Definitive Proxy Statement
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 þ

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))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
¨ Definitive Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

RigNet, 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):

þ No fee required.

 

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

 

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¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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  (4) Date Filed:


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LOGO

RIGNET, INC

1880 Dairy Ashford

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77077

(281) 674-0100

April 2, 2012

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of RigNet, Inc. (the “Company” or “RigNet”), which will be held at 10:00 a.m., C.S.T., on Wednesday May 16, 2012, at the Holiday Inn at 1112 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, Texas 77077.

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. We encourage you to vote your shares according to the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. If you decide to attend the meeting and vote in person, you may withdraw your proxy at that time.

This year you will be asked to vote in favor of the election of nine directors; in favor of ratifying the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s external auditors; and in favor, as an advisory vote, of the compensation of named executive officers.

To assist you in voting your shares, you will find enclosed the Notice of Annual Meeting, the 2012 Proxy Statement and our 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes the Company’s audited financial statements.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and employees of RigNet, we thank you for your continued interest in and support of the Company.

 

Sincerely,
/s/ Thomas M. Matthews

Thomas M. Matthews

Co-Chairman of the Board

/s/ Mark B. Slaughter

Mark B. Slaughter

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Your vote is important. Please vote promptly.

 

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LOGO

NOTICE OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 16, 2012

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of RigNet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RigNet”), which will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., C.S.T. or local time, at the Holiday Inn, 1112 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, Texas 77077. The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

  1. Elect nine directors to RigNet’s Board of Directors to serve until the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected;

 

  2. Ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012;

 

  3. Approve, as an advisory vote, the compensation of named executive officers; and

 

  4. Consider any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Additional information regarding the Annual Meeting is set forth in the attached proxy statement.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 29, 2012 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponement thereof. A list of our stockholders will be available for examination at the Annual Meeting and at RigNet’s Houston office at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please cast your vote, as instructed in the Proxy Materials and /or the Proxy Card sent to you, as promptly as possible.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ William D. Sutton

 

William D. Sutton

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate

Secretary

Houston, Texas

April 2, 2012

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for RigNet Inc.’s

Stockholder Meeting to be Held on May 16, 2012:

our Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at

www.amstock.com/ProxyServices/ViewMaterial.asp?CoNumber=16791.

Your vote is important. Please vote promptly.

You may vote according to the instructions

on the enclosed Proxy Card.

 

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RIGNET, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING, VOTING AND PROXIES

   4

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES

   5

Director Nominees

   6

OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   8

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   9

Code of Ethics

   9

Composition of the Board of Directors

   9

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

   9

Director Independence

   10

Policy Governing Director Qualifications and Nominations

   10

Communications to Our Board of Directors

   11

Meetings of Our Board of Directors and Attendance at Annual Meetings

   11

Committees of Our Board of Directors

   11

Audit Committee

   11

Compensation Committee

   12

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

   12

Report of the Audit Committee

   13

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

   13

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation

   13

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   14

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

   14

The Compensation Committee

   15

The Compensation Setting Process

   15

Our Executive Compensation Program

   16

Elements of our Executive Compensation Program

   18

Determining Amount of Each Element of Compensation

   20

Tax and Accounting Implications

   22

Summary Compensation Table

   24

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

   28

Outstanding Equity Awards

   29

Option Exercises and Vesting of Restricted Stock

   30

Pension Benefits

   30

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

   30

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

   30

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

   31

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

   32

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   32

Security Ownership Table

   33

Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   34

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   35

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

   35

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

   36

WHERE YOU MAY FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US

   38

OTHER MATTERS FOR 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

   39

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   39

PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   39

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   40

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services

   40

PROPOSAL THREE: ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   41

 

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LOGO

RIGNET, INC.

1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77077-4760

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING, VOTING AND PROXIES

Date, Time and Place of Meeting

Our Board of Directors is asking for your proxy for use at the RigNet, Inc. 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., C.S.T. or local time, at the Holiday Inn, 1112 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, Texas 77077. We have first released this proxy statement to our stockholders beginning on or about April 3, 2012.

Proposals

At our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we are asking our stockholders to consider and act upon proposals to: (1) elect nine directors to serve until our 2013 Annual Meeting; (2) ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012; and (3) approve, as an advisory vote, the compensation of named executive officers.

Record Date, Outstanding Shares and Quorum

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 29, 2012 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 15,526,898 outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders as of the Record Date of a majority of our outstanding shares is necessary to constitute a quorum for purposes of voting on the proposals at the Annual Meeting. Withheld votes will count as present for purposes of establishing a quorum on the proposals.

If by the date of the Annual Meeting we do not receive sufficient shares to constitute a quorum or approve one or more of the proposals, the Chair of the Annual Meeting, or the persons named as proxies, may propose one or more adjournments of the Annual Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. The persons named as proxies would typically exercise their authority to vote in favor of adjournment.

Voting

If you are a holder of our common stock, you are entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting for each share that you held as of the Record Date. Cumulative voting for directors is not permitted. The Inspector of Elections appointed for the Annual Meeting will tabulate all votes.

You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote your proxy card in advance of the Annual Meeting. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote in person, we will give you a ballot at the meeting. However, please note that if your shares are held in “street name” (in the name of a broker or by a bank or other nominee), you are considered the beneficial owner of these shares and proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, which is considered, with

 

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respect to these shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker how to vote; however, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain from your brokerage firm an account statement, letter or other evidence satisfactory to us of your beneficial ownership of the shares. Please vote your proxy by mail as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented at the Annual Meeting.

Revoking Your Proxy

If you submit your proxy by mail, you may still revoke it at any time before voting takes place at the Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares and wish to revoke your proxy, you may revoke it as follows: (i) by delivering, before or at the Annual Meeting, a new proxy with a later date; (ii) by delivering, on or before the business day prior to the Annual Meeting, a notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary at the address set forth in the notice of the Annual Meeting; (iii) by attending the Annual Meeting in person and voting, although your attendance at the Annual Meeting, without actually voting, will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy; or (iv) if you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow the directions received from your broker to change those instructions.

If you sign and return your proxy card but do not give any voting instructions, your shares will be voted in favor of the election of each of the director nominees listed in Proposal 1 and in favor of Proposals 2 and 3. As far as we know, no other matters will be presented at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters of business are properly presented, the proxy holders named on the proxy card are authorized to vote the shares represented by proxies according to their judgment.

Soliciting Proxies

RigNet will pay all expenses of soliciting proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting. After the proxies are initially distributed, RigNet and its officers, directors and employees (who will not receive any additional compensation for any solicitation of proxies) may also solicit proxies by mail, electronic mail, telephone or in person. We will ask brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of the proxy materials to beneficial owners for whom they hold shares.

Annual Report on Form 10-K and Additional Materials

The Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been made available to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. These materials may also be viewed at www.amstock.com/ProxyServices/ViewMaterial.asp?CoNumber=16791.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “our,” “we,” “us” and similar terms refer to RigNet, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES

Our Board of Directors currently consists of ten directors, each of whom has a term that expires at the Annual Meeting. Each of our current Board members has been nominated to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting, except for Thomas M. Matthews whose term as a director will expire at the Annual Meeting. Upon the expiration of Mr. Matthews’ term as a director at the Annual Meeting, the number of directors that will constitute our Board will be decreased from ten to nine. Each director elected at the Annual Meeting to our Board of Directors will serve in such capacity until his or her term expires at our next annual meeting or his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal. All directors, other than our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Mark Slaughter, were “independent directors” and met the independence requirements under the listing standards of the NASDAQ. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

At the Annual Meeting, our stockholders will consider and act upon a proposal to elect nine directors to our Board of Directors to serve until the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a director if so elected. The persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy card, who have been designated by our Board of Directors, intend to vote FOR the election of the director nominees unless otherwise instructed by a stockholder in a proxy card. If these nominees become unable for any reason to stand for election as a director, the

 

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persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote for the election of such other person or persons as our Board of Directors may recommend and propose to replace such nominee or nominees.

Director Nominees

Information concerning the nine director nominees is set forth below.

 

Name

       Age       

Position with Our Company

       Director Since    

Mark B. Slaughter

   53    Chief Executive Officer, President and Director    2010

James H. Browning

   62    Co-Chairman, Independent Director    2010

Charles L. Davis

   46    Independent Director    2005

Ditlef de Vibe

   57    Independent Director    2011

Kevin Mulloy

   53    Independent Director    March 8, 2012

Kevin Neveu

   51    Independent Director    2004

Kevin J. O’Hara

   51    Independent Director    2010

Keith Olsen

   55    Independent Director    2010

Brent K. Whittington

   41    Independent Director    2010

Mark B. Slaughter has served as the CEO and President since August 2007 and a Director since the completion of our initial public offering (“IPO”) in December 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Slaughter served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2007 to July 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Slaughter served as Vice President and General Manager for Security Services Americas, a division of United Technologies Corporation from July 2005 to December 2006 and as President, Broadband Division for Stratos Global Corporation, now part of Inmarsat Solutions, from January 2003 to December 2004. Mr. Slaughter is a graduate of United Technologies’ Executive Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business. He received an A.B. in General Studies, C.L.G.S., concentration in Economics, from Harvard College and an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Mr. Slaughter brings an intimate knowledge of our business and our industry to our Board.

James H. Browning has served as a Director and Chairman of our Audit Committee since December 2010 when we completed our IPO. Since March 7, 2012, Mr. Browning also served as a Co-Chairman of our Board. Mr. Browning served as a partner at KPMG LLP, an international accounting firm, from July 1980 until his retirement in September 2009. Mr. Browning began his career at KPMG LLP in 1971, becoming a partner in 1980. Mr. Browning most recently served as KPMG’s Southwest Area Professional Practice Partner in Houston. Mr. Browning has also served as an SEC Reviewing Partner and as Partner in Charge of KPMG LLP’s New Orleans audit practice. Mr. Browning received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He currently serves on the Board, the Audit Committee and the Trust Committee of Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc., a publicly traded financial holding company. Mr. Browning brings a wealth of knowledge dealing with financial and accounting matters to our Board as well as extensive knowledge of the role of public company boards of directors.

Charles L. Davis has served as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2005. Mr. Davis has been a partner in SMH Private Equity Group, a United States based investment firm that funds companies that apply technology solutions in the energy sector, since December 2004. Mr. Davis received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Washington and Lee University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Davis brings experience in finance, accounting and investment banking to our Board as well as a wealth of experience in the energy industry.

Ditlef de Vibe has served on our Board since May 2011. Mr. de Vibe served as Chief Executive Officer of Kistefos Venture Capital, a venture capital firm that primarily invests in the IT and telecommunications industries since 2001. During that time, he also served as from 2007 to 2008 as Chief Executive Officer of Global IP Solutions (GIPS) Holdings AB, a company that was publicly traded in Norway until its sale to Google, Inc. From 1996 to 2001, Mr. de Vibe served in various capacities with IMB, including IBM’s Director of Network Outsourcing EMEA from 1999 to 2001, Director of Network Service Sales EMEA from 1998 to 1999, and Director of Network Outsourcing Services EMEA from 1996 to 1998. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oslo. Mr. de Vibe

 

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brings a wealth of experience in IT and telecommunications along with extensive operational and commercial competencies.

Kevin Mulloy has served as a Director since March 8, 2012. Mr. Mulloy has served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Presidio, Inc., an advanced information technology professional and managed service company, since July 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Mulloy served as President of Presidio Managed Networks, the managed services business at Presidio, from June 2008 to July 2011, and from September 2007 to June 2008 he served as the Executive Vice President of Operational Strategy for Presidio. For the five years prior to joining Presidio, Mr. Mulloy held leadership roles with Intelsat S.A., a provider of satellite services worldwide, including President of Intelsat Global Service Corporation from January 2003 to February 2006 and Senior Vice President of Strategy, Business Development and M&A from January 2001 to January 2003. Mr. Mulloy’s experience also includes ten years with McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm; three years with Gould Inc., an aerospace and defense company; and more than five years in the United States Navy, serving in the Surface Nuclear Propulsion branch of the Navy. Mr. Mulloy has a BSME from the US Naval Academy and an MBA from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mulloy brings extensive operational satellite, telecommunications and information technology infrastructure experience to the Board.

Kevin Neveu has served as a member of our Board of Directors since September 2004. Mr. Neveu has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Precision Drilling Corporation, an oil and gas services company, since August 2007 adding the title of President in January 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Neveu was with National Oilwell Varco, a manufacturer of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, serving as President of its Rig Solutions Group from May 2002 to August 2007 and president of its Downhole Tools Business from January 1999 to May 2002. Mr. Neveu has served as a director of Precision Drilling Corporation since August 2007, as a director of Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta since December 2009 and was appointed a Member of the Board of Directors and a Member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, Houston, Texas in January 2010. Mr. Neveu also has served as a director of Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. since March 2011. Mr. Neveu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta. Mr. Neveu brings a wealth of knowledge of the energy industry and international operations to our Board as well as experience running a public company and being on a public company board.

Kevin J. O’Hara has served as a Director since December 2010 when we completed our IPO. Mr. O’Hara was a co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Troppus Software Corporation, an early stage software company providing technical solutions to service providers that support home technology and networks, since March 2009 until it was acquired by a major service provider in January 2011. In March 2011, he was named Chairman of the Board of Integra Telecom Inc., which he held until February 2012 and in December 2011 he was named Chief Executive Officer. He has served on its board since December 2009. Since January 2011, Mr. O’Hara has also served on the Board of Directors of Elemental Technologies, Inc. and in August 2011 he was named Chairman. Elemental Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of massively parallel video processing solutions for broadcast and on-line video customers. Prior to that, Mr. O’Hara was a co-founder of Level 3 Communications, Inc., a provider of IP-based communications services to enterprise, content, government and wholesale customers, and served as its President from July 2000 to March 2008 and as the Chief Operating Officer of Level 3 Communications, Inc. from March 1998 to March 2008. From August 1997 to July 2000, Mr. O’Hara served as Executive Vice President of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. O’Hara served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MFS Global Network Services, Inc. from 1995 to 1997, and as Senior Vice President of MFS and President of MFS Development, Inc. from October 1992 to August 1995. From 1990 to 1992, he was a Vice President of MFS Telecom, Inc. Mr. O’Hara has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University. Mr. O’Hara brings a wealth of experience in the communications industry to our Board as well as experience running a public company.

Keith Olsen has served as a Director since December 2010 when we completed our IPO. Mr. Olsen served as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Switch and Data Facilities Company, Inc., a provider of network-neutral data centers that house, power and interconnect the Internet, from February 2004 to May 2010, when Switch and Data Facilities Company, Inc. was acquired by Equinix, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Olsen served as a Vice President of AT&T, where he was responsible for indirect sales and global sales channel management from May 1993 to February 2004. From 1986 to 1993, Mr. Olsen served as Vice President of Graphnet, Inc., a provider of integrated data messaging technology and services. Mr. Olsen has a Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York,

 

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Geneseo. Mr. Olsen brings experience in running a public company to our Board as well as a wealth of experience in the communications industry.

Brent K. Whittington has served as a Director since December 2010 when we completed our IPO. Mr. Whittington has served as the Chief Operating Officer of Windstream Corporation, a publicly-traded communications company providing phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition digital TV services, since August 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Whittington served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Windstream Corporation from July 2006 to August 2009. From December 2005 to July 2006, Mr. Whittington served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Windstream Corporation’s predecessor, Alltel Holding Corp. From 2002 to August 2005, Mr. Whittington served as Vice President of Finance and Accounting of Alltel Corporation, parent company of Alltel Holding Corp and, from August 2005 to December 2005, Mr. Whittington also served as the Senior Vice President-Operations Support of Alltel Corporation. Prior to joining Alltel, Mr. Whittington was with Arthur Andersen LLP for over eight years. Mr. Whittington has a degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Mr. Whittington brings experience in finance and accounting to our Board as well as a wealth of experience in the communications industry.

OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table provides information regarding our executive officers.

 

Name

       Age       

  Position with Our Company

Mark B. Slaughter

   53      Chief Executive Officer and President

Martin Jimmerson

   48      Chief Financial Officer

William Sutton

   58      Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Hector Maytorena

   51      Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere

Mark Slaughter has served as our Chief Executive Officer and President since August 2007. See his biographical summary presented earlier in this proxy statement under the heading “Our Board of Directors and Nominees – Director Nominees.”

Martin Jimmerson has served as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Jimmerson served as Chief Financial Officer for River Oaks Imaging & Diagnostic, LP from November 2002 to December 2005. Mr. Jimmerson received a B.A. degree in accounting from Baylor University.

William Sutton has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since May 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Sutton served as our Vice President and General Counsel from March 2008 through May 2009. Mr. Sutton served as Chairman for Sweeten & Sutton Brokerage, Inc. from March 2007 to February 2008 and President and Chief Executive Officer for Abbey SA, LP from April 2004 to October 2006. Mr. Sutton received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston.

Hector Maytorena has served as our Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere since April 1, 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Maytorena served as our Vice President & General Manager, Western Hemisphere since November 2009 and as Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing from November 2007 to October 2009. Prior to joining RigNet, he served as General Manager of Southeast Texas for United Technologies’ UTC Fire & Security (operating under the Chubb Security and Redhawk brands) from November 2006 to November 2007 and Director of Sales at Chubb Security USA from August 2005 to November 2006. Prior to that role, Mr. Maytorena served in various leadership roles at Stratos Global Corporation’s Broadband Division with his last assignment as Director of Global Sales and Marketing from November 2002 to August 2005. Mr. Maytorena is a graduate of United Technologies’ Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our principal executive, financial and accounting officers and all persons performing similar functions. A copy of that code is available on our corporate website at http://investor.rig.net/governance.cfm.

Composition of the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors currently consists of ten members, nine of whom are non-employee members. Mr. Slaughter, who serves as the CEO and President, also serves as a director. Each director holds office until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Our by-laws permit our Board of Directors to establish by resolution the authorized number of directors. Upon the expiration of Mr. Matthews’ term as a director at the Annual Meeting, the number of directors that will constitute our Board will be decreased from ten to nine.

With respect to the Annual Meeting, we have nine nominees and nine available board seats. A board member may be removed outside of the normal election process for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of our directors. Each properly executed proxy received in time for the Annual Meeting will be voted as specified therein. The nine nominees receiving the most votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected to our Board of Directors.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Currently, we separate the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, each of the committees of our Board is presently chaired by an independent director. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the company and the day to day leadership and performance of the company, while the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer, approves the agenda for Board meetings, and presides over meetings of the full Board. The independent members of the Board also regularly meet in executive session without management present. The Board believes this separation is appropriate at this time because of our growth rate and new public status. However, our Board does not have a policy on whether or not the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be separate and, if they are to be separate, whether the Chairman of the Board should be selected from the non-employee directors or be an employee or former employee. The Board believes that it should be free to make a choice from time to time in any manner that it believes is in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders at that time. The Board actively oversees management, particularly through regular conferences between the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman. On March 7, 2012, the Board appointed James Browning to serve as Co-Chairman of the Board with Tom Matthews until the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Matthews, who served as our Chairman of the Board since May 2008, is not standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting, but will continue to serve as a Co-Chairman of the Board until the Annual Meeting. The Board reviews the Chairman of the Board position annually after the annual meeting of stockholders.

The Board seeks to assess major risks facing our Company and options for their mitigation in order to promote our stockholders’ and other stakeholders’ long-term interests. The Board oversees risk by actively reviewing material management decisions in this area and through the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which actively monitors enterprise risk. The Board takes a hands-on role in risk management practices in such areas as credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk and compliance risk by obtaining detailed reports from management, continuous dialogues with management, and providing input on material corporate decisions in these areas. The Board, primarily through the Audit Committee, also reviews financial and accounting risks through regular meetings with our outside independent accounting firm. The Board, primarily through the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, also reviews the assessment and implementation of risk-based controls for our business activities which involve material risk to us and our stockholders. The Board, primarily through the Compensation Committee, also reviews risks associated with our compensation plans and arrangements. The extent of the Board’s oversight function has the effect of solidifying the Board’s leadership structure by providing knowledge and input into material risk decisions.

 

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Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has reviewed the independence of each director and considered whether any director had or has a material relationship with us that could compromise his or her ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. As a result of this review, our Board of Director has determined that Messrs. Matthews, Browning, Davis, de Vibe, Mulloy, Neveu, O’Hara, Olsen, and Whittington qualify as “independent” in accordance with the published listing standards of the NASDAQ. Mr. Slaughter is not independent by virtue of his role as CEO and President of our Company.

In addition, the members of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors each qualify as “independent” under standards established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for members of audit committees, and the Audit Committee includes at least one member who is determined by our Board of Directors to meet the qualifications of an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules. Mr. Browning and Mr. Whittington are independent directors who have been determined to be audit committee financial experts. Stockholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement of the SEC related to Mr. Browning’s and Mr. Whittington’s experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not impose on them any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than are generally imposed on them as members of the Audit Committee and Board of Directors, and their designation as audit committee financial experts pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or Board of Directors.

Policy Governing Director Qualifications and Nominations

Our Company seeks directors who possess, at a minimum, the qualifications and skills described below as set forth in our Policy Governing Director Qualifications and Nominations. Our Company considers diversity in its nomination of directors, and in its assessment of the effectiveness of the Board and its committees. In considering diversity, we evaluate each director candidate in the context of the overall composition and needs of our Board, with the objective of recommending a group that can best manage the business and affairs of the Company and represent stockholder interests using its diversity of experience. Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider these and other qualifications, skills, and attributes when recommending candidates to our Board.

At a minimum, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee must be satisfied that each Committee-recommended nominee meets the following minimum qualifications:

 

   

The candidate shall exhibit high standards of integrity, commitment, and independence of thought and judgment.

 

   

The candidate shall be committed to representing the long-term interests of our Company’s stockholders.

 

   

The candidate shall have sufficient time and availability to devote to the affairs of our Company, particularly in light of the number of boards on which the nominee may serve.

 

   

To the extent the candidate serves or has previously served on other boards, the candidate shall have a demonstrated history of contributing at board meetings.

 

   

The candidate meets any other minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by our Board from time to time.

In addition to the minimum qualifications for each candidate set forth above, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee shall recommend that our Board select persons for nomination to help ensure that:

 

   

A majority of the Board is “independent” in accordance with the standards, if any, promulgated by the SEC, or any exchange upon which securities of our Company are traded, and any governmental or regulatory body exercising authority over our Company.

 

   

Each of our Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees are comprised entirely of independent directors.

 

   

At least one member of our Audit Committee shall have such experience, education and other qualifications necessary to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the SEC.

 

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In addition to any other standards our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may deem appropriate from time to time for the overall structure and composition of our Board, the Committee may consider the following factors when selecting and recommending that our Board select persons for nomination:

 

   

Whether the candidate has direct experience in our Company’s industry or in the markets in which our Company operates.

 

   

Whether the candidate, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience.

 

   

Whether the candidate has experience at a strategic or policymaking level in a business, government, non-profit or academic organization of high standing.

 

   

Whether the candidate is accomplished in his or her respective field, with strong credentials and recognition.

 

   

Whether the candidate is well regarded in the community.

Communications to Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors has a process in place for communication with stockholders. Stockholders should initiate any communications with our Board in writing and send them to our Board of Directors c/o William Sutton, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, RigNet, Inc., 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077-4760. All such communications will be forwarded to the appropriate directors. This centralized process will assist our Board of Directors in reviewing and responding to stockholder communications in an appropriate manner. If a stockholder wishes for a particular director or directors to receive any such communication; the stockholder must specify the name or names of any specific Board recipient or recipients in the communication. Communications to our Board of Directors must include the number of shares owned by the stockholder as well as the stockholder’s name, address, telephone number and email address, if any.

Meetings of Our Board of Directors and Attendance at Annual Meetings.

During 2011, our Board of Directors held 6 regular meetings. The standing Committees of our Board of Directors held an aggregate of 21 meetings during this period. Each director attended at least 75.0% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and Committees on which they served. Mr. de Vibe joined our Board in May 2011; he attended all meetings since May 2011 through the date of this proxy following his election.

Each member of our Board of Directors is expected to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. Each person who was a director at the time of our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, except Mr. Neveu, attended such meeting.

Committees of Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors currently has standing Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Each member of these Committees is an independent director in accordance with the NASDAQ listing standards described above and applicable SEC regulations. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for each of these Committees, which sets forth each Committee’s purposes, responsibilities and authority. These committee charters are available on our website at http://investor.rig.net/governance.cfm.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to the Company and our stockholders by overseeing the quality and integrity of our financial reporting; accounting policies and procedures; disclosure controls; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; independent auditor qualifications, independence and performance; and the internal audit function. During 2011, the Audit Committee held 9 meetings. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of four directors: Messrs. Browning (Chairman), Matthews, Olsen and Whittington. Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC rules, and is financially literate. Mr. Browning and Mr. Whittington have each been designated as an “audit committee financial expert”.

 

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The report of our Audit Committee appears under the heading “Report of the Audit Committee” below.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities are to: (i) review and recommend for Board approval the compensation arrangements for the CEO, (ii) review and recommend for Board approval compensation for our directors, (iii) make recommendations with respect to the non-CEO executive officers of our Company, (iv) to consider, recommend, administer and implement Board approved compensation plans, policies and programs including incentive-compensation and long-term incentive plans, and (v) reviewing succession planning for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee also oversees the preparation of a report on executive compensation for inclusion in the annual proxy statement.

During 2011, the Compensation Committee held 6 meetings. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of five directors: Messrs. Neveu (Chairman), Davis, de Vibe, Matthews and O’Hara. Each of the Compensation Committee members is “independent” as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards. All Compensation Committee members are also “non-employee directors” as defined by Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). The report of our Compensation Committee appears under the heading “Compensation Committee Report” below.

Procedures and Processes for Determining Compensation - Please refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis, The Compensation Committee,” below for a discussion of the Compensation Committee’s procedures and processes for making compensation determinations.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation - No member of the Compensation Committee has any relationship with our Company that is required to be disclosed in any of the reports that we file with the SEC other than service on our Board of Directors. None of our named executive officers serves as a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s primary responsibilities are (i) assist our Board of Directors in identifying prospective director nominees and recommending nominees for each annual meeting of the stockholders to the Board of Directors, (ii) review developments in corporate governance practices and developing and recommending governance guidelines, code of conduct, and compliance mechanisms applicable to the Company, (iii) provide ongoing review of risk performance and exposure company-wide in the enterprise risk categories including operational, technological, compliance, reputational and political (it being understood that the Audit Committee will provide ongoing review of financial risk management categories), and (iv) ensure the existence and capability of risk management systems and control including business continuity in all critical business activities and enterprise risk categories.

The Committee will evaluate each nominee based upon a consideration of a nominee’s qualification as independent and consideration of diversity, age, skills and experience in the context of the needs of the Board of Directors as described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may rely on various sources to identify director nominees. These include input from directors, management, professional search firms and others that the Committee feels are reliable.

Stockholders may recommend director candidates for consideration by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider such suggestions made by stockholders in the same manner as other candidates. Any such suggestions should be submitted to the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, c/o William Sutton, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, RigNet, Inc., 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077-4760. The written request must include the candidate’s name, contact information, biographical information and qualifications. The request must also include the potential candidate’s written consent to being a nominee and to serving as a director if nominated and elected. Additional information may be requested from time to time by the committee from the nominee or the stockholder or group of stockholders. Stockholder nominations that seek to bypass the consideration of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee must follow the procedures set forth in our bylaws, which

 

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are summarized below in the Section entitled “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders.”

In 2011, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held 6 meetings. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is currently comprised of four directors: Messrs. Matthews (Chairman), Browning, Davis and Neveu, who are all “independent”, as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards.

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting process of the Company on behalf of its Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the preparation of the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal control.

With respect to the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the financial statements of RigNet, Inc. and the quality of financial reporting with management and the independent auditor. It also discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T, and received from the independent auditor the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as modified or supplemented and as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T. Additionally, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditor their independence with respect to the Company. The Audit Committee determined that the non-audit services provided to RigNet by the independent auditor (discussed below under “Proposal Two: Ratification of Independent Public Accountants”) are compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent auditor.

Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the financial statements of RigNet, Inc. be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for filing with the SEC.

Submitted By:

Audit Committee

James H. Browning, Chairman

Thomas M. Matthews

Keith Olsen

Brent K. Whittington

This Report of the Audit Committee is not “soliciting material” and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation

The CEO does not receive any compensation specifically related to his service on our Board of Directors. The following summarizes the compensation of each non-employee member of our Board of Directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

Our Board of Directors has implemented a compensation policy applicable to all of our non-employee directors, which provides all non-employee directors the following compensation for board and committee services:

 

   

an annual retainer paid in cash in an amount equal to $9,000 per quarter;

 

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an annual equity award of restricted stock in an amount to be approved by the Board or, at the option of our Company, an equivalent payment in cash;

 

   

$1,500 for each Board meeting attended in person if traveling within North America or telephonically or $4,500 for each meeting attended in person if traveling from outside North America; and

 

   

$1,000 for each committee meeting attended.

In addition, this compensation policy provides that the chairman of our Audit Committee will receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000; the chairman of the Compensation Committee will receive an additional annual retainer of $7,500; the chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating committee will receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000; and the non-executive chairman of the Board of Directors will receive an additional annual retainer of $50,000.

The following table summarizes the cash compensation of each non-employee member of our Board of Directors in 2011:

 

0000000000000000 0000000000000000 0000000000000000

  Name (1)

  Fees Earned or
     Paid in Cash (2)    
        Restricted Stock    
Awards (3)
        Total      

  Thomas M. Matthews

    $ 121,000          $ 63,755          $ 184,755     

  James H. Browning

    69,000          63,755          132,755     

  Charles L. Davis

    56,000          63,755          119,755     

  Ditlef de Vibe

    40,044          47,694          87,738     

  Kevin Neveu

    63,000          63,755          126,755     

  Kevin J. O’Hara

    51,000          63,755          114,755     

  Keith Olsen

    54,000          63,755          117,755     

  Brent K. Whittington

    54,000          63,755          117,755     

 

(1) Each non-employee director listed below served as a director for all of 2011, except for Mr. de Vibe, who joined our Board on May 11, 2011.

 

(2) Amounts reflect annual retainers and board and committee fees earned by the directors during 2011.

 

(3) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock granted in 2011 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Information about the assumptions used to value these awards can be found in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The restricted stock granted in 2011 vests over a two year period of continual service with one-half of the shares vesting on each of the first two anniversaries of the grant date. As of December 31, 2011, each director had 3,482 shares of restricted stock outstanding, except for Mr. de Vibe who had 2,794 shares of restricted stock outstanding.

The table above reflects all compensation received by our non-employee directors from us in 2011. The Company does not provide a pension plan for non-employee directors. None of the directors received preferential, above-market earnings or deferred compensation.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis addresses the following topics:

 

   

the role of our Compensation Committee in establishing executive compensation;

   

our process for setting executive compensation;

   

our compensation philosophy and policies regarding executive compensation; and

   

our compensation decisions for fiscal year 2011 with respect to our named executive officers.

 

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This section of the proxy also describes the compensation paid to our 2011 named executive officers:

 

   

Mark B. Slaughter – Chief Executive Officer and President

   

Martin Jimmerson – Chief Financial Officer

   

William Sutton – Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

   

Hector Maytorena – Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere

   

Lars Eliassen – Former Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere

The compensation programs described, however, apply more broadly to other officers and management personnel at the Company, with appropriate changes to reflect different levels and types of responsibility. The Company believes this approach helps to align RigNet employees into a unified team committed to the Company’s corporate objectives.

The Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee” or “Committee”) assists the Board in fulfilling its duties relating to compensation matters. The fundamental responsibilities of the Committee are to:

 

   

develop RigNet’s compensation strategy and objectives;

   

review and oversee the incentive compensation and equity plans;

   

review performance goals, objectives and policies relevant to executive and board compensation;

   

evaluate executive and board performance in light of those goals to determine compensation levels;

   

set compensation levels and review awards under incentive compensation plans that are consistent with our compensation philosophy and the performance of our Company, its senior management, employees and the Board;

   

review and approve disclosures relating to compensation; and

   

oversee and direct succession planning for the CEO and our named executive officers.

The Compensation Committee may form and delegate its authority to one or more subcommittees as it deems necessary or advisable from time to time, provided, that any such subcommittee must report any actions taken by it to the full Compensation Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

The Board approves all compensation plans and compensation arrangements for our named executive officers based upon Compensation Committee recommendations.

The Compensation Setting Process

Our Compensation Committee holds regularly scheduled meetings which coincide with our Board meetings. It also holds additional meetings as required to carry out its duties. The Committee Chairman works with our management to establish each meeting agenda.

At its meetings, the Committee:

 

   

reviews and updates the Company’s compensation strategy and objectives;

 

   

considers and reviews changes in compensation elements for the upcoming year;

 

   

reviews actual results compared to the pre-established performance metrics for the current year to determine annual cash incentive awards for our named executive officers and total awards authorized;

 

   

reviews equity awards, either in the form of restricted stock grants or stock option awards or both;

 

   

reviews our performance metrics under our short-term incentive compensation plans for the upcoming year;

 

   

evaluates the compensation paid to our independent directors and makes recommendations for adjustments to the Board; and

 

   

reviews the performance of our CEO.

 

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Role of Compensation Consultant

The Committee’s Charter grants the Committee the sole and direct authority to retain and terminate compensation advisors and to approve their fees. All such advisors report directly to the Compensation Committee and all assignments are directed by the Committee Chairman. In 2011, the Committee engaged Cogent Compensation Partners (“Cogent”) as the Committee’s independent compensation consultant to assist the Committee in assessing and determining competitive compensation packages for our named executive officers. The Committee has also engaged Cogent Compensation Partners (“Cogent”) as the Committee’s independent compensation consultant for 2012.

In this capacity, Cogent has, from time to time at the Committee’s request and under the direction of the Committee Chairman, assembled information regarding:

 

   

compensation trends in the telecommunication and oil and gas industries; and

   

relative compensation for similarly-situated executive officers of companies within these groups as well as of other companies with revenues, transactions or growth trends comparable to our Company.

While the Committee relies on data provided by Cogent to assess the reasonableness of our named executive officers’ total compensation, it also considers a number of other factors including:

 

   

historical compensation levels;

   

specific role the executive plays within our Company;

   

performance of the executive; and

   

relative compensation levels among our named executive officers.

In 2011, we established our compensation peer group as the following seventeen companies: Bronco Drilling Company Inc., Dawson Geophysical Company, OYO Geospace Corporation, TGC Industries Inc., Union Drilling, Inc, 8X8 Inc, Anaren Inc., Bigband Networks Inc., Cbeyond Inc., Cogent Communications Group, Communication Systems Inc., Digi International Inc., FiberTower Corp., inContact Inc, Kvh Industries Inc., Meru Networks Inc. and Shoretel Inc. We selected these companies because they were public companies of similar size and headcount serving the geographies and customer bases in which we operate and compete for senior management personnel. During early 2011, we obtained a comprehensive Cogent compensation peer group study for our named executive positions, which provided specific input on cash and equity compensation levels and ranges. See “Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation – Base Compensation” below.

During 2011, changes in our peer group resulted from industry consolidation where previous peer group companies were consolidated into larger entities and the larger consolidated entities no longer met our peer group criteria or data was no longer available. As such Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. and Bigband Networks were dropped from the peer group data in setting 2012 compensation levels and targets. In December 2011, we also obtained a general industry published survey providing average market increases in the various geographies in which we operate and compete for executives. We used this data to adjust the earlier peer group study in determining 2012 compensation levels.

Role of Chief Executive Officer in Executive Compensation Decisions

Our Compensation Committee generally seeks input from the CEO, when discussing the performance of and compensation levels for our named executive officers other than himself. Mr. Slaughter provides information relating to each named executive officer’s performance to support the Compensation Committee’s decision-making on executive compensation.

Our Executive Compensation Program

Compensation Objectives and Philosophy

Our executive compensation program is designed to encourage our executives to focus on building long-term stockholder value, maximizing growth consistent with our strategic plan and delivering strong financial results. Our executive compensation program is intended to align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our

 

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stockholders by motivating our named executive officers to achieve strong financial and operating results, as well as further our strategic growth initiatives, which we believe closely correlate to long-term stockholder value. This pay-for-performance based alignment of interests is reflected through each named executive officers’ total compensation.

Our Compensation Committee reviews our executives’ total compensation elements on an annual basis taking into consideration any changes in position or responsibilities. In the event of material changes in position, responsibilities or other factors, the Compensation Committee may consider changes in base pay during the year. Beginning with the compensation packages for 2011 in addition to changes in position or responsibilities, the Committee primarily considered:

 

   

peer data provided by our outside consultants; and

   

internal review of the executive’s compensation, both individually and relative to other executive officers.

Compensation Strategy

Executive base salaries are expected over the long-term to be between the 25th percentile and the median for our peer group, adjusted for each individual’s education, experience, performance and potential. In addition, our executives can earn short-term incentive compensation in support of our pay-for performance philosophy. Through equity compensation, our executives have a significant portion of compensation “at risk” and accordingly have a potential for earning between the median and 75th percentile of our peer group. “At risk” means executives will not realize value unless they meet performance goals, the majority of which are tied to Company financial, operational and strategic goals, which we believe closely correlate to long-term stockholder value creation.

Our compensation program provides for the following elements:

 

   

base salaries - designed to allow us to attract and retain qualified candidates in a highly competitive market;

 

   

short-term incentive compensation - provides additional cash compensation or bonus designed to support our pay-for-performance philosophy based on the achievement of annual financial and personal goals;

 

   

long-term incentive compensation - intended to reward executives for equity valued growth to align executive interests with our stockholders’ interests to grow long-term value and incentivize retention;

 

   

expatriate compensation - may include tax equalization, cost of living allowances, travel, additional paid time off and increased subsidy of benefits for qualified executives who relocate internationally; and

 

   

benefits package - available to all of our employees, including our executives in the respective region.

Our Compensation Committee’s review of compensation over the long-term, targets total direct compensation (including base salary and short-term incentive cash compensation) for all named executive officers at approximately the median of compensation paid to similarly situated executives of the companies comprising our compensation peer group. As more fully described below under “Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation”, the Committee reviews base compensation for named executive officers compared to the 25th percentile within the median range of our peer group and available industry data. The Committee again is seeking over the long-term to place more compensation “at risk” by setting 1) base salaries and management incentive targets at or near the median and 2) awards under our 2010 Omnibus Plan between the median and 75th percentile of our peer group.

Risk Assessment of Compensation Programs

We review our compensation programs company-wide to assess whether they encourage our employees to take unnecessary or excessive risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have concluded that our programs are appropriately tailored to encourage employees to grow our business, but not incent them to do so in a way that poses unnecessary or excessive material risk to us. For example, our Management Incentive Program (“MIP”) and our long-term incentive compensation, which are our two primary performance-based compensation programs, balance each other by providing compensation that rewards short-term and long-term performance. The MIP balances risk by considering a mix of performance goals, capping the maximum payout a participant can receive and allows the Compensation Committee to determine the final amount of all bonuses, while the long-term incentive awards are equity-based awards that have four year vesting schedules to encourage a focus on long-term growth and support management retention. In addition, we have various policies, such as our clawback policy and anti-hedging

 

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policy that are designed to discourage undue risk-taking or manipulation of results. In addition, the MIP portion of the executives’ compensation is not so large as to encourage undue risk-taking or manipulation of results at the risk of the long-term health of our Company.

Influence of Say on Pay Results on Executive Compensation Decisions

We and our Compensation Committee are attentive to the outcome of the stockholder “Say on Pay” vote. At the Company’s 2011 annual stockholder meeting, 8,876,629 votes were cast for approval of the proposal and only 800 votes were cast against approval; as such, the Committee did not change any practices or programs as a result of the 2011 meeting’s “Say on Pay” vote outcome.

Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program

We look at the total compensation value in determining the appropriateness of our executive remuneration program. Total compensation includes various cash and non-cash elements that offer immediate, short-term and long-term value.

Base Salary

Our Compensation Committee reviews our executives’ base salaries on an annual basis taking into consideration any changes in position or responsibilities. We utilize base salary as the primary means of compensation for performing the essential elements of an executive’s job. We believe our base salaries are set at levels that allow us to attract and retain executives in competitive markets.

Short-term Incentive Compensation

Our executives are eligible for short-term incentive compensation in the form of an annual cash bonus through our MIP. The MIP is intended to incentivize our executives to meet our corporate objectives and compensate them for achieving these objectives. In addition, our short-term incentive pay compensation is intended to reward and incentivize our executives for their personal performance relative to individual objectives. No bonus will be paid if the Company does not achieve at least 80.0% of the annual Adjusted EBITDA target, which we define as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as adjusted to exclude amounts for the impairment of goodwill, gain (loss) on retirement of property and equipment, changes in the fair value of derivatives and stock-based compensation expense. Once the bonus is determined, the CEO, for other than himself, has discretion to increase or decrease the bonus by up to 25.0% based upon the achievement of personal objectives and the CEO’s judgment of the executive’s relative contribution to results, subject to Compensation Committee and Board approval. For the CEO’s bonus opportunity, the Board has discretion to increase or decrease the bonus by as much as 25.0%. Individual payouts under the MIP cannot exceed 2.5 times target payout. Further, total short-term incentive compensation payouts for all employees as a group are limited to 5.5% of Adjusted EBITDA for management and employee incentives, other than sales commissions.

Short-term incentive compensation is based on the following performance metrics:

 

   

Management EBITDA (a non-U.S. GAAP measure) which is our Adjusted EBITDA further adjusted based on budgeted exchange rates, post acquisition re-organization costs and any other centrally agreed-upon exceptional items.

 

   

Revenue, which we define as gross revenue less credits and uncollectible billings as reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

   

DSO, or Days Sales Outstanding, which we define as the average of each end-of-quarter accounts receivable balance less reserve for doubtful accounts divided by four, then divided by quarterly revenue multiplied by 365 days.

Since our financial targets are stretch targets, we believe in paying smaller bonuses if we reach at least 80.0% of our target and larger bonuses if we exceed the target level to reward performance above the target levels, up to a

 

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maximum individual amount, but unlimited as to any single metric. The following multiplier table was used to determine each executive’s bonus formula:

 

     Target Multiplier  
     Management
EBITDA
     Revenue      DSO  

Target Bonus Weighting

     65.0%           20.0%           15.0%     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Percentage of Plan:

        

140%

     2.000           1.400           1.400     

120%

     1.500           1.200           1.200     

110%

     1.250           1.100           1.100     

105%

     1.125           1.050           1.050     

100%

     1.000           1.000           1.000     

95%

     0.875           0.950           0.950     

90%

     0.750           0.900           0.900     

80%

     0.500           0.800           0.800     

Less than 80%

     -             -             -       

See the table on page 21 of this proxy statement for the application of this matrix for 2011. If the results are between two levels the multiplier will be interpolated on a straight-line basis between those levels.

For our executives, short-term incentive compensation is based on the achievement of financial targets and further adjusted based on the achievement of personal objectives for each individual.

Long-term incentive Compensation

Long-term incentive compensation is intended to enhance our ability to retain executive talent over a longer period of time, reward long-term efforts that enhance future value of the Company, and provide executives with a form of reward that aligns their interests with those of our stockholders. Our executives may receive long-term incentive awards annually as the Compensation Committee determines consistent with the objectives described above.

Our Compensation Committee does not apply a rigid formula in allocating stock or option awards to executives as a group or to any particular executive. Instead in making awards, the Compensation Committee exercises its judgment and discretion and considers, among other things, the role and responsibility of the executive, competitive factors, personal performance, the amount of stock-based equity compensation already held by the executive, the non-equity compensation received by the executive and the total number of stock and option awards to be granted to all participants during the year.

Our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan permits the award of (i) incentive or non-qualified stock options, (ii) stock appreciation rights, (iii) restricted stock, (iv) restricted stock units, (v) performance stock, (vi) performance units, (vii) director awards (viii) annual cash incentive awards, (ix) cash-based awards, (x) substitution awards or (xi) other stock-based awards, as approved by the Board of Directors or its designated committee. Generally awards will vest over four years, with 25.0% of the shares vesting on each of the first, second, third and fourth year anniversary of the grant date assuming continued employment, and expire on the tenth anniversary date of the applicable award agreement, unless terminated earlier. No further awards can be made under our prior equity incentive plans.

Expatriate Compensation

When the Company requires an executive to relocate internationally for more than a short-term period of time, the Committee may recommend for Board approval certain cost of living, housing, car, travel, tax equalization, and other benefits to compensation for increased basic living costs and incentivize long-term retention of the executive.

 

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Nondiscriminatory Health and Welfare Benefits

Our benefits, such as our basic health benefits, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance are intended to provide a stable array of support to executives and their families throughout various stages of their careers, and these core benefits are provided to all employees based on the regional programs regardless of their individual performance levels. All U.S. employees have the option to participate in the 401(k) plan, which allows participants to defer up to 100.0% of their annual compensation, subject to the cap set by the Internal Revenue Code. Employee elective deferrals are immediately vested and nonforfeitable upon contribution to the 401(k) plan.

Perquisites

We believe in a simple, straight-forward compensation program and as such, named executive officers are not provided unique perquisites or other personal benefits, other than those discussed above under expatriate compensation. Consistent with the Committee’s strategy, no perquisites or other personal benefits have or are expected to exceed $10,000 annually for any of our named executive officers.

Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation

The amount of each element of our compensation program is determined by our compensation committee on an annual basis taking into consideration the results of our operations, long and short-term goals, individual goals, and the competitive market for our executives and the experience of our Compensation Committee members with similar companies and general economic factors.

Base Compensation

In 2011, we established a peer group and transitioned to a market-based pay philosophy across base pay, short-term incentive compensation and long-term equity awards. On March 21, 2011, our Compensation Committee evaluated data from our peer group and recommended base compensation levels and short-term incentive compensation targets, which were approved by the Board for our named executive officers. Mr. Slaughter’s base compensation was increased 17.3% based on his expanded public company responsibilities to bring it up to the 25th percentile of the peer group data. His targeted MIP bonus level was increased to 100.0%, the midpoint of the range of our peer group annual incentive target percentages, to recognize his increased responsibilities in running a public company and incentivize continued achievement of goals. Mr. Jimmerson’s base compensation was increased 6.7%, which represents the 36th percentile compared to our peer group data and his targeted MIP bonus was increased to 60.0%, the midpoint of the range of our peer group annual incentive target percentages, to recognize his increased responsibilities in managing the finances and achieving financial reporting compliance for a public company and in recognition of his past experience and performance in serving as a chief financial officer. Mr. Sutton’s base compensation was increased 11.9% to the 39th percentile based on peer group data and his targeted MIP bonus level was increased to 60.0%, the average of the midpoint of the range and average percentage of our peer group’s annual incentive target percentages, to recognize his increased responsibilities in compliance and risk management, increased workload and past experience performing these duties in a public company, as well as to incentivize continued achievement of goals. Mr. Maytorena’s base compensation was increased 3.0% to the 24th percentile based on peer group data and his targeted MIP bonus level was increased to 50.0%, representing 95.0% of the midpoint of the range of our peer group annual incentive target percentages, to recognize his importance and experience in running the operations of a large geographic region within the company and incentivize continued achievement of both financial and individual goals. Mr. Eliassen’s base compensation was increased 2.8% to the 25th percentile based on peer group data and his targeted MIP bonus level was increased to 50.0%, representing 95.0% of the midpoint of the range of our peer group annual incentive target percentages, to recognize his importance and experience in running the operations of a large geographic region within the company and incentivize continued achievement of both financial and individual goals.

 

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Changes in base compensation in 2011 are summarized in the following table:

 

00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
                   Dollar      Percentage      2011 Target  
     Base Salary      Increase      Increase      MIP Bonus  

  Name

   2011      2010      2011      2011      Level  

  Mark Slaughter

     $   330,000           $   281,400           $   48,600           17.3%          100.0%    

  Martin Jimmerson

     250,000           234,300           15,700           6.7%          60.0%    

  William Sutton

     235,000           210,000           25,000           11.9%          60.0%    

  Hector Maytorena

     180,250           175,000           5,250           3.0%          50.0%    

  Lars Eliassen

     205,580           200,000           5,580           2.8%          50.0%    

On March 7, 2012 consistent with our market-based pay philosophy across base pay, short-term incentive compensation and long-term equity awards, our Compensation Committee reviewed projected market increases for senior managers, including general industry cost of living increases obtained from a publically available report. Using this data, 2012 base compensation levels were approved by the Board for Mr. Slaughter at $339,900, Mr. Jimmerson at $257,000, Mr. Sutton at $242,000 and Mr. Maytorena at $185,000. Targeted MIP bonus levels for each of our executive officers remained unchanged for 2012, as they represent the midpoint of the range our peer group and serve to incentivize performance. Mr. Eliassen separated from the Company on March 31, 2012.

Short-term Incentive Compensation

The Compensation Committee considers short-term incentive cash compensation targets and performance for our executives annually with distributions typically made during the first calendar quarter of the next year after determination of whether goals have been achieved. The Compensation Committee may adjust an executive officer’s short-term incentive cash compensation up to 25.0% based on the individual’s performance and contribution to Company results. However, individual payouts under the MIP cannot exceed 2.5 times target payout and total short-term incentive compensation payouts for all employees as a group are limited to 5.5% of Adjusted EBITDA for management and employee incentives, other than sales commissions.

The following table summarizes the financial targets and achievement of those targets for 2011 for all named executive officers, except Mr. Eliassen. His short-term incentive compensation payment was determined in connection with his separation agreement and is discussed separately below.

 

  Name

   Plan
(In Millions
Except DSO)
     Actual
(In Millions
Except DSO)
     Percentage
of Plan
     Resulting
Multiplier
 

  Consolidated Management EBITDA

     $ 33.7           $ 32.8           97.2%          93.0%    

  Consolidated Revenue

     $ 107.5           $ 108.3           100.5%          100.5%    

  Consolidated DSO

     60.0           65.0           92.3%          92.3%    

  Mr Maytorena’s Management EBITDA

     $ 14.1           $ 13.2           93.6%          84.0%    

  Mr. Maytorena’s Revenue

     $ 37.2           $ 41.5           111.4%          111.4%    

  Mr. Maytorena’s DSO

     60.0           74.0           81.1%          81.1%    

The percentage of plan was compared to the table described above in “Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program – Short-term Incentive Compensation” to obtain the target multiplier. The 2011 bonus formula multiplied each executive officer’s potential target bonus as a percentage of their base salary multiplied by the sum of (i) 65.0% of the consolidated Management EBITDA multiplier, plus (ii) 20.0% of the consolidated revenue multiplier and (iii) 15.0% of the consolidated DSO multiplier; except that for Mr. Maytorena the Management EBITDA, Revenue and DSO multipliers were based 70.0% upon his operational area and 30.0% of the consolidated multipliers. Since the incentive pool for all employees, including the named executive officers, was limited to 5.5% of Adjusted EBITDA and the incentive pool for 2011 exceeded this amount, every employee’s 2011 incentive payout computations, after any discretionary adjustments, were decreased by approximately 2.01%. The 2011 short-term incentive compensation payments, net of the company-wide pool adjustment, are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column for 2011 in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

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Mr. Eliassen’s separation agreement called for the determination of his 2011 short-term incentive bonus without any discretionary adjustment. Similar to Mr. Maytorena, Mr. Eliassen’s short-term incentive was based on a 70.0% ratio of Management EBITDA, Revenue and DSO comparing the achievement of actual financial results to plan targets for the areas he managed during 2011 which included five months of performance related to the Eastern Region and seven months for the areas of Europe, Middle East, and Africa consistent with the original bonus targets or whichever computation resulted in his most favorable bonus plus 30.0% of the consolidated multipliers. As a result, Mr. Eliassen’s overall resulting multiplier was 87.82%.

The Board approved discretionary adjustments for the CEO and reviewed and concurred with the CEO’s recommended discretionary adjustments for all other named executive officers as follows. Mr. Slaughter’s incentive payout was adjusted to 95% of his formulaic payout and company-wide pool adjustment based upon the fact that achievement of certain infrastructure development personal goals and objectives were not fully completed during 2011 offset by his leadership related to the financial goals achieved. Mr. Jimmerson’s incentive payout was adjusted to 95% of his formulaic payout and the company-wide pool adjustment based upon the fact that certain of his personal and departmental goals and objectives were not fully achieved during 2011. Each of Mr. Eliassen and Mr. Sutton received 100% of his formulaic payout and no discretionary adjustments were made to their payouts. Mr. Maytorena’s incentive payout was adjusted to 105.0% of his formulaic payout and the company-wide pool adjustment for his increased workload related to the expansion of operations in Brazil and delivery of operating results in his geographic region.

 

0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000

  Name

   2011
Base
Salary
     Target
MIP
Bonus
Level
     Target
100%
Payout
     Computed
MIP
Amount
     Discretionary
Adjustment
     Company-wide
Pool Adjustment
     Total  

  Mark Slaughter

     $ 330,000           100.0%          $ 330,000         $ 311,459           $ (15,573)         $ (5,931)          $ 289,955     

  Martin Jimmerson

     250,000           60.0%          150,000           141,573           (7,079)         (2,696)          131,798     

  William Sutton

     235,000           60.0%          141,000           133,078           -             (2,668)          130,410     

  Hector Maytorena

     180,250           50.0%          90,125           81,703           4,085           (1,721)          84,067     

  Lars Eliassen

     205,580           50.0%          102,790           92,467           -             (1,851)          90,616     

Long-term Incentive Awards

Our Compensation Committee typically makes annual grants of equity awards to our employees in connection with its annual review of our employees’ compensation and then throughout the year our Compensation Committee evaluates grants for new hires, promotions or other changes that may warrant additional grants. We do not have any program, plan or practice to time stock or option grants in coordination with the release of material non-public information. Our Compensation Committee uses the trading price of our common stock on the date of grant as the exercise price of option grants.

Grants were made on March 22, 2011 as part of our normal annual review of equity awards and annual compensation to incentivize our executives for the long-term success of our Company. These equity awards were made consistent with our philosophy that such awards should enhance our ability to retain executives and align individual performance with the objectives of our stockholders. In determining the above awards, the number of equity awards for our named executive officers were allocated 30.0% to restricted stock awards and 70.0% to stock options. All awards vest ratably over the next four years. Total equity awards for each individual were determined as the amount that would provide a potential total compensation for 2011 approximating the 75th percentile compared to total direct compensation of our peer group for each position.

Tax and Accounting Implications

In the review and establishment of our compensation programs, we consider the anticipated accounting and tax implications to us and our executives. While we consider the applicable accounting and tax treatment of alternative forms of equity compensation, these factors alone are not dispositive, and we also consider the cash and non-cash impact of the programs and whether a program is consistent with our overall compensation philosophy and objectives.

 

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Deductibility of Compensation and Tax Obligations

Our Compensation Committee does not have any particular policies concerning the payment of tax obligations on behalf of our employees. We are required by law to withhold a portion of every compensation payment we make to our employees. In the case of noncash compensation, that means either (i) we withhold a portion of the noncash compensation payment and pay cash to the appropriate tax authorities or (ii) the employees make a direct cash payment to us in lieu of our withholding a portion of the noncash compensation. All payments to or on behalf of our employees, including tax payments, are considered compensation and are evaluated by our Compensation Committee as part of our overall compensation packages.

As part of its role, the Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a limit on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any one year with respect to the CEO and each of our next three most highly compensated named executive officers, unless specific and detailed criteria are satisfied. Performance-based compensation, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, is fully deductible if the programs are approved by stockholders and meet other requirements. We believe that grants of equity awards under our existing stock plans qualify as performance- based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), thereby permitting us to receive a federal income tax deduction in connection with such awards. In general, we have determined that we will not seek to limit executive compensation so that it is deductible under Section 162(m). However, from time to time, we monitor whether it might be in our interests to structure our compensation programs to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m). We seek to maintain flexibility in compensating our executives in a manner designed to promote our corporate goals and therefore our Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy requiring all compensation to be deductible. Our Compensation Committee will continue to assess the impact of Section 162(m) on our compensation practices and determine what further action, if any, is appropriate.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based payments for all awards under our 2010 Omnibus, 2006 Long-Term Incentive and the 2001 Performance Stock Option Plans in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 718, subtopic 10, section 10, Stock Compensation. The Committee reviews stock compensation grant date value in connection with granting equity awards.

Clawback Policy

In accordance with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, we inserted into our 2011 MIP and 2012 MIP a provision that provides that in the event we are required to restate our publicly filed financial statements for any reason, the Compensation Committee will review all incentive-based compensation awarded to any executive that was based on the restated financial statements and may require that the executive return such compensation to the extent it would have been less based on the restated financial statements. We continue to monitor the rule-making actions of the SEC and NASDAQ with respect to the development, implementation, and disclosure of claw-back policies and procedures. We intend to revise our claw-back provisions/policies in the future as required by applicable law.

Policy Against Hedging

We prohibit our executive officers and directors from engaging in short-term or speculative transactions involving company securities, including activities involving short selling our securities, hedging their ownership in our securities by the purchase or sale of options of any kind, whether puts, calls or other derivative securities, or purchasing of company securities in the open market on margin.

Executive Equity Ownership

We encourage our executives to hold a significant equity interest in our Company. However, we do not have specific share retention and ownership guidelines for our executives.

 

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000

  Name and Principal Position

   Year    Salary      Bonus
(1)
     Stock
Awards
(2)
     Option
Awards
(2)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(3)
     All Other
Compensation
(4)
     Total  

  Mark Slaughter

   2011      $ 330,000           $ 50,000           $ 371,528           $ 462,050           $ 289,955           $ -             $ 1,503,533     

Chief Executive Officer and

   2010      281,400           93,104           -             58,650           187,939           -             621,093     

President

   2009      262,784           9,198           -             161,700           91,974           -             525,656     

  Martin Jimmerson

   2011      250,000           50,000           197,034           245,031           131,798           -             873,863     

Chief Financial Officer

   2010      234,300           68,582           -             48,875           104,322           -             456,079     
   2009      218,784           5,360           -             103,950           53,602           -             381,696     

  William Sutton

   2011      235,000           30,000           185,206           230,325           130,410           -             810,941     

Vice President, General

   2010      210,000           39,993           -             24,438           56,101           -             330,532     

Counsel and Corporate Secretary

   2009      172,784           3,024           -             12,125           30,237           -             218,170     

  Hector Maytorena (5)

   2011      180,250           4,085           98,508           122,511           79,982           -             485,336     

Vice President & General

   2010      175,000           3,235           -             24,438           42,738           -             245,411     

Manager, Eastern Hemisphere

   2009      150,000           -             -             12,125           24,938           -             187,063     

  Lars Eliassen (6)

   2011      205,580           -             112,588           140,017           90,616           534,640           1,083,441     

Former Vice President & General

   2010      200,000           4,032           -             24,438           53,274           469,442           751,186     

Manager, Eastern Hemisphere

   2009      170,000           2,295           -             12,125           45,900           392,866           623,186     

 

 

 

(1) Bonuses represent the sum of discretionary increases to MIP cash bonuses based on individual performance and cash IPO success bonuses used to reward those who were most directly associated with preparing our Company for its IPO. Cash IPO bonuses were paid in both 2011 and 2010 to Messrs. Slaughter, Jimmerson and Sutton for $50,000, $50,000 and $30,000, respectively. All other amounts represent discretionary increases to the MIP cash bonuses based on individual performance.

 

(2) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for stock and option awards granted in 2011 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the determination of these amounts which represent grant date fair value are included in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

(3) Non-equity incentive plan compensation reflects the Board approved cash bonuses as reviewed by the Compensation Committee based on the achievement of performance metrics under our MIP program for the year. These bonuses are paid in the month of March following the year in which they were earned.

 

(4) No pension or deferred compensation plans are provided for our named executive officers. We generally do not provide perquisites and other personal benefits exceeding a value of $10,000 to our named executive officers, except for Mr. Eliassen who received expatriate compensation including tax equalization, cost of living allowance, housing subsidy, car and travel allowance. The following summarizes his additional compensation for 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000 00000
     Year    Tax
Equalization
Payments
     Cost of
Living
Allowance
     Housing      Car      Travel
Allowance
     Total  

Lars Eliassen

   2011        $  340,275             $  134,784             $  29,075             $  23,306             $  7,200             $  534,640     
   2010      269,839           148,000           25,311           19,092           7,200           469,442     
   2009      218,347           122,643           27,177           16,982           7,717           392,866     

 

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(5) Mr. Maytorena became our Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere effective April 1, 2012, after he succeeded Mr. Eliassen in this role. Prior to his new position, Mr. Maytorena served as our Vice President & General Manager, Western Hemisphere.

 

(6) Mr. Eliassen’s employment with us terminated effective March 31, 2012.

Employment Agreements

Mr. Slaughter

Effective February 20, 2012, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mark Slaughter. Under the terms of the new agreement, we agreed to employ Mr. Slaughter as the CEO and President until he or we decide to terminate his position for any reason.

Mr. Slaughter’s annual base salary was set at $330,000, subject to increase from time to time, and he is entitled to an annual target bonus of at least 100% of his annual base salary subject to the terms of our annual bonus plan and payable within four months following the end of the fiscal year to which the bonus relates.

If Mr. Slaughter’s employment is terminated for any reason, he is entitled to (i) any earned but unpaid base salary, (ii) any accrued but unused current year vacation up to a maximum of four weeks, plus up to the maximum unused carry-over of vacation provided in our written vacation policy then in effect and (iii) all unreimbursed business expenses incurred by Mr. Slaughter.

Under the agreement, if we terminate Mr. Slaughter’s employment without “cause” and other than for death or disability or Mr. Slaughter terminates his employment with us for “good reason”, he is entitled to (i) a lump sum cash severance in an amount equal to the sum of twice his then annual base salary and target bonus for the bonus period in which the termination occurs; (ii) COBRA premiums for up to 18 months, with such premiums paid to Mr. Slaughter on a fully grossed-up after-tax basis, if necessary, for Mr. Slaughter not to be subject to tax under Section 105 of the Internal Revenue Code; (iii) a pro-rated amount equal to the annual bonus that would have been paid to Mr. Slaughter had he remained employed through the end of the calendar year in which his employment terminates, to be calculated based on the level of achievement of our financial targets under the MIP at the end of the calendar year; (iv) if applicable, an amount equal to the unpaid annual bonus for the preceding calendar year that would have been paid to executive had he remained employed through the date of the bonus payments under the MIP for the prior calendar year; and (v) outplacement services not to exceed $20,000.

If Mr. Slaughter’s termination is due to death or disability, he is entitled to (i) a pro-rated amount equal to the annual bonus that would have been paid to Mr. Slaughter had he remained employed through the end of the calendar year in which his employment terminates, to be calculated based on the level of achievement of our financial targets under the MIP at the end of the calendar year and (ii) if applicable, an amount equal to the unpaid annual bonus for the preceding calendar year that would have been paid to executive had he remained employed through the date of the bonus payments under the MIP for the prior calendar year. In addition, all equity awards shall automatically vest in full and shall remain exercisable for the term specified in the applicable award agreement.

If Mr. Slaughter’s employment is terminated for good reason or his employment is terminated by us for any reason other than cause and such termination occurs within two years on or after a “change of control” as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (a “Change of Control”), all equity awards shall automatically vest in full and shall remain exercisable for the term specified in the applicable award agreement. In addition, if any equity award is not assumed or continued by our successor after a Change of Control, such award shall automatically vest and become exercisable and/or payable on the date of the Change of Control.

If any payment to Mr. Slaughter would be subject to excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, we must pay Mr. Slaughter a gross-up payment in an amount such that after the payment by Mr. Slaughter of all taxes he retains an amount of the gross-up payment equal to the initial excise taxes.

Mr. Slaughter is subject to restrictive covenants of noncompetition and non-solicitation for a period of 24 months from his termination date.

 

 

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Under the agreement, “cause” is defined as any of the following: (i) Mr. Slaughter’s plea of guilty or nolo contendre, or conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (ii) any act by Mr. Slaughter of fraud or dishonesty with respect to any aspect of our business including, but not limited to, falsification of our records; (iii) Mr. Slaughter’s intentional and continued failure to perform his duties (other than by reason of an illness or a disability); (iv) intentional engagement in misconduct by Mr. Slaughter that is materially injurious to us (monetarily or otherwise); (v) Mr. Slaughter’s breach of the confidentiality, noncompetition or non-solicitation provisions of his employment agreement; (vi) commencement by Mr. Slaughter of employment with an unrelated employer; (vii) material violation by Mr. Slaughter of any of our written policies, including but not limited to any harassment and/or non-discrimination policies; (viii) Mr. Slaughter’s gross negligence in the performance of his duties; provided, however, that he would not be deemed to have been terminated for cause under clauses (ii) through (viii) above unless the determination of whether cause exists is made by a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the entire membership of the Board (excluding Mr. Slaughter, if a member) at a meeting of the Board that was called for the purpose of considering such termination (after 15 days’ notice to Mr. Slaughter and an opportunity for Mr. Slaughter, together with Mr. Slaughter’s counsel, to be heard before the Board and, if reasonably possible, to cure the breach that is the alleged basis for cause) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Mr. Slaughter was guilty of conduct constituting cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

Under the agreement, “good reason” means (i) a material adverse change in Mr. Slaughter’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a reduction in Mr. Slaughter’s base salary or the taking of any action by us that would materially diminish the annual bonus opportunities of Mr. Slaughter from those provided to Mr. Slaughter immediately prior to the effective date of the agreement, (iii) the relocation of the our principal executive offices by more than 50 miles from where such offices are located on the effective date of the agreement or Mr. Slaughter being based at any office other than our principal executive offices, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of Mr. Slaughter’s duties and reasonably consistent with Mr. Slaughter’s travel prior to the effective date of his agreement, (iv) a material breach of the agreement by us, or (v) the failure of a successor to us to assume the agreement.

Mr. Jimmerson

We also entered into a similar employment agreement with Mr. Jimmerson, our Chief Financial Officer, effective on March 14, 2012. In that agreement, we agreed to employ Mr. Jimmerson as the Chief Financial Officer. The agreement has all of the same terms as Mr. Slaughter’s agreement, except that Mr. Jimmerson’s initial annual base salary is set at $250,000, subject to increase from time to time, and his annual target bonus potential is at least 60.0% of his base salary. Under the agreement, if we terminate Mr. Jimmerson’s employment without “cause” and other than for death or disability or Mr. Jimmerson terminates his employment with us for “good reason”, he is entitled to the same benefits described above for Mr. Slaughter, except that his lump sum cash severance will be in an amount equal to the sum of one and a half times his then annual base salary and target bonus for the bonus period in which the termination occurs. In addition, he is subject to restrictive covenants of noncompetition and non-solicitation for a period of 18 months from his termination date.

Mr. Sutton

We also entered into a similar employment agreement with Mr. Sutton, effective on March 14, 2012. In that agreement, we agreed to employ Mr. Sutton as the Vice President and General Counsel. The agreement has all of the same terms as Mr. Slaughter’s agreement, except that Mr. Sutton’s initial annual base salary is set at $235,000, subject to increase from time to time, and his annual target bonus potential is at least 60.0% of his base salary. Under the agreement, if we terminate Mr. Sutton’s employment without “cause” and other than for death or disability or Mr. Sutton terminates his employment with us for “good reason”, he is entitled to the same benefits described above for Mr. Slaughter, except that his lump sum cash severance will be in an amount equal to the sum of his then annual base salary and target bonus for the bonus period in which the termination occurs. In addition, he is subject to restrictive covenants of noncompetition and non-solicitation for a period of 12 months from his termination date.

 

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Mr. Maytorena

We also entered into a similar employment agreement with Mr. Maytorena, effective on March 14, 2012. In that agreement, we agreed to employ Mr. Maytorena as a Vice President and General Manager. The agreement has all of the same terms as Mr. Slaughter’s agreement, except that Mr. Maytorena’s initial annual base salary is set at $180,125, subject to increase from time to time, and his annual target bonus potential is at least 50.0% of his base salary. Under the agreement, if we terminate Mr. Maytorena’s employment without “cause” and other than for death or disability or Mr. Maytorena terminates his employment with us for “good reason”, he is entitled to the same benefits described above for Mr. Slaughter, except that his lump sum cash severance will be in an amount equal to the sum of his then annual base salary and target bonus for the bonus period in which the termination occurs. In addition, he is subject to restrictive covenants of noncompetition and non-solicitation for a period of 12 months from his termination date.

Mr. Eliassen

As previously reported, Mr. Eliassen’s employment with us terminated effective March 31, 2012. On January 25, 2012, the Company entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Eliassen providing for the terms of his separation in conjunction with his resignation. Mr. Eliassen agreed not to engage in any form of activity or business that is in competition with the primary activity of the Company until after December 31, 2012. In addition, Mr. Eliassen agreed to refrain from trying to influence either our customers or employees to terminate their connection/employment with us for the same period. In exchange for Mr. Eliassen’s agreement to comply with these non-compete terms, we will pay him 625,000 NOK in four equal monthly installments, continue medical insurance coverage at his current levels through July 31, 2012, and provide tax filing assistance for 2011 tax reporting.

Prior to entering into the January 25, 2012 separation agreement, our subsidiary, RigNet AS, was a party to an employment agreement with Mr. Eliassen effective as of June 1, 2010. Our subsidiary agreed to employ Mr. Eliassen as Vice President & General Manager, Europe Middle East Africa. Our subsidiary agreed to pay Mr. Eliassen a monthly base salary of $16,667, plus net adjustments of $3,333 per month and an annual target bonus potential of 30.0% of his base salary. In 2011, Mr. Eliassen’s annual target bonus opportunity was increased to 50.0% of his base salary. Our subsidiary also agreed to provide Mr. Eliassen with housing, a tax equalization benefit equal to the taxes he would have paid in the United States, closing costs on a United States home sale, standard house appliances, repatriation back to the United States if his employment is involuntarily terminated, use of a company car, two trips back to the United States each year, and tax allowance for taxes incurred on these benefits.

Under his employment agreement, if Mr. Eliassen’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason other than “cause” any unvested restricted stock and option awards become fully vested and exercisable, except any equity awards, including options issued to Mr. Eliassen under the long-term incentive plan after the stock was listed on a public exchange, which awards vest and continue in accordance with the terms of such plan. All vested options will be exercisable for the remainder of the original option terms, subject to the same exception noted in the prior sentence. The agreement also provides that if we terminate Mr. Eliassen’s employment without “cause” or Mr. Eliassen terminates his employment for “good reason”, he is entitled to a lump sun cash severance amount to be negotiated in good faith at the time of termination.

 

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2011 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

 

0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000 0000000000
            Estimated Future Payouts             Option Awards         
            Under Non-equity Incentive Plan      Number of      Number of             Grant Date  
            80.0%      100.0%      250.0%      Securities      Securities      Exercise      Fair of Stock  
            EBITDA      Target      Maximum      Restricted      Underlying      Price Per      and Option  

  Name

   Grant Date      Threshold      Payout      (1)      Stock Awards      Options      Share (2)      Awards (3)  

  Mark Slaughter

     3/22/2011         $ -           $ -           $ -             20,291           -           $ -           $ 371,528     
     3/22/2011           -             -             -             -             47,536           18.00           462,050     
        107,250           330,000           825,000           -             -             -             -       

  Martin Jimmerson

     3/22/2011           -             -             -             10,761           -             -             197,034     
     3/22/2011           -             -             -             -             25,209           18.00           245,031     
        48,750           150,000           375,000           -             -             -             -       

  William Sutton

     3/22/2011           -             -             -             10,115           -             -             185,206     
     3/22/2011           -             -             -             -             23,696           18.00           230,325     
        45,825           141,000           352,500           -             -             -             -       

  Hector Maytorena

     3/22/2011           -             -             -             5,380           -             -             98,508     
     3/22/2011           -             -             -             -             12,604           18.00           122,511     
        8,787           90,125           225,313           -             -             -             -       

  Lars Eliassen

     3/22/2011           -             -             -             6,149           -             -             112,588     
     3/22/2011           -             -             -             -             14,405           18.00           140,017     
        10,022           102,790           256,975           -             -             -             -       

 

 

 

(1) The MIP provided for cash incentive bonuses based upon each financial metric if the threshold of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA achieved 80.0% of plan/budget. The individual bonus payment is also limited to 2.5 times the target amount and further subject to a funding limit of 5.5% for 2011 of Adjusted EBITDA for all management and employee incentives, other than sales commissions, for all of our employees as a group. The amounts actually paid to the named executive officers for 2011 pursuant to the MIP are reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table” above.

 

(2) For a discussion of our methodology in determining the fair value of our common stock see Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

(3) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock granted in 2011 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the determination of these amounts which represent grant date fair value are included in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

On March 7, 2012 as part of the executives’ approved 2012 compensation, the Committee recommended and the Board approved the following equity awards to our named executive officers, which consistent with 2011 provide a potential total compensation for 2012 approximating the 75th percentile compared to total direct compensation of our peer group for each position:

 

      Number of Securities Underlying  

  Name

   Restricted
Stock Awards
     Stock Option
Awards
 

  Mark Slaughter

     11,593           50,108     

  Martin Jimmerson

     6,148           26,573     

  William Sutton

     5,779           24,978     

  Hector Maytorena

     3,166           13,685     

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

0000000000000000 0000000000000000 0000000000000000 0000000000000000 0000000000000000 0000000000000000
     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

  Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options -
Exercisable (1)
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options -
Unexercisable
     Option
Exercise
Price
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Number of
Securities
that have not
Vested (1)
     Market
Value of
Securities
that have not
Vested (2)
 

  Mark Slaughter

     193,125           -      (3)           $ 7.00           1/1/2017           20,291  (7)           $ 339,671     
     9,375           3,125  (4)           $ 9.65           1/1/2018           
     17,500           17,500  (5)           $ 5.32           8/19/2019           
     3,750           11,250  (6)           $ 8.48           1/1/2020           
     -                 47,536  (7)           $ 18.00           3/22/2021           

  Martin Jimmerson

     110,375           -       (3)           $ 7.00           1/1/2017           10,761  (7)           180,139     
     9,375           3,125  (4)           $ 9.64           1/1/2018           
     11,250           11,250  (5)           $ 5.32           8/19/2019           
     3,125           9,375  (6)           $ 8.48           1/1/2020           
     -                 25,209  (7)           $ 18.00           3/22/2021           

  William Sutton

     9,375           3,125  (4)           $ 9.64           1/1/2018           10,115  (7)           169,325     
     3,125           3,125  (8)           $ 5.32           1/1/2019           
     1,563           4,687  (6)           $ 8.48           1/1/2020           
     -                 23,696  (7)           $ 18.00           3/22/2021           

  Hector Maytorena

     6,250           -      (9)           $ 11.00           11/5/2017           5,380  (7)           90,061     
     4,688           1,562  (4)           $ 9.64           1/1/2008           
     3,125           3,125  (8)           $ 5.32           1/1/2019           
     1,563           4,687  (6)           $ 8.48           1/1/2020           
     -                 12,604  (7)           $ 18.00           3/22/2021           

  Lars Eliassen

     10,000           -   (10)           $ 2.40           1/1/2015           6,149  (7)           102,934     
     12,500           -   (11)           $ 4.00           3/1/2016           
     6,250           -   (12)           $ 8.32           5/1/2017           
     4,688           1,562  (3)           $ 9.64           1/1/2018           
     3,125           3,125  (8)           $ 5.32           1/1/2019           
     1,563           4,687  (6)           $ 8.48           1/1/2020           
     -                 14,405  (7)           $ 18.00           3/22/2021           

 

(1) The option and stock awards reflected in the table above, except the options awarded prior to January 1, 2007, vest as to one-fourth of the total number of shares on the first, second, third and fourth year anniversary of the date of award specified in the award agreement.
(2) Based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2011 of $16.74.
(3) The date of the award was January 1, 2007.
(4) The date of the award was January 1, 2008.
(5) The date of the award was August 19, 2009.
(6) The date of the award was January 1, 2010.
(7) The date of the award was March 22, 2011.
(8) The date of the award was January 1, 2009.
(9) The date of the award was November 5, 2007.
(10) The date of the award was January 1, 2005, which vested immediately.
(11) The date of the award was March 1, 2006 which one forth vested immediately and on the first, second and third year anniversary of the date of award specified in the award agreement.
(12) The date of the award was May 1, 2007.

 

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OPTION EXERCISES AND VESTING OF RESTRICTED STOCK

None of our named executive officers exercised any stock options or had any restricted stock vest during 2011.

PENSION BENEFITS

We do not provide pension benefits for our named executive officers or other employees. Retirement benefits are provided through the Savings Plan discussed below.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

We do not have a non-qualified deferred compensation plan and as such, no compensation has been deferred by our named executive officers or our other employees. The Savings Plan is a 401(k) deferred compensation arrangement and a qualified plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which an executive officer’s employment terminates, the executive will be entitled to receive amounts earned (but unpaid) during his term of employment. Such amounts include:

 

   

earned, but unpaid base salary;

   

target non-equity incentive compensation earned during the fiscal year;

   

unpaid non-equity compensation for the preceding year;

   

unused vacation pay; and

   

amounts contributed and vested through our Savings Plan.

If the executive’s separation is the result of death or “Disability”, the executive or his or her estate shall receive the above benefits, any long-term disability benefits and all unexercisable equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable.

The employment agreements with each of our executives also provide certain benefits if their employment is terminated under various circumstances. See above under “- Employment Agreements” for a description of those circumstances and the benefits to which the named executive officers are entitled.

Excise Taxes

If any benefits payable or otherwise provided under each named executive officer’s employment agreement would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), we must provide for the payment of, or otherwise reimburse the executive for, such Excise Tax and any related taxes, fees or penalties thereon pursuant to the terms of their employment contracts.

Quantification of Payments on Termination

The chart below reflects the amount of compensation to each of our named executive officers in the event of termination of such executive’s employment pursuant to his employment agreement and our stock compensation plans. The amount of compensation payable to each executive officer upon voluntary termination with “Good Reason,” involuntary termination other than for “Cause,” termination following a “Change of Control” and the occurrence of the “Disability” or death of the executive is shown below. The amounts shown are calculated assuming that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2011, and thus include amounts earned through such time (other than amounts payable pursuant to our Savings Plan) and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the executives upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid out may only be determined at the time of the executive’s actual separation from us. For Messrs. Slaughter, Jimmerson, Sutton and Maytorena the amounts below were calculated assuming that their new employment agreement described above under “- Employment Agreements” were effective as of December 31, 2011.

 

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POST EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TABLE

 

      Name

   Severance
Payment
     Early Vesting
of Equity
Awards (1)
     Health &
Welfare
Benefits (2)
     Estimated Tax
Gross-up
     Total Benefit  

Mark Slaughter

              

Change of Control

   $   1,643,297       $   654,603       $   48,477       $   411,501       $   2,757,878   

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

     1,643,297         -           48,477         -           1,691,774   

Disability or Death

     323,297         654,603         -           -           977,900   

Martin Jimmerson

              

Change of Control

     759,069         408,239         48,477         190,995         1,406,780   

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

     759,069         -           48,477         -           807,546   

Disability or Death

     159,069         408,239         -           -           576,308   

William Sutton

              

Change of Control

     527,607         265,915         44,385         -           837,907   

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

     527,607         -           44,385         -           571,992   

Disability or Death

     151,607         265,915         -           -           417,522   

Hector Maytorena

              

Change of Control

     363,529         175,554         47,958         -           587,041   

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

     363,529         -           47,958         -           411,487   

Disability or Death

     103,297         175,554         -           -           278,851   

Lars Eliassen (4)

              

Change of Control

     321,416         188,427         38,340         -           548,183   

Other than Cause or for Good Reason

     321,416         188,427         38,340         -           548,183   

Disability or Death

     -           188,427         -           -           188,427   

 

 

(1) See the table Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2011 presented earlier in this section of the proxy.
(2) This column includes 18 months of Cobra premiums and 20,000 in outplacement services.
(3) Termination assumes there has not been a change of control event within the prior two years.
(4) Termination payouts were determined under Mr. Eliassen’s employment agreement in place on December 31, 2011 which are described earlier under “Employment Agreements – Mr. Eliassen” and assumed a severance payment equal to his current base compensation and target bonus, since under Norwegian law, Mr. Eliassen’s employment agreement provided that the cash severance amount was to be negotiated in good faith at the time of severance.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Submitted By:

Compensation Committee

Kevin Neveu, Chairman

Charles L. Davis

Ditlef de Vibe

Thomas M. Matthews

Kevin J. O’Hara

This Report of the Compensation Committee is not “soliciting material” and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities

 

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Act of 1933 or under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The table below sets forth the following information as of the end of December 31, 2011 for (i) all compensation plans previously approved by our stockholders and (ii) all compensation plans not previously approved by our stockholders.

 

  Plan category

   Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (a)
     Weighted-average exercise
price of such outstanding
options, warrants and
rights
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a) (1)
 

  Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

     975,983       $ 9.36         2,667,400   

  Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     -           -           -     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

  Total

     975,983       $ 9.36         2,667,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents shares available under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan. No additional shares will be awarded the RigNet, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan or the RigNet Inc. 2001 Performance Stock Option Plan.

In addition to our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we maintain the RigNet, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the RigNet Inc. 2001 Performance Stock Option Plan, both of which were previously approved by our stockholders in connection with their adoption prior to our IPO. We do not maintain any equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our stockholders.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth as of March 29, 2012, the number of shares beneficially owned by: (i) each person who is known to us to beneficially own more than 5.0% of a class of shares; (ii) the current directors and nominees of our Board of Directors; (iii) each named executive officer included in the Summary Compensation Table; and (iv) all current directors and named executive officers as a group. We obtained certain information in the table from filings made with the SEC. Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes to the table below, to our knowledge each beneficial owner has sole voting power and sole investment power, subject to community property laws for individuals that may apply to create shared voting and investment power. Unless indicated in the footnotes below, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o RigNet, Inc., 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077-4760.

Except as otherwise noted in the table below, we calculated the percentage of shares outstanding based on 15,526,898 shares of common stock outstanding on March 29, 2012. In accordance with SEC regulations, we also include (1) shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012, and (2) shares issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that are vested, or will become vested within 60 days of March 29, 2012. Those shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such option or restricted stock unit for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

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Security Ownership Table

 

  Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
 

  5.0% Stockholders:

     

  Energy Growth AS (1)

     4,883,010         29.8

  Altira Group LLC (2)

     2,546,701         16.0

  T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (3)

     1,585,228         10.2

  Don A. Sanders (4)

     953,777         6.1

  Named Executive Officers:

     

  Mark Slaughter (5)

     303,683         1.9

  Martin Jimmerson (6)

     183,313         1.2

  William Sutton (7)

     42,131          

  Hector Maytorena (8)

     32,010          

  Lars Eliassen (9)

     58,814          

  Non-Employee Directors:

     

  Thomas M. Matthews (10)

     3,482          

  James H. Browning (10)

     3,482          

  Charles L. Davis (10)

     59,790          

  Ditlef de Vibe (11)

     2,794          

  Kevin Mulloy

     -            

  Kevin Neveu (12)

     17,482          

  Kevin J. O’Hara (10)

     3,482          

  Keith Olsen (10)

     3,482          

  Brent K. Whittington (10)

     3,482          

  All of our directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons)

     722,028         4.5

 

* Less than 1.0% of class

 

(1) Based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2012, Energy Growth AS owns the shares. Includes 833,319 shares of common stock subject to warrants which are exercisable as of December 31, 2011. The address of Energy Growth AS is c/o Cubera Private Equity AS, Tordenskioldsgate 6B, N-0160 Oslo, Norway.

 

(2) Based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2012, Altira Group LLC (“AG”) reports the beneficial ownership of 2,546,700 shares. Of those shares, 1,285,175 shares are held by Altira Technology Fund IV L.P. (“ATF IV”), which includes 367,158 shares issuable upon the conversion of warrants, and 1,261,525 shares are held by Altira Technology Fund III LLC (“ATF III”). AG is the general partner of ATF III and the managing member of Altira Management IV LLC (“AM IV”), the general partner of ATF IV, and may be deemed to have sole voting power with respect to such shares, except AM IV, the general partner of ATF IV, may be deemed to have sole power to vote these shares, and Dirk W. McDermott, the managing member of AG, may be deemed to have sole voting power with respect to such shares. The address for each such reporting person is 1675 Broadway, Suite 2400, Denver, Colorado 80202.

 

(3)

Based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2012, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. reported that it had sole dispositive power as to all such shares, but only sole voting power with respect to 330,755 of such shares. T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund, Inc. reported that it had sole voting power with

 

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respect to 795,008 of such shares. The address of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund, Inc. is 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

 

(4) Based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 31, 2012, Don A. Sanders reported the beneficial ownership of 953,777 shares, which includes 14, 722 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Such shares include 152,233 shares beneficially owned by Sanders Opportunity Fund, L.P. and 507,990 shares beneficially owned by Sanders Opportunity Fund (Institutional), L.P. for which Mr. Sanders serves as the Chief Investment Officer and exercises voting and dispositive power as manager of SOF Management, LLC, the general partner of such funds; thus, he may also be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these securities. Includes 15,363 shares owned by a trust for which Mr. Sanders serves as co-trustee and 105,389 shares held in client brokerage accounts over which Mr. Sanders has shared dispositive power. Also includes 14,722 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable warrants. Mr. Sanders disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities owned by Sanders Morris Opportunity Fund, L.P., Sanderson Opportunity Fund (Institutional), L.P., SOF Management LLC in excess of his pecuniary interest in such securities and all shares held in brokerage accounts over which he has shared dispositive power. The address of each such reporting person is 600 Travis, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

(5) Includes 271,050 shares of stock subject to options and warrants which are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012. Also includes 5,572 shares of stock and 26,811 shares of restricted stock. Also includes 125 shares of stock owned by Kristen Slaughter, who is Mr. Slaughter’s daughter, and 125 shares of stock owned by Leslie Slaughter, who is Mr. Slaughter’s daughter. Mr. Slaughter disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Kristen Slaughter and Leslie Slaughter.

 

(6) Includes 165,704 shares of stock subject to options and warrants which are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012. Also includes 3,390 shares of common stock and 14,219 shares of restricted stock.

 

(7) Includes 26,237 shares of stock subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012. Also includes 2,529 shares of common stock and 13,365 shares of restricted stock.

 

(8) Includes 23,237 shares of stock subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012. Also includes 1,345 shares of common stock and 7,201 shares of restricted stock.

 

(9) Includes 46,414 shares of stock subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012. Also includes 7,787 shares of common stock and 4,612 shares of restricted stock.

 

(10) Includes 1,741 shares of restricted stock.

 

(11) Includes 2,794 shares of restricted stock.

 

(12) Includes 14,000 shares of stock subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2012 and 1,741 shares of restricted stock.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our named executive officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership concerning our common stock with the SEC and to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon our review of the Section 16(a) filings that have been received by us and representations made to us by our executive officers and directors, we believe that all filings required to be made under Section 16(a) during 2011 were made timely.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

In the ordinary course of our business, we purchase products or services from, or engage in other transactions with, various third parties. Occasionally, these transactions may involve entities that are affiliated with one or more members of our Board of Directors. When they occur, these transactions are conducted in the ordinary course and on an arms-length basis.

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

Under our code of business conduct and ethics, our employees, officers and directors are discouraged from entering into any transaction that may cause a conflict of interest for us. In addition, they must report any potential conflict of interest, including related party transactions, to their managers or our general counsel who then reviews and summarizes the proposed transaction for our Audit Committee. Pursuant to its charter, our Audit Committee must then approve any related-party transactions, including those transactions involving our directors. In approving or rejecting such proposed transactions, the Audit Committee considers the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to the Audit Committee, including the material terms of the transactions, risks, benefits, costs, availability of other comparable services or products and, if applicable, the impact on a director’s independence. Our Audit Committee will approve only those transactions that, in light of known circumstances, are in, or are not inconsistent with, our best interests, as our Audit Committee determines in the good faith exercise of its discretion. A copy of our code of business conduct and ethics and Audit Committee charter may be found at our corporate website http://investor.rig.net/governance.cfm upon the completion of this offering.

Currently, there are no proposed transactions or series of similar transactions to which we are party for which the amount involved would exceed $120,000 with one or more of our directors, named executive officers, holders of more than 5.0% of any class of our voting securities, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons. However, since the beginning of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, there were transactions to which we were or are a party for which the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $120,000 and in which had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, which are described below other than compensation arrangements with directors and named executive officers, which are described under the captions “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation” appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement.

Stockholder Transactions

In December 2011, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3”) to register securities to be offered by us and certain selling stockholders on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Some of the selling stockholders are party to a registration rights agreement with us. The selling stockholders named in the Form S-3 may offer and sell up to an aggregate of 8,037,713 shares of common stock pursuant to the Form S-3. Some of our five percent stockholders, consisting of Energy Growth AS, funds affiliated with Altira Group LLC and funds affiliated with Sanders Morris Harris Group, were named as selling stockholders in the Form S-3.

In January 2011, the underwriters of our IPO exercised their over-allotment option for the sale of 750,000 shares of common stock at $12.00 per share. The following is a summary of the shares sold in the over-allotment by our 5.0% stockholders:

 

Related Party

       Shares Sold in    
the Over-
Allotment
     Proceeds
from Sale of
Shares
 

5.0% Stockholders:

     

Energy Growth AS

     78,261       $   939,131   

Altira Group LLC

     58,398         700,775   

Sanders Morris Harris Group, Inc.

     54,980         659,759   

 

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Precision Drilling Corporation

One of our directors, Kevin Neveu, is the Chief Executive Officer of Precision Drilling Corporation. We received an aggregate of approximately $0.9 million in 2011 and approximately $0.6 million in 2010 from Precision Drilling Corporation for services performed by us in the ordinary course of business.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal for inclusion in our 2013 proxy statement and form of proxy must submit the proposal, in writing, so that our Corporate Secretary receives it at our principal executive offices, located at 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077-4760, by December 4, 2012, which is 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the date this proxy statement is being sent to our stockholders. Any stockholder who wishes to bring a proposal or nominate a person for election to our Board of Directors at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must provide written notice of the proposal or nomination to our Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive offices, between January 16, 2013 and February 15, 2013, which is 90 to 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the upcoming Annual Meeting. In addition, our stockholders must comply with the requirements of the SEC related to nominations and stockholder proposals and the procedural requirements in our bylaws, which stockholders can obtain from us upon request and which are also on file with the SEC or available on our website at http:// investor.rig.net.

Our bylaws provide that if a stockholder wishes to nominate a person for election as director (which is separate from simply recommending someone to be considered by our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee for inclusion on the Company’s slate of directors) or to propose other business to be considered at one of our annual meetings of stockholders, that stockholder must follow the procedures contained in our bylaws and satisfy the requirements of Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The stockholder proposing such business or making such nomination must be a stockholder of record of our Company on the date the nomination is delivered to our Corporate Secretary and at the time of our annual meeting and be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. The proposal or nomination must be received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, except that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be delivered not earlier than the close of business 120 days prior to the annual meeting and no later than 90 days prior to such annual meeting or 10 days following our first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting. In addition, if the number of directors to be elected to our Board of Directors at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by us naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s nomination shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is delivered to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which we first make such public announcement. These time periods are designed to allow us time to adequately consider all proposals and nominees.

To be considered, each nomination must include the following information:

 

   

all information relating to the nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

   

the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;

 

   

a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among the nominating stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with them, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with him, on the other hand, including, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any of

 

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their respective affiliates or associates or persons acting in concert with any such person, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant;

 

   

a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of the nominee and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, the form of which questionnaire will be provided by our Corporate Secretary upon written request; and

 

   

a written representation and agreement, in the form provided by our Corporate Secretary upon written request, that the nominee is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how the nominee, if elected as a director, will act or vote on any issue or question that has not been disclosed to us or that could limit or interfere with the nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director, with the nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than us with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as our director that has not been disclosed to us, and in the nominee’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as our director, and will comply with all of our applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock trading policies and guidelines.

To be considered, proposals for business to be considered by our stockholders at an annual meeting, other than the nomination of persons for election as directors, must include the following information:

 

   

a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting;

 

   

the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting;

 

   

the text of the proposal or business, including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend our Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment;

 

   

any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made;

 

   

a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons, including their names, in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and

 

   

as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made:

 

  the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on our books, and of such beneficial owner, if any,

 

  the class or series and number of shares of our capital stock that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by such beneficial owner,

 

  any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of our capital stock, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of our capital or otherwise directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder and by such beneficial owner, if any,

 

  any other direct or indirect opportunity held or owned beneficially by such stockholder and by such beneficial owner, if any, to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of our shares,

 

  any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, has a right to vote any shares of any of our securities,

 

  any short interest in any of our securities,

 

  any right to dividends on our shares of capital stock owned beneficially by such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, which right is separated or separable from the underlying shares,

 

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  any proportionate interest in shares of our capital stock or derivative instrument held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, is a general partner or with respect to which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, and

 

  any performance-related fees, other than an asset-based fee, to which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of our shares or derivative instruments, if any, in each case with respect to the information required to be included in the notice.

Such information must include any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s or such beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household. All such information must be supplemented by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the annual meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date, 10 days before the annual meeting date, and immediately prior to the commencement of the annual meeting, by delivery of such supplemented information to our Corporate Secretary. Such information shall also include any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of our stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group that intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of our outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.

The proposing stockholder must also include such other information as we may reasonably require or that is otherwise reasonably necessary to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of our Company, to determine whether such nominee qualifies as an “independent director” or “audit committee financial expert” under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation, or any of our publicly-disclosed corporate governance guidelines or committee charters; including our policy governing director qualifications and nominations, and that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence and qualifications, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

WHERE YOU MAY FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and proxy statements with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room and its copy charges. We maintain a website at http:// investor.rig.net, where we post our SEC filings.

You may request copies of our filings, including any documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement as described below, without charge, by calling our Investor Relations representative at (281) 674-0100 or write to Investor Relations, 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077-4760.

If you would like to request documents from us, please do so at least five business days before the date of the Annual Meeting in order to receive timely delivery of the documents before the Annual Meeting. If you request any incorporated documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail or other equally prompt means within one business day of receipt of your request, provided that we will not mail any exhibits to the information that is incorporated by reference unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this proxy statement incorporates.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

 

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The information contained in this document or any document incorporated by reference herein speaks only as of the date indicated on the cover of this document or the document incorporated by reference unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

OTHER MATTERS FOR 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board of Directors knows of no matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals included in the accompanying notice and described in this proxy statement. If any other matter requiring a vote of stockholders arises, including a question of adjourning the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will have the discretion to vote thereon according to their best judgment of what they consider to be in the best interests of our Company. The accompanying proxy card confers discretionary authority to take action with respect to any additional matters that may come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Members of our Board of Directors are elected each year at the annual meeting of stockholders. All of our current Board members have been nominated to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting, except for Thomas M. Matthews whose term as a director will expire at the Annual Meeting. Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, consisting solely of independent directors, as determined by our Board of Directors recommended the directors for nomination by our full Board of Directors. Based on that recommendation, our Board of Directors has nominated nine directors for election at the Annual Meeting.

Nominees

The following nine directors have all been nominated to serve on our Board of Directors until the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: Mark B. Slaughter, James H. Browning, Charles L. Davis, Ditlef deVibe, Kevin Mulloy, Kevin Neveu, Kevin J. O’Hara, Keith Olsen, and Brent K. Whittington. Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a director if so elected. Each nominee who is elected to our Board of Directors will serve in such capacity until his term expires or his successor has been duly elected and qualified or, if earlier, until such director dies, resigns or is removed.

Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the share of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. As a result, the nine nominees with the most votes will be elected. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

Our Board recommends that you vote

“FOR” the election of each of the nominated directors.

PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit our consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2012. Deloitte & Touche LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2007. We are asking the stockholders to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. Deloitte & Touche LLP was selected by the Audit Committee in accordance with its charter.

The submission of this matter for ratification by stockholders is not legally required; however, the Audit Committee and Board of Directors believe that such submission is consistent with best practices in corporate governance and is an opportunity for stockholders to provide direct feedback on an important issue of corporate governance. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to select another independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee continually monitors the services and fees of the independent registered public accounting firm and even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders.

 

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The Audit Committee has approved all services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions you may ask.

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table reflects fees for professional audit services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP for (i) the audit of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010; and (ii) fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP.

 

     2011      2010  

Audit Fees (1)

   $ 945,000       $ 624,000   

Audit Related Fees (2)

     30,000         1,075,000   

Tax Fees (3)

     332,030         827,000   

All Other Fees

     -           -     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $   1,307,030       $   2,526,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Audit Fees for 2011 consist of professional services and related expenses for the review of interim financial statements and the audit of our annual financial statements. Audit Fees for 2010 consist of professional services and related expenses for the audit of our annual financial statements.

 

(2) Audit Related Fees include issuance of the auditors’ consent included in our S-3 during 2011. Fees for 2010 include the preparation of a comfort letter in connection with our initial public offering, review of interim financial statements included in our S-1, and consulting related to the implementation of accounting standards.

 

(3) Tax Fees include professional services for tax return preparation, uncertain tax position implementation, tax advisory services and income tax audit support.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and approving, in advance, any audit and any permissible non-audit engagement between the Company and its independent auditors. Deloitte & Touche LLP’s engagement to conduct the audit of RigNet, Inc. for fiscal 2011 was approved by the Audit Committee on May 11, 2011. All of the services covered under the caption “Audit Related Fees”, “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” were approved by the Audit Committee and none were provided under the de minimis exception of Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

We have been advised by Deloitte & Touche LLP that substantially all of the work done in conjunction with its 2011 audit of the Company’s financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year was performed by full-time employees and partners of Deloitte & Touche LLP. The Audit Committee has determined that the provisions of services rendered for all other fees, as described above, is compatible with maintaining independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Proposal No. 2 must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. Broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote on this proposal but abstentions have the same effect as a vote against this proposal under Delaware law. If the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP is not ratified accordingly, our Board of Directors will consider whether we should select another independent registered public accounting firm.

Our Board recommends that you vote

“FOR” the ratification of Independent Public Accountants

 

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PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will vote on a non-binding, advisory resolution regarding the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

We believe that our compensation policies and procedures are competitive, focused on pay-for-performance and strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders. This advisory stockholder vote, commonly known as “Say-on-Pay,” gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to express approval or withhold approval of the compensation we pay our named executive officers through voting for or against the following resolution:

“Resolved, that the stockholders approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s 2012 proxy statement, which includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other executive compensation tables and related discussion.”

The Company and the Compensation Committee remain committed to the compensation philosophy, policies and objectives outlined under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in this proxy statement. As always, the Compensation Committee will continue to review all elements of the executive compensation program and take any steps it deems necessary to continue to fulfill the objectives of the program.

Stockholders are encouraged to carefully review the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement for a detailed discussion of the Company’s executive compensation program.

Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Company or the Board of Directors. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

This proposal must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on this proposal. Abstentions with respect to the approval of this proposal will have the effect of a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted for the purpose of determining the number of votes necessary for approval of this proposal.

Our Board recommends that you vote

“FOR” the resolution to approve on an advisory basis

the compensation of RigNet’s named executive officers.

 

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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

RIGNET, INC.

May 16, 2012

Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on May 16, 2012

The Proxy Statement and 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders

and any other additional soliciting materials, are available via the Internet at http://investor.rig.net.

Other information on the Company’s website does not constitute part of the Company’s proxy materials.

Please sign, date and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

 

  i    Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.   i   

 

n       20930300000000000000    7                 051612         
                          
   

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” all director nominees in Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2 and 3.

    PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

 

1.   Election of nine directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of RigNet’s stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified.

   

 

2.    Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as RigNet’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011.

  

FOR

¨

  

AGAINST

¨

   ABSTAIN

¨

     NOMINEES:                
¨   FOR ALL NOMINEES   

 

O     James Browning

O     Charles Davis

O     Kevin Mulloy

O     Kevin Neveu

O     Kevin O’Hara

O     Keith Olsen

O     Mark Slaughter

O     Ditlef de Vibe

O     Brent Whittington

      

 

3.    Non-binding, advisory vote on RigNet’s executive compensation.

  

FOR

¨

  

AGAINST

¨

   ABSTAIN

¨

¨  

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

FOR ALL NOMINEES

         

4.    IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY POSTPONEMENTS OR ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.

¨  

FOR ALL EXCEPT

(See instructions below)

         
                 
                 
                 

INSTRUCTIONS:    To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:   l

   
                               
 
                               

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.

  ¨  

 

  Signature of Stockholder          Date:           Signature of Stockholder          Date:      
 

 

 

 

n

 

Note:    Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 

 

 

 

 

n

                     


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    ¨        n
 

RIGNET, INC.

 

PROXY

 
 

PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2012.

 
 

The undersigned hereby appoints Mark Slaughter, Martin Jimmerson and William Sutton, jointly and severally, as the undersigned’s proxy or proxies, each with full power of substitution and to act without the other, to vote in the manner directed herein all shares of common stock of RigNet, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at the Holiday Inn, 1112 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, Texas 77077 on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., Central time, and any postponements or adjournments thereof, as fully as the undersigned could if personally present, revoking any proxy or proxies heretofore given.

 

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE ON THE REVERSE SIDE, BUT IF NO CHOICE IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” ALL DIRECTOR NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTER AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY POSTPONEMENTS OR ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.

 

 

n     (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)     14475     n