Excelerate Energy, Inc.
For the period ended Apr 16, 2024. Filed Apr 16, 2024.
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What shareholders are asked to vote on at a company's meeting. It is where to find what directors and top executives are paid, and who owns the most shares.
Apr 16, 2024 · Filed Apr 16, 2024
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant☒ Filed by a party other than the Registrant☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule14a-6(e)(2)) |
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| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
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| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
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| ☐ | Soliciting Material under§240.14a-12 |
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EXCELERATE ENERGY, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☒ | No fee required |
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| ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
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| ☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
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Excelerate Energy, Inc.
2445 Technology Forest Blvd., Level 6
The Woodlands, Texas 77381
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 6, 2024
9:00 a.m. Central Time
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EE2024
To Our Stockholders:
We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Excelerate Energy, Inc. (“Excelerate” or the “Company”) on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, online via live audio webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EE2024 (the “Annual Meeting”) for the following purposes:
To elect the seven director nominees named in the proxy statement as directors of the Company, each to serve for a one-year term and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification (Proposal 1);
To approve, on a non-binding and advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers ("Say-on-Pay") (Proposal 2);
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal 3); and
To transact any other business that may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Company’s board of directors has determined to hold the Annual Meeting virtually. We believe that this is the right choice for Excelerate as it provides expanded stockholder access regardless of the location of the Annual Meeting or resources available to stockholders, may improve communications, and allows the participants to attend the Annual Meeting safely and conveniently from any location.
Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock (together, “Common Stock”) are entitled to one vote for each such share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or otherwise provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Stockholders are not permitted to cumulate votes with respect to the election of directors. Only stockholders of record of our Common Stock as of the close of business on April 8, 2024 are entitled to notice of, and, as described in this paragraph, to vote at, the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we are providing access to our proxy materials online under the SEC’s “notice and access” rules. As a result, unless you previously requested electronic or paper delivery on an ongoing basis, we are mailing to our stockholders a Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) instead of a paper copy of the proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”) and a form of proxy card or voting instruction card (together, the “proxy materials”). The Notice contains instructions on how to access the proxy materials online. The Notice also contains instructions on how stockholders can receive a paper copy of our proxy materials and how to vote your shares. This process allows us to expedite our stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, lower the costs of printing and mailing the proxy materials and reduce the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. If you received the Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request one. If you elect and request to receive a paper copy, our proxy materials will be mailed to you. The Notice is first being mailed, and the proxy materials are first being made available, to our stockholders on or about April 16, 2024.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting, conducted virtually via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EE2024. The Company has endeavored to provide stockholders attending the Annual Meeting with the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online and submit questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EE2024. You will also be able to vote your shares electronically at the Annual Meeting.
To attend the Annual Meeting, vote, submit questions, or view the list of registered stockholders during the Annual Meeting, stockholders of record will be required to visit the meeting website listed above and log in using their 16-digit control number included on their proxy card or Notice. Beneficial owners should review the proxy materials and their voting instruction form or Notice for how to vote in advance of, and how to participate in, the Annual Meeting. Specifically, if you are a beneficial owner and your voting instruction form or the Notice does not indicate that you may vote the shares through the http://www.proxyvote.com website, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee (preferably at least five days before the Annual Meeting) and obtain a “legal proxy” (which will contain a 16-digit control number that will allow you to attend, participate in, or vote at the Annual Meeting). When accessing our Annual Meeting, please allow ample time for online check-in, which will begin at 8:54 AM Central Time on Thursday, June 6, 2024. On the day of the Annual Meeting, if you experience technical difficulties either during the check-in process or during the Annual Meeting, please call 844-986-0822 (U.S.) or 303-562-9302 (international) for assistance. For additional details, see “—How can I attend, participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting online?” in the “Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting” section below. This proxy statement provides detailed information about the Annual Meeting. We encourage you to read this proxy statement carefully and in its entirety.
Your vote is important. Regardless of whether you participate in the Annual Meeting, we hope you vote as soon as possible. You may vote online or by phone, or, if you received paper copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may submit your proxy or voting instruction card for the annual meeting by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy or voting instruction card in the pre-addressed envelope provided. Voting online or by phone, written proxy or voting instruction card ensures your representation at the Annual Meeting regardless of whether you attend our virtual Annual Meeting online.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Steven M. Kobos
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Woodlands, Texas
April 16, 2024
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON June 6, 2024
PROXY SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider in voting your shares. Please read the complete proxy statement and our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 carefully before voting.
Meeting Information
| Date: | Thursday, June 6, 2024 |
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| Time: | 9:00 a.m. Central Time |
| Virtual Meeting: | www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EE2024 |
| Record Date: | April 8, 2024 |
How to Vote
Your vote is important. You may vote your shares in advance of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders via the Internet, by telephone or by mail, or during the meeting by attending and voting electronically. Please refer to the section “How do I vote?” on page 45 for detailed voting instructions. If you vote via the Internet, by telephone or plan to vote electronically during the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you do not need to mail in a proxy card.
| INTERNET | TELEPHONE | |
|---|---|---|
| To vote before the meeting, visit www.proxyvote.com. To vote at the meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EE2024. You will need the control number printed on your notice, proxy card or voting instruction form. | Dial toll-free (1-800-690-6903) or the telephone number on your voting instruction form. You will need the control number printed on your notice, proxy card or voting instruction form. | If you received a paper copy of the proxy materials, send your completed and signed proxy card or voting instruction form using the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
We first began sending our stockholders a Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, and made our proxy materials available, on or about April 16, 2024.
Voting Matters
Proposals
| PROPOSAL #1 | To elect the seven director nominees named in the proxy statement as directors of the Company, each to serve for a one-year term and until his |
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| DirectorElection | or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification (Proposal 1).✓ Our board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR ALL” of the director nominees. |
| PROPOSAL #2 | To approve, on a non-binding and advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 2). |
| Say-on-Pay | ✓ Our board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval, on a non-binding and advisory basis, of the 2023 compensation of our named executive directors as disclosed in this proxy statement. |
| PROPOSAL #3 | To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year |
| Auditor Ratification | ending December 31, 2024 (Proposal 3).✓ Our board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. |
Board Nominees
| Name | Age | Director Since | Occupation | Independent | Committee Memberships | Other Public Boards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolyn J. Burke | 56 | 2022 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PG&E Corporation | Yes | AC*CC(Chairperson) | None |
| Deborah L. Byers | 62 | 2022 | Former Partner of Ernst & Young LLP | Yes | AC(Chairperson)* | Kinetik Holdings Inc., Civitas Resources, Inc.,DTE Energy Company |
| Paul T. Hanrahan | 66 | 2022 | Chairperson of Cubico Sustainable Investments, Former Chief Executive Officer and a director of The AES Corporation and former Interim Chief Executive Officer and a director of Hygo Energy Transitions Ltd. | Yes | AC*NCGC(Chairperson) | Ingredion Inc.(through October 2023) |
| Henry G. Kleemeier | 79 | 2022 | Chief Executive Officer of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company | CCNCGC | None | |
| Steven M. Kobos | 59 | 2021 | Chief Executive Officer and Director, Excelerate Energy, Inc. | None | None | |
| Don P. Millican (1) | 71 | 2022 | Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company | None | None | |
| Robert A. Waldo | 48 | 2022 | President of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company | CCNCGC | None |
AC: Audit Committee
CC: Compensation Committee
NCGC: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
- Audit Committee Financial Expert
(1)
Don P. Millican served on our Audit Committee until March 22, 2023 as permitted under the NYSE rules for newly public companies.
Fiscal 2023 Financial Performance Highlights
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure included as a supplemental disclosure because we believe it is a useful indicator of our operating performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, accretion, non-cash long-term incentive compensation expense and items such as charges and non-recurring expenses that management does not consider as part of assessing ongoing operating performance. In the first quarter of 2023, we revised the definition of Adjusted EBITDA to adjust for the impact of non-cash accretion expense, which results in a metric that is consistent with how management will review performance going forward. Management believes accretion expense does not directly reflect our ongoing operating performance. The Company’s computation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. For reconciliation to Net Income, see Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
| TOTAL DEBT + FINANCE LEASES | CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS | NET DEBT |
|---|---|---|
| $768 million | $556 million | $212 million |
Information as of December 31, 2023.
Net Debt is calculated as the sum of total debt and finance leases less cash and cash equivalents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 1 |
|---|---|
| Status as a Controlled Company | 1 |
| Composition of our Board of Directors | 1 |
| PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 2 |
| Nominees for Director | 3 |
| Director Independence | 6 |
| Board Leadership Structure | 6 |
| Executive Sessions | 6 |
| Board Qualifications & Diversity | 6 |
| Procedures for Recommending Individuals to Serve as Directors | 7 |
| Committees of the Board of Directors | 7 |
| Risk Oversight | 9 |
| Stockholder Engagement | 9 |
| Diversity, Inclusion & Sustainability | 9 |
| Communications with Directors | 10 |
| Code of Conduct and Ethics | 10 |
| Corporate Governance Guidelines | 10 |
| Prohibitions and Restrictions on Hedging and Pledging Transactions | 11 |
| 2023 Director Compensation | 11 |
| EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 12 |
| PROPOSAL 2 —NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE | 13 |
| COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS | 14 |
| Compensation Philosophy, Objectives & Elements | 14 |
| Setting Executive Compensation | 15 |
| 2023 Compensation Decisions | 15 |
| 2024 Compensation Program Changes | 18 |
| Other Compensation Items | 18 |
| Compensation Arrangements | 19 |
| Other Compensation Matters | 19 |
| COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT | 21 |
| EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES | 22 |
| Summary Compensation Table | 22 |
| Grants of Plan-Based Awards | 23 |
| Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End | 24 |
| Option Exercises and Stock Vested | 24 |
| Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | 24 |
| Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control | 25 |
| EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION | 28 |
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| CEO PAY RATIO | 28 |
|---|---|
| PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE | 29 |
| Description of Certain Relationships between Information Presented in the Pay versus Performance Table | 30 |
| Financial Performance Measures | 31 |
| INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 32 |
| Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 32 |
| Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services Policy | 32 |
| AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT | 33 |
| PROPOSAL 3—RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 34 |
| CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS | 35 |
| Procedures for Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions | 35 |
| Related Person Transactions | 35 |
| Indemnification Agreements | 41 |
| BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES | 42 |
| QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING | 45 |
| OTHER MATTERS | 48 |
| Other Business | 48 |
| Submission of Stockholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting | 48 |
| Householding Information | 48 |
| Where You Can Find More Information | 48 |
Forward-Looking Statements and Website References
This document includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our environmental and other sustainability plans and goals, and the inclusion of such statements or references to “materiality” (for ESG purposes) is not an indication that these contents are necessarily material to investors or required to be disclosed under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors that we identify in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, and actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no duty to update publicly any forward-looking statement that we may make, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority. In addition, our environmental, social, and governance goals are aspirational and may change. Statements regarding our goals are not guarantees or promises that they will be met. Website references throughout this document are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced websites is not incorporated by reference into this document.
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The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.