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review the integrity of our financial reporting process;
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review our financial statements and disclosures; and
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review disclosures from our independent auditors regarding compliance with the independence standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, SEC, and appropriate banking regulations.
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Matters with respect to which the Audit Committee has sole authority to act.
The Audit Committee is authorized to obtain advice and assistance from, and receive appropriate funding from the Company for, independent outside legal, accounting, and other professional advisors as the Audit Committee deems appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities.
In 2022, our Audit Committee was comprised of Judy L. Heun, Stephen E. Johnson and Phillip R. Maples (as of June 13, 2022). Each of the members of the Audit Committee met the independence requirements of the rules of NASDAQ and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. During 2022, the Audit Committee held four (4) meetings.
Judy L. Heun served as the Chair of the Audit Committee in 2022. She was designated as the Committee’s financial expert as defined under the SEC rules, and possessed financial sophistication as defined under the rules of NASDAQ, based on her extensive experience with financial reporting and analysis. In addition, the Board believes that each member has sufficient knowledge and experience of financial and auditing matters to serve on the Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for administering the Company’s compensation program. Consequently, the Compensation Committee approves all elements of the compensation program including cash compensation, equity compensation, and other benefits. Under the Committee’s charter, its duties include:
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overseeing the Company’s compensation philosophy, compensation programs and retirement programs, including making recommendations and proposals concerning employee benefits;
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ensuring that a compensation market analysis is completed for the directors and members of Senior Management by a third-party service provider as the Committee deems necessary, but at least every three (3) years, and making recommendations to the Board based on the analysis;
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retaining or obtaining the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other advisor, as necessary;
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overseeing the Company’s regulatory and legal compliance with respect to compensation plans;
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determining, or recommending to the Board for determination, the compensation of non-employee directors;
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approving the recommended salaries, bonuses and long-term incentive compensation for Senior Management;
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approving the recommended salary, bonus, long-term compensation, and other compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and President; and
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approving the corporate goals and metrics, profit sharing contribution, retirement plan match, overall salary compensation and overall bonus compensation, for all Company employees on an annual basis.
The Committee grants sole discretion for market-based compensation adjustments and long-term incentive stock grants for employees who are not members of Senior Management to the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee also has the authority, in its sole discretion, to select, retain and terminate (and obtain the advice of) any compensation adviser, including but not limited to compensation consultants and outside legal counsel, as