Nominating Committee Charter
Arabian American Development Company Board of Directors
Nominating Committee Charter
I. Purpose
The purpose of the Nominating Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Arabian American Development Company ("Arabian American") is:
1. To recommend to the Board candidates to be nominated for election as directors by shareholders at Arabian American’s annual meeting, consistent with the operating requirements of Arabian American and other considerations the Committee deems appropriate, as approved by the Board;
2. To perform such other duties and responsibilities as are enumerated in and consistent with this charter.
II. Membership
1. Membership and Appointment. The Committee consists of such number of directors as the Board appoints, but must consist of at least two directors.
2. Qualifications; Independence. Each director on the Committee will have such qualifications as the Board determines. In addition, each director on the Committee must be independent within the meaning of applicable laws or listing standards, as the Board determines.
3. Removal. The entire Committee or any individual director on the Committee may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.
4. Chairman. The Board may designate a Chairman of the Committee. In the absence of such designation, the Committee may designate the Chairman of the Committee by majority vote of the Committee. From time to time, the Chairman of the Committee may establish such other rules as are necessary and proper for the conduct of the business of the Committee.
III. Procedures
1. Number of Meetings. The Committee convenes at least four times each year, with additional meetings as appropriate.
2. Agenda. The Chairman of the Committee establishes its agenda, with input from management, staff, the lead independent director and other directors on the Committee and the Board as appropriate.
3. Executive Sessions. As appropriate, the Committee may meet in executive sessions.
4. Delegation of Authority.
a. The Committee may create a subcommittee of the Committee consisting of one or more directors on the Committee and may delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to such subcommittee, unless otherwise prohibited by applicable laws or listing standards.
b. The Committee may delegate any of its duties and responsibilities to one or more directors on the Committee, another director or other persons, unless otherwise prohibited by applicable laws or listing standards.
c. Any subcommittee, director or other person will provide a written or oral report to the Committee regarding any activities undertaken pursuant to such delegation.
d. The Committee may terminate any such subcommittee and revoke any such delegation at any time.
5. Authority to Retain Advisors. In the course of its duties, the Committee has sole authority, at Arabian American’s expense, to engage and terminate consultants or search firms, as the Committee deems advisable, to identify director candidates, including the sole authority to approve the consultant or search firm’s fees and other retention terms. The Committee also has the sole authority, at Arabian American’s expense, to engage and terminate other advisors as the Committee deems appropriate to carry out its duties, including the sole authority to approve such other advisor’s fees and any other retention terms.
6. Charter Review. The Committee annually reviews and reassesses the adequacy of this charter and submits any recommended changes to the charter to the Board for approval.
7. Performance Review. The Committee annually undertakes an evaluation assessing its performance with respect to its purposes and its duties and tasks set forth in this charter, and reports the results of such evaluation to the Board.
8. Reporting to the Board. The Committee reports regularly to the Board with respect to the Committee’s activities.
IV. Roles and Responsibilities
1. Board and Committee Composition. The Committee has the following responsibilities related to the composition of the Board and committees of the Board:
a. Annually, with input from the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board (the "CEO/Chairman"), the Committee assesses the size and composition of the Board in light of the operating requirements of Arabian American and other considerations the Committee deems appropriate, as approved by the Board, and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to candidates for election as directors by shareholders at Arabian American’s annual meeting.
b. The Committee works with the CEO/Chairman in identifying and recruiting new directors and considers candidates proposed by shareholders as part of this process.
c. The Committee recommends to the Board the assignment of directors to committees of the Board to ensure that committee membership complies with the requirements of applicable laws and listing standards. Such recommendations take into account the experience, availability and preferences of the directors, as well as input from the lead independent director and the CEO/Chairman.
d. The Committee conducts a preliminary review of director independence and the financial literacy and expertise of Audit Committee members and nominees who may be asked to serve on the Audit Committee, and makes recommendations to the Board relating to such matters.
e. With input from the CEO/Chairman, the Committee is responsible for and oversees the orientation program Arabian American provides to new directors and makes recommendations regarding continuing education programs for directors, which may relate to corporate governance, trends in Arabian American’s industries or other appropriate topics.
5. Outside Directorships. The Committee reviews and approves, as appropriate, any requests from Section 16 executive officers, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Section 16 Executive Officers"), to stand for election to any outside for-profit boards of directors.
6. Shareholder Proposals. The Committee reviews shareholder proposals in conjunction with the CEO/Chairman and recommends Board responses.
7. Board, Committee and Management Evaluations. The Committee oversees the annual self-evaluation of the Board and its committees. The Committee also ensures that an annual evaluation of the CEO is conducted by the lead independent director, in conjunction with the HR and Compensation Committee, with input from all Board members. The Committee also evaluates senior management in coordination with the Compensation Committee.
8. Requests for Permissive Indemnification. The Committee reviews claims for permissive indemnification under Article VI of Arabian American’s Bylaws, provided that the Committee may delegate to such employee or employees of Arabian American as it deems appropriate such claims that:
a. are in the ordinary course of business;
b. do not involve a material financial commitment by Arabian American; and
c. do not involve Section 16 Executive Officers or directors.
Such employee or employees will report to the Committee on any activities pursuant to such delegation.
9. General. The Committee performs such other duties and carry out such responsibilities as are consistent with the purpose of the Committee and as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate.