def 14a
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.
  (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
  (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
  (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
  (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
  (5)   Total fee paid:
¨   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
¨   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
  (1)   Amount Previously Paid:
  (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
  (3)   Filing Party:
  (4)   Date Filed:


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

RIGNET, INC

1880 S. Dairy Ashford

Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77077

(281) 674-0100

March 26, 2014

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of RigNet, Inc. (the “Company” or “RigNet”), which will be held at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Friday, May 9, 2014 at RigNet’s corporate office at 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, 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, 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 2014 Proxy Statement and our 2013 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/ James H. Browning

James H. Browning

Chairman of the Board

/s/ Mark B. Slaughter

Mark B. Slaughter

Chief Executive Officer and President

Your vote is important.  Please vote promptly.


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

NOTICE OF 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 9, 2014

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of RigNet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RigNet”), which will be held on Friday, May 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at RigNet’s corporate office at 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, 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 2015 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, 2014;

 

  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 21, 2014 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 corporate office in Houston 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 the Proxy Card sent to you, as promptly as possible.

 

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

William D. Sutton

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and

Corporate Secretary

Houston, Texas

March 26, 2014

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

Stockholder Meeting to be Held on May 9, 2014:

our Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at

“https://materials.proxyvote.com/766582”.

Your vote is important. Please vote promptly.

You may vote according to the instructions

on the enclosed Proxy Card.

 

2


Table of Contents

RIGNET, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2014 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

   12

Compensation Committee

   12

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

   12

Corporate Development Committee

   13

Report of the Audit Committee

   13

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

   14

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   15

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

   15

The Compensation Committee

   15

The Compensation Setting Process

   16

Our Executive Compensation Program

   17

Elements of our Executive Compensation Program

   18

Determining Amount of Each Element of Compensation

   20

Tax and Accounting Implications

   22

Summary Compensation Table

   24

2013 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

   27

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2013

   28

Option Exercises and Vesting of Restricted Stock

   29

Pension Benefits

   29

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

   29

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

   29

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

   31

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

   31

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   31

Security Ownership Table

   32

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   33

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   33

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

   34

WHERE YOU MAY FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US

   36

OTHER MATTERS FOR 2014 ANNUAL MEETING

   37

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   37

PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   38

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   38

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

   38

PROPOSAL THREE: ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   39

 

3


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

RIGNET, INC.

1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77077-4760

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

2014 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. 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) or at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, May 9, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at RigNet’s corporate office at 1880 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077. We have first released this proxy statement to our stockholders beginning on or about April 1, 2014.

Proposals

At our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we are asking our stockholders to consider and act upon proposals to: (1) elect nine directors to serve until our 2015 Annual Meeting; (2) ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014; 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 21, 2014 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 17,357,439 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 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.

 

4


Table of Contents

You may also attend the Annual Meeting via the Internet and vote during the Annual Meeting. To vote during the Annual Meeting via the Internet, you will need to follow the instructions on your proxy card and have the information available on your proxy card in order to access the Annual Meeting online.

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 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, 2013 have been made available to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. These materials may also be viewed at “https://materials.proxyvote.com/766582”.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “RigNet,” the “Company,” “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 Kevin Neveu, who will not be standing for re-election as a member of our Board. Upon the expiration of Mr. Neveu’s 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 2015 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 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.

 

5


Table of Contents

Director Nominees

Information concerning the nine director nominees is set forth below.

 

Name

     Age     

  Position with Our Company

     Director Since      

Mark B. Slaughter

   55      Chief Executive Officer, President and Director    2010

James H. Browning

   64      Chairman, Independent Director    2010

Mattia Caprioli

   40      Independent Director    October 31, 2013

Charles L. Davis

   48      Independent Director    2005

Ditlef de Vibe

   59      Independent Director    2011

Kevin Mulloy

   55      Independent Director    2012

Kevin J. O’Hara

   53      Independent Director    2010

Keith Olsen

   57      Independent Director    2010

Brent K. Whittington

   43      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, which was later acquired by Inmarsat plc, 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 and has attended Stanford Law School’s Directors’ College. 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. From March 7, 2012 to May 16, 2012, Mr. Browning served as Co-Chairman of our Board. Mr. Browning continued to serve as the Chairman of our Board since May 16, 2012. 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 boards of Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc., a publicly traded financial holding company and Endeavour International Corporation, a publicly traded international oil and gas exploration and production 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.

Mattia Caprioli has served on our Board since October 31, 2013. Mr. Caprioli is a Member of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (“KKR”) responsible for its Business Services industry team in Europe. Mr. Caprioli has held leadership roles in many KKR investments including Legrand, Toys ‘R’ Us, Alliance Boots, Inaer and Bond (now Avincis) since 2001. He also currently serves on the Board of Alliance Boots and Avincis. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Caprioli was with Goldman Sachs International in London, where he was involved in a broad array of mergers, acquisitions and financings across a variety of industries. He holds a Master of Science degree from L. Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Mr. Caprioli brings a diverse international background with extensive business services expertise to the Board.

Charles L. Davis has served as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2005. Mr. Davis has been a partner in Houston Ventures, formerly known as 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.

 

6


Table of Contents

Ditlef de Vibe has served on our Board since May 2011. From 2001 to 2011, Mr. de Vibe served as managing partner of Kistefos Venture Capital, a venture capital firm that primarily invests in the IT and telecommunications industries. Since leaving Kistefos Venture Capital, Mr. de Vibe’s principal occupation is an independent investor and board member for several private Norwegian companies. From 2007 to 2008, Mr. de Vibe also served 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 IBM, 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 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 2012. Mr. Mulloy has served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Presidio, Inc., an advanced information technology professional and managed service company, from July 2011 to May 2013. 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 J. O’Hara has served as a Director since December 2010 when we completed our IPO. Mr. O’Hara currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of Integra, a communications provider. He served on its Board since December 2009, was appointed chairman of the board in March 2011 and was named CEO in December 2011. Prior to joining Integra, he 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, from March 2009 until it was acquired by a major service provider in January 2011. 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 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 currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of vXchnge Holdings LLC, a private company offering data center services. 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, 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

 

7


Table of Contents

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

   55      Chief Executive Officer and President

Martin Jimmerson

   50      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

William Sutton

   60      Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Hector Maytorena

   53      Group Vice President, Eastern Hemisphere

James Crenshaw

   57      Group Vice President, Western Hemisphere

Morten Hagland Hansen

   41      Senior Vice President, Business Services and Chief Technology Officer

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 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2014 and our Chief Financial Officer from November 2006 through January 2014. 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 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since February 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Sutton served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from May 2009 through January 2014 and 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. He has attended Stanford Law School’s Directors’ College. 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 Group Vice President, Eastern Hemisphere since February 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Maytorena served as our Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere from April 2012 through January 2014, our Vice President & General Manager, Western Hemisphere from November 2009 through March 2012, and as Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing from November 2007 through 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 and has completed an executive education course in Emerging Growth Companies at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

James Crenshaw has served as our Group Vice President, Western Hemisphere since February 2014 and Vice President & General Manager, Western Hemisphere from January 18, 2013 through January 2014. Prior to joining RigNet, Mr. Crenshaw served as regional engineering manager, North America for Weatherford Secure Drilling Services from December 2011 to January 2013. Mr. Crenshaw served as North American Product Line Manager for Managed Pressure Drilling with Weatherford from August 2009 to December 2011 and Regional Manager for the Americas with the Secure Drilling–Weatherford JV from November 2008 to August 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Crenshaw was the Senior Vice President for Latin America with Expro America– Powerwell Services from May

 

8


Table of Contents

2005 to November 2008. He has also attended the Executive MBA short course program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management and has completed an executive education course in Emerging Growth Companies at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Mr. Crenshaw earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Morten Hagland Hansen has served as our Senior Vice President, Business Services and Chief Technology Officer since February 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Hansen served as our Vice President, Business Services from February 2013 through January 2014, Vice President, Global Engineering and Operations from July 2011 through January 2013, Vice President, Global Engineering from February 2009 to July 2011, and Director of Global Engineering from January 2007 to February 2009. From October 2001 to January 2007, Mr. Hansen served as our Engineering Manager. Prior to joining RigNet in 2001, he had experience in information technology and telecoms engineering, design and deployment. Mr. Hansen recently completed an executive education course in Customer-Focused Innovation at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

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. Neveu’s 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 public status. 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. 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 regularly reviews risk management practices in such areas as credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk and compliance risk by obtaining detailed reports from management,

 

9


Table of Contents

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.

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 Directors has determined that Messrs. Browning, Caprioli, 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”) and NASDAQ 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.

In addition, the members of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors each qualify as “independent” under standards established by the SEC and NASDAQ for members of compensation committees.

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:

 

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

 

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

 

  Ÿ   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.

 

  Ÿ   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.

 

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

 

10


Table of Contents

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:

 

  Ÿ   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.

 

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

 

  Ÿ   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.

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:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  Ÿ   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, Senior 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 2013, our Board of Directors held 8 regular meetings, including our last annual meeting. The standing Committees of our Board of Directors held an aggregate of 25 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, except Mr. Caprioli who joined the Board on October 31, 2013 and did not attend the December 2013 meeting of the Board.

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 2013 annual meeting of stockholders attended such meeting.

Committees of Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors currently has standing Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating and Corporate Development Committees. Each member of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee 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”.

 

11


Table of Contents

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 and procedures; compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; independent auditor qualifications, independence and performance; and the internal audit function. During 2013, the Audit Committee held 5 meetings. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of three directors: Messrs. Browning (Chairman), Mulloy 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”.

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 to the Board 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 2013, the Compensation Committee held 8 meetings. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of four directors: Messrs. Olsen (Chairman), Davis, Neveu and O’Hara. Upon the expiration of Mr. Neveu’s term as a director at the Annual Meeting, he will cease to be a member of the Compensation Committee. Each of the Compensation Committee members is “independent” as defined by the current NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC rules. 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.

 

12


Table of Contents

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, Senior 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 are summarized below in the Section entitled “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders.”

In 2013, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held 5 meetings. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is currently comprised of four directors: Messrs. Neveu (Chairman), Browning, Davis and Olsen, who are all “independent”, as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards. Upon the expiration of Mr. Neveu’s term as a director at the Annual Meeting, he will cease to be a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

Corporate Development Committee

The Corporate Development Committee assists our Board of Directors in providing oversight and guidance to our management related to (i) the evaluation of corporate development opportunities and (ii) strategies and processes regarding merger and acquisition initiatives. During 2013, the Corporate Development Committee held 7 meetings. The Corporate Development Committee is currently comprised of five independent directors: Messrs. Davis (Chairman), Caprioli, de Vibe, Mulloy and Whittington.

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, 2013, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the financial statements of RigNet, Inc. and the quality of financial reporting with management and the independent auditor. The Audit Committee received the written disclosure and the letter from the independent auditor required under applicable requirements including Auditing Standard No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees, as established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. 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, 2013 for filing with the SEC.

 

Submitted By:
Audit Committee

James H. Browning, Chairman

Kevin Mulloy

Brent K. Whittington

 

13


Table of Contents

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

The following summarizes the compensation of each non-employee member of our Board of Directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Our CEO is also a board member. Since he is an employee of the Company, he does not receive additional compensation specifically related to his service on our Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Caprioli does not receive any compensation for his role as a member of our Board of Directors due to his affiliation with KKR, a holder of over 25% of our outstanding shares of common stock.

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

 

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

 

    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; the chairman of the Corporate Development 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. Retainers and meeting fees are paid at the end of each quarter on a pro rata basis for any partial service periods.

The following table summarizes the compensation of each non-employee member of our Board of Directors in 2013:

 

                                                                          

 Name (1)

   Fees Earned or
  Paid in Cash (2)  
     Stock
    Awards (3) (4)    
                 Total              

James H. Browning

     $ 120,000               $ 49,691               $ 169,691       

Mattia Caprioli

     -               -               -         

Charles L. Davis

     73,000             49,691             122,691       

Ditlef de Vibe

     70,000             49,691             119,691       

Kevin Mulloy

     60,000             49,691             109,691       

Kevin Neveu

     64,500             49,691             114,191       

Kevin J. O’Hara

     58,959             49,691             108,650       

Keith Olsen

     68,500             49,691             118,191       

Brent K. Whittington

     61,000             49,691             110,691       

 

(1) Each non-employee director listed above served as a director for all of 2013, except for Mr. Caprioli who joined the Board on October 31, 2013. Our CEO is excluded from this table as he receives no compensation specifically related to his service on our Board and his compensation as an employee is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

(2) Amounts reflect annual retainers and board and committee fees earned by the directors during 2013.

 

14


Table of Contents
(3) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock granted in 2013 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Each director received one equity award in 2013 and the grant date fair value is reflected in the table above. Information about the assumptions used to value these awards can be found in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, each independent director had 2,140 shares of restricted stock outstanding.

The table above reflects all compensation received by our independent directors during 2013. 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 2013 with respect to our named executive officers.

This section of the proxy also describes the compensation paid to our 2013 named executive officers:

 

    Mark Slaughter – Chief Executive Officer and President
    Martin Jimmerson – Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    William Sutton – Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
    Hector Maytorena – Group Vice President, Eastern Hemisphere
    James Crenshaw – Group Vice President, Western 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 objectives and philosophy;
    review and oversee the incentive compensation and equity plans;
    review performance goals, objectives and policies relevant to executive compensation;
    review performance goals, objectives and policies relevant to Board compensation;
    evaluate executive performance in light of those goals to determine compensation levels;
    review and make recommendations for Board compensation levels;
    review and recommend compensation levels and 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 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.

 

15


Table of Contents

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 company performance metrics under our short-term incentive compensation plans for the upcoming year;
    reviews Board performance and evaluates the compensation paid to our independent directors and makes recommendations for adjustments, if any, to the Board; and
    reviews the performance of our CEO.

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 2013, the Committee engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl Meyer”), as the Committee’s independent compensation consultant to assist the Committee in assessing and determining competitive compensation packages for our named executive officers and directors.

In this capacity, Pearl Meyer has at the Committee’s request and under the direction of the Committee Chairman, assembled information regarding:

 

    identification of an updated and expanded peer group of companies;
    compensation trends in the telecommunication and oil and gas service industries;
    relative compensation for similarly-situated executive officers within peer group companies or other companies with revenues, transactions or growth trends comparable to our Company; and
    relative compensation for similarly-situated independent board directors of the peer group companies or other companies with revenues, transactions or growth trends comparable to our Company.

While the Committee relies on data provided by our independent compensation consultant or Equilar, Inc., a provider of executive compensation information based on publicly available information contained in SEC filings, it also considers a number of other factors including:

 

    performance of the executive;
    historical compensation levels;
    specific role the executive plays within our Company; and
    changes in scope, roles and responsibilities.

In March 2013, we relied primarily on published general industry compensation survey data providing average annual market increases in the various geographies in which we operate. We used this data to adjust a prior-year, peer group study and considered data from Equilar, Inc. to provide our Compensation Committee adequate data for establishing 2013 compensation levels. In considering the prior-year, peer group survey, we adjusted our previously established peer group removing entities that no longer met peer group criteria or where data was no longer available, which included Bronco Drilling Company, Bigband Networks and FiberTower Corp. As such, the peer group used in establishing 2013 base and target incentive compensation consisted of the following fourteen companies: Anaren Inc., Cbeyond Inc., Cogent Communications Group, Communications Systems Inc., Digi International Inc., Dawson Geophysical Company, 8X8 Inc, Geospace Technologies Corp., inContact Inc., Kvh Industries Inc., Meru Networks Inc., Shoretel Inc., TGC Industries, Inc. and Union Drilling Inc. In addition in early 2013, a secondary peer group was internally developed to provide our Compensation Committee with additional

 

16


Table of Contents

data obtained through Equilar. This peer group was selected based on industry classification, company market value and revenue levels. This additional peer group included: Approach Resources Inc., Crimson Exploration Inc., Delta Petroleum Corporation, GMX Resources Inc., Mangum Hunter Resources Corporation, Mitcham Industries Inc., Natural Gas Services Group Inc., PrimeEnergy Inc., Rex Energy Corporation, Union Drilling Inc. and Warren Resources Inc. Data for this additional peer group was obtained from Equilar, Inc. and was considered by our Compensation Committee in establishing 2013 compensation levels.

During 2013 with the assistance of our independent compensation consultant, we updated our compensation peer group reflecting changes in our global company, the industry and our size as a public company to include the following twenty-one companies: Cal Dive International Inc., Calix Inc., Cbeyond Inc., Cogent Communications Group, Dawson Geophysical Company, 8X8 Inc, Forbes Energy Services, Hornbeck Offshore Services, Globecomm Systems Inc., Global Geophysical Services Inc., Gulf Island Fabrication Inc., GulfMark Offshore Inc., inContact Inc, Iridum Communications, Kvh Industries Inc., Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation, Rex Energy Corporation, Shoretel Inc., Tesco Corporation, TETRA Technologies Inc. and Vantage Drilling Company. We selected these companies because they were public companies of similar size and headcount, and they serve the geographies and customer bases in which we operate and compete for senior management personnel. During 2013, we obtained a compensation peer group study from Pearl Meyer for our executive officers and directors, which provided specific input on cash and equity compensation levels and ranges. This data was used to adjust 2013 MIP bonus levels and establish 2014 base and target incentive compensation. See “Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation – Base Compensation” below.

Role of Chief Executive Officer in Executive Compensation Decisions

Our Compensation Committee 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 related to each named executive officer’s performance to support the Compensation Committee’s decision-making on executive compensation.

Our Executive Compensation Program

Compensation Objectives

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 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. In addition to changes in position or responsibilities, the Committee primarily considered:

 

    peer data provided by our outside consultants;
    industry published data; and
    internal review of the executive’s compensation, both individually and relative to other executive officers.

Compensation Philosophy

Executive base compensation is expected 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 above the median 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.

 

17


Table of Contents

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 value growth to align executive interests with our stockholders’ interests to grow long-term value and incentivize retention; 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 to 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 within the 25th percentile and median and 2) awards under our 2010 Omnibus Plan above the median 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 approve 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, anti-hedging policy and executive equity ownership 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 2013 annual stockholder meeting, 13,582,320 votes were cast for approval of the proposal and 8,576 votes were cast against approval. As such, the Committee did not change any practices or programs as a result of the 2013 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 between the 25th percentile and the median for our peer group, adjusted for each individual’s education, experience, performance and potential, which allow us to attract and retain executives in competitive markets.

 

18


Table of Contents

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 and regional 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 85.0% of either the annual Revenue or Adjusted EBITDA target. Since our financial targets are stretch targets, we believe in paying smaller bonuses if we achieve at least 85.0% of our target and larger bonuses if we exceed the target level to reward performance above the target levels, up to a maximum individual amount, but unlimited as to any single metric. Total MIP funding is based on actual consolidated performance against the annual Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets. We define Adjusted EBITDA 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, excluding sales commissions, are limited to the total budgeted target bonuses at the beginning of the year adjusted for actual company performance against the annual Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets.

Short-term incentive compensation is determined 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.

The following multiplier table was used to determine each executive’s bonus formula:

 

                                             
     Target Multiplier  
                Management      
     Revenue      EBITDA  

Target Bonus Weighting

     40.0%             60.0%       

Percentage of Plan:

     

125%

     2.500             2.500       

120%

     2.200             2.200       

115%

     1.900             1.900       

110%

     1.600             1.600       

105%

     1.300             1.300       

100%

     1.000             1.000       

95%

     0.750             0.750       

90%

     0.500             0.500       

85%

     0.250             0.250       

Less than 85.0%

     -             -       

See the table on page 21 of this proxy statement for the application of this matrix for 2013. 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.

 

19


Table of Contents

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.

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. Beginning in 2014, we have amended our 401(k) plan to provide for all eligible employees a company matching contribution based on 100.0% of the first 2.0% and 50.0% of the next 4.0% of eligible employee contributions. Employee elective deferrals and employee matching contributions are immediately vested and non-forfeitable upon contribution to the 401(k) plan.

Perquisites

We believe in a simple, straight-forward compensation program. 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

We utilize our previously established peer group along with a market-based pay philosophy across base pay, short-term incentive compensation and long-term equity awards as described under “The Compensation Setting Process – Role of the Compensation Consultant.” On March 5, 2013, our Compensation Committee evaluated data from our peer group and the published survey for average annual market increases and recommended base compensation levels and short-term incentive compensation targets effective April 1, 2013, which were approved by the Board for our named executive officers. Mr. Slaughter’s base compensation was increased 10.0% to recognize his increased responsibility resulting from the organic growth of our company, successful completion of the Nessco acquisition, retain his compensation at the 25th percentile of the peer group data and continue to incentivize

 

20


Table of Contents

continued achievement of goals. Mr. Jimmerson’s base compensation was increased 10.0% and making his compensation at the 33rd percentile compared to our peer group data, to recognize his increased level of responsibilities managing the finances for a larger company, his success integrating the Nessco acquisition, improvements in financial reporting and public company compliance, past experience and to continue to incentivize continued achievement of goals. Mr. Sutton’s base compensation was increased 3.0% based on industry average market increases making his compensation at the 33rd percentile based on peer group data, to recognize his level of responsibilities in compliance and risk management, current 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% based on industry average market increases to recognize his level of responsibility and experience in running the operations of a large geographic region within the company, and incentivize continued achievement of both financial and individual goals. For Mr. Crenshaw, who had not previously been a named executive officer, we evaluated his base compensation compared to other officer level personnel considering his prior experience and his significant level of responsibility for operations and approved his starting base compensation of $200,000 along with a MIP Bonus target of 50.0% to incentivize achievement of both financial and individual goals.

For 2013, all targeted MIP bonus levels as a percentage of base salary were retained at 2012 levels as presented in the table below, which represent the midpoint of the range of our peer group annual incentive target percentages for Messrs. Slaughter, Jimmerson, and Sutton and at a level equitable for their responsibilities when compared to other officers of our Company for Mr. Maytorena and Mr. Crenshaw. For 2013, the Target Multipliers presented under “Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program – Short-term Incentive Compensation” reflects 2013 modifications that significantly reduced the multipliers for achievement of percentages less than 100% of the performance metrics and increased the multipliers for achievements in excess of the performance metrics. Further, the overall short-term incentive annual funding maximum payout formula is now based on the total budgeted target bonuses at the beginning of the year adjusted for actual company achievement against the Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets. The maximum individual remained unchanged at 2.5 times target payout. These changes were made to further incentivize overall financial performance of the Company.

Changes in base compensation during 2013 and MIP bonus results are summarized in the following table:

 

Name                                     

   2013
Base
    Salary    
     2012 Base
    Salary    
         2013 Target    
MIP Bonus
Level
     Computed MIP
Amount, net of
  Pool Adjustment  
       Discretionary  
Adjustment
         2013 MIP    
Total
 

Mark Slaughter

     $ 373,890           $ 339,900           $ 262,784                 $ 407,848             $ -             $ 407,848     

Martin Jimmerson

     282,700           257,000           218,784           185,025           -           185,025     

William Sutton

     250,000           242,000           172,784           163,192           24,975           188,167     

Hector Maytorena

     206,000           200,000           137,784           118,428           -           118,428     

James Crenshaw

     200,000           n/a           137,784           70,240           -           70,240     

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 an annual short-term incentive compensation funding maximum for all employees as a group.

The following table summarizes the consolidated financial targets and achievement of those targets for 2013 for all named executive officers.

 

Name                                                                                  

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

  Consolidated Management EBITDA

       $ 55.7               $ 57.0             102.2%           113.3%     

  Consolidated Revenue

     220.7             223.2             101.1%           106.9%     

  Mr. Maytorena’s Management EBITDA

     60.9             63.5             104.3%           125.6%     

  Mr. Maytorena’s Revenue

     165.2             168.6             102.0%           112.3%     

  Mr. Crenshaw’s Management EBITDA

     24.0             21.1             87.8%           38.8%     

  Mr. Crenshaw’s Management EBITDA

     55.4             54.6             98.4%           92.2%     

 

21


Table of Contents

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 2013 bonus formula multiplied each executive officer’s potential target bonus as a percentage of their current base salary, adjusted for partial-year employment, multiplied by the sum of (i) 60.0% of the consolidated Management EBITDA multiplier plus (ii) 40.0% of the consolidated revenue multiplier; except that for Mr. Maytorena and Mr. Crenshaw the Management EBITDA and Revenue multipliers were weighted based 70.0% upon performance results from their operational areas of responsibility and 30.0% of the consolidated multipliers. Pursuant to the Company’s bonus programs, the short-term incentive pool for all employees, including the named executive officers, was limited to the annual short-term incentive funding maximum, which resulted in a downward adjustment of 1.73% for all participants’ 2013 incentive payout computations, after any discretionary adjustments. The 2013 short-term incentive compensation payments before discretionary increases, net of the company-wide pool adjustment, are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column and discretionary increases are reported in the “Bonus” column for 2013 in the Summary Compensation Table.

The Board reviewed and concurred with the CEO’s recommended discretionary adjustment for Mr. Sutton increasing his incentive payout by 15.0% in recognition of his individual achievements including his work on the Inmarsat transaction, guiding our Company through a self-reported compliance matter and successfully settling legal matters during 2013.

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 6, 2013 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 2013 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.

Deductibility of Compensation and Tax Obligations

Our Compensation Committee does not have any 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.

 

22


Table of Contents

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.

During 2013, the agreements for Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Jimmerson were amended to remove a provision that would provide a gross-up payment in the event those officers would be subject to excise taxes by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

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 our MIP includes 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, purchasing of company securities in the open market on margin or pledging securities against loans or similar arrangements.

Executive Equity Ownership

We encourage our executives to hold a significant equity interest in our Company. During 2013, we adopted a policy requiring certain executives and directors to hold shares with a value equal to a multiple of their base compensation. Our CEO is now required to hold equity shares of our Company with a value of three (3) times and our CFO is required to hold one and one half (1.5) times their annual base salary. All other executive officers and Board members are required to hold shares with a value equal to their annual base compensation and annual retainers, respectively. It is expected that each director and executive officer shall attain the applicable stock ownership level within five years of his or her first becoming subject to the stock ownership guidelines, which shall be the later to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of his or her initial election as a director or appointment as an executive officer or (ii) March 6, 2018.

 

23


Table of Contents

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, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

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

     2013            $   365,393            $   -          $   214,864          $   515,782            $   407,848            $   360            $   1,504,247    

Chief Executive Officer and President

     2012          337,425          33,566          201,254          474,201          335,666                  1,382,112    
     2011          330,000          50,000          371,528          462,050          289,955                  1,503,533    

Martin Jimmerson

     2013          276,275                  113,709          272,984          185,025          360          848,353    

Chief Financial Officer

     2012          255,250          15,235          106,729          251,115          152,352                  780,681    
     2011          250,000          50,000          197,034          245,031          131,798                  873,863    

William Sutton

     2013          248,000          24,975          107,085          257,052          163,192          357          800,661    

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

     2012          240,250          14,340          100,323          236,042          143,398                  734,353    
     2011          235,000          30,000          185,206          230,325          130,410                  810,941    

Hector Maytorena

     2013          204,500                  63,216          151,740          118,428          294          538,178    

Vice President & General Manager, Eastern Hemisphere

     2012          195,063          9,464          54,962          129,323          94,639                  483,451    
     2011          180,250          4,085          98,508          122,511          79,982                  485,336    

James Crenshaw

     2013          191,026          30,000          105,360          151,740          70,240          275          548,641    

Vice President & General Manager, Western Hemisphere

                       

 

(1) Bonuses represent the sum of discretionary MIP cash bonuses based on individual performance, a sign-on bonus paid to Mr. Crenshaw in 2013 and cash IPO success bonuses paid in 2011 to Messrs. Slaughter, Jimmerson and Sutton for $50,000, $50,000 and $30,000, respectively.

 

(2) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for stock and option awards 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 11, Stock-Based Compensation, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

(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 provide all employees life insurance coverage equal to two times annual base pay not to exceed $500,000. We did not provide perquisites and other personal benefits exceeding a value of $10,000 to our named executive officers.

On March 5, 2014, consistent with our market-based pay philosophy, our Compensation Committee reviewed updated peer group compensation data as discussed above under “The Compensation Setting Process – Role of Compensation Consultant” for named executive officers. Using this data and considering each executive’s responsibility related to the current size of our Company, effective April 1, 2014 base compensation levels were approved by the Board for Mr. Slaughter at $415,000, Mr. Jimmerson at $288,600, Mr. Sutton at $262,000, Mr. Maytorena at 245,000, and Mr. Crenshaw at $230,000. Target MIP bonus levels for each of our executive officers for 2014 were approved by the Board for Mr. Slaughter at 100.0%, Mr. Jimmerson at 70.0%, Mr. Sutton at 65.0%, Mr. Maytorena at 60.0%, and Mr. Crenshaw at 60.0%.

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.

 

24


Table of Contents

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 outstanding as of the effective date of his agreement 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 outstanding as of the effective date of his agreement 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.

On February 11, 2013, Mr. Slaughter’s agreement was amended to remove a provision that would provide him a gross-up payment in the event any payment to Mr. Slaughter would be subject to excise taxes by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

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

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.

 

25


Table of Contents

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. On February 11, 2013, Mr. Jimmerson’s agreement was amended to remove a provision that would provide him a gross-up payment in the event any payment to Mr. Jimmerson would be subject to excise taxes by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

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.

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.

 

26


Table of Contents

Mr. Crenshaw

We also entered into a similar employment agreement with Mr. Crenshaw, effective upon his first day of employment on January 18, 2013. In that agreement, we agreed to employ Mr. Crenshaw as a Vice President and General Manager. The agreement has all of the same terms as Mr. Slaughter’s agreement, except that Mr. Crenshaw’s initial annual base salary is set at $200,000, 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. Crenshaw’s employment without “cause” and other than for death or disability or Mr. Crenshaw 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 and he will be entitled to COBRA premiums for up to 12 months, with such premiums paid to Mr. Crenshaw on a fully grossed-up after-tax basis, if necessary, for Mr. Crenshaw not to be subject to tax under Section 105 of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, he is subject to restrictive covenants of noncompetition and non-solicitation for a period of 12 months from his termination date.

2013 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

 

            Estimated Future Payouts      Number of
Securities
Restricted
Stock
      Awards      
     Option Awards      Grant Date
 Fair Value of 
Stock and
Option
Awards (3)
 
            Under Non-equity Incentive Plan (1)         Number of
Securities
 Underlying 
Options
     Exercise 
Price Per
  Share (2)  
    
            85.0%
Revenue
  Threshold  
     100%
    Target    
     250%
 Maximum 
             

  Name

   Grant 
Date
                      

  Mark Slaughter

     3/6/2013           $ -             $ -             $ -             10,217                 $ 214,864     
     3/6/2013           -             -             -                46,425           $ 19.96           515,782     
        36,539           365,393           913,483              -             $ -             -       

  Martin Jimmerson

     3/6/2013           -             -             -             5,407                 113,709     
     3/6/2013           -             -             -                24,571           $ 19.96           272,984     
        16,577           165,765           414,413              -             $ -             -       

  William Sutton

     3/6/2013           -             -             -             5,092                 107,085     
     3/6/2013           -             -             -                23,137           $ 19.96           257,052     
        14,880           148,800           372,000              -             $ -             -       

  Hector Maytorena

     3/6/2013           -             -             -             3,006                 63,216     
     3/6/2013           -             -             -                13,658           $ 19.96           151,740     
        3,068           102,250           255,625              -             $ -             -       

  James Crenshaw

     3/6/2013           -             -             -             5,010                 105,360     
     3/6/2013           -             -             -                13,658           $ 19.96           151,740     
        2,865           95,513           238,783              -             $ -             -       

 

(1) The MIP provides for cash incentive bonuses based upon each financial metric if the threshold of Revenue or Adjusted EBITDA achieves 85.0% of plan, subject to limitations, as discussed under “Elements of our Compensation Program – Short-term Incentive Compensation”. The actual amounts paid to the named executive officers for 2013 pursuant to the MIP before discretionary increases, net of the company-wide pool adjustment, are reflected in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column and discretionary increases are reflected in the “Bonus” column in the “Summary Compensation Table”.

 

(2) For a discussion of our methodology in determining the fair value of our common stock see Note 11, Stock-Based Compensation, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

(3) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value for restricted stock granted in 2013 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 11, Stock-Based Compensation, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

27


Table of Contents

On March 5, 2014 as part of the executives’ approved 2014 compensation, the Committee recommended and the Board approved equity awards to our named executive officers, which consistent with prior years provides a potential total compensation for 2014 approximating the 75th percentile compared to total direct compensation of our peer group for each position. The awards vest equally over four years:

 

             Number of Securities Underlying          

  Name and Position

   Restricted
Stock
     Stock
Options
 

  Mark Slaughter

     4,755             21,072       

  Martin Jimmerson

     2,517             11,153       

  William Sutton

     2,225             9,863       

  Hector Maytorena

     1,310             5,805       

  James Crenshaw

     1,271             5,636       

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2013

 

     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

     132,625           -        (3)           $ 7.00             1/1/2017           10,147      (7)    $ 486,346       
     12,500           -        (4)           $ 9.64             1/1/2018           8,695      (8)      416,751       
     11,250           3,750        (6)           $ 8.48             1/1/2020           10,217      (10)      489,701       
     23,768           23,768        (7)           $ 18.00             3/22/2021             
     12,545           37,635        (8)           $ 17.08             3/7/2022             
     -           46,425        (9)           $ 19.96             3/6/2023             

    Martin Jimmerson

     70,375           -        (3)           $ 7.00             1/1/2017           5,381      (7)      257,911       
     12,500           -        (4)           $ 9.64             1/1/2018           4,611      (8)      221,005       
     22,500           -        (5)           $ 5.32             8/19/2019           5,407      (10)      259,158       
     9,375           3,125        (6)           $ 8.48             1/1/2020             
     12,604           12,605        (7)           $ 18.00             3/22/2021             
     6,643           19,930        (8)           $ 17.08             3/7/2022             
     -           24,571        (9)           $ 19.96             3/6/2023             

    William Sutton

     10,700           -        (4)           $ 9.64             1/1/2018           5,059      (7)      242,478       
     4,187           1,563        (6)           $ 8.48             1/1/2020           4,334      (8)      207,729       
     10,848           11,848        (7)           $ 18.00             3/22/2021           5,092      (10)      244,060       
     6,244           18,734        (8)           $ 17.08             3/7/2022             
     -           23,137        (9)           $ 19.96             3/6/2023             

    Hector Maytorena

     6,250           -        (11)           $ 11.00             11/5/2017           2,690      (7)      128,932       
     6,250           -        (4)           $ 9.64             1/1/2018           2,374      (8)      113,786       
     6,250           -        (12)           $ 5.32             1/1/2019           3,006      (10)      144,078       
     4,688           1,562        (6)           $ 8.48             1/1/2020             
     6,302           6,302        (7)           $ 18.00             3/22/2021             
     3,421           10,264        (8)           $ 17.08             3/7/2022             
     -           13,658        (9)           $ 19.96             3/6/2023             

    James Crenshaw

     -           13,658        (9)           $ 19.96             3/6/2023           5,010      (10)      240,129       

 

(1) The option and stock awards reflected in the table above, except the stock awards granted on March 6, 2013, 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, 2013 of $47.93.

 

28


Table of Contents
(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 March 7, 2012.
(9) The date of the award was March 6, 2013.
(10) The date of the award was March 6, 2013, which one forth vests on May 1, 2014 and one forth annually thereafter as specified in the award agreement.
(11) The date of the award was November 5, 2007.
(12) The date of the award was January 1, 2009.

OPTION EXERCISES AND VESTING OF RESTRICTED STOCK

The following table contains information about the exercise of stock options by, and vesting of restricted stock for our executive officers during 2013.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

                Name

   Number of
Shares
    Acquired on    
Exercise
         Value Realized    
on Exercise (1)
     Number of
Shares
    Acquired on    
Vesting (2)
     Value
    Realized on    
Vesting (3)
 

    Mark Slaughter

     64,000           $ 1,678,399             7,970           $ 179,593       

    Martin Jimmerson

     20,000             311,147             4,227             95,250       

    William Sutton

     6,450             199,059             3,973             89,526       

    Hector Maytorena

     -               -               2,137             48,125       

    James Crenshaw (4)

     -               -               -               -         

 

(1) Value realized on exercise represents the difference between the sales price obtained on the sale of shares and the exercise price per share, multiplied by the number of shares sold in each exercise transaction.
(2) The number of shares acquired on vesting reflects the gross number of shares acquired absent netting of shares surrendered to satisfy tax withholding requirements.
(3) Value represents the closing price per share of our stock on the vesting date, multiplied by the gross number of shares vested.
(4) Mr. Crenshaw joined RigNet on January 18, 2013 and as such, had no awards vest during 2013.

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.

 

29


Table of Contents

If provided for in the executive’s employment agreement and their 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 certain unvested 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

During 2013, certain executive officer agreements were amended to remove a provision that would provide a gross-up payment in the event those officers would be subject to excise taxes by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, for all named executive officers 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 will not pay or otherwise reimburse the executive for, such Excise Tax and any related taxes, fees or penalties thereon.

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, 2013, 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.

POST EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TABLE

 

    Name

            Severance    
Payment
     Early Vesting
of Equity
    Awards (1)    
     Health &
Welfare
    Benefits (2)    
         Total Benefit      

 Mark Slaughter

              

Change of Control

      $ 1,922,365           $ 1,345,659           $ 46,259           $ 3,314,283       

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

        1,922,365             -             46,259             1,968,624       

Disability or Death

        443,799             1,345,659             -             1,789,458       

 Martin Jimmerson

              

Change of Control

        884,905             1,594,306             46,259             2,525,470       

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

        884,905             -             46,259             931,164       

Disability or Death

        212,208             1,594,306             -             1,806,514       

 William Sutton

              

Change of Control

        586,030             1,444,421             37,687             2,068,138       

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

        586,030             -             37,687             623,717       

Disability or Death

        187,230             1,444,421             -             1,631,651       

 Hector Maytorena

              

Change of Control

        446,486             809,602             46,259             1,302,347       

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

        446,486             -             46,259             492,745       

Disability or Death

        122,058             809,602             -             931,660       

 James Crenshaw

              

Change of Control

        375,465             -             31,791             407,256       

Other than Cause or for Good Reason (3)

        375,465             -             31,791             407,256       

Disability or Death

        9,712             -             -             9,712       

 

 

30


Table of Contents
(1) See the table Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2013 presented earlier in this section of the proxy.
(2) This column includes any applicable Cobra premiums paid for the executive and $20,000 in outplacement services.
(3) Termination assumes there has not been a change of control event within the prior two years.

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

 

Keith Olsen, Chairman

Charles L. Davis

Kevin Neveu

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 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, 2013 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

     998,170             $ 13.79               2,077,478         

    Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     -                 -                 -           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

    Total

     998,170             $ 13.79               2,077,478         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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 21, 2014, 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

 

31


Table of Contents

Table; and (iv) all current directors and executive officers as a group. As noted in the footnotes to the table below, 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 17,357,439 shares of common stock outstanding on March 21, 2014. 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 21, 2014, and (2) shares issuable upon settlement of restricted stock units that are vested, or will become vested within 60 days of March 21, 2014. 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.

Security Ownership Table

 

                                                                                       

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned
 

    5.0% Stockholders:

     

    Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (1)

     4,750,000           27.3%     

    T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (2)

     2,148,818           12.3%     

    FMR LLC (3)

     1,255,000           7.2%     

    Named Executive Officers:

     

    Mark Slaughter (4)

     300,660           1.7%     

    Martin Jimmerson (45)

     172,608           1.0%     

    William Sutton (6)

     71,930           *     

    Hector Maytorena (7)

     55,908           *     

    James Crenshaw (8)

     6,281           *     

    Non-Employee Directors:

     

    James H. Browning (9)

     11,210           *     

    Mattia Caprioli

     -             -     

    Charles L. Davis (11)

     57,825           *     

    Ditlef de Vibe (9)

     9,188           *     

    Kevin Mulloy (9)

     4,739           *     

    Kevin Neveu (9)

     25,210           *     

    Kevin J. O’Hara (9)

     11,210           *     

    Keith Olsen (9)

     8,469           *     

    Brent K. Whittington (9)

     16,610           *     

    All of our directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)

     799,507           4.5%     

 

* Less than 1.0% of class

 

(1) Based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on September 26, 2013, the 4,750,000 shares of Common Stock are held directly by Digital Investments LP ., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. As disclosed, each of Digital Oilfield Investments GP Limited, KKR European Fund III Limited Partnership, KKR Associates Europe III Limited Partnership, KKR Europe III Limited, KKR Fund Holdings L.P., KKR Fund Holdings GP Limited, KKR Group Holdings L.P., KKR Group Limited, KKR & Co. L.P., KKR Management LLC, Henry R. Kravis and George R. Roberts has voting and dispositive power over all the securities held directly by Digital Investments LP and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities held directly by Digital Investments LP, and each disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities. The address of each such beneficial owner (except Mr. Roberts) is c/o Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L. P., 9 West 57th Street, Suite 4200, New York, NY 10019. The address of Mr. Roberts is c/o Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L. P., 2800 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

 

32


Table of Contents
(2) Based on Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2014, 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 273,724 of such shares. T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund, Inc. reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 1493,836 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.

 

(3) Based on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2014, FMR, LLC and Edward C. Johnson 3rd reported that they have sole dispositive power as to all such shares, but only sole voting power with respect to 221,350 of such shares. The Schedule 13G also reported that Fidelity Management & Research Company is the beneficial owner of 1,033,650 of such shares. The address for each such beneficial owner is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

 

(4) Includes 261,014 shares of stock subject to options and warrants which are exercisable within 60 days of March 21, 2014. Also includes 16,106 shares of stock and 23,290 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.

 

(5) Includes 150,237 shares of stock subject to options and warrants which are exercisable within 60 days of March 21, 2014. Also includes 10,033 shares of common stock and 12,338 shares of restricted stock.

 

(6) Includes 51,494 shares of stock subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 21, 2014. Also includes 8,972 shares of common stock and 11,464 shares of restricted stock.

 

(7) Includes 44,709 shares of stock subject to options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 21, 2014. Also includes 4,707 shares of common stock and 6,492 shares of restricted stock.

 

(8) Includes 1,252 shares of common stock and 5,029 shares of restricted stock.

 

(9) Includes 3,231 shares of restricted stock.

 

(10) Includes 3,231 shares of restricted stock and 4,682 shares of common stock owned by SMH Private Equity Group II, LP. Mr. David is a manager of SMH PEG Management II, LLC, which is the general partner of SMH Private Equity Group II, LP, and may vote or sell securities owned by SMH Private Equity Group II, LP. Mr. Davis disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by SMH Private Equity Group II, LP and SMH PEG Management II, LLC, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.

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 2013 were made timely, except the filings reporting the issuance of certain share awards for each of our officers and directors were filed one day late, Mr. Sutton had an additional filing that was two days late, Mr. Maytorena had an additional filing that was three days late and Mr. Davis had an additional filing that was five months late.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Precision Drilling Corporation

One of our directors, Kevin Neveu, is the Chief Executive Officer of Precision Drilling Corporation. We received an aggregate of approximately $1.3 million in 2013 and approximately $1.5 million in 2012 from Precision Drilling Corporation for services performed by us in the ordinary course of business. Mr. Neveu’s term as a director will expire at the Annual Meeting.

 

33


Table of Contents

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

A wholly owned subsidiary of KKR, a significant stockholder of RigNet, provided us with $0.3 million in business consulting services during the year ended December 31, 2013.

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.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE

STOCKHOLDERS

Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal for inclusion in our 2015 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 2, 2014, 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 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must provide written notice of the proposal or nomination to our Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive offices, between January 9, 2015 and February 8, 2015, 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 the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day 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.

 

34


Table of Contents

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 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,

 

35


Table of Contents
  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,

 

  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.

 

36


Table of Contents

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.

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 2014 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. 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 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: Mark B. Slaughter, James H. Browning, Mattia Caprioli, Charles L. Davis, Ditlef deVibe, Kevin Mulloy, 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.

 

37


Table of Contents

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 2014. 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, 2014. 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.

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, 2013 and 2012; and (ii) fees billed for other services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP.

 

                                                 
    2013     2012  

Audit Fees (1)

    $ 1,121,000          $ 1,205,000     

Tax Fees (2)

    1,028,000          603,000     

All Other Fees (3)

    28,000          -       
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ 2,177,000          $ 1,808,000     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Audit Fees for 2013 and 2012 consist of professional services and related expenses for the review of interim financial statements and the audit of our annual financial statements.

 

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

 

(3) Fees include professional consulting services related to strategic restructuring.

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 2013 was approved by the Audit Committee on May 1, 2013. 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 2013 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.

 

38


Table of Contents

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

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 2014 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. We currently conduct annual advisory votes on executive compensation, and we expect to conduct the next advisory vote at our 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

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.

 

39


Table of Contents

LOGO

RIGNET, INC

C/O BROADRIDGE CORPORATE ISSUER SOLUTIONS

P.O. BOX 1342

BRENTWOOD, NY 11717

VOTE BY INTERNET

Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/rnet

You may attend the Meeting via the Internet and vote during the Meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

  
M70957-P49180    KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  

       DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.      

 

 

RIGNET, INC

  

    For   Withhold   For All  

To withhold authority to vote for any individual

nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the

number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

     
        The Board of Directors recommends you vote   All   All   Except        
 

      FOR all of the following nominees:

             
 
 

      1.

    Election of Directors       ¨   ¨   ¨  

 

       
 
      01   James H. Browning     06   Keith Olsen                
      02   Mattia Caprioli     07   Mark B. Slaughter              
      03   Charles L. Davis     08   Brent K. Whittington              
      04   Kevin Mulloy     09   Ditlef de Vibe              
      05   Kevin J. O’Hara                  

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

2.

 

To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.

  ¨   ¨   ¨

3.

 

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

  ¨   ¨   ¨

NOTE: In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     

 

    Yes       No        

Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting.                 

  ¨       ¨    

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

 

 

       
                      

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

                          Date          Signature (Joint Owners)                                    Date


Table of Contents

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —   

M70958-P49180        

 

RIGNET, INC

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

May 9, 2014 10:00 AM (Central Daylight Time)

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

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 RigNet, Inc’s corporate office at 1880 S. Dairy Ashford St., Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77077 on Friday, May 9, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, and any postponements or adjournments thereof, as fully as the undersigned could if personally present, revoking any proxy or proxies heretofore given.

The Board of Directors of the Company recommends a vote “FOR” all nominees for director and “FOR” each proposal. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” all nominees for director and “FOR” each proposal. In their discretion, the proxies named above are authorized to vote upon such other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE) but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. The named proxies cannot vote these shares unless you sign and return this card.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side