Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Related Party Transactions

v3.20.2
Related Party Transactions
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions

Note 14. Related Party Transactions

Clayton G. Wilson

The Company entered into a Separation and Consulting Agreement with Clayton G. Wilson (the “Separation and Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Wilson stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of December 31, 2016. Under the Separation and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Wilson also acknowledged and agreed that he would continue to be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth in his Employment Agreement with the Company. The Separation and Consulting Agreement provided that, subject to his execution, delivery, and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Wilson would be entitled to vesting of any unvested portion of the restricted stock award granted to him under his Employment Agreement. In addition, the Separation and Consulting Agreement provided that Mr. Wilson serve as a consultant to the Company during 2017 and would receive an aggregate consulting fee of $750,000 for such services (payable $200,000 in an initial lump sum, $275,000 in a lump sum on July 1, 2017, and $275,000 in six equal monthly installments commencing July 31, 2017 and ending December 31, 2017). As of December 31, 2017, the Company satisfied its obligation to Mr. Wilson in full. The Company expensed approximately $0, $0 and $187,500 under the Separation and Consulting Agreement for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Mr. Wilson resigned as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors effective February 27, 2017.

Henry R. Slack and George R. Brokaw

On December 31, 2016, the Company entered into new employment agreements (collectively, the “Employment Agreements”) with Henry R. Slack, and George R. Brokaw. Mr. Slack previously served as the Executive Chairman of the Company, and Mr. Brokaw previously served as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Company, and each of them continues to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Employment Agreements provided for an annual base salary of $250,000 in the case of Mr. Slack and provides for an annual base salary of $250,000 in the case of Mr. Brokaw.

Beginning June 26, 2017, both Messrs. Slack and Brokaw agreed to waive payment of their salaries.

Effective July 1, 2019, Mr. Slack resigned his employment with the Company as Executive Chairman. Effective December 31, 2019, Mr. Brokaw resigned his employment with the Company as Executive Vice Chairman. Mr. Slack and Mr. Brokaw continue to serve on the Board of the Company.

Remy W. Trafelet

As described above, on February 11, 2019 and as contemplated by the Alico Settlement Agreement, Mr. Trafelet submitted to the Board his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a member of the Board, effective upon the execution of the Alico Settlement Agreement. Also, on February 11, 2019, as contemplated by the Settlement Agreement, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with Mr. Trafelet and 3584 Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Trafelet (the "Consultant"). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Trafelet will make himself available to provide consulting services to the Company through the Consultant for up to 24 months. In exchange for the consulting services, the Consultant will receive an annual consulting fee of $400,000. The Company recorded an expense of $800,000, representing the full amount due under the agreement, in fiscal year 2019 upon the execution of the agreement. The Company has paid approximately $400,000 and $254,000 in consulting fees for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. If the Company terminates the consulting period (other than in certain specified circumstances), the Company will continue to pay the consulting fees described above.

Shared Services Agreement

The Company had a shared services agreement with Trafelet Brokaw Capital Management, L.P. (“TBCM”), whereby the Company reimbursed TBCM for use of office space and various administrative and support services. The agreement expired December 31, 2018 and was not extended or renewed. The annual cost of the office and services was approximately $618,000. The Company expensed approximately $0, $155,000 and $592,000 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have any outstanding amounts with TBCM.

Capital Contribution

On September 10, 2020, all operating partners of Citree received a funding notice relating to an additional Cash Capital Contribution (“Contribution”) requirement of approximately $600,000 as a result of trees producing limited revenue because they are still in early stage development, a reduction in market price for citrus fruit for the 2019/20 harvest season due to excess inventories and the adoption of a more extensive caretaking plan focused on limiting the impact of citrus greening. The Company’s portion of the Contribution was approximately $306,000 and was funded on September 24, 2020. The remaining portion of the Contribution of $294,000 was funded by the noncontrolling parties.

On April 16, 2018, all operating partners of Citree received a funding notice relating to an additional Cash Capital Contribution requirement of approximately $2,041,000 as a result of Hurricane Irma, which reduced the amount of crop available for sale in the 2017/2018 harvest season and the Company’s adoption of a more extensive caretaking plan focused on limiting the impact of citrus greening. The Company’s portion of the Contribution was approximately $1,041,000 and was funded on April 27, 2018. The remaining portion of the Contribution of $1,000,000 was funded by the noncontrolling parties.

Distribution of Shares by Alico’s Largest Shareholder

On November 12, 2019, 734 Investors, the Company’s largest shareholder, distributed the 3,173,405 shares of Company common stock held by it, on a pro rata basis, to its members. The Company understands that this share distribution was made in anticipation of a subsequent dissolution of 734 Investors. Transfers of these shares are not registered on any current Alico registration statement, but the shares are potentially transferable pursuant to Rule 144, subject to certain customary restrictions.