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Mr. Charles R. Close is currently serving a two year term as a non-executive independent director of the Corporation. Mr. Close brings the experience of a distinguished career in accounting and taxation expertise specific to the energy business to the Board of Directors.
Mr. Close is the owner of C. R. Close & Associates, PC ("Close & Associates"), a certified public accounting practice located in Houston, Texas specializing in the energy industry. Mr. Close has been continuously employed in that practice for thirteen years. The business activities of Close & Associates focus on tax financial reporting issues, federal and state tax planning and compliance, transaction analysis and support, and federal and state audit support. The client base includes large public independent oil and gas companies, a public multi-national pipeline company and energy related service companies.
Close & Associates also provides full financial support for a privately owned domestic oil and gas company and an energy service company. Duties for the domestic oil and gas company include oversight and preparation of the monthly financials and joint interest billings, cash management, tax planning and compliance and coordination of banking relationships. Duties for the private energy service company include the oversight of daily accounting operations, preparation of the monthly financial package for investors, oversight and coordination of the annual operating budget, interaction and coordination of banking relationships, and management of working capital. Other management duties include business development, compensation planning to include structuring of employee non-qualified compensation plans, contract negotiations, international tax structuring, coordination and management of legal issues, and long term strategic planning.
Prior to starting Close & Associates in 1993, Mr. Close enjoyed a successful twelve year tenure with Price Waterhouse in Texas. During his time at Price Waterhouse, Mr. Close advanced to the position of Senior Tax Manager in the Petroleum Industry Services Group. Responsibilities included tax planning, transactional analysis, consultation and compliance for both multi-national and domestic oil and gas exploration and production companies and for several oil field service companies.
Mr. Close�s international experience includes negotiation and financial structuring to include financial reporting and tax compliance of deals in Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Peru.
Mr. Close graduated from the University of Texas in 1980 with a Bachelor's Degree of Business Administration (Accounting) and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. | 