DEF 14A 1 e84482_np.txt N&P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 --------------- SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION ---------------- Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant X --- Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |_| Check the appropriate box Preliminary Proxy Statement --- X Definitive Proxy Statement --- Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 --- Wilshire Oil Company of Texas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): X No fee required --- Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a(6)(i)(4) and 0-11. --- 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ________________________________________________________________________________ 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ________________________________________________________________________________ 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: ________________________________________________________________________________ 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ________________________________________________________________________________ 5) Total Fee Paid: ________________________________________________________________________________ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials [_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount previously paid:___________________________________________________ 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.______________________________ 3) Filing party:_____________________________________________________________ 4) Date Filed:_______________________________________________________________ WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS 921 BERGEN AVENUE JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306 --------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS --------------- NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), will be held at the Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel, 100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, June 22, 2001, for the following purposes: (1) To elect 3 directors of the Company to serve until successors are elected and qualified. (2) To confirm the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001. (3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 25, 2001, as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Directions to the Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel are included on the back page of the Proxy Statement. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO UNITED STATES POSTAGE. By Order of the Board of Directors [SIGNATURE] S. WILZIG IZAK Chairman of the Board Dated: April 30, 2001 You are cordially invited to join us for lunch, prior to the meeting, at 1:00 p.m. WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS 921 BERGEN AVENUE JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306 ------------- ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS JUNE 22, 2001 ------------- This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy, which were first sent to stockholders on or about April 30, 2001 are submitted in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders by the Board of Directors of Wilshire Oil Company of Texas (the "Company") to be held on June 22, 2001 at 2:00 P.M. or any adjournment thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). The close of business on April 25, 2001 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of April 25, 2001, 7,916,688 shares of common stock ($1.00 par value) of the Company ("Common Stock") were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, each such share being entitled to one vote. A form of proxy is enclosed designating Milton Donnenberg and Dr. William J. Schwartz as proxies to vote shares at the Annual Meeting. Each proxy in that form properly signed and received prior to the meeting will be voted as specified in the proxy or if not specified, for the election as directors of those nominees named in this Proxy Statement, and for confirmation of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent public accountants. Should any nominee for director named in this Proxy Statement become unavailable for election, which is not anticipated, it is intended that the persons acting under the proxies will vote for the election in his stead of such other person as may be nominated by the Board of Directors. At the time this Proxy Statement was mailed to stockholders, management was not aware that any matter other than the election of directors and the confirmation of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP would be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by proxies will be voted with respect to those matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting them. Each stockholder who returns a proxy on the enclosed form has the right to revoke that proxy at any time before it is voted. A proxy may be revoked by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Any shareholder may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person whether or not he has previously given a proxy. The presence in person or by properly executed proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. The votes of stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by inspectors of election appointed by the Company. The nominees for director receiving a plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected directors. Broker non-votes will not be treated as a vote for or against any particular director and will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is necessary for confirmation of the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's accountants for the year ending December 31, 2001. Since abstentions will be considered in the determination of the number of shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, abstentions will 1 have the same effect as a vote against confirmation. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the adoption of this proposal. The cost of soliciting the proxies to which this Proxy Statement relates will be borne by the Company. In following up the original solicitation of proxies by mail, the Company will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of the stock and will reimburse them for their expenses. In addition to the use of the mail, and without additional compensation therefor, proxies may be solicitated in person or by telephone, facsimile or telegram by officers and regular employees of the Company. VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF Based on information available to the Company, the Company believes that the following persons held beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock as of March 16, 2001: NAME AND ADDRESS AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS ------------------- --------------------- --------- Siggi B. Wilzig ..................... 787,183 (1) 9.86% 921 Bergen Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. ..... 747,185 (2) 9.39% 1299 Ocean Avenue, Suite 650 Santa Monica, CA 90401 --------------- (1) Includes 22,509 shares of Common Stock that could be obtained by Mr. Wilzig on the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2001. Mr. Wilzig, former Chairman and President of the Company, serves as the Senior Consultant to the Company at a remuneration of $90,000 per year. His duties include financial and personnel matters, purchases and sales and other transactions with respect to the Company's assets. (2) Pursuant to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission which reported beneficial ownership as of February 2, 2001, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment advisor, disclosed that it is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 747,185 shares of Common Stock, all of which shares are held in portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end investment company, or in series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group Trust, investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. serves as investment manager. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES; DIRECTOR COMPENSATION The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The interests of stockholders of the Company are represented by the Board of Directors, which oversees the business and management of the Company. This solicitation of proxies is intended to give all stockholders the opportunity to vote for the persons who are to be their representatives, as directors, in the governance of the Company. The Company's current Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provide for a seven member Board of Directors divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The term of office of directors in Class III expires at the 2001 Annual Meeting, Class I at the next succeeding Annual Meeting and Class II at the following succeeding Annual Meeting. Three Class III nominees are named in this Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors of the Company holds periodic meetings as necessary to deal with matters which it must consider. During 2000, the Board met a total of 4 times. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and Committees on which they served. The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee which consists of W. Martin Willschick, Ernest Wachtel and S. Wilzig Izak. This Committee may exercise all authority of the full Board with the exception of 2 specified limitations relating to major corporate matters. The Executive Committee met 4 times during the past year. The Board of Directors appoints an Audit Committee, comprised entirely of directors who are not officers of the Company. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Milton Donnenberg, Eric J. Schmertz and W. Martin Willschick. The duties of the Audit Committee include recommending to the Board the selection of independent public accountants and reviewing their compensation and conferring with the independent public accountants and certain officers of the Company to ensure the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. During the past year, the Audit Committee met 2 times. The Board of Directors of the Company does not have a Nominating Committee or a Compensation Committee, but the functions which would be performed by such committees are performed by the Board. The Board will consider nominations for directors by stockholders. Under the Company's by-laws, a stockholder must give the Company at least 60 but not more than 90 days prior notice of such stockholder's intention to nominate a person for election as a director; provided that if the date of the annual meeting is first publicly announced less than 70 days prior to the meeting, such prior notice shall be given not more than 10 days after such meeting is first publicly announced. The Company's by-laws describe the written information that must be submitted with any such nomination. A shareholder seeking to nominate a person to serve on the Board who fails to submit the necessary documentation will be precluded from making such a nomination. The Board has a Stock Option Committee, which administers the Company's stock option plans. This Committee, comprised of W. Martin Willschick, Milton Donnenberg, and Ernest Wachtel, met once during the past year. Each director other than S. Wilzig Izak receives an annual fee of $11,000. Members of the Executive Committee other than S. Wilzig Izak also receive an annual fee of $4,000 and members of the Audit Committee and Stock Option Committee also receive an annual fee of $2,000. PROPOSAL 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Three directors, constituting the Class III Directors, are to be elected at the 2001 Annual Meeting for three-year terms expiring in 2004. There is no cumulative voting; accordingly, proxies cannot be voted for more than two nominees. The Board's nominees for Class III Directors are Dr. Ira F. Braun, Ernest Wachtel and W. Martin Willschick. The information provided below with respect to director nominees and present directors includes (1) name, (2) class, (3) principal occupation, business experience during the past five years and age, (4) the year in which he or she became a director and (5) number and percentage of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned. This information has been furnished by the directors.
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK YEAR BENEFICIALLY BECAME OWNED ON DIRECTOR MARCH 16, 2001 PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OF THE AND PERCENTAGE NAME CLASS AND AGE (a) COMPANY OF CLASS (B) ---- ----- --------------------- ------- ---------------- Dr. Ira F. Braun .......... III Director of Neuro Interventional 1981 21,493(e) Radiology, Miami Vascular Institute; (0.27%) Clinical Professor of Radiology, University of Miami; prior thereto at Medical College of Virginia. Age 51. Milton Donnenberg ......... II Formerly President, Milton Donnenberg 1981 21,430(e) Assoc., Realty Management, (0.27%) Carlstadt, N.J. Age 78.
3
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK YEAR BENEFICIALLY BECAME OWNED ON DIRECTOR MARCH 16, 2001 PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OF THE AND PERCENTAGE NAME CLASS AND AGE (a) COMPANY OF CLASS (B) ---- ----- --------------------- ------- ---------------- S. Wilzig Izak ............ II Chairman of the Board since 1987 89,324(c) September 20, 1990; Chief (1.11%) Executive Officer since May 1991; Executive Vice President (1987-1990); prior thereto, Senior Vice President. Age 42. Eric J. Schmertz, Esq. .... I Of Counsel to the Dweck law firm; 1983 22,188(e) Distinguished Professor Emeritus (0.28%) and formerly Dean, Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, N.Y. Age 75. Dr. William J. Schwartz ... I Chief of Ophthalmology, Good 1983 146,060(d)(e) Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, N.Y. (1.81%) Age 56. Ernest Wachtel ............ III President, Ellmax Corp., Builders 1970 97,461(e) and Realty Investors, Elizabeth, N.J. (1.21%) Age 76. W. Martin Willschick ...... III Manager, Treasury Services, City of 1997 5,062(f) Toronto, Canada. Age 49. Mr. Willshick (0.06%) is Ms. Izak's first cousin.
-------------- (a) No nominee or director is a director of any other company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of that Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (b) The shares of the Company's Common Stock are owned directly and beneficially, and the holders have sole voting and investment power, except as otherwise noted. (c) Includes 44,526 shares of stock that could be acquired by S. Wilzig Izak on the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2001. (d) Includes 26,813 shares of stock owned by a profit sharing plan, 27,864 shares owned by Dr. Schwartz' wife and 2,953 shares owned by or on behalf of Dr. Schwartz' children. (e) Includes 9,270 shares of stock that could be obtained by each of these Outside Directors on the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2001. (f) Includes 3,000 shares of stock that could be obtained by W. Martin Willschick on the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2001. At March 16, 2001, all current directors and current executive officers as a group (seven persons) beneficially owned equity securities as follows: AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY TITLE OF CLASS OWNED PERCENT OF CLASS -------------- ------------ ---------------- Common Stock ........... 403,018* 5.00% ----------- * Includes 93,876 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 16, 2001. 4 SECTION 16(a) REPORTING Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's Directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission certain reports regarding such persons' ownership of the Company's securities. The Company is not aware of any delinquent filings in 2000. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, the cash compensation paid by the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued by such entities for those years, to or with respect to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the "Named Officer"), for services rendered in all capacities during such period. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM NAME AND CURRENT ------------------------------- COMPENSATION ALL OTHER PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OTHER(A) OPTIONS GRANTED COMPENSATION(b) ------------------ ------ ------ ----- -------- --------------- --------------- S. Wilzig Izak, ....... 2000 $140,000 -- -- -- $272 Chairman and CEO 1999 140,000 -- -- -- 255 1998 140,000 -- -- -- 236
----------- (a) During the periods covered, the Named Officer did not receive perquisites (i.e., personal benefits such as country club memberships or use of automobiles) in excess of the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such individual's salary and bonus. (b) The $272 amount for 2000 represents the dollar value of insurance premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance for Ms. Izak. STOCK OPTIONS In June 1995, the Company adopted two new stock-based compensation plans (the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan) under which up to 450,000 and 150,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, are available for grant. Options may no longer be granted under stock option plans approved prior to 1995; however, certain options granted under such prior plans currently remain outstanding. No stock options were granted to the Named Officer during the year ended December 31, 2000. The following table provides data regarding options exercised during 2000 by the Named Officer as well as the number of shares covered by both exercisable and non-exercisable stock options held by the Named Officer at December 31, 2000. Also reported are the values for "in-the-money" options, which represent the positive spread between the exercise price of an existing option and $3.50, the closing sale price of the Company's Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on December 31, 2000. 5 OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT 12/31/00 12/31/00 ------------- ------------- SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/ NAME ON EXERCISE RECEIVED UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE ---- --------------- -------- ------------- ------------- S. Wilzig Izak ..... 0 $0 44,526/ $ 0/ 0 0
PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following graph compares the cumulative total return on a hypothetical $100 investment made at the close of business on December 30, 1995 in (i) the Company's Common Stock, (ii) the Standard and Poors 500 Index, and (iii) the Dow Jones Oil--Secondary Index. The graph is calculated assuming that all dividends are reinvested during the relevant periods. The graph shows how a $100 investment would increase or decrease in value over time, based on dividends and increases or decreases in market price. COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS, DOW JONES OIL-SECONDARY AND S&P COMPOSITE Dow Jones Oil S&P Wilshire Oil Co. Secondary Composite of Texas ------------- --------- --------------- 12/31/95 .............. 100.00 100.00 100.00 12/31/96 .............. 133.30 122.96 92.08 12/31/97 .............. 142.32 163.98 96.24 12/31/98 .............. 95.85 210.84 82.02 12/31/99 .............. 118.39 255.22 68.35 12/31/00 .............. 170.09 231.98 63.80 ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DEC. 30, 1995 ASSUMES DIVIDENDS REINVESTED FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2000 BOARD REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Company does not have a separate Compensation Committee, and, therefore, decisions concerning the compensation of the Company's executive officers are made by the entire Board of Directors (other than decisions relating to the grant of stock options under the Company's stock option plan, which are made by the Stock Option Committee). S. Wilzig Izak, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and member of the Board of Directors, has abstained from all votes pertaining to her compensation. Pursuant to SEC rules designed to enhance disclosure of corporate policies concerning executive compensation, set forth below is a report submitted by the Board which addresses the Company's compensation policies for 2000 as they affected the Company's Chief Executive Officer. 6 The goals of the Company's compensation policies pertaining to executive officers are to provide a competitive level of salary and other benefits to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified personnel, while balancing the desire for cost containment. The Company provides the Chief Executive Officer with a competitive salary. During 1997, the Board determined to increase the Chief Executive Officer's salary, in light of her successful efforts in expanding the diversifying the Company's business. The Board does not use specific financial factors, such as earnings per share, in establishing base salaries for its executive officers. The Board believes that while salary should provide the Company's executive officers with suitable compensation, incentives to executives should be more closely tied to Company performance through emphasis on stock options rather than incremental pay increases to contain costs. The Company has not increased the Chief Executive Officer's salary since 1997. The Board believes that the key element in the Company's long term compensation of executive officers is a stock option plan. Since it had granted stock option to Ms. Izak in 1995, the Board's Stock Option Committee decided not to grant additional stock options in 2000. Instead, it relied upon the incentives provided by previously granted options to provide long-term goals for the Chief Executive Officer. During 1993, the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 was enacted. This Act includes potential limitations on the deductibility of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the Company's five highest paid officers beginning in 1994. Based on an analysis by the Company to date, the Company does not anticipate the compensation levels will reach the threshold described in this Act. The Board believes that its compensation policies balance the objectives of fostering the retention and motivation of qualified executive officers while striving to contain personnel costs. Respectfully submitted, S. Wilzig Izak Dr. William J. Schwartz Milton Donnenberg Dr. Ira F. Braun Eric J. Schmertz Ernest Wachtel W. Martin Willschick 7 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The Company does not have a formal Compensation Committee. However, the entire Board of Directors performs the functions of such a Committee by establishing compensation policies. S. Wilzig Izak, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the Board of Directors. She has abstained from all votes pertaining to her own compensation. Siggi B. Wilzig, the Company's Senior Consultant and former Chairman and President of the Company, has participated in deliberations of the Board concerning executive officer compensation. Mr. Wilzig has no vote with respect to such matters. During 2000, the Company obtained a $1.725 million first mortgage loan from The Trust Company of New Jersey ("TCNJ") and purchased $3.5 million of TCNJ loans for $1.4 million cash down payment and a $2.1 million note. In addition, the Company obtained from TCNJ a $2.0 million loan secured by a certificate of deposit and increased its unsecured line of credit by $1.5 million. At March 28, 2001, the company was indebted to TCNJ for approximately $22.5 million of first mortgage loans at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 7.26%, $4.1 million of loans secured by marketable securities bearing interest at prime, $2.0 million loan secured by a certificate of deposit bearing interest at 6.5% and $3.5 million on an unsecured line of credit bearing interest at prime. Siggi B. Wilzig, whose shareholdings of the Company are described on page 2 of this proxy statement, is an officer, director and significant shareholder of TCNJ. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The Audit Committee reviews Wilshire's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the 2000 Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K with Wilshire's management and the independent auditors. Management is responsible for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Committee discussed with the independent auditors their independence from Wilshire and its management including the matters in the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors' independence. In addition, the Committee discussed the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended. In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, the inclusion of the audited financial statements in Wilshire's Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Respectfully submitted on March 30, 2001 by the members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors: W. Martin Willschick, Chairman Eric J. Schmertz Milton Donnenberg AUDIT FEES AND RELATED MATTERS AUDIT FEES The Company was billed $127,000 for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the review of the financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed during 2000. 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION FEES No fees were charged to the Company by Arthur Anderson LLP for information technology services for the year ended December 31, 2000. ALL OTHER FEES During the year ended December 31, 2000, Arthur Anderson LLP rendered no other professional services to the Company. OTHER MATTERS Since there were no other services rendered by Arthur Anderson LLP, the Audit Committee has concluded that there were no independence issues for the year ended December 31, 2000. Of the time expended by the Company's principal accountant to audit the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000, less than 50% of such time involved work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees. PROPOSAL 2--CONFIRMATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL The Board of Directors, acting upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has selected Arthur Andersen LLP to serve as the Company's independent public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2001 and the stockholders will be asked to confirm such selection at the Annual Meeting. Arthur Andersen LLP has audited the books and records of the Company for many years. Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, to have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to be available to respond to appropriate questions. The Board of Directors recommends a vote for ratification of the selection of Arthur Anderson LLP. MISCELLANEOUS SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS--Any proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no later than December 31, 2001 for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy. Furthermore, in order for business to be properly brought before any meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must give timely prior notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be given to the Secretary not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting; provided that if the date of the meeting is first publicly announced less than 70 days before the date of the meeting, such advance notice must be given within ten days after such meeting date is first publicly announced. All such notices must set forth, as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, (i) the text of the proposal, (ii) a brief description of the reasons for such proposal, (iii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iv) the class and number of shares of Common Stock which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and (v) any material interest of the stockholder in such proposal. The chairperson of the meeting will determine whether sufficient notice has been given; in the absence of such notice, a stockholder proposal will not be considered. 9 We hope that you will attend the meeting of shareholders, and look forward to your presence. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY. If you wish to change your vote or vote in person, your proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the time it is voted. [signature] S. WILZIG IZAK Chairman of the Board Dated: April 30, 2001 A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ACCOMPANIES OR HAS PRECEDED THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THE ANNUAL REPORT IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS PROXY SOLICITING MATERIAL OR AS A COMMUNICATION BY MEANS OF WHICH ANY SOLICITATION IS TO BE MADE. THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD WHO REQUESTS IT, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE SCHEDULES THERETO, FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000. REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF THE FORM 10-K SHOULD BE SENT TO: WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS, SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, 921 BERGEN AVENUE, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306. APPENDIX A AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors of Wilshire Oil Company of Texas, Inc. ("Wilshire") to assist the Board in monitoring (a) the integrity of the financial statements of Wilshire and its subsidiaries (the "Company") and (b) the independence of performance of the Company's external auditors. The members of the Audit Committee shall meet the independence and experience requirements of the American Stock Exchange, subject to such qualifications and exceptions as may be permitted by such requirements. The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed from time to time by the Wilshire Board. The Wilshire Board reserves the right to amend, modify or replace this Charter in its discretion at any time. The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain special legal, accounting or other consultants to advise the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company, the Company's outside counsel or independent auditor to attend meetings of the Audit Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Audit Committee. The primary goals of this Charter are to specify the following: o the scope of the Audit Committee's responsibilities and the approaches to be used in carrying out those responsibilities, including structure, processes and membership requirements; o the Audit Committee's responsibility for (a) insuring its receipt from the Company's independent auditor of a formal written statement delineating all relationships between such auditor and the 10 Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, (b) actively engaging in a dialogue with such auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and the independence of the auditor and (c) taking, or recommending that the Wilshire Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the independent auditor; and o the independent auditor's ultimate accountability to the Wilshire Board and the Audit Committee, as representatives of the shareholders of Wilshire and the ultimate authority and responsibility of the Wilshire Board and/or the Audit Committee to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditor (or, if applicable, to nominate the independent auditor to be proposed for shareholder approval in any proxy statement). To the extent any statement set forth below is inconsistent with the three principles set forth above, the three principles set forth above shall govern. The Audit Committee shall make regular reports to the Wilshire Board, as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Pursuant to this Charter: 1. THE COMMITTEE The Audit Committee will consist of at least three members of the Wilshire Board including a Chairman designated by the Wilshire Board. Members of the Audit Committee may not be employees of the Company. The Committee will meet periodically, which way include phone conferences, with additional meetings if circumstances require, for the purpose of satisfying its responsibilities. 2. SCOPE The Audit Committee serves at the pleasure of and is subject to the control and direction of the Wilshire Board. 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE o To assist the Wilshire Board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities to the shareholders with respect to matters relating to the Company's business, accounting, reporting, audit and internal controls practices. o To maintain a direct line of communications between the Wilshire Board and the Company's independent auditors to provide for an exchange of views and information. 4. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE The Audit Committee will satisfy its responsibilities by completing the following functions: o Discuss the results of the annual independent audit with management and the independent auditors. o Consider the comments from the independent auditors with respect to internal accounting and management controls and the consideration given or action taken by management. o Recommend, for appointment by the Wilshire Board, the selection of independent auditors for the coming year. o Appraise the effectiveness of the independent audit effort through discussions with the independent auditors regarding their planned arrangements and scope of the annual audit, including fees. o Review the scope of planned activities and budget. o Review the anticipated scope and related fees of any non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors to ensure that these services do not detract from the independence of the auditors in their audit function. 11 o Review the Committee's responsibilities and functions, evaluate its performance, and institute appropriate modifications to reflect changes in the business environment. o Monitor the procedures or systems used in preparing the financial statements of the Company. o Obtain the assessment of management and the independent auditors as to the adequacy of: o the Company's internal accounting procedures and controls. o the Company's procedures for complying with SEC Regulations and The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. o Receive and review the assessment of management as to the quality and depth of staffing in the accounting and financial departments throughout the organization. o Receive from the Company's independent auditor a formal written statement delineating all relationships between such auditor and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. o Engage in dialogue with the Company's independent auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of such firm. o Recommend to the Wilshire Board appropriate actions to ensure the independence of the Company's independent auditor. o Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Wilshire Board for approval. o Meet with independent auditor without management present. o Review the interim financial statements and financial results and if deemed necessary, meet with independent auditor prior to filing Form 10-Qs. o Review Year-End financial results prior to filing Form 10-K. o Discuss required communication with independent auditor as required by GAAS. o Review any information submitted to the Audit Committee pursuant to Section 10A of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. o Prepare any report to the Company's Board of Directors, which may be required for inclusion in the proxy statement. o Review with the independent auditor any material problems or difficulties the auditor may have encountered during an audit including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information; review any management letter provided by the auditor and the Company's response to that letter. While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and accurate or are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This is the responsibility of management and the independent auditor. Nor is it the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct investigations, to resolve disagreements, if any, between management and the independent auditor or to assure compliance with laws and regulations. 12 DIRECTIONS TO MARRIOTT GLENPOINTE 100 FRANK W. BURR BOULEVARD, TEANECK, NJ 07666 (201) 836-0600 o FROM POINTS NORTH AND EAST: Interstate 95 South to Exit 70 (Teaneck) Bear Right into Hotel Parking Lot (2 Miles south of the George Washington Bridge) o FROM POINTS WEST: Interstate 80 East to Exit 70 (Teaneck) (Following Signs to I-95 North) After Crossing Overpass, Bear Right into Hotel Parking Lot o FROM POINTS SOUTH: Interstate 95 North (Becoming New Jersey Turnpike), continuing on 95 North to Exit 70 (Teaneck) After Crossing Overpass, Bear Right into Hotel Parking Lot You are cordially invited to join us for lunch, prior to the meeting, at 1:00 p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS PROXY-COMMON STOCK THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SOLICITS THIS PROXY The undersigned hereby appoints Milton Donnenberg and Dr. William J. Schwartz and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution in each of them to vote all shares that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders of WILSHIRE OIL COMPANY OF TEXAS to be held on June 22, 2001 or at any adjournments thereof, on the following as specified and on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting, hereby revoking any proxy previously given. A VOTE FOR IS RECOMMENDED BY THE DIRECTORS ON THE FOLLOWING: 1. Nominees for Class III director: Dr. Ira F. Braun, Ernest Wachtel and W. Martin Willschick |_| FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED |_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED ____________________________________________________ (To withhold your vote for any individual nominee(s) print the nominee's name(s) on the line above. 2. |_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN Confirmation of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent public accountants. Upon all such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and/or any adjournments thereof, as the proxies in their discretion may determine. UNLESS YOU SPECIFY OTHERWISE, THIS PROXY, IF EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSALS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Continued on reverse side.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Continued from reverse side.) The signer acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2000. Dated:____________________________, 2001 ________________________________________ Signature ________________________________________ Signature if held jointly Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------