DEF 14A 1 ptsi20230321_def14a.htm FORM DEF 14A ptsi20230321_def14a.htm

Table of Contents

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 (Amendment No. )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☑

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box: 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) 

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.

 
 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

     
 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

 

P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.

297 West Henri De Tonti Boulevard

Tontitown, Arkansas 72770

(479) 361-9111

www.pamtransport.com

 


 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on April 27, 2023

 


 

To our Stockholders:

 

The 2023 annual meeting of stockholders of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PTSI” or the “Company”), will be held at 12225 Stephens Road, Warren, Michigan 48089, on April 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. local time. The meeting is being held for the purpose of considering and voting on the following proposals:

 

 

1.

To elect nine directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified (the Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees named in the attached proxy statement proposal);

   

 

 

2.

To vote on a non-binding advisory proposal on the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement (the Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal);

     
  3. To vote on a non-binding advisory proposal on the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation (the Board of Directors recommends a vote for an advisory vote frequency of every 3 years);
     
 

4.

To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as PTSI’s independent registered public accounting firm for the next fiscal year (the Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this proposal); and

   

 

 

5.

Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

All stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 8, 2023, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
 
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  Joseph A. Vitiritto
  President and Chief Executive Officer

March 23, 2023

 

Your Vote Is Important

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, you are urged to promptly submit your proxy so that your shares may be voted in accordance with your wishes and the presence of a quorum may be assured. Your prompt action will help us reduce the expense of proxy solicitation.

 

 

 

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc.

 


 

Proxy Statement

 

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held on April 27, 2023

 


 

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

   

Proxy Statement

1

   

Information About the Annual Meeting and Voting

1

   

Election of Directors

5

   

Corporate Governance

9

   

Audit Committee Report

14

   

Compensation Committee Report

15

   

Executive Compensation

15

   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

31

   

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

32

   

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

33

   

Advisory Vote on Frequency of Vote on Executive Compensation

35

   

Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

36

   

Independent Public Accountants—Principal Accountant Fees and Services

36

   

Transactions with Related Persons

37

   

Annual Report to Stockholders and Report on Form 10-K

38

   

Stockholder Proposals

39

   

Other Matters

39

 

 

 

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc.

 


 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

April 27, 2023

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

This proxy statement and form of proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (“PTSI” or the “Company”) for use at our annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at 12225 Stephens Road, Warren, Michigan, on April 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any or all adjournments or postponements of the meeting. The telephone number for our principal executive office is (479) 361-9111. This proxy statement and form of proxy are being mailed to stockholders on or about March 23, 2023.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27, 2023

 

Our combined Proxy Statement and 2022 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K, are available at www.edocumentview.com/PTSI.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

 

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the accompanying notice of the Annual Meeting, including the election of directors, the say on pay provision, say on pay frequency provision, ratification of the appointment of our independent public accounting firm, and consideration of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

 

Who is entitled to vote?

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, March 8, 2023 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote their shares at the meeting. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share.

 

What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a street name holder?

 

These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are a “stockholder of record.” If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, you are a “street name” holder.

 

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

 

All stockholders as of the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. The Company asks that any stockholder who plans to attend the meeting please notify the Company at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting by contacting our Secretary, Tyler Majors, at (479) 361-9111. Stockholders who are “street name” holders will also need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting their ownership as of the Record Date in order to attend the meeting.

 

What is a proxy?

 

A proxy is your legal designation of another person, the “proxy,” to vote on your behalf. By completing and returning the enclosed proxy card, you are giving the persons appointed as proxies by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) the authority to vote your shares as indicated on the proxy card.

 

 

What constitutes a quorum?

 

The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the Record Date will constitute a quorum, permitting business to be conducted at the meeting. As of the Record Date, 22,132,793 shares of our common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Proxies that are received and marked as withholding authority, abstentions, and broker non-votes (where a bank, broker or nominee does not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a matter) will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be represented at the meeting.

 

How do I vote?

 

You may vote by mail or follow the alternative voting procedures described on the accompanying proxy card. If you complete, sign and return the proxy card, it will be voted as you direct. If no choice is specified on a signed proxy card, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, as set out below.

 

If you hold shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon. Under current stock exchange rules, brokers who do not have instructions from their customers may not use their discretion in voting their customers’ shares on certain specific matters that are not considered to be “routine” matters, including the election of directors, executive compensation and other significant matters. The proposals in this proxy statement to elect directors, to approve on an advisory basis the Company’s executive compensation and to vote on the frequency of future stockholder advisory votes on the Company’s named executive officer compensation are not considered to be routine matters. Therefore, without your specific instructions, your shares will not be voted on these matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval. Shares represented by such “broker non-votes,” however, will be counted in determining whether there is a quorum. You should follow the directions provided by your nominee regarding instructions on how to vote your shares.

 

The ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is considered a routine matter, and therefore, if beneficial owners fail to give voting instructions, brokers, banks and other nominees will have the discretionary authority to vote shares of our common stock with respect to this proposal.

 

If, as of the Record Date, you are a stockholder of record and you attend the meeting, you may vote in person at the meeting.

 

The authorized capital stock of PTSI consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of the close of business on March 8, 2023, there were 22,132,793 shares of common stock eligible to vote.

 

What is a broker non-vote?

 

Generally, a “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee that holds shares in “street name” for a customer is precluded from exercising voting discretion on a particular proposal because:

 

 

(1)

the beneficial owner has not instructed the nominee on how to vote, and

 

 

(2)

the nominee lacks discretionary voting power to vote such issues.

 

Under NASDAQ rules, a nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to the approval of “nonroutine” matters absent specific voting instructions from the beneficial owners of such shares.

 

 

What are the Boards recommendations?

 

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with each proposal in this proxy statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote:

 

 

“FOR the election of the nominated slate of directors.

 

 

“FOR” a stockholder non-binding advisory vote on the Company’s named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement.

 

 

For the option of every “3 YEARS” as the preferred frequency of the non-binding advisory vote on the Company’s named executive officer compensation.

 

 

“FOR the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as PTSI’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

What vote is required to approve each proposal?

 

 

Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of our common stock representing a plurality of the shares of our common stock voting on the matter, assuming a quorum is present, is required for the election of directors. Votes withheld and broker non-votes are not counted toward a nominee’s total number of votes, although such votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.

 

 

Other Proposals. For each other proposal, except the proposal on the frequency of future advisory votes regarding the Company’s named executive officer compensation discussed below, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present, will be required for approval. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” or not marked at all with respect to any such matter will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.

 

 

Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Companys Executive Compensation. Generally, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present, is required for approval of any matter presented to our stockholders. However, because the vote on the frequency of future advisory votes regarding the Company’s named executive officer compensation is advisory and non-binding, if none of the frequency options (1 year, 2 years or 3 years) receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the frequency recommended by the Company’s stockholders.

 

Are there other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

 

As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board of Directors does not know of any other matters that may come before the meeting, other than the Proposals described in this proxy statement. Should any other matter requiring a vote of the stockholders arise and be properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxy included with this proxy statement confers upon the persons named in the proxy and designated to vote the shares, discretionary authority to vote or otherwise act with respect to any such matter in accordance with their best judgment.

 

Can I revoke or change my proxy after I return my proxy card?

 

Yes. Any proxy may be revoked by a stockholder at any time before it is exercised at the Annual Meeting by delivering to our Secretary a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by voting in person at the meeting.

 

 

Who pays for this proxy solicitation?

 

All costs of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. Our directors, officers, and other employees may, without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailings or personal conversation, or by telephone, facsimile or electronic means. We may reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding soliciting material to the beneficial owners of our common stock.

 

How many Directors are there?

 

Our Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended (the “Bylaws”), provide that the number of directors shall not be less than three nor more than fifteen members, with the precise number to be fixed by resolution of the stockholders or the Board of Directors. Currently, we have nine directors. The Board of Directors has recommended nine nominees for election at the Annual Meeting.

 

How long do Directors serve?

 

Our Bylaws provide that each Director shall hold office until the Annual Meeting of stockholders held next after his or her election and until his or her successor has been duly elected and has qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office, or death. The stockholders of the Company elect successors for Directors whose terms have expired at the Annual Meeting. The Board elects members to fill new membership positions and vacancies in unexpired terms on the Board.

 

Do the stockholders elect the executive officers?

 

No. Executive Officers are elected by the Board and hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until the earlier of their death, retirement, resignation or removal.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you are urged to promptly submit your proxy.

 

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PROPOSAL ONE

 


 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Board of Directors currently consists of nine directors. Members of our Board are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Our Board has nominated for re-election each of the nine current members of our Board. The biography of each of the nominees below contains information regarding the person’s service as director, business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years, and the experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the Board to determine that the person should serve as a director.

 

Michael D. Bishop

Director Since 2019

 

Michael D. Bishop, age 55, has been a director and a member of the Audit Committee since 2019. Mr. Bishop is the President and Founder of American General Counsel PLC, a law firm providing general counsel services to businesses. From 2018 to 2020, Mr. Bishop was Co-President of iPSE-US, the Association of Independent Workers, an association dedicated to advancing the freedom an interests of America’s independent workers. Mr. Bishop served as a member of the United States Congress from 2014 to 2018. During his tenure in Congress, Mr. Bishop was appointed to and served on the House Ways and Means Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Higher Education Committee. Preceding his service in the United States Congress, Mr. Bishop was the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of International Bancard Company, a nation-wide financial services technology company. Prior to his role at International Bancard, Mr. Bishop was a Senior Attorney with Clark Hill PLC, an international law firm, where he concentrated in the areas of Public Policy and Business Law. Before joining Clark Hill PLC, Mr. Bishop was elected to and served in the Michigan State legislature from 1998 to 2010. During his tenure in the Michigan State legislature, Mr. Bishop was chosen to serve as the Senate Majority Leader and also served on various committees including chairing the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and the Constitutional Law and Ethics Committee. Mr. Bishop is a licensed real estate broker and an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Michigan, the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. His thorough understanding of legal matters, public policy, financial analytics, and budgeting qualify him for service on the Board of PTSI.

 

Frederick P. Calderone

Director Since 1998

 

Frederick P. Calderone, age 72, has been a director since 1998. Mr. Calderone retired in 2016 after over 20 years of service as a Vice President of a diversified holding company headquartered in Warren, Michigan. During his career, Mr. Calderone was widely recognized for his expertise in corporate, partnership and individual income tax matters; estate planning; tax planning for multinational businesses; mergers, acquisitions and commercial transactions; tax controversies and litigation; and corporate accounting. Prior to this time, Mr. Calderone was a partner with Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells, a predecessor to Deloitte LLP. Mr. Calderone is a certified public accountant, attorney and tax specialist with a long history of advising and providing executive oversight to transportation companies. Mr. Calderone has served as a director of Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULH) since 2009. With his thorough understanding of financial reporting, generally accepted accounting principles, financial analytics, taxation and budgeting, Mr. Calderone brings to the Board a unique combination of expertise in accounting, strategic planning and finance.

 

 

W. Scott Davis

Director Since 2007

 

W. Scott Davis, age 60, is Director of Partner Relations of Circumference Group, LLC, an investment management partnership, where he is responsible for business development and client relations. Prior to that, he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Clearview International, LLC, a data center business headquartered in Dallas, Texas, until the company was sold in April 2016. He had been an investor in Clearview since June 2009. Mr. Davis was a Partner and Senior Managing Director of Rock Financial Partners, LLC from April 2009 to December 2013. From August 2006 to April 2009, he served as the President and sole owner of WS Davis, Inc., the company through which he performed his consulting work. From 1987 to 2006, Mr. Davis worked for Stephens Inc., an investment banking firm, including serving as an Executive Vice President of Stephens Inc. from 2002 to 2006. Mr. Davis has served as a director of PTSI since August 2007. He has extensive experience in the investment banking industry. He currently serves as Chairman of our Audit Committee. His extensive experience in financial statement analysis and review qualifies him to serve on the Board and as Chairman of the Audit Committee of PTSI.

 

Edwin J. Lukas

Director Since 2018

 

Edwin J. Lukas, age 55, is the founder of Vistula PLC, a business law firm located in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. He is also a Strategic Partner with Aquila Equity Partners, a private investment firm located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. From 2016 to March 2020, Mr. Lukas served in an executive-level capacity with a diversified holding company based in Warren, Michigan, including as its Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Prior to this time, Mr. Lukas was a partner at Bodman PLC in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Lukas is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Detroit School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Detroit Law Review. He has served as a director of PTSI since 2018. Mr. Lukas brings to our Board extensive experience in representing both public and private companies in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. His expertise in organizations, processes, strategies, and risk management supports our goal of strong Board and management accountability, transparency, and protection of stakeholder interests.

 

Franklin H. McLarty

Director Since 2014

 

Franklin H. McLarty, age 48, is the Chairman and CEO of McLarty Diversified Holdings. He also leads a new automotive retail operation, Coastal Automotive Group, that focuses on dealerships in Southern California and South Florida. He was previously the Executive Chairman and Director of MDH Acquisition Corp (NYSE: MDH.U) prior to its liquidation in 2022. Mr. McLarty was the co-founder of McLarty Capital Partners, now named Firmament, a private markets investment manager founded in June 2012; CapRocq, a real estate investment firm founded in September 2012 with significant experience as an owner-operator of high-quality office, mixed-use properties and automotive retail properties located in secondary and tertiary markets across the Southeast, Southcentral and Midwest regions otherwise known as the Heartland; and Southern United Auto Group, a growing automotive retail platform founded in June 2016 focused on the southeastern U.S. In addition, he was a founding executive of RML Automotive, where he served a tenure as CEO. Earlier in his career, Mr. McLarty worked in hotel-related private equity with McKibbon Hotel Group and The Seaway Group. Mr. McLarty has served on numerous advisory boards and boards of directors including Tire Group International, Palo Verde Holdings, The McLarty Companies and The Seaway Group. He also serves on the board of, and was lead investor in, XTR, a premium documentary production company in Los Angeles. Mr. McLarty also sits on the Vital Voices Solidarity Council. In 2007, he was appointed by then Governor Mike Beebe to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Mr. McLarty has served as a director and member of the Audit Committee of PTSI since 2014. Mr. McLarty’s extensive financial and transportation-related experience as an executive in the automotive industry and his insight into the Company’s customer base qualify him to serve on the Board of PTSI.

 

 

H. Pete Montaño

Director Since 2019

 

H. Pete Montaño, age 63, retired in 2018 as Vice President of Sales of Contract Freighters, Inc. (“CFI”), a trucking and logistics company which formerly operated as a division of Con-way, Inc. and XPO Logistics, Inc. As Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management for CFI, he oversaw sales in the United States, Canada and Mexico and was responsible for the strategic sales planning, account growth and training for all sales in the United States, Mexico and Canada as well as the pricing and bid departments. Mr. Montaño served over 28 years in various capacities with CFI, starting as Director of Sales for Mexico. Mr. Montaño brings significant industry experience and cross-border expertise to our board. Prior to his time at CFI, Mr. Montaño worked for Roadway Express, where he was in charge of sales for regions of the United States and Mexico. He currently serves as an advisory director of The Hawthorne Group, parent company of Melton Truck Lines, Inc., a private flatbed and step-deck carrier serving the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mr. Montaño has served as a director and a member of the Audit Committee of PTSI since 2019. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico and brings extensive sales and operational experience to the board and particular knowledge and insight relating to the Company’s Mexico operations. Mr. Montaño’s comprehensive cross-border and transportation-related experience qualify him to serve on the Board of PTSI.

 

Matthew J. Moroun

Director Since 2020

 

Matthew J. Moroun, age 22, has been a director since 2020. He is also employed in other Moroun family-owned businesses engaged in transportation and business services. Mr. Moroun obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame in December 2021. Mr. Moroun has served as a director of Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULH) since 2020. Matthew J. Moroun is the son of our Chairman, Matthew T. Moroun. We believe Mr. Moroun offers the Board a unique perspective on the Company’s strategic challenges and opportunities and advances the long-term interests of our shareholders.

 

Matthew T. Moroun

Director Since 1992

 

Matthew T. Moroun, age 49, is Chairman of our Board of Directors. He currently serves as Chairman and President of a diversified holding company based in Warren, Michigan. He is also Chairman of an insurance and real estate holding company based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Mr. Moroun owns or controls other privately-held businesses engaged in transportation services and real estate acquisition, development, and management. Mr. Moroun has served as a director of the Company since 1992 and as our Chairman since 2007. He is currently Chairman of our Executive Committee and Chairman of our Compensation and Stock Option Committee and served as our interim President and Chief Executive Officer from May 2020 to August 2020. Mr. Moroun has served as a director and as Chairman of the Board of Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULH) since 2004. Matthew T. Moroun is the father of Matthew J. Moroun, a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Moroun’s long-term, substantive leadership experience allows him to provide operational, financial, business, capital markets, and strategic expertise to our Board. He possesses first-hand knowledge of the best practices and trends for our industry. His perspective and practical insight on transportation, automotive, real estate development, infrastructure, and government relations enhance the Board’s ability to oversee and direct our strategy, business planning, and execution.

 

Joseph A. Vitiritto

Director Since 2020

 

Joseph A. Vitiritto, age 52, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2020. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Vitiritto served as Senior Vice President of Pricing and Network Design for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc. (“Knight-Swift”) since May 2019. Prior to assuming that role, Mr. Vitiritto served in various managerial capacities for Knight-Swift and its predecessor, Knight Transportation, Inc., beginning in 2003, including most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations – Swift Transition Team and Senior Vice President of Human Resources. These experiences and his knowledge of the day-to-day operations and management of the Company qualify him to serve on the Board of PTSI.

 

 

Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named as proxies intend to vote all proxies received for the election of the nine director nominees. All of the nominees have indicated their willingness to serve on the Board of Directors. If any nominee should become unwilling or unavailable to serve, our Board may select a substitute nominee, and in that event the proxies intend to vote all proxies for the person selected. If a substitute nominee is not selected, the proxies intend to vote for the election of the remaining nominees. Our Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become unavailable to serve.

 

Your Board of Directors Recommends that Stockholders Vote

 

FOR

 

Each of the Nominees Named Above

 

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Director Independence

 

NASDAQ listing standards generally require that a majority of our Board of Directors be independent. Because more than 50% of the voting power of our company is controlled by Mr. Matthew T. Moroun and a trust of which Mr. Matthew T. Moroun is trustee, we have elected to be treated as a “controlled company” in accordance with Rule 5615(c) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules. Accordingly, we are not subject to the NASDAQ rules that would otherwise require us to have (i) a majority of independent directors on the board; (ii) a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; and (iii) a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors.

 

Recently, our Board of Directors reviewed the independence of director nominees and determined that four of our director nominees, Messrs. Bishop, Davis, McLarty and Montaño, meet the standards for independence required by applicable NASDAQ listing standards. In making this determination, our Board has concluded that none of the independent directors has a relationship that, in the opinion of our Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

 

Board Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our Board of Directors has chosen to separate the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Mr. Matthew T. Moroun is the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Joseph A. Vitiritto is the President and CEO. This separation of Chairman and CEO allows for greater oversight of the Company by the Board. The Board is actively involved in oversight of risks that could affect the Company. This oversight is conducted primarily through the Audit Committee, as disclosed in the committee description below and in its charter, and by the full Board, which has retained responsibility for general oversight of risks. The Board satisfies this responsibility through full reports by our committee chairs regarding each committee’s considerations and actions, as well as through regular reports directly from officers responsible for oversight of particular risks within the Company.

 

Board Meetings

 

During 2022, our Board of Directors held four meetings. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of our Board, including committees on which they then served, during the period that they served.

 

Board Committees

 

Our Board of Directors has, and appoints members to, three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Compensation Committee”), and the Executive Committee. The membership of these committees, as of March 8, 2023, is as follows:

 

Audit Committee

Compensation Committee

Executive Committee

W. Scott Davis* Matthew T. Moroun*

Matthew T. Moroun*

Franklin H. McLarty

Joseph A. Vitiritto

Joseph A. Vitiritto

H. Pete Montaño

   

Michael D. Bishop

   

 


* Committee chairman

 

Audit Committee. We have a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee has four members. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is an independent director as independence for audit committee members is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards and the rules of the SEC. The Audit Committee has a charter that has been approved by our Board of Directors and is available on our website, at www.pamtransport.com under the caption of “Investors.”

 

 

The Audit Committee met five times in 2022. The Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting process, internal controls and audit functions, and is directly responsible for the appointment, retention and compensation of our registered public accounting firm. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Davis and McLarty are each qualified as an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). More information about the Audit Committee is included below under the heading “Audit Committee Report.”

 

Compensation Committee. Our Board of Directors has elected to appoint our Chairman of the Board and our CEO as the two members of our Compensation Committee based on our status as a “controlled company” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules. The Compensation Committee met two times in 2022. The Compensation Committee assists our Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities and authority include:

 

 

reviewing trends in management compensation and the competitiveness of our executive compensation programs;

     
 

overseeing development of new compensation plans, and approving or recommending for determination by our Board of Directors revisions of existing plans;

     
 

determining, or recommending for determination by our Board of Directors, the salaries, bonus and other compensation for executive officers and key employees other than our CEO;

     
 

reviewing and making recommendations concerning long-term incentive compensation plans, including stock option and other equity-based plans;

     
 

to the extent eligible to do so, acting as the committee of our Board of Directors that administers equity-based plans, incentive compensation plans and employee benefit plans; and

     
 

reviewing and approving, or recommending to our Board of Directors for approval, compensation packages for new officers and severance arrangements for officers.

 

The full Board evaluates the performance of our CEO and determines the CEO’s salary, bonus and other compensation. The Board also determines the compensation of our directors and administers our equity-based compensation plans with respect to awards to our named executive officers and our directors.

 

If a member of a committee of our Board of Directors is absent from a meeting, the Bylaws give Board committees authority to unanimously appoint another member of our Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of the absent committee member. While the Compensation Committee could use this authority, it has no plans to do so. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants but does not currently use compensation consultants. The Compensation Committee operates without a written charter.

 

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee exercises the authority of our Board of Directors in accordance with the Bylaws between regular meetings of our Board. The Executive Committee met twice during 2022.

 

Director Nominating Process. Our Board does not have a nominating committee that nominates candidates for election to our Board. That function is performed by our Board of Directors. Each member of our Board participates in the consideration of director nominees. Our Board of Directors believes that it can adequately fulfill the functions of a nominating committee without having to appoint an additional committee to perform that function. Our Board of Directors believes that not having a separate nominating committee saves the administrative expense that would be incurred in maintaining such a committee, and saves time for directors who would serve on a nominating committee if it were established. As there is no nominating committee, we do not have a nominating committee charter.

 

At least a majority of our independent directors participate in the consideration of director nominees. These directors are independent, as independence for nominating committee members is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards. However, so long as the Company continues to be a controlled company (within the meaning of NASDAQ Rule 5615(c)(1)), the Board of Directors may be guided by the recommendations of the Company’s majority stockholder in its nominating process. After discussion and evaluation of potential nominees, the full Board of Directors selects the director nominees.

 

 

Our Board will consider as potential nominees persons recommended by stockholders. Recommendations should be submitted to our Board of Directors in care of our Secretary, Tyler Majors, at Post Office Box 188, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770. Each recommendation should include a personal biography of the suggested nominee, a description of the background or experience that qualifies the person for consideration, and a statement that the person has agreed to serve if nominated and elected.

 

Our Board has used an informal process to identify potential candidates for nomination as directors. Candidates for nomination have been recommended by an executive officer or director, and considered by our Board of Directors. Generally, candidates have been known to one or more of our Board members. Our Board of Directors has not adopted specific minimum qualifications that it believes must be met by a person it recommends for nomination as a director. In evaluating candidates for nomination, our Board of Directors will consider the factors it believes to be appropriate, which would generally include the candidate’s independence, personal and professional integrity, business judgment, relevant experience and skills, including those related to transportation services, and potential to be an effective director in conjunction with the rest of our Board in collectively serving the long-term interests of our stockholders. Although our Board has the authority to retain a search firm to assist it in identifying director candidates, there has to date been no need to employ a search firm. Our Board of Directors does not evaluate potential nominees for director differently based on whether they are recommended to our Board by a stockholder.

 

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Board Diversity

 

The Board has determined that the Board as a whole must have the right diversity, mix of characteristics and skills for the optimal functioning of the Board in its oversight of the Company. The Board does not follow any ratio or formula to determine the appropriate mix. Rather, it uses its judgment to identify nominees whose backgrounds, attributes, and experiences, taken as a whole, will contribute to the high standards of Board service to the Company.

 

The table below highlights the current gender identity and demographic background of the members of the Board, in compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605:

 

Board Diversity Matrix (As of March 8, 2023)

Total Number of Directors

9

 

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did not Disclose Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

       

Directors

-

9

-

-

Part II: Demographic Background

       

African American or Black

-

-

-

-

Alaskan Native or Native American

-

-

-

-

Asian

-

-

-

-

Hispanic or Latinx

-

1

-

-

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

-

-

-

-

White

-

8

-

-

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

-

-

-

-

LGBTQ+

-

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

-

 

Communications with Directors and Attendance at the Annual Meetings

 

Stockholders may communicate directly with our Board of Directors as a group by writing to our Board of Directors, care of the Secretary of PTSI, Post Office Box 188, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770. Our Secretary will review all of the correspondence and regularly forward to our Board of Directors a summary of the correspondence, and copies of all of the correspondence that, in his or her opinion, deals with the functions of our Board of Directors or any of its committees or that our Secretary otherwise determines requires the attention of our Board of Directors. Directors may at any time review a log of all of the correspondence that is addressed to our Board, and request copies of any and all of the correspondence.

 

Our Board of Directors has a policy of encouraging our directors to attend the annual meetings of the stockholders. In 2022, all directors attended the Annual Meeting.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to all our directors, officers and employees, including our CEO and our chief financial and accounting officer. We have posted a copy of our Code of Ethics on our website at www.pamtransport.com under the caption “Investors.” In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or NASDAQ listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

In 2022, Messrs. Matthew T. Moroun and Joseph A. Vitiritto served as members of the Compensation Committee for the year as allowed under NASDAQ Rule 5615(c) based on the Company’s status as a controlled company. Mr. Vitiritto is currently President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Moroun is Chairman of the Board of Directors and our largest stockholder. Information regarding certain transactions between the Company and entities controlled by Mr. Moroun is provided in the section entitled “Transactions with Related Persons” on page 37 of this proxy statement. None of our executive officers serves or served as a director or member of the compensation committee of another entity in a case where an executive officer of such other entity serves or served as a director or member of our Compensation Committee.

 

Derivative Trading and Hedging

 

We have a policy that all Company directors, officers and other employees who possess material nonpublic information regarding the Company should refrain from trading in put and call options on the Company’s securities. We believe these types of hedging instruments create an enticement for abusive trading and can give the unwelcome appearance of betting against the Company.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

Each current member of the Audit Committee is independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in the NASDAQ listing standards and the rules of the SEC.

 

The Audit Committee’s primary purpose is to assist the Board of Directors in overseeing:

 

 

the accounting and financial reporting process;

 

audits of financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; and

 

internal control and audit functions.

 

In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee supervises the relationship between us and our independent auditor, including having direct responsibility for the auditor’s appointment, compensation and retention, reviewing the scope of its audit services, and approving audit and permissible non-audit services. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses the annual and quarterly financial statements, and reviews the activities of our internal audit function.

 

Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used. Management is also responsible for testing the system of internal controls and reporting to the Audit Committee on any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses that are found.

 

The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, its judgments as to the quality and the acceptability of our financial reporting and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), including the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Auditing Standard 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee and Grant Thornton also reviewed management’s assessment included in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and Grant Thornton’s opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022.

 

The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton the firm’s independence from management and us, and has received from Grant Thornton the written disclosures and letter required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence). The Audit Committee has considered the compatibility of the provision of non-audit services with maintaining Grant Thornton’s independence.

 

In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, with both management and our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s review included a discussion of the quality and integrity of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates and judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

 

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for filing with the SEC.

 

Audit Committee Members

 

W. Scott Davis, Chairman

Franklin H. McLarty

H. Pete Montaño

Michael D. Bishop

 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement with management. Based on the review and discussion, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement for filing with the SEC.

 

Compensation Committee Members

 

Matthew T. Moroun, Chairman

Joseph A. Vitiritto

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview

 

Our primary goal for the compensation of our executive officers is to create long-term value for our stockholders. Our compensation program is intended to attract, motivate, reward and retain the management talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and create long-term value for our stockholders, while at the same time making efficient use of our resources. The compensation of our executive officers is designed to reward financial and operating performance, to align their interests with those of our stockholders, and to encourage them to remain with us.

 

Executive Officers of PTSI

 

Our current executive officers are Joseph A. Vitiritto and Lance K. Stewart.

 

Name

Age

Position

Years of Service

Joseph A. Vitiritto

52

President and Chief Executive Officer

3

Lance K. Stewart

53

Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

31

 


 

Joseph A. Vitiritto. Mr. Vitiritto, age 52, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2020. Prior to his employment with the Company, Mr. Vitiritto served as Senior Vice President of Pricing and Network Design for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc. (“Knight-Swift”) since May 2019. Prior to assuming that role, Mr. Vitiritto served in various managerial capacities for Knight-Swift and its predecessor, Knight Transportation, Inc., beginning in 2003, including most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations – Swift Transition Team and Senior Vice President of Human Resources.

 

Lance K. Stewart. Mr. Stewart, age 53, was appointed interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company on March 13, 2023, following the resignation of Allen W. West, our former Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Stewart has served as Vice President of Operations of the Company’s primary operating subsidiary, P.A.M. Transport, Inc., since 2020. He served as Vice President of Accounting of P.A.M. Transport from 2016 until 2020. Mr. Stewart previously served as Vice President of Finance, CFO, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company from 2010 until 2013 and as Vice President of Accounting and Controller of P.A.M. Transport from 2002 until 2010. He began his career with P.A.M. Transport in 1989 and served in various capacities before becoming Vice President of Accounting in 2002.

 

Named Executive Officers for 2022

 

Our “named executive officers” for 2022 consisted of our President and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph A. Vitiritto, and our former Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, Allen W. West.

 

 

Elements of Compensation

 

We have three key elements of compensation: annual base salary, cash incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentives. Annual base salary is intended to attract and retain talented executives, and reward them for annual achievement. Cash incentive compensation is intended to motivate our executive officers to achieve specified financial results or superior performance. Long-term equity incentives are intended to align the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders by linking compensation to stock price appreciation. In addition, when the criteria for vesting of equity awards includes achieving specified financial results, the equity awards also serve the purpose of motivating our executive officers to achieve those results.

 

Determining Compensation

 

The Board of Directors has appointed our Chairman, Mr. Matthew T. Moroun, and our CEO, Mr. Joseph A. Vitiritto, to the Compensation Committee in accordance with the exemption from the compensation committee independence requirements for controlled companies under NASDAQ Rule 5615(c). Currently, the Compensation Committee determines the compensation for our officers and key employees other than the CEO, while the Board of Directors makes all decisions regarding the CEO’s compensation and approves the equity awards to the named executive officers.

 

In determining compensation for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee and the Board consider competitive market compensation paid by other companies, including truckload dry van carriers and other trucking companies, but do not attempt to maintain a specified target percentile within a peer group or otherwise rely on compensation paid by other companies to determine our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Board review and evaluate many factors, including:

 

 

PTSI’s performance and growth;

 

financial measurements such as revenue, revenue growth, net operating income and operating ratio, and trends in those measurements;

 

leadership qualities;

 

ability to achieve strategic objectives;

 

scope and performance of business responsibilities;

 

management experience and effectiveness;

 

individual performance and performance as a management team;

 

current compensation arrangements; and

 

long-term potential to maintain and enhance value for our stockholders.

 

The Board members generally do not adhere to rigid formulas or react to short-term changes in business performance in determining the amount and mix of compensation elements but strive to achieve an appropriate mix between annual base salary, cash incentive compensation and long-term equity incentives to meet our objectives.

 

The Board members receive regular updates on our business results from management and review the quarterly financial statements and projections to assess whether executive compensation continues to be properly balanced with and supportive of our business objectives. The Board members may also review information, such as reported revenue, profit levels, market capitalization and disclosed governance practices, regarding comparably-sized companies in our industry to assess our comparative performance and organizational structure. The Board members use management updates and peer information as tools to evaluate the connection between executive compensation and our performance as a business. This information is reviewed in a subjective manner. There is no implied direct or formulaic linkage between peer information and our compensation decisions. The Board members take the view that a close connection between compensation and performance objectives encourages our executive officers to make decisions that will result in significant positive short-term and long-term returns for our business and our stockholders without providing an incentive either to take unnecessary risks or to avoid opportunities to achieve long-term benefits even though they may reduce short-term benefits for the executive officers, the business or our stockholders.

 

 

Based on this information, the Board members regularly evaluate both the short-term and long-term performance compensation for the executive officers to ensure alignment with our business objectives. The committee also works closely with management regarding long-term equity incentives, which emphasize stockholder returns while providing enhanced retention value for key executives.

 

Annual Cash Compensation

 

Base Salary. Each of our named executive officers receives an annual base salary as compensation for services performed during the year. The base salary for each named executive is established based on the scope of responsibilities, level of experience and expertise, and the ability to lead and direct the Company and achieve various financial and operational objectives. Our general compensation philosophy is to pay executive base salaries that are competitive with the salaries of executives in similar positions, with similar responsibilities, at comparable companies. We have not benchmarked our named executive officer base salaries against the base salaries at any particular company or group of companies. The base salaries of Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West were established in accordance with their respective employment agreements subject to review and adjustment by the Compensation Committee or the Board, as applicable, on an annual basis after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and expectations. The base salaries paid to our named executive officers in 2022 are set forth below in the “Summary Compensation Table” and the accompanying narrative disclosure.

 

Cash Incentive Compensation. The Compensation Committee’s and the Board’s practice is to award an annual cash bonus to each of the named executive officers as part of his annual compensation. Bonuses are intended to provide executives with an opportunity to receive additional cash compensation, and are based on individual performance and the Company’s performance. The Committee and the Board believe this practice provides an incentive for strong financial and operating performance and aligns the interests of management with the interests of our stockholders. Bonuses may be awarded on a discretionary basis or according to pre-determined performance metrics, goals and payout formulas.

 

During March 2021, our Board approved an annual cash and equity incentive plan for our named executive officers and certain other key employees providing for cash bonuses and equity incentive awards to be determined based on the attainment of certain consolidated operating income performance targets. The Company utilized a similar annual cash and equity incentive plan for 2022 based on consolidated operating income targets. The potential overall incentive payments for 2022 varied from zero to 175% of base salary for Mr. Vitiritto and from zero to 130% of base salary for our former CFO, Mr. West, depending on the actual level of consolidated operating income achieved. A portion of the executive’s overall incentive award earned, if any, would be paid as a cash bonus and a portion would be paid in restricted shares of our common stock.

 

Under the terms of the incentive plan, the cash bonus and restricted share amounts would increase incrementally based on the Company’s actual consolidated operating income level achieved, assuming a minimum operating income level was attained. For purposes of the plan, consolidated operating income was modified to exclude the impact of any cash or stock bonus compensation expense.

 

If the Company’s 2022 operating income exceeded the minimum threshold of $105 million, Mr. Vitiritto would receive a cash bonus representing 75%, 90% or 105% of his base salary, and Mr. West would receive a cash bonus representing 60%, 70% or 80% of his base salary, based on the actual operating income level achieved, with the maximum cash bonus amount being paid at an operating income of $135 million or higher. At the target operating income performance level of $125 million, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West would receive cash bonuses equal to 90% and 70%, respectively, of the executive’s base salary. The 2022 operating income performance target levels reflected a range of performance that the Board believed was attainable but uncertain, with the target and maximum operating income levels reflecting a significant achievement of a 25% to 35% increase over 2021 actual consolidated operating income.

 

In addition, if the Company achieved the target and maximum operating income performance levels for 2022, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West were eligible to receive additional discretionary “kicker” cash bonuses in amounts of up to approximately 35.2% and 17.6%, respectively, of an additional aggregate bonus pool for each such performance level under the incentive plan. The additional aggregate bonus pools for the target and maximum operating income performance levels were $400,000 and $800,000, respectively.

 

 

Notwithstanding the terms of Mr. Vitiritto’s employment agreement, the Board designated that the cash bonus amount earned, if any, under the incentive plan would be paid immediately following certification of the Company’s achievement of consolidated operating income exceeding the minimum performance level. For purposes of this incentive plan, the applicable base salary was the named executive officer’s base salary in effect as of December 31, 2022 of $610,220 for Mr. Vitiritto and $414,700 for Mr. West.

 

For 2022, the Company achieved consolidated operating income of $123.8 million, a 23.5% increase over 2021 consolidated operating income of $100.2 million. Excluding cash bonus and stock compensation expense, the Company’s consolidated operating income, as adjusted, for 2022 was $127.5 million. As a result of the Company exceeding the target operating income performance level under the plan, Mr. Vitiritto earned a cash bonus of $549,198 and Mr. West earned a cash bonus of $290,290 for 2022 under the incentive plan for 2022. In addition, based on their leadership in achieving the target operating income performance level despite challenging operating conditions during 2022, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West were awarded discretionary kicker bonuses of $140,625 and $70,311, respectively. These bonuses were paid in February 2023.

 

Under the Company’s annual cash and equity incentive plan for our named executive officers and certain other key employees for 2021, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West were eligible to receive overall incentive payments ranging from zero to 150% of base salary for Mr. Vitiritto and from zero to 90% of base salary for Mr. West, depending on the actual level of consolidated operating income achieved. The executive’s overall incentive award earned, if any, would be paid 60% as a cash bonus and 40% in restricted shares of our common stock.

 

If the Company’s 2021 operating income exceeded the minimum threshold of $35 million, Mr. Vitiritto would receive a cash bonus representing 30%, 45%, 60%, 75% or 90% of his base salary, and Mr. West would receive a cash bonus representing 18%, 30%, 39%, 48% or 54% of his base salary, based on the actual operating income level achieved, with the maximum cash bonus amount being paid at an operating income of $55 million or higher. At the target operating income performance level of $45 million, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West would receive cash bonuses equal to 60% and 39%, respectively, of the executive’s base salary.

 

For 2021, the Company achieved consolidated operating income of $100.2 million, a 295% increase over 2020 consolidated operating income of $33.9 million. Based on these results, Mr. Vitiritto earned a cash bonus of $505,674 and Mr. West earned a cash bonus of $217,339 under the incentive plan as a result of the Company exceeding the maximum operating income performance level under the plan. These bonuses were paid in January 2022.

 

In addition, during November 2021, in light of the Company’s record financial performance through the first three quarters of 2021, our Board awarded additional discretionary cash bonuses to Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West in amounts that were to be determined following certification of the Company’s final full year results for 2021. Based on the 2021 year-end results, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West were awarded discretionary cash bonuses of $450,000 and $225,000, which were paid in January 2022.

 

For 2020, Mr. Vitiritto was awarded a $328,500 hiring bonus in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement with the Company dated August 4, 2020. This bonus was paid in January 2021. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Vitiritto was eligible to earn an annual bonus incentive award for 2021 in an amount up to 100% of his then current base salary, with the actual bonus amount to be awarded based on the satisfaction of predetermined performance criteria to be established at later date. He is also eligible for future annual cash bonuses as determined by the Board. The terms of the agreement provide that payment of any bonus for fiscal year 2021 and thereafter would be made in five annual installments of 20% each beginning in the year following the year in which the bonus was earned, subject to his continued employment or retirement after reaching age 65. However, as described above, the Board elected to pay Mr. Vitiritto’s bonus amounts following completion of the performance period under the terms of the incentive plan.

 

During 2020, we awarded a discretionary cash bonus to Mr. West in the amount of $206,786. The terms of Mr. West’s bonus provided that 50.0% of the bonus was paid immediately, while the remaining 50.0% of the bonus would be paid in equal installments of 12.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four succeeding years, subject to his continued employment with the Company.

 

 

Other Compensation

 

Long-Term Equity Incentives. Long-term equity incentives are awarded to our named executive officers as part of our overall compensation package. These awards are granted under our Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was adopted by the Board of Directors in March 2014 and approved by our stockholders in May 2014. The Plan authorizes grants to our employees, directors, and consultants of awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units, and unrestricted common stock. A total of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock (as adjusted for the Company’s August 2021 and March 2022 2-for-1 forward stock splits), subject to adjustments, are reserved for the issuance of stock awards under the Plan.

 

The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that long-term equity incentives, such as stock options and restricted stock, are consistent with the Company’s philosophy and represent an additional vehicle for aligning management’s interests with the interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee and the Board currently believe that restricted shares are more effective than stock options in achieving the Company’s compensation objectives, as these grants are subject to less market volatility and are less dilutive to stockholders.

 

When determining the amount of long-term incentive grants to be awarded to our named executive officers, the Board members consider, among other factors, the business performance of the Company, the responsibilities and performance of the executive, and the performance of our stock price. The Board has historically granted long-term equity incentives to our named executive officers on a discretionary basis or in connection with an executive’s hiring or promotion. During 2021, the Board adopted a cash and equity incentive plan under which our named executive officers are eligible to receive cash bonuses and restricted shares representing a percentage of the executive’s base salary based on the attainment of consolidated operating income performance targets, assuming a minimum operating income level is attained. The Board believes this plan provides an enhanced long-term incentive for our executive officers, is consistent with a pay-for-performance approach and similar to incentive programs utilized by certain Company peers, and further aligns our management’s interests with those of our stockholders.

 

Under the terms of the plan for 2022, if the Company’s 2022 operating income exceeded the minimum threshold of $105 million, Mr. Vitiritto would receive restricted shares representing 25%, 50%, 60% or 70% of his base salary, and Mr. West would receive restricted shares representing 15%, 30%, 40% or 50% of his base salary, based on the actual operating income level achieved, with the maximum grant amount being issued at an operating income of $135 million or higher. At the target operating income performance level of $125 million, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West would receive restricted shares representing 60% and 40%, respectively, of the executive’s base salary. The restricted shares earned, if any, would be granted following completion of the 2022 performance year and vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period, subject to the employee’s continued service with the Company. For purposes of the plan, consolidated operating income excludes the impact of any cash bonus or stock compensation expense. Additional information regarding this plan is described above under “Annual Cash Compensation – Cash Incentive Compensation.”

 

The Company’s 2022 actual consolidated operating income, as adjusted, was $127.5 million, excluding cash and stock bonus compensation expense of $3.7 million. As a result of the Company exceeding the target operating income performance level under the plan, the Board granted Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West 12,938 and 5,862 restricted shares of our common stock, respectively, in February 2023. These shares vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

 

Under the terms of the plan for 2021, if the Company’s 2021 operating income exceeded the minimum threshold of $35 million, Mr. Vitiritto would receive restricted shares representing 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or 60% of his base salary, and Mr. West would receive restricted shares representing 12%, 20%, 26%, 32% or 36% of his base salary, based on the actual operating income level achieved, with the maximum grant amount being issued at an operating income of $55 million or higher. At the target operating income performance level of $45 million, Mr. Vitiritto and Mr. West would have received restricted shares representing 40% and 26%, respectively, of the executive’s base salary. The restricted shares earned, if any, would vest in equal annual installments over the four-year period following completion of the 2021 performance year, subject to the employee’s continued service with the Company.

 

 

Based on the Company’s 2021 consolidated operating income of $100.2 million, under the terms of the incentive plan, Mr. Vitiritto was awarded 8,690 restricted shares of our common stock and Mr. West was awarded 3,734 restricted shares of our common stock, which represented achievement of the maximum operating income performance level under the plan. These restricted shares were granted to our officers in February 2022 and vest in equal annual installments over the four-year period following the grant date.

 

In August 2020, the Board granted 160,000 restricted shares of our common stock to Mr. Vitiritto on August 18, 2020 in connection with his appointment as our President and CEO. These restricted shares vest in installments of 20,000 shares each in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2027 and 40,000 shares each in 2025 and 2026. In addition, on August 4, 2020, the Board granted 13,332 restricted shares of our common stock to our former CFO, Mr. West. These restricted shares vest in their entirety on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.

 

In January 2020, the Board also granted 10,000 restricted shares of our common stock to Mr. West. The terms of these awards provide that the restricted shares vest in their entirety on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.

 

We did not grant any stock options to our executive officers in 2022, 2021 or 2020.

 

All share amounts set forth above reflect the Company’s August 2021 and March 2022 2-for-1 forward splits of its common stock paid in the form of 100% stock dividends.

 

Retirement and Health Benefits. We sponsor a retirement savings plan for all of our eligible employees, including our executive officers. The plan qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. This plan allows eligible employees to make tax deductible contributions to the plan. We make employer matching contributions to the plan for each eligible employee. The matching contributions are 50% of each participating employee’s voluntary contribution up to 3% of the participant’s compensation. These matching contributions vest at the rate of 20% each year until fully vested after five years.

 

We offer health, vision and dental insurance to our executive officers.

 

Perquisites. Prior to 2021, we allowed our executive officers to use a company owned automobile. With the exception of this former perquisite, our policy is to provide minimal, if any, perquisites to our executive officers. This helps set an example for all employees that personal expenses are not payable from company funds and helps to control expenses. We did not provide any perquisites to our executive officers in 2022.

 

Post-Employment Compensation. We do not provide a defined benefit pension plan or post-retirement health insurance coverage for our executive officers or any of our other employees. We do not offer deferred compensation plans, and do not have agreements that provide compensation to our executive officers based upon the occurrence of a change in control of PTSI. However, our executive officers would be entitled to receive certain compensation if we terminate employment based on a determination that such termination would be in our best interest. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control – Payments Upon Termination Based on Our Best Interest” for more information regarding such payments.

 

Tax Deductibility of Compensation

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer or certain of the company’s other most highly compensated executive officers. Historically, there was an exception to this $1 million limitation for compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for “qualifying performance-based” compensation (compensation paid only if the individual’s or the company’s performance meets pre-established objective goals based on performance criteria approved by the stockholders), and compensation paid to the chief financial officer was excluded from the $1 million limit. Effective January 1, 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the exception for performance-based compensation, and the chief financial officer’s compensation is no longer excluded. The amendments to Section 162(m) include a grandfather clause applicable to compensation paid pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 that is not materially modified after such date. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section 162(m) but do not have a specific policy to structure the compensation for our executive officers so that it will not be subject to the deduction limitations of Section 162(m).

 

 

Share Ownership Guidelines

 

We do not have stock ownership requirements for our executive officers.

 

Role of Executive Officers in the Compensation Process

 

The elements of executive compensation are discussed at meetings of the Compensation Committee and the Board, with significant input from our Chairman of the Board and our CEO. Annual base salary is generally determined annually but may be determined for a multi-year period at the time that employment agreements are negotiated with our executive officers, if applicable. Cash incentive compensation and other bonuses and forms of stock-based compensation are discussed from time to time, but there is no set schedule for making determinations regarding these types of compensation. The committee and the Board retain considerable flexibility in deciding when to address these matters. In making its compensation decisions, the Board members will usually seek input from the executive officers. However, the Board makes the final decisions on compensation of our CEO and on equity awards to our executive officers, and the committee makes the final decisions on other compensation to our executive officers. The committee is authorized to utilize compensation consultants. Neither the committee nor the Board utilized a compensation consultant regarding 2022 executive compensation.

 

Stockholder Approval of the Companys Compensation Programs

 

At our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we held our fourth advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, commonly referred to as “say on pay.” Our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the “say on pay” resolution presented with more than 91% of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting and more than 99% of votes cast voting to approve our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Board reviewed and considered these voting results in determining the Company’s compensation policies and decisions and, given the strong level of support, determined that these policies and decisions are appropriate and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders at this time. At our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, over 83% of the shares voted (excludes abstentions and broker non-votes) were in favor of our recommendation to hold the “say on pay” vote every three years. This nonbinding vote on the frequency of “say on pay” votes is required at least once every six years. As such, we have included in this proxy statement a proposal for an advisory stockholder vote on “say on pay.” We have also included in this proxy statement a proposal for an advisory stockholder vote on the frequency of future “say on pay” votes.

 

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Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned by the Company’s named executive officers for the three years ended December 31, 2022.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position

Year

 

Salary

   

Bonus

   

Stock

Awards

   

Option

Awards

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan Compensation

   

All Other

Compensation

   

Total

 
     

($)

   

($) (1)

   

($) (2)

   

($) (2)

   

($) (3)

   

($) (4)

   

($)

 

Joesph A. Vitiritto

2022

    577,670       140,625       337,172       -       549,198       -       1,604,665  

President and Chief Executive Officer

2021

    540,440       450,000       -       -       505,674       -       1,496,114  
 

2020

    183,474       328,500       1,414,800       -       -       -       1,926,774  

Allen W. West

2022

    414,230       70,311       144,879       -       290,290       -       919,710  

Former Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary

2021

    389,934       225,000       -       -       217,339       -       832,273  

and Treasurer

2020

    366,754       206,786       241,948       -       -       3,205       818,693  

 


 

(1)

The amount shown for 2021 represent discretionary cash bonuses paid in January 2022. The amount shown for Mr. Vitiritto for 2020 represents a hiring cash bonus that was paid in January 2021. The amount shown for Mr. West for 2020 represents a discretionary cash bonus that was awarded and paid at the rate of 50% during 2021 with the remaining 50% being paid at the rate of 12.5% of the bonus amount awarded during each of the next four years.

(2)

Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718.

(3)

Amounts shown for 2022 and 2021 represent cash bonuses earned under a short-term incentive plan that were paid in February 2023 and January 2022, respectively.

(4)

Amounts shown represent the fair value of the use of company-owned automobiles.

 

Employment Agreements

 

Joseph A. Vitiritto. On August 4, 2020, we entered into an employment agreement with our President and CEO, Mr. Vitiritto. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Vitiritto an initial annual salary of $530,036 and a cash bonus for fiscal year 2020 of $328,500, payable in December 2020 or January 2021. In addition, he received a grant of 160,000 (split-adjusted) restricted shares of common stock of the Company which vest in installments of 20,000 shares each in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2027 and 40,000 shares each in 2025 and 2026, subject to his continued employment or retirement after reaching age 65. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Vitiritto’s performance will be reviewed annually for changes in base salary. Mr. Vitiritto currently earns an annual salary of $610,220. In addition, the agreement provides that Mr. Vitiritto was eligible to earn an annual bonus incentive award for 2021 in an amount up to 100% of his then current base salary, with the actual bonus amount to be awarded based on the satisfaction of predetermined performance criteria to be established at later date. He is also eligible for future annual cash bonuses as determined by the Board. The terms of the agreement provide that payment of any bonus for fiscal year 2021 and thereafter would be made in five annual installments of 20% each beginning in the year following the year in which the bonus is earned, subject to his continued employment or retirement after reaching age 65.

 

Notwithstanding the terms of Mr. Vitiritto’s employment agreement, during March 2021, our Board adopted a cash and equity incentive plan under which Mr. Vitiritto was eligible to receive a cash bonus in an amount based on a percentage of his year-end base salary to be determined based on the attainment of certain consolidated operating income performance targets for the year. The cash bonus amounts earned for 2021 and 2022 under the incentive plan were paid immediately following certification of the Company’s achievement of consolidated operating income. See “Annual Cash Compensation – Cash Incentive Compensation” for more information regarding this plan.

 

 

The employment agreement includes provisions regarding termination of employment and his non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations to the Company. Additional information regarding these provisions is discussed below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

 

Allen W. West. On March 7, 2019, we entered into an employment agreement with our former Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. West, effective as of January 1, 2019. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. West an initial annual salary of $335,140. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. West’s performance was reviewed annually for changes in base compensation and bonus. Mr. West’s annual base salary for 2022 was $414,700. The employment agreement includes provisions regarding termination of employment and his non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations to the Company. Additional information regarding these provisions is discussed below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

 

Our executive officers may participate in bonus and other incentive plans that are approved from time to time by our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. The executive officers are also entitled to any fringe benefits that we may provide for our employees in the normal course of our business.

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to the named executive officers during fiscal year 2022. The estimated possible payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards set forth in the table reflect the cash bonus awards that each named executive officer was eligible to receive under the incentive plan. The terms of this plan, including the applicable performance targets and actual performance, are discussed above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Annual Cash Compensation” on page 17 of this proxy statement. The actual bonus amounts earned in 2022 under the incentive plan represented the estimated target payouts under the plan. No stock options were granted to our executive officers during 2022. As of March 8, 2023, 1,397,801 shares of our common stock remain available for future awards under the Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

 

     

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

   

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards

                                 

Name

Grant

Date

 

Threshold

   

Target

   

Maximum

   

Threshold

   

Target

   

Maximum

   

All Other

Stock

Awards:

Number of

Shares of

Stock or

Units

   

All Other

Option

Awards:

Number

of

Securities

Under-

lying

Options

   

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Option

Awards

   

Grant Date

Fair Value of

Stock and

Option

Awards

 
     

($)

   

($)

   

($)

   

(#)

   

(#)

   

(#)

   

(#) (1)

   

(#)

   

($/Sh)

   

($) (2)

 

Joseph A. Vitiritto

2/9/2022

                            -       -       -       8,690       -       -       337,172  
        457,665       549,198       640,751                                                          

Allen W. West

2/9/2022

                            -       -       -       3,734       -       -       144,879  
        248,820       290,290       331,760                                                          

(1)

Represent restricted shares of common stock granted according to the Company’s cash and equity incentive plan based on actual 2021 operating income performance, as discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Annual Cash Compensation” on page 17 of this proxy statement. These restricted shares vest in four equal annual installments beginning on February 9, 2023. The number of shares reported has been adjusted to reflect the Company’s March 2022 2-for-1 stock split.

(2)

Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2022, regarding equity awards for each of the named executive officers.

 

   

Option Awards

   

Stock Awards

 
                                                                           

Name

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable

   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#) Unexercisable

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan

Awards:

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Unearned

Options (#)

   

Option

Exercise

Price ($)

   

Option

Expiration

Date

   

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#)

     

Market

Value of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested ($)

(1)

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan

Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares,

Units or

Other

Rights

That Have

Not Vested

(#)

   

Equity

Incentive

Plan

Awards:

Market or

Payout

Value of

Unearned

Shares,

Units or

Other

Rights

That Have

Not Vested

($)

 

Joseph A. Vitiritto

    -       -       -       -       -       148,690   (2)     3,851,071       -       -  

Allen W. West

    -       -       -       -       -       27,066   (3)     701,009                  

 


 

(1)

Based on the closing market price of $25.90 per share of PTSI's common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2022.

(2)

Includes 140,000 shares which vest in installments of 20,000 shares each on August 18 in 2023, 2024 and 2027 and 40,000 shares each on August 18 in 2025 and 2026, and 8,690 shares which vest in four 25% installments each February 9 in 2023 through 2026.

(3)

Includes 10,000 shares of restricted stock which vest in their entirety on January 3, 2024, 13,332 shares of restricted stock which vest in their entirety on August 4, 2024, and 3,734 shares which vest in four 25% installments each February 9 in 2023 through 2026.

 

Options Exercised and Stock Vested

 

The following table contains information about stock options exercised and restricted stock awards vested by each of our named executive officers during 2022.

 

   

Option Awards

   

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of shares

acquired on exercise

   

Value realized on

exercise ($)

   

Number of shares

acquired on vesting

   

Value realized on

vesting ($)

 

Joseph A. Vitiritto

    -       -       20,000       701,200  

Allen W. West

    -       -       6,000       156,060  

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control

 

Generally, employment agreements that we enter into with any of our executive officers provide for payments that may be made to the executive officers following termination of their employment. The potential payments under our employment agreements with our executive officers and other payments to which our executive officers are entitled upon termination are discussed below and quantified in the tables that follow. We do not have any agreements or plans that provide for payments to any of our executive officers based on the occurrence of a change in control of the Company.

 

 

No Payments If There Is a Termination for Just Cause

 

In the event that one of our executive officers is terminated for just cause, including conviction of a crime, moral turpitude, gross negligence in the performance of duties, intentional failure to perform duties, insubordination, or dishonesty, we would have no obligation to pay base salary or benefits beyond the last day worked.

 

Payments Upon Death

 

In the event of the death of one of our executive officers, we would pay the executive officer his base salary through the date of death. Upon death, the employment agreements provide that the executive officer would be entitled to receive any deferred bonus earned but not yet paid.

 

Payments Upon Disability

 

In the event that an executive officer becomes disabled and is unable to perform his duties, we may terminate his employment. If the executive officer’s employment is terminated due to disability, the employment agreements provide that he would be entitled to receive his base salary and benefits for three months following the date of disability and any deferred bonus earned but not yet paid.

 

Payments Upon Termination Based on Our Best Interest

 

In the event that an executive officer is terminated by our Board of Directors based upon a determination that such action would serve the Company’s best interest, we would generally have no obligation to pay base salary or benefits beyond the last day worked. However, Mr. Vitiritto would be entitled to receive base salary and COBRA benefits for a period of 60 weeks, and if his employment is terminated within 24 months of his initial employment, he will be entitled to a severance payment of $621,000, paid in three equal installments over 12 months, in lieu of the vesting of his restricted stock award. Mr. West would have been entitled to receive base salary for a period of six months following the termination of employment in the Company’s best interest. If the Board of Directors had elected to extend Mr. West’s covenant not to compete for one year, Mr. West would have been entitled to receive base salary for a period of 12 months.

 

Payments Upon Resignation, Including Retirement

 

Our executive officers have the right to resign by providing written notice of the intent to resign. Mr. Vitiritto must provide six months’ written notice, and Mr. West must provide three months’ written notice. Following such notice, we may terminate the executive’s employment before the end of the notice period. In the event an officer resigns with the required notice or is terminated following such notice, the executive officer is entitled to receive base salary through the end of the notice period. Mr. West notified the Company on March 8, 2023 of his intention to resign from his positions with the Company. On March 13, 2023, our Board of Directors appointed Mr. Stewart as interim CFO and Treasurer until a new permanent CFO is determined. Mr. West will remain in an advisory role with the Company until June 8, 2023.

 

Employee Obligations

 

Under an employment agreement, our executive officers have agreed not to compete with, or solicit or retain business that is competitive with, our business, or that of specified affiliates of our Chairman and controlling stockholder, Mr. Matthew T. Moroun, for a specified period after employment with us terminates. The duration of the non-compete period is one year for Mr. Vitiritto and six months for Mr. West. In the event that Mr. West were terminated because such termination is in the best interest of the Company, his employment agreement provides that the duration of his covenant not to compete could be extended for one year, in which case Mr. West would be entitled to receive base salary for a period of 12 months. Our executive officers have also agreed that they will not, for a period of 24 months after termination in the case of Mr. Vitiritto and for a period of six months after termination in the case of Mr. West, encourage, solicit or otherwise attempt to persuade any of our employees or any employees of the specified affiliates to leave our employment or employment with the specified affiliates. If an executive officer were to hire an employee from us or a specified affiliate during the restricted period, the executive officer has agreed to pay us or our affiliate 30% of the employee’s first year’s gross compensation. Under the employment agreements, our executive officers have also agreed to maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary information.

 

 

In addition, the 2022 kicker cash bonuses paid to our executive officers are generally subject to recovery by the Company in the event the executive officer’s employment is terminated for just cause or he resigns within one year of receipt of the bonus award.

 

Stock Awards

 

The terms of the award agreements for the restricted shares granted to Messrs. Vitiritto and West provide that all unvested shares will be forfeited at the time of termination. However, upon termination of the executive’s continuous service due to the executive’s voluntary retirement after reaching age 65, the Compensation Committee or the Board may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting of any unvested shares of restricted stock. The terms of both the February 2022 and February 2023 awards to Messrs. Vitiritto and West also provide that the Company will be entitled to recover an amount equal to 60% of the value realized under the award if the executive violates the non-compete and non-solicitation covenants in his employment agreement.

 

Table of Payments Upon Termination of Employment

 

The following tables provide information regarding amounts payable to each of our named executive officers in connection with a termination of employment. The amounts shown assume that termination of employment was effective as of December 31, 2022, the last business day of our 2022 fiscal year, and include estimates of the amounts that would be paid. The actual amounts would only be determined upon an officer’s termination of employment.

 

   

Joseph A. Vitiritto

 

Benefits and Payments Upon Termination

 

Just Cause

($)

   

Death
($)

   

Disability
($)

   

Best Interest of

the Company

($)(1)

   

Resignation

($)(2)

   

Retirement

($)

 

Base Salary (3)

    -       -       152,555       704,100       305,110       -  

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4)

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

All Other Compensation

    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 

Total:

    -       -       152,555       704,100       305,110       -  

 

(1)

Mr. Vitiritto would have been entitled to receive his base salary and COBRA benefits for a period of 60 weeks following termination in the best interest of the Company.

(2)

Assumes Mr. Vitiritto’s employment would have been terminated by the Company immediately following receipt of notice of his intent to resign.

(3)

These amounts would be paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll periods.

(4)

Upon disability, death or retirement, Mr. Vitiritto would have been entitled to receive any deferred bonus amounts earned but not yet paid.

 

 

   

Allen W. West

 

Benefits and Payments Upon Termination

 

Just Cause

($)

   

Death
($)

   

Disability
($)

   

Best Interest of

the Company

($)(1)

   

Resignation

($)(2)

   

Retirement

($)

 

Base Salary (3)

    -       -       103,675       414,700       103,675       -  

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4)

    -       73,822       73,822       -       -       -  

All Other Compensation

    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 

Total:

    -       73,822       177,497       414,700       103,675       -  

 

(1)

Mr. West would have been entitled to receive his base salary for a period of six months following termination in the best interest of the Company, unless the Board of Directors elected to extend his covenant not to compete for one year, in which case he would have been entitled to receive his base salary for a period of 12 months. This calculation assumes that the Board of Directors would have elected to extend Mr. West’s covenant not to compete for one year. If this option were not exercised, the amount owed to Mr. West for termination in the best interest of the Company would have been $207,350.

(2)

Assumes Mr. West's employment would have been terminated by the Company immediately following receipt of notice of his intent to resign.

(3)

These amounts would be paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly scheduled payroll periods.

(4)

Upon death or disability, Mr. West would have been entitled to receive any deferred bonus amounts earned but not yet paid.

 

Pay Versus Performance

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and our financial performance for each such fiscal year:

 

Pay Versus Performance Table

 

Year

 

 

Summary

Compensation

Table Total

for PEO

($)(1)

   

Compensation

Actually Paid to

PEO

($)(2)

   

Average

Summary

Compensation

Table Total for

Non-PEO NEOs

($)(3)

   

Average

Compensation

Actually Paid to

Non-PEO NEOs

($)(2)

   

Value of Initial Fixed

$100 Investment

Based on
Total Shareholder

Return

($)(4)

   

Net Income
(In thousands)

($)(5)

 

2022

    1,604,665       138,164       919,710       731,773       290       90,672  

2021

    1,496,114       5,217,714       832,273       1,114,445       211       76,516  

 

 

(1)

Represents the total compensation of our principal executive officer (PEO), Joseph A. Vitiritto, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year indicated.

 

(2)

The amount reported in this column for each year indicated is calculated as follows:

 

 

Reconciliation of PEO/Non-PEO NEO

SCT Total and Compensation Actually Paid.

 

PEO

   

Non-PEO NEO

 
     

2022

   

2021

   

2022

   

2021

 
 

Total Compensation as reported SCT

  $ 1,604,665     $ 1,496,114     $ 919,710     $ 832,273  

Subtract

Pension values reported in SCT for covered fiscal year

                       

Subtract

Fair value of equity awards granted during covered fiscal year

    (337,172 )           (144,879 )      

Add

Pension value attributable to covered fiscal year's service and any change in pension value attributable to plan amendments made in the covered year

                       

Add

Fair value of equity awards granted in covered fiscal year and that are unvested at end of such covered fiscal year - valued at year-end

    225,071             96,711        

Add

Fair value of equity awards granted in covered fiscal year that vested during such covered fiscal year - valued on date of vesting

                       

Add

Dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the covered fiscal year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise included in the total compensation for the covered fiscal year

                       

Add/Subtract

Change in fair value from end of prior fiscal year to end of covered fiscal year for awards made in prior fiscal years that were unvested at end of current fiscal year

    (1,345,400 )     3,721,600       (82,768 )     162,892  

Add/Subtract

Change in fair value from end of prior fiscal year to vesting date for awards made in prior fiscal years that vested during covered fiscal year

    (9,000 )           (57,000 )     119,280  

Subtract

Fair value of awards forfeited in current fiscal year determined at end of prior fiscal year

                       

Equals

Compensation Actually Paid to PEO

  $ 138,164     $ 5,217,714     $ 731,773     $ 1,114,445  

 

 

(3)

Represents the total compensation of our only other NEO, Allen W. West, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year indicated.

 

(4)

Represents the cumulative two-year total return to shareholders of our common stock and assumes that the value of the investment was $100 on December 31, 2020. The Company did not issue any dividends during 2021 or 2022. The stock price performance included in this column is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 

(5)

Represents our reported net income for each year indicated.

 

Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid to our NEOs and Company Performance

 

The following graphs show the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our PEO and our other NEO to our total shareholder return and net income over the two fiscal years ending December 31, 2022 as reported in the table above:

 

 

[The graphs follow on the next page.]

 

 

graph01.jpg
graph02.jpg

 

 

Director Compensation for 2022

 

The following table provides information about the compensation of our directors for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Name

 

Fees Earned

or Paid in

Cash

   

Stock

Awards

   

Option

Awards

   

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan Compensation

   

Change in

Pension Value

and

Nonqualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

   

All Other

Compensation

   

Total

 

(1)

 

($) (2)

   

($) (2)

   

($)

   

($)

   

($)

   

($)

   

($) (2)

 
                                                         

Michael D. Bishop

    63,500       -       -       -       -       -       63,500  
                                                         

Frederick P. Calderone

    57,500       -       -       -       -       -       57,500  
                                                         

W. Scott Davis

    75,000       -       -       -       -       -       75,000  
                                                         

Edwin J. Lukas

    42,522       14,978       -       -       -       -       57,500  
                                                         

Franklin McLarty

    63,500       -       -       -       -       -       63,500  
                                                         

H. Pete Montaño

    53,525       9,975       -       -       -       -       63,500  
                                                         

Matthew J. Moroun

    42,522       14,978       -       -       -       -       57,500  
                                                         

Matthew T. Moroun

    116,272       14,978       -       -       -       -       131,250  

 

(1)

Our CEO and President, Mr. Vitiritto, who is also a director, has been omitted from this table because he receives no additional compensation for serving on our Board of Directors. Mr. Vitiritto’s compensation is included in the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

Includes fees earned or paid in cash under the director compensation arrangements adopted by our Board of Directors in February 2022, along with a quarterly fee installment paid under the directors’ prior fee arrangements.

(2)

The amounts shown represent the compensation expense that we recognized in 2022, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for shares of our common stock issued to our non-employee directors, who have the option to elect restricted stock in lieu of cash for a portion of their compensation. The grant date fair value of $29.60 for these shares was determined based on the closing price on May 9, 2022.

 

Compensation Arrangements for Non-employee Directors

 

Director compensation is determined by our Board of Directors. In February 2022, the Board of Directors adopted a new compensation arrangement under which we paid our non-employee directors an annual retainer of $50,000, paid in two equal semiannual installments, with the option to elect to receive up to $15,000 of the first annual retainer installment in shares of common stock in lieu of cash, valued based on the closing price of our common stock on May 9, 2022, the date of their awards. The Chairman of the Board, which is a non-officer position, was paid an annual retainer of $100,000, and the chairmen of our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee were paid additional annual retainers of $15,000 and $5,000, respectively. Members of our Audit Committee, other than the chairman, were paid an additional annual retainer of $5,000. We reimburse our directors for expenses that they incur in attending Board and committee meetings, including expenses for food, lodging and transportation.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Under the proxy rules of the SEC, a person who directly or indirectly has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to a security is considered a beneficial owner of the security. Voting power is the power to vote or direct the voting of shares, and investment power is the power to dispose of or direct the disposition of shares. Shares as to which voting power or investment power may be acquired within 60 days are also considered as beneficially owned under the proxy rules.

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of March 8, 2023, regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by: (i) each person who is known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our Common Stock; (ii) each of our directors and nominees; (iii) each of the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table of this annual report; and (iv) the total for our current directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Name or Group of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares

Owned

   

Shares Held

in Trust

   

Shares

Vesting

Within 60

Days

   

Shares

Beneficially

Owned (1)

   

Percent of Class

(2)

 
                                         

5% Stockholders:

                                       

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (3)

    1,405,974       -       -       1,405,974       6.35 %

Directors and Named Executive Officers:

                                       

Michael D. Bishop

    2,808       -       -       2,808       *  

Frederick P. Calderone

    10,352       -       -       10,352       *  

W. Scott Davis

    56,196       -       -       56,196       *  

Edwin J. Lukas

    3,282       -       -       3,282       *  

Franklin H. McLarty

    8,336       -       -       8,336       *  

H. Pete Montaño

    3,113       -       -       3,113       *  

Matthew J. Moroun (4)

    2,126       -       -       2,126       *  

Matthew T. Moroun (5)

    6,355,648       9,574,048       -       15,929,696       71.97 %

Joseph A. Vitiritto

    13,203       -       -       13,203       *  

Allen W. West

    24,934       -       -       24,934       *  

Directors and executive officers as a group (6)

    6,479,998       9,574,048       -       16,054,046       72.54 %

Total Outstanding Shares as of March 8, 2023

                                    22,132,793  

 


 

*

Denotes less than one percent.

 

(1)

The number of shares beneficially owned includes any shares over which the person has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the person can acquire within 60 days of March 8, 2023, through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power (or shares such power with his spouse) over the shares set forth in the table. Includes shares that may be acquired pursuant to restricted stock awards granted under our stock option and incentive plan that vest within 60 days of March 8, 2023.

(2)

The percentages shown are based on the 22,132,793 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 8, 2023, plus the number of shares that the named person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 8, 2023. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of common stock held by each person or group, any shares the person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 8, 2023 are deemed to be outstanding with respect to such person or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any other person or group.

(3)

Based upon a Schedule 13G/A, filed on February 10, 2023, by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, a Delaware limited partnership, which indicates that as of December 31, 2022, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP had sole voting power with respect to 1,384,736 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,405,974 shares as an investment advisor or manager to investment companies, trusts and separate accounts that own the reported shares. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP had no shared voting or dispositive power with respect to the reported shares. The address of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746. We make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information reported.

 

 

(4)

Does not include the 6,353,522 shares owned directly by Mr. Matthew J. Moroun’s father, Mr. Matthew T. Moroun, or the 9,574,048 held by Moroun family trusts.

(5)

Includes 6,353,522 shares owned directly, 2,126 shares owned by Mr. Moroun’s son, Matthew J. Moroun, and 9,574,048 shares held by Moroun family trusts, of which Matthew T. Moroun is a trustee and a beneficiary. The business address of Matthew T. Moroun is 12225 Stephens Road, Warren, Michigan 48089.

(6)

Does not include any shares owned by Mr. Lance K. Stewart, our interim CFO, who was not an executive officer as of March 8, 2022.

 

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are also required to furnish us with copies of the reports that they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of the reports furnished to us and representations received from our directors and executive officers, we believe that all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) for 2022 were timely filed.

 

 

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PROPOSAL TWO

 


 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. Accordingly, we are providing a vote on the resolution set forth below as required by the Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

As discussed in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis report found in this Proxy, our executive compensation programs for our named executive officers are designed to retain talented executives, motivate them to achieve superior results and align the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders.

 

Compensation for our executive officers is primarily based upon the judgment of our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Board of Directors makes all decisions regarding the CEO’s compensation and approves the equity awards to the named executive officers, and the Compensation Committee determines the compensation for our officers and key employees other than the CEO. The Board and the committee consider competitive market compensation paid by other companies, including truckload dry van carriers and other trucking companies, but they do not attempt to maintain a specified target percentile within a peer group or otherwise rely on compensation paid by other companies to determine our executive compensation.

 

In determining compensation for our executive officers, the Board and the committee review and evaluate many factors, including:

 

 

PTSI's performance and growth;

 

financial measurements such as revenue, revenue growth, net operating income and operating ratio, and trends in those measurements;

 

leadership qualities;

 

ability to achieve strategic objectives;

 

scope and performance of business responsibilities;

 

management experience and effectiveness;

 

individual performance, and performance as a management team;

 

current compensation arrangements; and

 

long-term potential to maintain and enhance value for our stockholders.

 

We believe that the Company’s executive compensation programs have provided an effective incentive, which has led to the achievement of our positive results. We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly referred to as a “say on pay” proposal, gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to express your views of our fiscal year 2022 executive compensation policies and procedures. The vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our executive officers and the policies and procedures described in the proxy statement. Therefore, we ask our stockholders to vote in favor of the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narrative discussion in the Companys proxy statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

 

Although this is an advisory vote which will not be binding on the Compensation and Stock Option Committee or the Board, we will carefully review the results of the vote. The Board and the Compensation Committee will consider stockholders’ concerns and take them into account when designing future executive compensation programs. The Board therefore recommends that you indicate your support of the Company’s executive compensation in fiscal year 2022, as outlined in the above resolution.

 

Your Board of Directors Recommends that Stockholders Vote

 

FOR

 

 

the Non-binding Advisory Resolution

Approving the Companys Executive Compensation

 

 


 

PROPOSAL THREE

 


 

ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY

OF VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

In addition to the non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, the Dodd-Frank Act also enables our stockholders to express their preference for having a say on pay vote every one, two, or three years. This non-binding “frequency” vote is required at least once every six years beginning with our 2011 Annual Meeting. At the 2017 Annual Meeting, our stockholders voted for approval of a frequency of holding advisory say on pay votes every three years. It is the Company’s belief, and the Board’s recommendation, that this vote should continue to occur every three years.

 

The Company’s executive compensation practices are well established, having been in place for several years. The Board believes that providing the Company’s stockholders with an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation every three years is consistent with the Board’s and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee’s long-term approach to evaluating executive compensation policies and procedures. In contrast, focusing on executive compensation over an annual or bi-annual period would focus on short-term results rather than long-term value creation, which is inconsistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy, and would be detrimental to the Company, its employees and its financial results.

 

For the above reasons, the Board recommends that the stockholders vote to hold an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation every three years. Each stockholder’s vote, however, is not to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. When voting on this Proposal Three, each stockholder has four choices, vote on executive pay every year, every two years, every three years, or abstain from voting. As an advisory vote, the vote on Proposal Three is not binding upon the Board or the Company. However, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Board will consider the outcome of the vote when determining the frequency of future stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

 

Your Board of Directors Recommends that Stockholders Vote

 

FOR

 

the Option to Hold an Advisory Vote on

Executive Compensation Every Three Years

 

 


 

PROPOSAL FOUR

 


 

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, were audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. In 2023, the Audit Committee has selected Grant Thornton LLP as our principal independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2023.

 

Stockholders’ ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP to be our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023 is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee may, at its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such change is in the best interests of PTSI and our stockholders.         

 

We are not presently expecting that representatives of Grant Thornton LLP will attend the annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Your Board of Directors Recommends that Stockholders Vote

 

FOR

 

the Ratification of the Appointment of Grant Thornton LLP

as PTSIs Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

for the 2023 Calendar Year

 

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table shows the fees for professional services of Grant Thornton for audit and other services they provided to us for 2022 and 2021.

 

   

2022

   

2021

 

Audit Fees (1)

  $ 381,344     $ 305,000  

Audit-Related Fees (2)

    -       24,345  

Tax Fees

    -       -  

All Other Fees

    -       -  

Total Fees

  $ 381,344     $ 329,345  

 

 

(1)

Includes the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for 2022 and 2021 for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

 

(2)

Audit-related fees for 2021 were related to fees charged for services regarding the review of certain aspects of a potential acquisition opportunity.

 

The Audit Committee pre-approves audit services and non-audit services that are to be performed for us by our independent auditor. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to its chairman, or any two of its other members acting together, to approve, between meetings of the Audit Committee, audit services and permissible non-audit services. Approvals between meetings are required to be reported to the Audit Committee at its next meeting. In addition to there being engagement letters for audit services, the Audit Committee has determined that there should be an engagement letter for any non-audit services that are to be performed by the independent auditor. All of the services described in the table above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or by the chairman of the Audit Committee under the authority delegated by the Audit Committee.

 

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

 

We have a written policy requiring that our Audit Committee review and approve related person transactions that involve us and are of the type that are required to be disclosed in our proxy statement by SEC rules. A transaction may be a related person transaction if any of our directors, executive officers, owners of more than 5% of our common stock, or their immediate family have a material interest in the transaction and the amount involved exceeds $120,000. The policy authorizes the Audit Committee to approve a related person transaction if it determines that the transaction is at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained if the transaction had been with a person who is not related to us or is in our best interest.

 

Mr. Matthew T. Moroun is Chairman of our Board of Directors, Chairman of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors, and our controlling stockholder. He is also the Chairman and the indirect controlling stockholder of an insurance holding company, and its subsidiaries, based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and a principal stockholder in other family-owned businesses engaged in, among other things, transportation services, manufacturing of transportation equipment and parts, and real estate acquisition, development and management. Mr. Matthew J. Moroun, a director, is the son of Matthew T. Moroun.

 

Through our various subsidiaries, we are currently a party to a number of ongoing arrangements with certain companies owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder. During 2022, companies owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder paid us a total of $1,945,414. These payments represent insurance claims payments of $669,851, freight transportation charges of $554,055, equipment lease payments of $487,870, real estate rent and upkeep of $227,829, payments for the purchase of used company vehicles of $4,770, and payments for parts and repairs of $1,039.

 

During 2022, we made payments to certain companies owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder in the aggregate amount of $26,356,766. These payments are described below.

 

We made payments of $4,794,386 for purchases of trailing equipment and $4,304,508 for equipment parts and maintenance services to companies owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder during 2022.

 

Payments of $1,780,813 were made for real estate leases during 2022 which include maintenance facilities in one state and trailer drop yards in multiple states. The leases are generally month-to-month leases with automatic monthly renewal provisions.

 

Payments of $111,899 were made for bulk fuel purchases during 2022. Payments in the amount of $366,740 were made for management and payroll services and software during 2022.

 

We made payments to an insurance company owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder during 2022 in the amount of $2,166,046 for insurance premiums paid pursuant to agreements to provide insurance coverage to certain of our independent contractors. The underlying agreements are made directly with the independent contractors. The full amount of these payments are recouped by us from the independent contractors. We also purchased physical damage insurance coverage on our tractors and trailers through an unaffiliated insurance broker, which is written by a subsidiary of an insurance company owned or controlled by our controlling shareholder. During 2022, we received $669,851 in payments for claims filed. We secure coverage for commercial auto and general liability insurance through a company owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder. We also purchase workers compensation insurance coverage written by a subsidiary of an insurance company owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder. In 2022, we made premium payments of $12,832,375 for commercial auto liability, general liability and workers’ compensation coverage under these policies.

 

During 2021, companies owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder paid us a total of $10,339,215. These payments represent insurance claims payments of $529,324, freight transportation charges of $8,774,946, equipment leases payments of $750,393, payments for parts and repairs of $32,767 and real estate rent and upkeep of $251,785.

 

 

During 2021, we made payments to certain companies owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder in the aggregate amount of $21,842,517. These payments are described below.

 

Payments of $1,405,229 were made for real estate leases during 2021 which include maintenance facilities in one state and trailer drop yards in multiple states. The leases are generally month-to-month leases with automatic monthly renewal provisions.

 

Payments of $29,858 were made for bulk fuel purchases during 2021.

 

Payments in the amount of $295,506 were made for management services during 2021. Payments of $6,005,732 were also made for equipment parts and maintenance services during 2021.

 

We made payments to an insurance company owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder during 2021 in the amount of $2,006,751 for insurance premiums paid pursuant to agreements to provide insurance coverage to certain of our independent contractors. The underlying agreements are made directly with the independent contractors. The full amount of these payments are recouped by us from the independent contractors. We also purchased physical damage insurance coverage on our tractors and trailers through an unaffiliated insurance broker, which is written by a subsidiary of an insurance company owned or controlled by our controlling shareholder. During 2021, we received $529,324 in payments for claims filed. We secure coverage for commercial auto and general liability insurance through a company owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder. In 2021, we made premium payments of $11,777,704 for commercial auto liability and general liability coverage under these policies.

 

In 2021, we made payments of $321,738 for workers compensation coverage under this policy written by a subsidiary of an insurance company owned or controlled by our controlling stockholder.

 

We believe the above transactions were entered into on terms at least as favorable to us as could have been obtained from persons who were not related to us or were in our best interest. We expect to continue transactions in 2023 that are similar to those described above with companies controlled by our controlling stockholder. We expect our expenses associated with many of these transactions during 2023 to increase as a result of the impacts of inflation, our recent acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Metropolitan Trucking, Inc., and anticipated purchases of additional trailing equipment and other parts and equipment to the extent available as supply chain issues subside.

 

ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS AND REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

Additional information concerning us, including our financial statements, is provided in our 2022 Annual Report to Stockholders that accompanies this proxy statement. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC, is available to stockholders who make a written request for it to our Secretary, Tyler Majors, at our principal executive office, Post Office Box 188, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770. Copies of exhibits filed with that report or referenced in it will be furnished to stockholders of record upon request and payment of our expenses in furnishing such documents. The Annual Report is also available on our website at www.pamtransport.com under the caption of “Investors.”

 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

In order for a proposal by a stockholder to be included in the proxy statement at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be received at our principal executive office not later than November 24, 2023, the date that is 120 days before the first anniversary of the date of this Proxy Statement. The proposal should be directed to the attention of the Secretary, for consideration for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. Any such proposals must comply in all respects with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

In connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024, if we do not receive notice of a matter or proposal to be considered by February 7, 2024, then the persons appointed by our Board of Directors to act as the proxies for such annual meeting (named in the form of proxy) will be allowed to use their discretionary voting authority with respect to any such matter or proposal at the annual meeting, if such matter or proposal is properly raised at the annual meeting and put to a vote. Any notice of a proxy solicitation in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 for our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024 must be received by the Secretary not later than the close of business on February 27, 2024.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

We do not know of any matters to be brought before the meeting other than those described in this proxy statement. If any other matter properly comes before the meeting, the persons designated as proxies will vote on each such matter in accordance with their best judgment.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
 
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  Joseph A. Vitiritto
  President and Chief Executive Officer

                                                                            

March 23, 2023

 

 

 

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