Quarterly report pursuant to sections 13 or 15(d)

Related Party Transactions

v2.4.0.8
Related Party Transactions
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions

Note 10. Related Party Transactions

 

Atlantic Blue Group, Inc.

 

Atlantic Blue Group, Inc. ("Atlanticblue" or "ABG") owns approximately 50.6% of Alico's common stock. By virtue of its ownership percentage, Atlanticblue is able to elect all of the directors and, consequently, control Alico. Directors which also serve on Atlanticblue's board are referred to as "affiliated directors". Atlanticblue issued a letter dated December 3, 2009, reaffirming its commitment to maintain a majority of independent directors (which may include affiliated directors) on Alico's board. To be considered independent under NASDAQ rules a director may not be employed by Alico or engage in certain types of business dealings with Alico. In addition as required by NASDAQ rules, the Board is required to make an affirmative determination that the director has no relationships which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities as a director.

 

John R. Alexander, a shareholder in Atlanticblue and a director on the Atlanticblue Board of Directors, retired as the Company's Chairman of the Board at the February 2013 shareholders meeting. Mr. Alexander's son, JD Alexander, resigned March 31, 2012 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanticblue and did not stand for re-election as a director at the June 2012 Atlanticblue shareholders meeting. In February 2010, JD Alexander was appointed Alico's President and Chief Executive Officer, and he serves on Alico's Board of Directors. Robert E. Lee Caswell, John R. Alexander's son-in-law, served as a director on Alico's Board of Directors until its February 2013 shareholders meeting; he did not stand for re-election. Robert J. Viguet, Jr., an Alico director, did not stand for re-election as a director of Atlanticblue at its June 2012 shareholders meeting. Dykes Everett was elected to the Alico Board of Directors at the February 2013 shareholders meeting; he was nominated by Atlanticblue where he serves as a director.

 

Former director Baxter Troutman filed a derivative shareholder suit against John R. Alexander and JD Alexander in which a settlement agreement ("Agreement") was reached on April 1, 2012. On May 16, 2012 the Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial Circuit in Polk County, FL approved the Agreement thereby settling the shareholder derivative action complaint. As a condition of the Agreement, Mr. Troutman was required to file a notice of voluntary dismissal of the civil action against the Alexanders with prejudice. The parties in executing the Agreement, including a mutual release, did not rely on any inducements, promises or representations made by the other party or any of the other parties' representatives. Furthermore, no promise, inducement or agreement not set forth in the Agreement has been made to either party. The Company, by determination of the Special Litigation Committee comprised of four independent directors of its Board of Directors, filed a motion against Mr. Troutman seeking recovery of attorney fees and costs incurred in its defense. In response, Mr. Troutman has filed motions seeking recovery of his attorney's fees from Alico. The Company has reimbursed Messrs.' Alexander for legal fees used to defend themselves against the suit in accordance with the Board of Directors indemnification agreements. All reimbursements were approved by the Special Committee of the Board. Reimbursements for litigation were $39,000 and $118,000 on behalf of John R. Alexander, and $39,000 and $221,000 on behalf of JD Alexander, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

 

Alico Fruit is currently marketing citrus fruit for TRI-County Grove, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanticblue. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2013, Alico Fruit marketed 55,948 and 201,802 boxes of fruit, for approximately $600,000 and $1,907,000, respectively. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, Alico Fruit marketed 47,209 and 237,626 boxes of fruit, for approximately $639,000 and $2,900,000, respectively. Alico Fruit markets citrus fruit for TRI-County Grove, LLC at the customary terms and rates the Company extends to third parties.

 

Ben Hill Griffin, Inc.

 

Ben Hill Griffin Inc. ("Griffin") and its subsidiaries are controlled by Ben Hill Griffin, III, the brother-in-law of John R. Alexander, Alico's former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and was deemed a related party until John R. Alexander retired as Chairman of Alico on February 22, 2013. No citrus fruit has been sold to Griffin during fiscal year 2013. Citrus revenues of $148,000 and $521,000 were recognized for a portion of citrus crops sold under a marketing agreement with Griffin for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Accounts receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include amounts due from Griffin of $94,000 at September 30, 2012. This amount represented revenues to be received periodically under pooling agreements as the sale of pooled products were completed.

 

Alico purchases fertilizer and other miscellaneous supplies, services, and operating equipment from Griffin on a competitive bid basis, for use in its cattle, sugarcane, sod and citrus operations. Such purchases totaled $63,000 and $880,000 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include accounts payable to Griffin for fertilizer and other crop supplies totaling approximately $10,000 at September 30, 2012.

 

Other

 

Mr. Charles Palmer, an independent Board Member, leased approximately 2,300 acres from the Company for a recreational lease in fiscal years 2013 and 2012. He pays approximately $33,000 annually at the customary terms and rates the Company extends to third parties.