| (a) |
Director Nominations and Other Board Matters.
|
| (i) |
The Board shall (i) take all necessary actions to disband the Special Committee of the Board, (ii) take all necessary actions to present this Term Sheet to the Board for approval, (iii) take all necessary actions to reconstitute the
Nominating Committee of the Board to consist of Kenneth S. Grossman (“KG”) and Douglas N. Woodrum (“DW”), (iv) upon the recommendation of the newly constituted
Nominating Committee of the Board, take all necessary actions to appoint Laurance Narbut (“LN”) and Joshua Horowitz (“JH”) to the Board, subject to the
completion of acceptable background checks by the Company and completion of standard director questionnaires, (v) use commercially reasonable efforts to hold the 2023 Annual Meeting within sixty (60) days of the Effective Date (as defined
herein), and (vi) take all necessary actions to terminate the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan, dated as of October 17, 2022. Upon approval of the Board (the “Effective Date”), the Company will sign
this Term Sheet and the Term Sheet will be binding on the Company as a “Party” hereunder.
|
| (ii) |
The Board and all applicable committees thereof shall take all necessary actions to nominate each of (A) AK, (B) KG, (C) DW, (D) LN and (E) JH (collectively, the “Director Nominees”) to stand for
election to the Board at the 2023 Annual Meeting and 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”). The Board, based on information provided by the Director Nominees, has determined
that each of the Director Nominees, other than AK, would (A) qualify as an “independent director” under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) and (B) satisfy the guidelines and policies with respect to service on the Board applicable to all non-management directors. The Company and the Board shall, with
respect to the 2023 Annual Meeting and the 2024 Annual Meeting, (i) include each of the Director Nominees as a nominee for election to the Board in its proxy statement and on its proxy card distributed to stockholders, (ii) recommend to the
stockholders of the Company the election of each of the Director Nominees to the Board, and (iii) solicit proxies in favor of and otherwise support the election of each of the Director Nominees to the Board in a manner no less rigorous and
less favorable than the manner in which the Company supported its incumbent nominees to the Board with respect to prior annual meetings of the Company; subject to the receipt of customary documentation and information from each Director
Nominee and no material change in their background, qualifications or skills.
|
| (iii) |
During the Standstill Period, the Board will not (A) except as otherwise contemplated herein, expand the size of the Board above five (5) members and (B) establish or maintain an executive committee or another committee with similar
powers of the Board without each of the Sherwood Designees (as defined below) being appointed as a member of such committee.
|
| (b) |
Additional Agreements.
|
| (i) |
During the Standstill Period, AK and the MRMP Stockholders agree that they will (A) be present for quorum purposes at any annual or special meeting of the Company’s stockholders, and (B) vote or cause to be voted (including in any action
by written consent) all shares of the Company Common Stock beneficially owned, or deemed to be beneficially owned (as determined under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), and entitled to vote as of the record date, by AK and the
MRMP Stockholders in favor of the slate of directors recommended by the Board.
|
| (ii) |
From the Signing Date and during the Standstill Period, AK and the MRMP Stockholders will grant the Company an irrevocable proxy to vote such shares in accordance with the voting obligations set forth in this Term Sheet.
|
| (iii) |
During the Standstill Period, the MRMP Stockholders shall have the right to designate up to two (2) persons, inclusive initially of DW and LN, to serve as a director on the Board (together, the “Sherwood Designees,” and each, a “Sherwood Designee”); provided, that, such Sherwood Designee shall, (A) qualify as an “independent director” under the
applicable rules of the NYSE and the rules and regulations of the SEC and (B) satisfy the guidelines and policies of the Company with respect to service on the Board applicable to all non-management directors; provided, further,
that only one (1) such Sherwood Designee may be an Affiliate of the MRMP Stockholders.
|
| (iv) |
If, at any time prior to the expiration of the Standstill Period, any of the Sherwood Designees are unable or unwilling to serve as a director, the MRMP Stockholders, for so long as they maintain at least 50% of their current ownership
of Common Stock as of the Signing Date, shall have the right to propose to the Company a replacement director with relevant financial and business experience, who shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the Board.
|
| (v) |
If, at any time prior to the expiration of the Standstill Period, AK is unable or unwilling to serve as a director, AK, for so long as him and his affiliates maintain at least 50% of their current ownership of Common Stock as of the date
of the Term Sheet, shall have the right to propose to the Company replacement director for himself with relevant financial and business experience, who shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the Board. AK further agrees that he will
not stand for re-election if his current ownership of Common Stock (excluding his Affiliates) falls below 5.0%.
|
| (vi) |
If, at any time prior to the expiration of the Standstill Period, JH or KG is unable or unwilling to serve as a director, the remaining Board will identify a mutually acceptable qualified fifth board candidate. Each of AK and the MRMP
Stockholders shall have the ability to recommend candidates to replace JH or KG, subject to the final approval of the Board.
|
| (vii) |
Any replacement director appointed to the Board in accordance with clauses (iv) - (vi) shall be deemed a “Director Nominee” for all purposes of the Term Sheet.
|
| (viii) |
The MRMP Stockholders and AK each agree to comply, and cause their Affiliates and Associates to comply, with the terms of this Term Sheet and shall be responsible for any breach of this Term Sheet by any such Affiliate or Associate.
|
| (ix) |
No later than two (2) Business Days (which shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the State of New York are authorized or obligated to be closed by applicable law) after the Effective
Date, the MRMP Stockholders agree to take all necessary actions to irrevocably cease any and all solicitation and other activities in connection with the 2023 Annual Meeting (it being understood and agreed that the MRMP Stockholders are
required to vote their shares of the Company Common Stock beneficially owned as of the record date during the Standstill Period subject to the provisions of this Term Sheet).
|
| (x) |
During the Standstill Period, the Company will maintain customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage.
|
| (xi) |
During the Standstill Period, any changes to the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws that would, if implemented, impair stockholder rights must first be approved by the Company’s stockholders at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders of the Company, or any action by written consent of the Company’s stockholders in lieu thereof, and any adjournment, postponement, rescheduling, continuation or meeting held in lieu thereof (a “Stockholder
Meeting”) in a manner consistent with the By-Laws, Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law prior to being adopted. Nothing in this Term Sheet shall prohibit the Board members from complying with their fiduciary duties as
directors of the Company.
|
| (xii) |
The Company shall not take any action to avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms required to be observed or performed by the Company or the Board under this Term Sheet, but shall at all times in good
faith take all actions that are necessary to carry out and perform all of the provisions of this Term Sheet.
|
| (a) |
The standstill period (the “Standstill Period”) will begin on the Signing Date and shall extend until the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the deadline for the submission of stockholder
nominations for directors for the Company’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, pursuant to the By-Laws.
|
| (b) |
For a period of twelve (12) months following the Signing Date (“Initial Security Period”), each MRMP Stockholder agrees that neither such MRMP Stockholder, nor any of his or its respective
Affiliates and controlled Associates, shall acquire, or offer, seek or agree to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, or direct any third party in the acquisition of, any Company Common Stock or any securities convertible or exchangeable into
or exercisable for Company Common Stock (collectively, “Company Securities”), or rights or options to acquire any Company Securities, or engage in any swap instrument or derivative hedging
transactions or other derivative agreements of any nature with respect to Company Securities; provided that Mr. Ned L. Sherwood and his Affiliates may acquire
beneficial ownership of, or economic exposure to, Company Securities, provided that, after giving effect to any such acquisition, Mr. Ned L. Sherwood and his Affiliates, taken together, shall not have, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership
of, or economic exposure to, more than twenty-eight percent (28%) of the Company’s outstanding Company Securities that are entitled to vote at any meeting of the Company’s stockholders; provided, further, that, following the
Initial Security Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Mr. Ned L. Sherwood and his Affiliates may acquire beneficial ownership of, or economic exposure to, Company Securities, provided that, after giving effect to any
such acquisition, Mr. Ned L. Sherwood and his Affiliates, taken together, shall not have, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of, or economic exposure to, more than thirty percent (30%) of the Company’s outstanding Company Securities
that are entitled to vote at any meeting of the Company’s stockholders; provided, however, that, subject to the approval of the Board, including a majority of the non-Sherwood Designees, no
additional ownership shall be deemed to have occurred solely due to (i) a stock split, reverse stock split, reclassification, reorganization or other transaction by the Company affecting any class of the outstanding capital stock of the
Company generally, (ii) a stock dividend or other pro rata distribution by the Company to holders of its outstanding capital stock, or (iii) any increase in the percentage ownership by Mr. Ned L. Sherwood or his Affiliates of outstanding
shares of the Company resulting from any action taken by the Company (any such action by the Company in clauses (i) – (iii) of this Section 2(b), a “Company Action”), and
no action will be taken that disproportionately reduces Mr. Ned L. Sherwood’s or his Affiliates’ ownership percentages, as compared to other stockholders of the Company, as a result of such Company Action.
|
| (c) |
The MRMP Stockholders agree that during the Standstill Period, none of the MRMP Stockholders nor any of their respective Affiliates will, and each of the MRMP Stockholders will cause each of their respective Affiliates not to, directly
or indirectly, in any manner, alone or in concert with others, without prior written consent, invitation, approval or authorization of the Board or except as otherwise provided for in this Term Sheet:
|
| (i) |
make, participate in or propose any tender or exchange offer for any Company Securities or any merger, consolidation, acquisition, business combination, recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other similar
extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their securities or assets;
|
| (ii) |
make any private proposal, alone or in concert with others, that would reasonably be expected to require the Company or the MRMP Stockholders to make public disclosure (of any kind);
|
| (iii) |
engage in a “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act), including engagement by use of or in coordination with a universal proxy card, votes or written consents of stockholders or security holders with
respect to, or from the holders of, Company Securities (including a “withhold” or similar campaign), for any purpose, including the election or appointment of individuals to the Board or to approve or vote in favor or against stockholder
proposals, resolutions or motions, or become a “participant” (as such term is defined in Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) in any contested “solicitation” of proxies, votes or written consents for
any purpose, including the election or appointment of directors with respect to the Company (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act) (other than a “solicitation” or acting as a “participant” in support of the nominees of the Board
at any Stockholder Meeting or providing such encouragement, advice or influence that is consistent with the Board’s recommendation in connection with such director nominees or other proposals, resolutions or motions, pursuant to this Term
Sheet or otherwise);
|
| (iv) |
except as specifically set forth in this Term Sheet, seek any additional representation on the Board or encourage any person to submit nominees in furtherance of a contested election;
|
| (v) |
make any request for a stockholder list of materials or any other books and records of the Company under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or otherwise;
|
| (vi) |
except as specifically set forth in this Term Sheet, present at any Stockholder Meeting any proposal, resolution or motion for consideration for action by stockholders or seek to call any Stockholder Meeting;
|
| (vii) |
grant any proxy, consent or other authority to vote with respect to any matters (other than to the named proxies included in the Company’s proxy card for any Stockholder Meeting or to the MRMP Stockholders’ Affiliates, who are subject to
the restrictions set forth in this Section 2, inconsistent with the terms of this Term Sheet or deposit any Company Securities in a voting trust or subject them to a voting agreement or other arrangement of similar effect with respect to
any Stockholder Meeting (excluding customary brokerage accounts, margin accounts, prime brokerage accounts, swap agreements and the like, and any arrangements solely among the MRMP Stockholders);
|
| (ix) |
form, join or act in concert with any person, partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group, including a “group” as defined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act with respect to any Company Securities, other than
solely with other MRMP Stockholders and Affiliates of the MRMP Stockholders, with respect to the Company Securities now or hereafter owned by them;
|
| (x) |
make any public disclosure, announcement, plan or request involving the Company, its management, business, policies or the Board; provided, that, the MRMP Stockholders may file with the SEC amendments to their
Schedule 13D, so long as such amendments do not violate the terms of this Section 2;
|
| (xi) |
make any request or submit any proposal to amend or waive the terms of this Term Sheet, which could reasonably be expected to require a public announcement or disclosure of such a request or proposal; or
|
| (xii) |
enter into any discussions, negotiations, agreements or understandings (whether written or oral) with any third party to take any action with respect to any of the foregoing, or facilitate, knowingly assist, finance, knowingly encourage
or seek to persuade any third party to take any action the MRMP Stockholders are prohibited from taking pursuant to this Section 2.
|
| (d) |
Nothing in this Section 2 shall be deemed to limit the exercise in good faith by any of Director Nominees designated by the MRMP Stockholders (or their replacement designees) of their fiduciary duties or rights in their capacity as
directors of the Company or from participating in discussions and determinations of the Board.
|
| (c) |
No later than two (2) Business Days following the Effective Date, the MRMP Stockholders shall file with the SEC an amendment to its Schedule 13D (the “MRMP Stockholders 13D/A”) in compliance with
Section 13 of the Exchange Act to report their entry into this Term Sheet and appending this Term Sheet as an exhibit thereto or incorporating this Term Sheet by reference to the Form 8-K. The disclosures in the MRMP Stockholders 13D/A
relating to this Term Sheet shall be consistent with the terms of this Term Sheet. The MRMP Stockholders shall provide the Company with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the MRMP Stockholders 13D/A prior to it being filed
with the SEC and consider in good faith any comments of the Company.
|
| (a) |
The MRMP Stockholders agree that neither they nor any of their Representatives shall make any public statement that constitutes an ad hominem attack on, or otherwise disparages, defames or damages the reputation or good name of AK or the
Company or his or its respective Representatives or is otherwise critical, negative towards or derogatory of AK, the Company or his or its respective Representatives or any of AK’s or the Company’s practices, procedures, businesses,
business operations, products or services.
|
| (b) |
Each of AK and the Company agrees that neither he or it nor any of his or its respective Representatives shall make any public statement that constitutes an ad hominem attack on, or otherwise disparages, defames or damages the reputation
or good name of the MRMP Stockholders or their Representatives or is otherwise critical, negative towards or derogatory of the MRMP Stockholders or their Representatives or any of their practices, procedures, businesses, business
operations, products or services.
|
|
MRMP-MANAGERS LLC
|
|||
|
By:
|
/s/ Ned L. Sherwood
|
||
|
Name:
|
Ned L. Sherwood
|
||
|
Title:
|
Investment Manager
|
||
|
NED L. SHERWOOD REVOCABLE TRUST
|
|||
|
By:
|
/s/ Ned L. Sherwood
|
||
|
Name:
|
Ned L. Sherwood
|
||
|
Title:
|
Trustee
|
||
|
NLS ADVISORY GROUP, INC.
|
|||
|
By:
|
/s/ Ned L. Sherwood
|
||
|
Name:
|
|||
|
Title:
|
|||
|
/s/ Ned L. Sherwood
|
|
|
NED L. SHERWOOD
|
|
|
/s/ Alexander C. Kinzler
|
|
|
ALEXANDER C. KINZLER
|
|
COMPANY TO EXECUTE ON EFFECTIVE DATE:
|
|||
|
BARNWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
|
|||
|
By:
|
/s/ Russell M. Gifford
|
||
|
Name:
|
Russell M. Gifford
|
||
|
Title:
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
|
||