<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
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))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, 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):
[X] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-
6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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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:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.
12200 NORTH PECOS STREET
DENVER, COLORADO 80234
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 15, 1996
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Western Gas Resources, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Brown Palace Hotel, Central
City Room, 321 Seventeenth Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, on Wednesday, May 15,
1996 at 10:00 A.M. local time for the following purposes:
1. To elect two Class One Directors to serve until their terms expire in 1999
and until their successors have been elected and qualified; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting is a Proxy, a Proxy Statement, and a
copy of the Company's 1995 Annual Report to Stockholders.
Only holders of record of shares of the Company's Common Stock at the close of
business on March 29, 1996 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at,
the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. WHETHER OR NOT
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. IF YOU DO
ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ BRION G. WISE
BRION G. WISE
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Denver, Colorado
April 15, 1996
<PAGE>
WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.
12200 NORTH PECOS STREET
DENVER, COLORADO 80234
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 15, 1996
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of Western Gas Resources, Inc. ("the Company") of proxies for
use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at 10:00
A.M. local time on Wednesday, May 15, 1996 at the Brown Palace Hotel, Central
City Room, 321 Seventeenth Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, and at any
postponement or adjournment thereof. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy
are being mailed to stockholders on or about April 15, 1996.
The only outstanding voting securities of the Company are its Common Stock, par
value $0.10 (the "Common Stock"). On March 29, 1996, the record date for the
Annual Meeting, there were 25,773,553 shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting. Each holder of record of Common Stock at the close of
business on the record date will be entitled to one vote for each share so held.
The presence at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. If a proxy in the accompanying form is
duly executed, dated and returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted
in accordance with instructions set forth thereon unless revoked. Stockholders
attending the Annual Meeting may vote their shares in person whether or not a
proxy has been previously executed and returned. Unless contrary instructions
are given, the persons designated as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote
FOR election of the nominees named therein as directors. If any other matter is
properly presented at the meeting, which is not currently anticipated, the proxy
holders will vote the proxies in accordance with their best judgment in such
matters. The cost of soliciting the proxies will be borne by the Company.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be counted by a
person appointed by the Company to act as the election inspector for the
meeting. The election inspector will treat shares represented by proxies that
reflect abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes
of determining the presence of a quorum.
Any stockholder returning a proxy may revoke it at any time before it has been
exercised by giving written notice of such revocation to the Company addressed
to John C. Walter, Secretary, 12200 North Pecos Street, Denver, Colorado 80234.
No such revocation shall be effective until it has been received by the Company
at or prior to the Annual Meeting.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to stockholders who were
known to the Company to own more than five percent of the Common Stock of the
Company as of March 29, 1996 (except as indicated below). All shares are owned
of record and beneficially except as indicated below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and address Number Percent
of beneficial owner of Shares of class
- ------------------------------------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Brion G. Wise........................ 3,964,430 15.4%
12200 N. Pecos St.
Denver, Colorado 80234
Walter L. Stonehocker................ 2,804,341 (1) 10.9
15600 Holly
Brighton, Colorado 80601
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc............. 2,525,158 (2) 9.8
World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10281
Ward Sauvage......................... 2,276,747 (3) 8.8
Box 132
Oberlin, Kansas 67749
Dean Phillips........................ 1,824,825 (4) 7.1
524 N. 30th St.
Quincy, Illinois 62301
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) Includes 127,820 shares of Common Stock held by the WGP Trust, of which Mr.
Stonehocker's wife is the trustee, 3,183 shares of Common Stock held by a
son directly and through 10% or more ownership in a partnership and 30,000
shares of Common Stock held by Mr. and Mrs. Stonehocker as tenants-in-
common.
(2) Amount and nature of beneficial ownership is at December 31, 1995 as
reported in the applicable Schedule 13G and includes shares held by
subsidiaries and affiliates. The percent of class was calculated using total
shares outstanding at December 31, 1995.
(3) Includes 2,252,576 shares of Common Stock held by Sauvage Gas Company (owned
48.99% by the Ward Sauvage Trust #1, 48.37% by the Janice Sauvage Trust #1
and 2.64% by Mr. Sauvage's children) and 23,210 and 961 shares of Common
Stock held in individual retirement accounts for the benefit of Ward Sauvage
and Janice Sauvage, respectively.
(4) Includes 9,100 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Phillips' wife.
2
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation establishes three classes of
directors, each serving a three-year term ending in successive years. There are
two Class One directors whose terms expire this year: Brion G. Wise and Richard
B. Robinson.
The Board of Directors (the "Board") has nominated Messrs. Wise and Robinson for
re-election as Class One directors. The terms of these Class One directors, if
elected, will expire on the date of the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders
in 1999, or at such time as their successors are elected and qualified.
Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election of
directors. Under applicable Delaware law, in tabulating the vote, abstentions
and broker non-votes will be disregarded and will have no effect on the outcome
of the vote.
If any of the nominees is not elected or is unable to serve (although such a
contingency is not expected), the remaining Board members may elect a substitute
or, alternatively, may reduce the size of the Board, all in accordance with the
Company's Bylaws.
The current directors, including the nominees for re-election, are described
under the caption "DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS."
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS NOMINATED BY THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Proxies solicited by the Board will be so voted unless
stockholders specify to the contrary in their proxies.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board held 16 meetings during 1995. Each director attended at
least 75 percent of the total number of meetings of the Board and its committees
on which such director served during his tenure.
The Board has three committees, which are the Audit Committee, the Compensation
and Nomination Committee ("Compensation Committee") and the Executive Committee.
The Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee are composed solely of non-
employee directors.
Messrs. Reid, Robinson and Senty, are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee recommends the appointment of independent auditors and reviews the
plan, scope, and results of the audit and monitors the fees for audit and other
services and reviews the findings and recommendations of the independent
accountants concerning internal accounting procedures and controls. The Audit
Committee also recommends accounting and internal auditing policies which, in
the Audit Committee's judgment, should receive the attention of the Board. The
Audit Committee met once in 1995.
Messrs. Reid, Robinson, Senty and Phillips are members of the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board
regarding: (i) employee compensation, including compensation of the Company's
executive officers; and (ii) individuals to nominate for election to the Board
and Board committee assignments. The Compensation Committee does not consider
nominees for the Board recommended by stockholders. The Compensation Committee
met four times in 1995.
3
<PAGE>
Messrs. Wise, Sanderson, Stonehocker and Sauvage are members of the Executive
Committee, which reviews and, where appropriate, authorizes corporate action
with respect to the conduct of the business of the Company between Board
meetings. Actions taken by the Executive Committee are regularly submitted to
the Board for review and ratification at the next meeting. The Executive
Committee did not meet in 1995.
REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are also full-time employees of the Company receive no fees or
remuneration for services as members of the Board. For the year ended December
31, 1995, non-employee directors of the Company received annual fees of $25,000
each, payable in quarterly installments, and annual fees of $5,000 for each
committee on which such director served. See also "Stock Option Plans - Non-
Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan" included elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership by
the Company's directors and the four most highly compensated executive officers
and by all directors and officers as a group, of the Company's Common Stock,
$2.28 Preferred Stock and $2.625 Convertible Preferred Stock, as of March 29,
1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
$2.28 $2.625 Convertible
Common Stock Preferred Stock Preferred Stock
------------------------ -------------------- --------------------
Name of Number % of Number % of Number % of
Beneficial Owner of Shares Class of Shares Class of Shares Class
- ------------------------- ---------- ----- --------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Brion G. Wise............ 3,964,430 15.4% 800 *% - *%
Walter L. Stonehocker.... 2,804,341 (1) 10.9 14,000 1.0 31,800 1.2
Ward Sauvage............. 2,276,747 (2) 8.8 - * - *
Dean Phillips............ 1,824,825 (3) 7.1 - * - *
Bill M. Sanderson........ 598,375 (4) 2.3 - * - *
Richard B. Robinson...... 7,800 (5) * 1,000 * - *
James A. Senty........... 4,920 (6) * - * - *
Joseph E. Reid........... - * - * - *
Lanny F. Outlaw.......... 59,000 * - * - *
John C. Walter........... 32,494 (7) * - * - *
Gary W. Davis............ 37,387 (8) * 1,500 (8) * - *
Directors and officers..
as a group(17)........ 11,627,807 45.1 18,900 1.4 31,800 1.2
</TABLE>
- -----------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Includes 1,385,579 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Stonehocker's wife,
127,820 shares of Common Stock held by the WGP Trust, of which Mrs.
Stonehocker is the trustee, 3,183 shares of Common Stock held by a son
directly and through 10% or more ownership in a partnership and 30,000
shares of Common Stock held by Mr. and Mrs. Stonehocker as tenants-in-
common.
4
<PAGE>
(2) Includes 2,252,576 shares of Common Stock held by Sauvage Gas Company (owned
48.99% by the Ward Sauvage Trust #1, 48.37% by the Janice Sauvage Trust #1
and 2.64% by Mr. Sauvage's children) and 23,210 and 961 shares of Common
Stock held in an individual retirement accounts for the benefit of Ward
Sauvage and Janice Sauvage, respectively.
(3) Includes 9,100 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Phillips' wife.
(4) Includes 864 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Sanderson's wife and 82,082
shares of Common Stock held by the Sanderson Stock Trust, of which Mr.
Sanderson's wife is the trustee.
(5) Includes 6,000 shares of Common Stock held by the Lentz, Evans & King
Pension Fund, for the benefit of Mr. Robinson, 1,000 shares owned directly
by Mr. Robinson's wife and 800 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Robinson
and his wife as custodians for their minor children.
(6) Includes 600 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Senty's wife as custodian
for their children and 2,120 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr.
Senty's wife.
(7) All of Mr. Walter's shares are held as tenants-in-common with his wife.
(8) Includes 9,997 shares of Common Stock and 1,500 shares of $2.28 Preferred
Stock held by Mr. Davis' wife and 21,668 shares of Common Stock held as
tenants-in-common.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Set forth below is certain information concerning the directors and officers of
the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ----------------------- --- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Brion G. Wise.......... 50 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer(1)(5)
Walter L. Stonehocker.. 71 Vice Chairman of the Board(3)(5)
Bill M. Sanderson...... 66 Director(3)(4)(5)
Joseph E. Reid......... 66 Director(2)(6)(7)
Dean Phillips.......... 64 Director(3)(7)
Richard B. Robinson.... 47 Director(1)(6)(7)
Ward Sauvage........... 70 Director(2)(5)
James A. Senty......... 60 Director(3)(6)(7)
Lanny F. Outlaw........ 60 President and Chief Operating Officer (8)
John C. Walter......... 50 Executive Vice President and Secretary
John F. Chandler....... 39 Senior Vice President - Marketing and Pipelines and Assistant Secretary (9)
Edward A. Aabak........ 44 Vice President - Northern Region
Vance S. Blalock....... 42 Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
Gary W. Davis.......... 39 Vice President - Southern Region
Brian E. Jeffries...... 38 Vice President - Gas Marketing (9)
Jeffery E. Jones....... 43 Vice President - Production
William J. Krysiak..... 35 Vice President - Finance
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(Footnotes on following page)
5
<PAGE>
(1) Class One Director; term expires in 1996.
(2) Class Two Director; term expires in 1997.
(3) Class Three Director; term expires in 1998.
(4) Retired as President and Chief Operating Officer effective March 31, 1996.
(5) Member of the Executive Committee.
(6) Member of the Audit Committee.
(7) Member of the Compensation and Nominating Committee.
(8) Assumed duties of President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 1,
1996.
(9) Election to listed position as of April 1, 1996.
MR. WISE, a founder of the Company in 1971, has served as Chairman of the Board
since July 1987, a member of the Executive Committee since December 1989, Chief
Executive Officer since December 31, 1986 and President from 1971 through 1986.
He was a gas processing engineer with Shell Oil Company from 1967 until the
organization of the Company. Mr. Wise received his Bachelor of Science Degree in
Chemical Engineering from Washington State University.
MR. SANDERSON has served as a director of the Company since July 1987, a member
of the Executive Committee since December 1989, President from December 1986
through March 1996, Chief Operating Officer from May 1986 through March 1996 and
Senior Vice President from 1981 through 1986. He was employed by Shell Oil
Company in various capacities in its exploration and production department from
1960 to 1981, including an assignment in Venezuela and an assignment for five
years in London with oil and gas production responsibilities during North Sea
development. Mr. Sanderson received his Bachelor of Science Degree, cum laude,
in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University.
MR. STONEHOCKER, a founder of the Company in 1971, has served as Vice Chairman
of the Board since July 1992, as a director since July 1987, a member of the
Executive Committee since May 1995 and from December 1989 to July 1992, Senior
Vice President from January 1985 to July 1992 and Vice President from 1971 to
1985. Mr. Stonehocker has had farming operations in Colorado for over forty
years. In addition, he has been active as a lobbyist for the oil and gas
industry in various western states.
MR. REID, a director of the Company since May 1994, has served as a member of
the Audit Committee since May 1995 and has served as a member of the
Compensation and Nominating Committee since May 1994. Mr. Reid has been involved
in the oil and gas business since 1956, and since 1987 has been an independent
oil and gas consultant. From 1984 to 1986 he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Meridian Oil, Inc., from 1982 to 1984 as an independent oil
and gas consultant and from 1978 to 1982 as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Superior Oil Company. Mr. Reid also serves as a director for Riverway
Bank, Cliffs Drilling Co. and Great Western Resources. He received his M.B.A.
from the Harvard Graduate School of Business and his Bachelor of Science Degree
from Louisiana State University.
MR. PHILLIPS, a director of the Company since July 1987, has served as a member
of the Compensation and Nominating Committee since May 1995. Mr. Phillips has
been engaged in the wholesale and retail distribution of natural gas liquids
since 1956. Mr. Phillips also serves as an officer and director of several
banking institutions in Missouri and Illinois.
MR. ROBINSON, a director of the Company since July 1987, has served as a member
of the Audit Committee since May 1988 and as a member of the Compensation and
Nominating Committee since September 1993. Mr. Robinson has been a member of the
law firm of Lentz, Evans and King P.C. and
6
<PAGE>
an adjunct professor at the University of Denver College of Law since 1980. He
has represented the Company since 1977 with respect to tax, corporate and
partnership law matters. Mr. Robinson received his Juris Doctor Degree from the
University of Denver and his L.L.M. in Taxation from New York University.
MR. SAUVAGE, a director of the Company since July 1987, a member of the
Executive Committee since May 1995, has been engaged in the wholesale and retail
distribution of natural gas liquids since 1949.
MR. SENTY, a director of the Company since July 1987, has served as a member of
the Audit Committee since May 1988 and as a member of the Compensation and
Nominating Committee since September 1993. Mr. Senty has been engaged in the
wholesale and retail distribution of natural gas liquids since 1960. He has
owned certain banking interests since 1976 and currently serves as Chairman of
the Board of The Park Bank, an independent state chartered bank in Wisconsin.
Mr. Senty is also the Chairman of the Board and President of Midwest Bottle Gas
Co., a company which directly and through subsidiaries is engaged in the retail
and wholesale marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids and other related
items in several states and is a director and Senior Vice President of MNIC
Companies, the parent organization of several insurance companies in Wisconsin.
MR. OUTLAW, President and Chief Operating Officer since April 1, 1996. Mr.
Outlaw served as Executive Vice President from September 1994 through March
1996, Vice President-Business Development and Rocky Mountain Region from October
1993 to September 1994, and Vice President-Business Development from August 1987
to October 1993. Mr. Outlaw was employed by Shell Oil Company from 1958 to 1987
in various engineering management positions within the exploration and
production department. In his last position at Shell Oil Company, he was in
charge of gas processing business development. Mr. Outlaw received his Bachelor
of Science Degree in Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and
Technology.
MR. WALTER, Executive Vice President, Vice President - General Counsel and
Secretary since September 1994, served as Vice President-General Counsel from
May 1988 to September 1994, Corporate Counsel from May 1986 to May 1988 and Land
Manager from 1982 to May 1986. Mr. Walter received his Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Economics and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Colorado.
MR. CHANDLER, Senior Vice President - Marketing and Pipelines since April 1,
1996. Mr. Chandler also served as Vice President - Marketing and Pipelines from
September 1993 through April 1996, Manager of Business Development from January
1991 through August 1993 and from July 1984 through August 1993 in various
positions in engineering and business development. Mr. Chandler received his
Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines
and Technology
MR. AABAK, Vice President - Northern Region since September 1994, served as
Operations Manager of the Rocky Mountain Region from February 1993 to September
1994. From 1982 to 1992 Mr. Aabak was employed by DEKALB Energy Company in
various management, engineering and operations functions. From 1976 to 1982 Mr.
Aabak was employed by Dome Petroleum Limited. Mr. Aabak holds a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta.
MS. BLALOCK, Treasurer since November 1994, has been employed by the Company
since 1981, previously as Controller of Systems Development and Acquisitions.
Ms. Blalock received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce from the
University of Louisville and is a Certified Public Accountant.
7
<PAGE>
MR. DAVIS, Vice President - Southern Region since October 1993, served as Vice
President-Engineering/ Environmental from January 1985 to October 1993 and has
been an engineer with the Company since June 1980. From 1978 to 1980, he was
employed by Marathon Oil Company as a plant engineer. Mr. Davis received his
Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering from the
Colorado School of Mines.
MR. JEFFRIES, Vice President - Gas Marketing since April 1, 1996, has been
employed by the Company since November 1992 as Director of Marketing and
Transportation. Mr. Jeffries was employed by United Gas Pipe Line Company from
1991 to 1992 and for LaSER Marketing Company from 1988 through 1991 in various
marketing management positions. Mr. Jeffries received his Bachelor of Science
Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado.
MR. JONES, Vice President - Production since October 1993, has been employed by
the Company since 1989, previously as Production Manager. From 1987 to 1989, Mr.
Jones was an independent oil and gas consultant. Mr. Jones received a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Psychology from Colorado College and a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado.
MR. KRYSIAK, Vice President - Finance since October 1993, has been employed by
the Company since 1985, previously as Corporate Controller. Mr. Krysiak is the
principal financial and accounting officer of the Company. He received his
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Colorado State
University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF
SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the related regulations
require the Company's directors, executive officers and persons who own more
than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock to file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange initial reports of their
beneficial ownership and reports of any changes in their beneficial ownership of
the Company's Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. In
addition, such persons are required to furnish the Company with copies of all
such filings. To the Company's knowledge, based solely upon a review of the
copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations from
such persons, all reports which were required during the fiscal year ended 1995,
to its directors, executive officers and ten percent beneficial owners complied
with Section 16(a) filing requirements, except as follows: one report relating
to a change in beneficial ownership was filed late by Ward Sauvage's wife. The
report related to the transfer of 961 shares of Common Stock from Sauvage Gas
Company Employees' Profit Sharing Trust to her individual retirement account.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Company has entered into agreements with key employees including each of its
officers, other than Mr. Wise, which commit the Company to loan an amount
sufficient to exercise their respective stock options as each portion of their
stock options vests under the Key Employees Incentive Stock Option Plan and the
$5.40 Stock Option Plan. The Company will forgive the loan and accrued interest
if the officer has been continuously employed by the Company for periods
specified under the agreements. The loans bear
8
<PAGE>
interest at the applicable federal rate, as specified in Section 1274(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which is adjusted on a monthly basis.
At December 31, 1995, loans and accrued interest to certain officers totaling
$2,137,000 relating to 225,374 options were outstanding. Amounts outstanding
greater than $60,000 are as follows: Lanny F. Outlaw, $405,765 related to 40,000
options; Gary W. Davis, $379,034 related to 35,602 options and John C. Walter,
$346,246 related to 30,498 options.
During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company leased rail cars from, and
purchased and sold natural gas liquids to, affiliates of James A. Senty, a
director of the Company, for total payments and receipts of approximately
$693,000 and $1.9 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31,
1995, the Company leased rail cars from an affiliate of Ward Sauvage, a director
of the Company, for total payments of approximately $203,000. During the year
ended December 31, 1995, the Company leased rail cars from an affiliate of Dean
Phillips, a director of the Company, for total payments of approximately
$172,000. During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company received joint
interest billing receipts from an affiliate of Mr. Sanderson for drilling costs
of approximately $270,000. These transactions were all entered into by the
Company in the ordinary course of its business, on an arm's length basis.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
COMPENSATION AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE
In 1993, the Board created the "Compensation Committee" and directed it to make
recommendations to the Board regarding employee compensation, including the
compensation of the Company's executive officers. In 1995, the Board expanded
the duties of the Compensation Committee to include making recommendations to
the Board of the names of individuals to be nominated for election to the Board
and making recommendations regarding committee assignments for existing members.
At that time, the Committee was renamed the "Compensation and Nominating
Committee" (the "Compensation Committee"). The Compensation Committee currently
consists of Dean Phillips, Joseph Reid, Richard Robinson and James Senty, none
of whom is or has been an officer or employee of the Company. The Compensation
Committee met four times in 1995 and two times in the quarter ended March 31,
1996.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The annual compensation of each of the executive officers of the Company,
including the four most highly compensated executive officers, consists
primarily of a base salary, an annual bonus and stock options. In addition, the
executive officers participate in the Company's Profit Sharing Plan, which
consists of employee salary reduction contributions, a Company match equal to
25% of the amount the employee has contributed (in an aggregate amount not to
exceed 1% of the employee's base compensation) and an annual Company
contribution for all employees equal to a specified percentage of base
compensation as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, in amounts up to
15% of the base compensation.
In 1995, the Compensation Committee retained the services of an outside
compensation consultant to gather information regarding executive compensation
packages at comparable companies and to make recommendations to the Compensation
Committee regarding executive compensation packages. The consultant developed
a peer group consisting of nineteen of the 21 companies (excluding the Company)
that are included in the Company's Peer Group for purposes of the Total Return
Performance Graph included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. Six companies
used in the Performance Graph were excluded
9
<PAGE>
from the compensation peer group because of their smaller size and one company,
whose stock is not widely held, was added. All the companies used in the
compensation peer group are involved in the oil and gas industry.
The consultant presented a report to the Compensation Committee and to Brion
Wise, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Bill Sanderson, the then-
President of the Company, summarizing the information gathered on executive
compensation at comparable companies. After considering the information in the
consultant's report and reviewing other executive compensation surveys, Messrs.
Wise and Sanderson jointly made recommendations to the Compensation Committee
regarding the 1996 base salaries and 1995 bonuses for the executive officers
(other than themselves).
In November 1995, the Compensation Committee made its initial recommendations
regarding executive officer compensation to the Board, based upon the following
factors: (i) the compensation packages given to executive officers at
comparable companies; (ii) the individual officer's contribution to the
Company's performance; (iii) the Company's financial performance, as measured by
net income and cash flow from operations; and (iv) the recommendations of
Messrs. Wise and Sanderson and the consultant. At the same time that the
Compensation Committee made its initial recommendation, it also proposed that
the Company modify its practice of paying executive officers below-average base
salaries compared to comparable positions at comparable companies, while
providing them above-average incentive compensation in the form of bonuses. In
addition, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Company
make a contribution to the Company's Profit-Sharing Plan of four percent of 1995
base salaries for all eligible employees, including each of the executive
officers. In making such recommendation, the Compensation Committee considered
the financial performance of the Company, as measured by net income and cash
flow from operations, the total compensation packages that employees in the oil
and gas industry receive and the recommendation of the consultant. The Board
adopted the recommendations of the Compensation Committee.
In March 1996, the Compensation Committee recommended that base salaries for the
Company's executive officers be adjusted to equal ninety-five percent of the sum
of the previously-approved base salaries plus the 1995 bonus. The Compensation
Committee also recommended a 1996 incentive bonus plan for the executive
officers tied to the Company's 1996 earnings available to holders of the
Company's common stock. If the earnings target (which may be adjusted by the
Board to reflect non-recurring, unusual items) is met or exceeded, the
executive officers would receive a bonus ranging from five percent to twenty
percent of their adjusted base pay. If the earnings target is not met, the
executive officers would not receive any bonuses under the 1996 incentive bonus
plan. The Board adopted the adjusted base salaries and the 1996 incentive bonus
plan.
The Company did not grant any options in 1995 to the executive officers to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock, although certain executive
officers exercised previously-granted options. The Compensation Committee
continues to believe that options for the Company's Common Stock should remain
an important element of the executive officers' compensation package because
options aid in the objectives of aligning the executive officers' interests with
those of the stockholders and giving the executive officers a direct stake in
the performance of the Company. The Compensation Committee anticipates
reviewing stock options for executive officers at its next meeting and has
directed the outside compensation consultant to provide additional information
regarding the granting of options at comparable companies.
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
limits to $1,000,000 the amount of executive compensation that a company may
deduct as an expense for federal income tax purposes in
10
<PAGE>
any one year for any one executive. Although none of the Company's executive
officers received in excess of $1,000,000 in compensation for any year, the
Compensation Committee intends to structure future executive officer
compensation in a manner that will preserve the tax deductibility of executive
compensation.
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The annual compensation of Brion Wise, the Company's Chief Executive Officer,
consists primarily of base salary and annual bonus. Mr. Wise's annual
compensation is significantly lower than compensation paid by comparable
companies for comparable positions. In preparing its recommendation regarding
Mr. Wise's compensation, the Compensation Committee considered certain
subjective factors unrelated to the Company's financial performance, principally
Mr. Wise's belief that it was not necessary to pay him at a market rate because
he received substantial dividends from the shares of the Company's Common Stock
that he owns. The Compensation Committee has not yet made a recommendation to
the Board regarding Mr. Wise's 1995 bonus. Mr. Wise is not eligible for awards
under the Company's various stock option plans because the Compensation
Committee and the Board believe his interests are already strongly tied to those
of its stockholders. He is, however, entitled to participate in the Company's
Profit Sharing Plan.
March 31, 1996
Compensation and Nominating Committee
Dean Phillips
Joseph Reid
Richard Robinson
James A. Senty
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
INTER-LOCK AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee consists of Dean Phillips, Joseph Reid, Richard
Robinson and James Senty, none of whom is or was an officer or employee of the
Company. Mr. Phillips is an affiliate of a company from whom the Company leases
rail cars. For the year ended December 31, 1995, the total amount of
transactions with the affiliate of Mr. Phillips was $172,000. Mr. Robinson is a
member of the law firm of Lentz, Evans and King P.C., which has represented the
Company in certain tax, corporate and partnership law matters since 1977. For
the year ended December 31, 1995, the total amount of legal fees paid to Lentz,
Evans and King P.C. was $30,000. Mr. Senty is an affiliate of a company to whom
the Company sells propane and from whom the Company leases rail cars. For the
year ended December 31, 1995, the total amount of transactions with the
affiliate of Mr. Senty was $2,593,000. All such transactions were entered into
by the Company in its ordinary course of business, on an arm's length basis.
CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS
Effective November 15, 1994, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement
(an "Executive Employment Agreement") with each of the Company's executive
officers, other than Mr. Wise. Ms. Blalock and Mr. Jeffries, who became
officers subsequent to such date, do not have employment agreements. However,
the Company, anticipates entering into agreements with Ms. Blalock and Mr.
Jeffries during 1996. Pursuant to the Executive Employment Agreement, the
Company has agreed to pay each executive officer a minimum annual compensation
based upon such officer's 1994 base salary, plus
11
<PAGE>
a percentage ranging from twenty-five to one hundred percent of such officer's
1993 bonus. The employment of the officer continues until it is terminated in
accordance with the Executive Employment Agreement. The Company may terminate an
officer "for cause" at any time and the officer may terminate employment at any
time. If the Company terminates the officer without "cause", the officer is
entitled to severance equal to one year's base salary, which increases to two
years' base salary if the termination without cause occurs within one year of
certain changes in control of the Company. In all cases, the officer is subject
to certain covenants relating to confidentiality, non-competition and non-
solicitation of customers and employees following termination. The Company
anticipates entering into amended Executive Employment Agreement with each of
its executive officers to reflect 1996 base salaries and the 1996 incentive
bonus plan.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid by the
Company in each of the last three years to the Chief Executive Officer and to
each of the four most highly compensated executive officers December 31, 1995
(the "Named Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE(1)
Annual Compensation(2)(3)
-------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) Compensation ($) (4)
- ----------------------------- ---- -------- --------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Brion G. Wise 1995 $ 90,000 $ - $ 3,600
Chairman of the Board and 1994 75,000 90,000 3,000
Chief Executive Officer 1993 75,000 100,000 5,625
Bill M. Sanderson 1995 305,000 160,000 15,250
President and Chief 1994 285,000 160,000 14,250
Operating Officer 1993 285,000 200,000 24,225
Lanny F. Outlaw 1995 170,000 60,000 8,500
Executive Vice President 1994 150,000 60,000 7,500
1993 150,000 75,000 12,750
John C. Walter 1995 155,000 60,000 7,750
Executive Vice President 1994 142,000 60,000 7,100
and Secretary 1993 136,000 75,000 11,560
Gary W. Davis 1995 150,000 65,000 7,500
Vice President, Southern 1994 142,000 65,000 7,100
Region 1993 136,000 75,000 11,560
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) The columns for Other Annual Compensation and Long Term Compensation Awards
and Payouts have been omitted in accordance with the applicable rules as no
such compensation has been awarded, earned or paid to any of the Named
Officers.
12
<PAGE>
(2) Amounts shown set forth all cash compensation earned by each of the Named
Officers in the years shown.
(3) While each of the five named individuals received perquisites or other
personal benefits in the years shown, in accordance with applicable
regulations, the value of these benefits is not indicated since they did not
exceed in the aggregate the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the individual's
salary and bonus in any year.
(4) Amounts shown set forth the Company's contribution to each of the Named
Officers' Profit Sharing Plan accounts.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table provides information with respect to the stock options
exercised during the year ended December 31, 1995 and the value as of December
31, 1995 of unexercised in-the-money options held by the Named Officers. The
value realized on the exercise of options is calculated using the difference
between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of exercise. The value of unexercised in-the-money
options at year end is calculated using the difference between the option
exercise price and the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock at
December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value of Unexercised
Number of Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at FY-End (#) Options/SARs at FY-End ($)
---------------------------- ---------------------------
Shares
Acquired on Value
Name Exercise (#) Realized ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- ------------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Brion G. Wise - $ - - - $ - $ -
Bill M. Sanderson - - 14,000 56,000 - -
Lanny F. Outlaw(1) 10,000 94,550 6,000 24,000 - -
John C. Walter(2) 6,250 43,219 6,000 24,000 - -
Gary W. Davis(3) 6,250 51,813 5,000 20,000 - -
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) Lanny F. Outlaw exercised options to purchase 6,250 shares of Common Stock
on February 8, 1995 and 3,750 options on February 28, 1995. The options
exercised on February 8, 1995 had an exercise price of $10.71 per share and
a fair market value of $18.50 per share and the options exercised on
February 28, 1995 had an exercise price of $5.40 per share and a fair market
value of $17.625 per share.
(2) John C. Walter exercised options to purchase 6,250 shares of Common Stock on
February 27, 1995. The options exercised had an exercise price of $10.71 per
share and a fair market value of $17.625 per share.
(3) Gary W. Davis exercised options to purchase 6,250 shares of Common Stock on
January 11, 1995. The options exercised had an exercise price of $10.71
per share and a fair market value of $19.00 per share.
13
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTION PLANS
KEY EMPLOYEES' INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company's Key Employees' Incentive Stock Option Plan ("Key Employee Plan")
provides for the grant to key employees of incentive stock options to purchase
Common Stock in order to increase such employees' incentives to contribute to
the Company's future success and prosperity and to allow them to acquire a
proprietary interest in the Company. The Board is responsible for administration
of the Key Employee Plan and has reserved an aggregate of 250,000 shares of
Common Stock for issuance under the Key Employee Plan. The Board has full
authority to determine the employees to be granted options, the number and
purchase price of the shares covered by each option, the time or times at which
options may be exercised and other terms and conditions with respect to the
grant and exercise of the options. No option may be transferred other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution (only with respect to exercisable
options) and, during the lifetime of the optionee, the option may only be
exercised by him. To exercise an option, the option holder must be an employee
of the Company, both currently and for the entire period since the date of the
option, except that, upon termination (except under certain circumstances), an
optionee may exercise any option for up to 180 days. The Key Employee Plan
provides that the option price per share of any option granted thereunder may
not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the
date the option is granted. Any option granted under the Key Employee Plan must
be exercised within nine years after the grant of the option. The option
holders' rights to purchase shares are cumulative over time. At December 31,
1995, approximately 162,500 options were vested and 125,000 options were
exercised under the Key Employee Plan. The Company has entered into agreements
committing the Company to loan to each key employee, including the officers, an
amount sufficient to exercise their options as each portion of their options
vests. The Company will forgive the loan and accrued interest if the employee
has been continuously employed by the Company for four years after the date of
the loan. As of December 31, 1995, loans and accrued interest related to
125,000 of Common Stock totaling $1.5 million, were outstanding under these
terms.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company also has a Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan ("Directors'
Plan") providing for the grant of options covering an aggregate of 20,000 shares
of Common Stock to non-employee directors. The purpose of the Directors' Plan is
to enhance the Company's ability to attract and retain the services of qualified
individuals to serve as its directors, providing such directors with an
increased incentive to contribute to the Company's future success and prosperity
and to allow them to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company's business as
well as encouraging such directors to remain as directors of the Company. All
non-employee directors of the Company (other than Messrs. Phillips, Stonehocker
and Sauvage) from time to time are eligible to be awarded shares of Common Stock
under the Directors' Plan. The Board, which is responsible for administration of
the Directors' Plan, may amend the Directors' Plan, provided that no such
amendment may alter or impair an outstanding option, except under certain
limited circumstances. The Board has full authority to determine the directors
to be granted options, the number and purchase price of the shares covered by
each option, the time or times at which options may be exercised and other terms
and conditions with respect to the grant and exercise of the options; provided,
however, that no member of the Board has a right to vote or decide upon any
matter relating to himself or to his rights or benefits under the Directors'
Plan. Participation in the Directors' Plan does not confer any right of
continuation of service as a director of the Company. No option may be
transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution (only
with respect to exercisable options) and, during the lifetime of the optionee,
the option may only be exercised by him. To exercise an option, the option
holder
14
<PAGE>
must be a director of the Company, both currently and for the entire period
since the date of the option, except that, upon termination of a director's
service as such (except under certain circumstances), such optionee may exercise
any option for up to 180 days. The Directors' Plan provides that the option
price per share of any option granted thereunder may not be less than 100% of
the fair market value of the share of Common Stock on the date the option was
granted. Any option granted under the Directors' Plan must be exercised within a
period of nine years after the grant of the option. The option holders' rights
to purchase shares are cumulative over time.
Options to purchase a total of 15,000 shares of Common Stock were granted
through December 31, 1995 under the Directors' Plan, 5,000 to each of Messrs.
Reid, Robinson and Senty, at per share exercise prices ranging from $10.71 to
$19.94. On each grant date anniversary, 25% of the shares covered by these
options vests. At December 31, 1995, 9,750 options were vested of which 5,250
options had been exercised and 1,250 had been forfeited.
$5.40 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Pursuant to the Company's restructuring in 1991 (the "Restructuring"), the
Company assumed the obligation of its predecessor partnership (the
"Partnership") under its Employee Common Units Option ("$5.40 Plan"), which
authorized the granting of options to purchase common units in the Partnership
to employees of the Company. The $5.40 Plan has been amended to allow each
holder of existing options to exercise such options and acquire one share of
Common Stock for each common unit they were entitled to purchase. The exercise
price and all other terms and conditions for the exercise of such options issued
under the amended $5.40 Plan were the same as under the prior plan, except that
the consummation of the Restructuring accelerated the time after which portions
of certain options may be exercised because of certain prepayments made in
connection with the Restructuring. In February 1994, the Board retroactively
approved, adopted and ratified approximately 53,000 options which were granted
to employees in excess of the 430,000 options originally authorized. No more
options may be granted under this $5.40 Plan. The Board is responsible for the
administration of the $5.40 Plan and has full authority, subject to the
provisions of the $5.40 Plan, to determine the employees to be granted options,
the price and the number of shares of Common Stock represented by each option,
the time or times at which options may be exercised, and other terms and options
under the $5.40 Plan. The Company believes that on the date the options were
granted such exercise prices were less than the fair market value of the common
units that could be acquired thereunder. Through December 31, 1995, the Board
has granted options under the $5.40 Plan to purchase shares of Common Stock at
$5.40 per share to a total of approximately 355 employees of the Company. At
December 31, 1995, approximately 447,000 options had vested of which
approximately 400,000 options had been exercised. Options vest at the rate of
20% of the shares subject to such option for each one year of continuous service
by such optionee commencing from the later of (i) July 2, 1987 or (ii) the
optionee's employment commencement date. No option rights granted under the
$5.40 Plan may be transferred by an optionee other than by will or the laws of
descent (only with respect to exercisable options) and distribution and, during
the lifetime of an optionee, the option may be exercised only by him. The
Company has entered into agreements committing the Company to loan to certain
key employees an amount sufficient to exercise their options, provided that the
Company will not loan in excess of 25% of the total amount available to the
employee in any one year. The Company will forgive any loan and accrued interest
on July 2, 1997, if the employee is then employed by the Company. As of December
31, 1995, loans and accrued interest outstanding related to 100,374 options,
totaling $637,000 were extended under these terms.
15
<PAGE>
1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN
The 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "1993 Plan") became effective on May 24, 1993
after approval by the Company's stockholders. The 1993 Plan is intended to be an
incentive stock option plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Company has reserved
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of options under the
1993 Plan. The 1993 Plan will terminate on the earlier of March 28, 2003 or the
date on which all options granted under the 1993 Plan have been exercised in
full.
The Board of the Company will determine and designate from time to time those
employees of the Company to whom options are to be granted. If any option
terminates or expires prior to being exercised, the shares relating to such
option shall be released and may be subject to reissuance pursuant to a new
option. The Board has the right to, among other things, fix the price, terms and
conditions for the grant or exercise of any option. The purchase price of the
stock under each option shall be the fair market value of the stock at the time
such option is granted.
Options granted will vest 20% a year after the date of grant. The employee must
exercise the option within five years of the date each portion vests. If an
employee's employment with the Company terminates, the employee may, within the
60 day period immediately following such termination of employment, but in no
event later than the expiration date specified in the option agreement, exercise
any options that have vested as of the date of such termination. If employment
terminates by reason of death or disability, the employee (in the event of
disability) or the person or persons to whom rights under the option shall pass
by will or by the applicable laws of decent and distribution (in the event of
death), shall be entitled to exercise 100% of the options granted regardless of
the employee's years of service; provided, however, that no such option may be
exercised after 180 days from the date of death or termination of employment
with the Company as a result of disability. Through December 31, 1995, the Board
has granted options at exercise prices ranging from $16.13 to $35.50 per share
of Common Stock to approximately 558 employees. At December 31, 1995
approximately 170,000 options were vested. No options have been exercised under
the 1993 Plan.
16
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following indexed graph indicates the Company's total return to its
stockholders from December 31, 1990 to December 31, 1995 as compared to total
return for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and a Peer Group Index selected by
the Company, assuming a common starting point of $100 and that all dividends
were reinvested. The information contained in this graph is not necessarily
indicative of future Company performance.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC., THE S&P 500 INDEX AND A PEER GROUP**
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Western Gas
Measurement Period Resources, S&P Peer Group
(Fiscal Year Covered) Inc. 500 Index (WGR)
- ------------------------------ ----------- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Measurement Point - 12/31/90 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
FYE December 31, 1991 182.00 130.00 96.00
FYE December 31, 1992 241.00 140.00 103.00
FYE December 31, 1993 305.00 155.00 127.00
FYE December 31, 1994 181.00 157.00 115.00
FYE December 31, 1995 153.00 215.00 141.00
</TABLE>
* $100 invested on 12/31/90 in stock or index. Total return includes
reinvestment of dividends (if applicable). Dates are for fiscal years ending
on December 31 in each of the years indicated.
**Peer (WGR) consists of 22 companies, including the Company. The other 21
companies in the Peer Group are as follows: Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Apache
Corp., Berry Petroleum Co., Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., Devon Energy Corp., K N
Energy Inc., Louisiana Land & Exploration Co., Mitchell Energy and Development
Corp., Murphy Oil Corp., Noble Affiliates Inc., Oryx Energy Co., Parker &
Parsley Petroleum Co., Pogo Producing Co., Questar Corp., Ranger Oil Ltd.,
Santa Fe Energy Resources Inc., Seagull Energy Corp., Snyder Oil Corp., Tejas
Gas Corp., Triton Energy Corp. and Valero Energy Corp. The following
companies were deleted from the Peer Group used in the Company's 1995 Proxy
Statement because they ceased to be publicly traded companies: American Oil &
Gas Corp., Associated Natural Gas Corp., Maxus Energy Corp. and Plains
Petroleum. The total return for each company in the Peer Group has been
weighted for stock market capitalization. These companies are independent oil
and natural gas producers, gatherers, transporters and marketers of natural
gas and natural gas liquids and certain natural gas pipelines, all of which
had market capitalization between $250 million and $1.5 billion at December
31, 1995.
17
<PAGE>
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
The Company's Profit Sharing Plan is administered by the Board. All employees of
the Company are eligible to participate in the Profit Sharing Plan. Subject to
certain restrictions, each participant may elect to reduce his salary and have
contributed monthly to the Profit Sharing Plan on his behalf an amount which on
an annual basis may not exceed the lesser of 15% of his base compensation or
$9,240 (adjusted in the future for cost-of-living increases). The Company,
following the later of (i) the date on which the employee has completed six
months of service or (ii) the date on which the employee has completed 1,000
hours of service during the first (or any subsequent) year of service, will
contribute to the accounts of participating employees an amount matching 25% of
the amount the participant has elected to defer and have the Company contribute
to the Profit Sharing Plan on his behalf; however, the Company's matching
contribution will not exceed 1% of the participant's base compensation. In
addition, the Company may make annual contributions to the accounts of each
participant, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, in amounts up to
15% of the base compensation of such participants. The assets of the Profit
Sharing Plan are held in trust for the participants by a trustee appointed by
the Board. The amounts in each participant's accounts are invested in various
alternative funds at the direction of the participant. Participants may also
invest their individual retirement accounts in the trust fund of the Profit
Sharing Plan. Participants are entitled to receive, upon the earlier of their
death, disability or retirement at age 60, a full distribution of those amounts
credited to their respective accounts. The Company's contributions and matching
contributions under the Profit Sharing Plan become vested at the rate of 20%
after completion of two years of service with an additional 20% vesting each
year thereafter until fully vested.
Participants are entitled to withdraw all or a portion of amounts credited to
their respective accounts in accordance with, and subject to the penalties
defined by, the rules of the Profit Sharing Plan and applicable law.
1996 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS BONUS PLAN
The Board has approved the 1996 incentive bonus plan for the executive officers.
The bonus is tied to the Company's 1996 earnings available to holders of the
Company's common stock. If the earnings target (which may be adjusted by the
Board to reflect non-recurring, unusual items) is met or exceeded, the
executive officers would receive a bonus ranging from five percent to twenty
percent of their adjusted base pay. If the earnings target is not met, the
executive officers would not receive any bonuses under the 1996 incentive bonus
plan. The plan applies only to 1996 and will be re-evaluated for 1997.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP served as the Company's independent accountants for 1995. A
representative of Price Waterhouse LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and
will have an opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and to
respond to appropriate questions.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any stockholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Company's
solicitation of proxies for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be
received by the Secretary of the Company (at 12200 North Pecos Street, Denver,
Colorado 80234) no later than January 15, 1997.
18
<PAGE>
OTHER BUSINESS
All items of business expected to be brought before the meeting by management of
the Company are set forth in this proxy statement. Management knows of no other
business to be presented. If other matters of business not presently known to
management properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons
named in the proxies will have discretionary authority to vote the shares
thereby represented in accordance with their best judgment.
THE ENCLOSED PROXY SHOULD BE COMPLETED, DATED, SIGNED AND RETURNED IN THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. PROMPT MAILING OF THE PROXY WILL BE APPRECIATED.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.
/s/ BRION G. WISE
BRION G. WISE
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Denver, Colorado
April 15, 1996
19
<PAGE>
WESTERN GAS RESOURCES, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 15, 1996
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Bill M. Sanderson and Walter L. Stonehocker
as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes
them to represent and to vote as designated below, all the shares of common
stock of Western Gas Resources, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on March
29, 1996, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on May 15, 1996 at
10:00 a.m. Brown Palace Hotel, Central City Room, 321 Seventeenth Street,
Denver, Colorado 80202, and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, as
follows:
1. ELECTION OF TWO CLASS ONE DIRECTORS:
Brion G. Wise and Richard B. Robinson
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
listed above AUTHORITY INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold
(except as marked to vote for all authority to vote for any
to the contrary nominees listed individual nominee, strike a
above) above line through that nominee's
name in the list above.
[_] [_]
2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting and at any postponement or
adjournment thereof.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1.
Please mark, sign, date and mail this
proxy promptly in the enclosed
envelope.
Date: , 1996
---------------------------
--------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
--------------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
Please sign exactly as name appears
at the left. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When
signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full
corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
