under the Restated 2016 Plan may be made in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards in the form of Common Stock or stock units, including restricted stock or restricted stock units, cash awards, or performance awards based on objective performance goals pre-established by the Compensation Committee (collectively "Awards").

Shares Subject to the Restated 2016 Plan.  The Restated 2016 Plan provides for the award of up to 2,050,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, all of which may be available for issuance of Awards of incentive stock options. The shares of Common Stock to be delivered under the Restated 2016 Plan may be made from (i) authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, (ii) shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, or (iii) previously issued shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company, including Common Stock purchased on the open market. The aggregate number of shares under the Restated 2016 Plan, the number of shares covered by each outstanding Award, the exercise price or other price of such Awards, the Fair Market Value (as defined below) or other price determinations of such Awards and the Award limitations are subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, recapitalization or capital reorganization or certain other corporate transactions, dividends and distributions. Shares of Common Stock underlying Awards that are forfeited, terminated, settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock, exchanged for Awards that do not involve Common Stock, expire unexercised or are utilized for the payment of any exercise price or tax withholding with respect to any Award become immediately available for additional Awards under the Restated 2016 Plan.

Administration and Eligibility

Administration.  The Compensation Committee generally has the authority to administer the Restated 2016 Plan; provided that the Board of Directors has such authority with respect to Awards that are granted to non-employee directors under the Restated 2016 Plan. Thus, although the summary described herein is generally limited to the Compensation Committee's administration of the Restated 2016 Plan, such summary may be applied to the Board of Directors with respect to Awards granted to non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee selects the employees and consultants to whom Awards will be granted and determines the number, type and the other terms and conditions of Awards to be granted to such individual, including, but not limited to, the term of the Awards, the effect of a leave of absence or termination of employment or service relationship of the holders of the Awards. In addition, the Compensation Committee has the power to interpret and construe the Restated 2016 Plan and the Award agreements thereunder and reconcile any inconsistency, defect or omission therein, as well as to make all other determinations, perform all acts and exercise all powers and authority necessary or advisable for administering the Restated 2016 Plan. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate vesting of an Award or waive any restriction or other provision in the Restated 2016 Plan or any Award agreement thereunder. The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority in a manner that is not contrary to applicable law.

Eligibility.  All employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries will be eligible to receive Awards under the Restated 2016 Plan if it is approved by shareholders. No determination has been made as to which of those eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants will receive grants under the Restated 2016 Plan, and therefore, the benefits to be allocated to any individual or to any group of employees, consultants and non-employees are not presently determinable.

Awards Agreements

Each Award may be embodied in an agreement containing such terms, conditions and limitations as determined by the Compensation Committee. Awards may be granted singly in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, grants or rights under the Restated 2016 Plan or any other employee benefit plan of the Company. All or part of an Award may be subject to conditions established by the Compensation Committee, including continuous service with the Company, achievement of specific business objectives and other comparable measurements of performance.

Features of Awards

Employee Awards.  The type of Awards to employees that may be made under the Restated 2016 Plan are as follows:

Stock Options.  The Compensation Committee may grant an Award in the form of a stock option. Stock options are rights to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a specified price. In the case of an option granted to an employee, such option may be either an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") or a nonqualified stock option. The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price, whether the stock option is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under the Code and other provisions not inconsistent with the Restated 2016 Plan. The exercise price of a stock option will not be less than the "Fair Market Value" of the Common Stock subject to such option at the date of grant. "Fair Market Value" of a share of Common Stock means, as of a particular date, (i) (A) if shares of Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange, the mean between the highest and lowest sales price per share of the Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal national securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are listed on that date, or, if there will have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported, or, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the price prevailing on the exchange at the time of exercise or other relevant time (as determined under procedures established by the Compensation Committee), (B) if shares of Common Stock are not so listed but are quoted by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., the mean between the highest and lowest sales price per share of Common Stock reported on the consolidated transaction reporting system for The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., or, if there will have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported, or, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the price prevailing as quoted by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. at the time of exercise, (C) if the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted, the mean between the closing bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are no quotations available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such quotations will be available, as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., or, if not reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated or (D) if shares of Common Stock are not publicly traded, an amount determined by the Compensation Committee by taking into account all factors the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the reasonable valuation requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The term of an option will not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. Options may not be repriced and may not include provisions that reload the option upon exercise; provided that certain modifications to an option's exercise price may be made in connection with a stock split, recapitalization or capital reorganization or certain other corporate transactions.

Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs").  The Compensation Committee may grant an Award in the form of a SAR. A SAR is a right to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR. The grant price for a SAR will not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the SAR on the date of grant. The term of the SAR will not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. SARs may not be repriced and may not include provisions that reload any SAR upon exercise; provided that certain modifications to a SAR's grant price may be made in connection with a stock split, recapitalization or capital reorganization or certain other corporate transactions.

Stock Awards.  The Compensation Committee may grant stock awards. Such stock awards may be in the form of (i) restricted stock, which are grants of shares of Common Stock that are subject to restrictions that lapse upon the vesting of such Awards, (ii) Common Stock, which are grants of shares that are not subject to any restriction and (iii) restricted stock units, which are rights that entitle the grantee to receive Common Stock upon the vesting of such Awards. Such Awards may be subject to such terms, conditions and limitations, not inconsistent with the Restated 2016 Plan, as may be determined by the Compensation Committee.

Cash Awards.  The Compensation Committee may grant cash awards. Cash awards are Awards denominated and payable in cash. Such Awards may be subject to such terms, conditions and limitations, not inconsistent with the Restated 2016 Plan, as may be determined by the Compensation Committee.

Performance Awards.  Any Award available under the Restated 2016 Plan may be made as a performance award. A performance award is an Award that is subject to the attainment of one or more pre-established performance goals.

A performance goal may be based on one or more business criteria that apply to the participant, one or more business units, divisions or sectors of the Company, or the Company as a whole, and if so desired by the Compensation Committee, by comparison with a peer group of companies. A performance goal may include one or more of the following: increased revenue; net income measures; stock price measures; market share; earnings per share; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"); economic value added ("EVA"); cash flow measures (including net cash flow and net cash flow before financing activities), return measures (including return on equity, return on average assets, return on capital, risk-adjusted return on capital, return on investors' capital and return on average equity); operating measures (including operating income, funds from operations, cash from operations, after-tax operating income, sales volumes, production volumes and production efficiency); expense measures (including, but not limited to, finding and development costs, overhead cost and general and administrative expense); margins; shareholder value; total shareholder return; proceeds from dispositions; production volumes; and corporate value measures (including ethics compliance, environmental and safety). Unless otherwise stated, such a performance goal need not be based upon an increase or positive result under a particular business criterion and could include, for example, maintaining the status quo or limiting economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to specific business criteria).

In prior fiscal years, compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any one of certain key employees in a taxable year was deductible only if it was “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The 2016 Plan permitted, but did not require, the Compensation Committee to structure any performance award as qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Under tax reform introduced in 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”), effective January 1, 2018, the exception under Section 162(m) of the Code for performance-based compensation is no longer available, subject to transition relief for certain grandfathered arrangements in effect as of November 2, 2017. 

Award Limits.  No employee may be granted, during any calendar year, options or SARs that are exercisable for more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock. No employee may be granted, during any calendar year, (i) cash awards or other Awards that may be settled solely in cash, (ii) or stock awards, in each case, having a value determined on the grant date in excess of $750,000.

Consultant Awards.  The Compensation Committee will have the sole responsibility and authority to determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a consultant under the Restated 2016 Plan and the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to such Awards.

Non-employee Director Awards.  Awards to non-employee directors may be in the form of options, SARs, stock awards or performance awards. The Board of Directors may grant options to non-employee directors; provided that the options granted to non-employee directors will not be incentive stock options. The Board of Directors may grant SARs and stock awards to non-employee directors. Additional terms, conditions and limitations applicable to any SAR or stock award granted to a non-employee director pursuant to the Restated 2016 Plan, including the grant price, the term and the dates upon which they become exercisable, if the Award is an SAR, or including but not limited to rights to dividend equivalents, if the Award is a stock award, will be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also grant performance awards to non-employee directors. Additional terms, conditions and

limitations applicable to any performance award granted to a non-employee director pursuant to the Restated 2016 Plan, as well as performance goals and the value and amount of performance awards, will be determined by the Board of Directors. Non-employee directors may not be granted, during any fiscal year, options or SARs (including performance awards) that are exercisable for more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock. No non-employee director may be granted, during any calendar year, (i) cash awards or other Awards that may be settled solely in cash, or (ii) stock awards, in each case, having a value determined on the grant date in excess of $750,000.

Payment of Awards.  Payment made to a participant pursuant to an Award may be made in the form of cash or Common Stock, or a combination thereof. The Compensation Committee may provide for the payment of dividends on shares of Common Stock granted in connection with Awards or dividend equivalents with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that have not actually been issued under the Award; provided that in no event shall dividends or dividend equivalents be granted in connection with any option or SAR.

Change of Control.  Upon a change in control, the Compensation Committee, acting in its discretion, will effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual participants and which may vary among Awards held by any individual participant: (i) provide for the substitution of a new award or other arrangement (which, if applicable, may be exercisable for such property or stock as the Committee determines) for an Award or the assumption of the Award, (ii) provide for acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of, or lapse of restrictions, in whole or in part, with respect to, the Award and, if the transaction is a cash merger, provide for the termination of any portion of the Award that remains unexercised at the time of such transaction, or (iii) cancel any such Awards and deliver to the participants cash in an amount that the Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion is equal to the Fair Market Value of such Awards on the date of such event, which in the case of options or SARs will be the excess of the Fair Market Value of shares on such date over the exercise or grant price of such Award.

Repayment/Forfeiture of Awards.  Any Award will be subject to recovery or clawback by the Company under any clawback policy adopted by the Company whether before or after the date of grant of the Award.

Duration; Plan Amendments.  The Restated 2016 Plan has a term of 10 years from the date on which the Restated 2016 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors may at any time amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Restated 2016 Plan, but in doing so cannot adversely affect any outstanding Award without the grantee's written consent or make any amendment without shareholder approval, to the extent such shareholder approval is required by applicable law or the exchange upon which the shares are traded.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

Set forth below is a brief summary of the federal income tax consequences of Awards under the Restated 2016 Plan. This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Code, existing final and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, administrative rulings and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. We have not sought a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which is referred to as the "IRS," with respect to any of the tax matters discussed below, and the IRS would not be precluded from taking positions contrary to those described herein. As a result, no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with all of the tax characterizations and the tax consequences described below. Different or additional rules may apply to participants who are subject to income tax in a foreign jurisdiction and/or are subject to state or local income tax in the United States. As a result, this summary is not a complete description of the applicable tax consequences, and it is subject to any changes in applicable tax rules. Each participant should rely on his or her own tax advisers regarding federal income and other tax treatment under the Restated 2016 Plan.

The Restated 2016 Plan will not be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

Nonqualified Stock Options.  An optionee will not recognize any income for federal income tax purposes upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option (i.e., an option that is not intended to comply with Section 422 of the Code). Upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the optionee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock received, determined as of the date of exercise, over the exercise price paid for such shares. The basis of shares of Common Stock transferred to an optionee upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option is the price paid for such shares plus an amount equal to any taxable income

recognized by the optionee as a result of the exercise of the option. If an optionee thereafter sells shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, any amount realized over the basis of the shares will constitute capital gain to the optionee for federal income tax purposes.

Incentive Stock Options.  No income will be recognized by an optionee for federal income tax purposes upon the grant or generally, at the time of exercise of an incentive stock option (i.e., an option that is intended to comply with Section 422 of the Code). However, the exercise of an incentive stock option will result in an item of income for purposes of the "alternative minimum tax" in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the transferred shares of Common Stock at the time of exercise of the option over the price paid for such shares. The basis of shares of Common Stock transferred to an optionee upon exercise of an incentive stock option is the price paid for the shares.

The optionee will recognize taxable income in the year in which the shares of Common Stock underlying the incentive stock option are sold or otherwise disposed. Sales and dispositions are divided into two categories: qualifying and disqualifying. A qualifying disposition occurs if the sale or disposition is made more than two years from the option grant date and more than one year from the exercise date. If the optionee sells or disposes of the shares of Common Stock in a qualifying disposition, any gain recognized by the participant on such sale or disposition will be a long-term capital gain, and the Company will not be entitled to an income tax deduction.

If either of the two holding periods described above is not satisfied, then a disqualifying disposition will occur. If the optionee makes a disqualifying disposition of the shares of Common Stock that have been acquired through the exercise of the incentive stock option, the optionee will include as ordinary income and the Company will be entitled to an income tax deduction (subject to the limitations described below) for the taxable year in which the sale or disposition occurs an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the excess of the fair market value of such shares on the option exercise date over the exercise price paid for the shares or (ii) the amount realized on the sale or disposition over the exercise price paid for the shares.

SARs.  The recipient will not be subject to any federal income tax consequences upon the grant of SARs. Generally, the recipient will recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of SARs in an amount equal to the amount of cash received and/or the fair market value of any shares acquired pursuant to the exercise.

Stock Awards — Restricted Stock.  If the restrictions on an award of shares of restricted stock are of a nature that the shares are both subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and are not freely transferable (within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code), the recipient will not recognize income for federal income tax purposes at the time of the Award unless the recipient affirmatively elects within 30 days after the date the restricted stock is granted to include the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award (as of the date of the Award), less any amount paid for the shares, in gross income for the year of the Award pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. In the absence of this election, the recipient will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes on the date the shares either become freely transferable or are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code), the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock on such date, less any amount paid for the shares. If a Section 83(b) election is made, no additional income will be recognized by the recipient upon the lapse of restrictions on the restricted stock, but, if the restricted stock is subsequently forfeited, the recipient may not deduct the income that was recognized pursuant to the Section 83(b) election at the time of the receipt of the restricted stock.

Dividends paid to a recipient on shares of restricted stock before the expiration of the restricted period will be additional compensation taxable as ordinary income to the recipient, unless the recipient made an election under Section 83(b) of the Code. If the recipient has made a Section 83(b) election, the dividends will be dividend income, rather than additional compensation, to the recipient.

Stock Awards — Restricted Stock Units.  There are no federal income tax consequences to the recipient upon the award of restricted stock units. Generally, the recipient will recognize ordinary income upon the transfer of shares of Common Stock (or cash if applicable) in satisfaction of an award of restricted stock units in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares (or cash if applicable) so transferred. In addition, a recipient will generally recognize ordinary income upon the payment of any cash dividend equivalents or other cash distributions paid in relation to an award of restricted stock units in an amount equal to the cash received.

Stock Awards — Unrestricted Grants.  A grant of shares of Common Stock that is not subject to vesting restrictions will result in taxable income for federal income tax purposes to the recipient at the time of grant in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares less any amount paid by the recipient to acquire such shares.

Cash Awards.  Cash awards are ordinary income to the recipient for federal income tax purposes at the time of payment. The recipient will have ordinary income equal to the amount of cash paid.

Withholding and Deductions; Limits on Deductibility; Excise Taxes

Withholding and Deductions.  Generally, a participant's ordinary income is subject to applicable withholding taxes, to the extent the participant is an employee. In general, a federal income tax deduction is allowed to the Company in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by a participant with respect to Awards under the Restated 2016 Plan; provided that such amount constitutes an ordinary and necessary business expense of the Company, that such amount is reasonable and that the Company satisfies any withholding obligation with respect to such income.

Section 162(m).  As discussed above, Section 162(m) of the Code may limit the Company's ability to deduct compensation in excess of $1 million to certain key employees subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, unless the excess amounts satisfy the requirements for (i) "qualified performance-based compensation" and (ii) certain transition relief for grandfathered arrangements in effect as of November 2, 2017.

Change of Control.  The acceleration of the exercisability or the vesting of a grant or Award upon the occurrence of a change of control may result in an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. A "parachute payment" occurs when an officer or highly compensated individual (or other individual subject to Section 280G) receives payments contingent upon a change of control that exceed an amount equal to three times his or her "base amount." The term "base amount" generally means the average annual compensation paid to such individual during the five-year period preceding the change of control. An "excess parachute payment" is the excess of all parachute payments made to the individual on account of a change of control over the individual's base amount. If any amount received by such individual is characterized as an excess parachute payment, the individual is subject to a 20% excise tax on the amount of the excess, and the Company is denied a deduction with respect to such excess.

Section 409A.  Section 409A of the Code generally provides that any deferred compensation arrangement must satisfy specific requirements, both in operation and in form, regarding (i) the timing of payment, (ii) the advance election of deferrals and (iii) restrictions on changes to the time of payment. Failure to comply with Section 409A may result in the early taxation (plus interest) to the participant of deferred compensation and the imposition of a 20% penalty on the participant on such deferred amounts included in the participant's income. The Company intends to structure Awards under the Restated 2016 Plan in a manner that is designed to be exempt from or in compliance with Section 409A.

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 (via the live audio webcast) or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of the proposal to approve the Restated 2016 Plan. Our Board of Directors believes that the Restated 2016 Plan is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the amendment to the 2016 Stock and Performance Incentive Plan.

 

PROPOSAL 3:

 

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors has selected RSM US LLP (“RSM”) for appointment as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, subject to ratification by the shareholders. RSM has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

Representatives of RSM are expected to be present (via the live audio webcast) at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.

 

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

 

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS

 

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed by the independent registered accounting firm RSM for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual financial statements and audit‑related fees, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

 

The Audit Committee’s policy on pre‑approval of fees and other compensation paid to the independent registered accounting firm requires the Audit Committee to approve all services and fees of the principal independent accountant prior to commencement of any services. The Audit Committee pre‑approved fees for all audit and non‑audit services provided by the independent registered accounting firm during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. All of the work performed in auditing our financial statements for the last two years by the principal independent accounting firm RSM, has been performed by their full‑time, permanent employees.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

To the Shareholders of Dawson Geophysical Company:

 

It is the responsibility of the members of the Audit Committee to contribute to the reliability of the Company’s financial statements. In keeping with this goal, the Board of Directors adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is posted on the Company’s website at www.dawson3d.com in the “Corporate Governance” area of the “Investor Relations” section. The Audit Committee reviewed its charter during 2019 and minor updates were made and approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee held six meetings during 2019. The members of the Audit Committee are independent directors.

 

The Audit Committee reviews management’s overview of the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the Company’s 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 Company’s auditors (including review and approval of the terms of engagement and fees), to review with the auditors the Company’s 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 of Directors with oversight of the following: