DEF 14A 1 t64662_def14a.htm SCHEDULE 14A t64662_def14a.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
 
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ___)
 
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
 
Check the appropriate box: 
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x
Definitive Proxy Statement
o
Definitive Additional Materials
o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 
 
 
RPC, Inc. 
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
 
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
x
No fee required.
   
o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
     
 
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:  N/A
 
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:  N/A
 
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
   
0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
   
N/A
 
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:  N/A
 
(5)
Total fee paid:  N/A
     
o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
   
o 
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing:
   
 
(1)
Amount previously paid:  N/A
 
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:  N/A
 
(3)
Filing party:  N/A
 
(4)
Date Filed:  N/A

 
 

 
 
GRAPHIC
 
RPC, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
2801 Buford Highway, Suite 520, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
 
TO THE HOLDERS OF THE COMMON STOCK:
 
          PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of RPC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RPC” or the “Company”), will be held at 2170 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30324, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at 12:15 P.M., or any adjournment thereof, for the following purposes:
 
          1.          To elect the four Class II nominees identified in the attached proxy statement to the Board of Directors; and
 
          2.          To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
          The Proxy Statement dated March 20, 2009 is attached.
 
          The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 27, 2009 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
 
          Stockholders who do not expect to be present at the meeting are urged to complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy. No postage is required if the enclosed envelope is mailed in the United States.
 
          The Proxy Statement and 2008 Annual Report are available at www.edocumentview.com/RES
     
 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     
 
graphic
 
Linda H. Graham, Secretary
     
Atlanta, Georgia
   
March 20, 2009
   

 
 

 

PROXY STATEMENT
 
          This Proxy Statement and a form of proxy were first mailed to stockholders on or about March 20, 2009. The following information concerning the enclosed proxy and the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders to be held on April 28, 2009, is submitted by the Company to the stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
SOLICITATION OF AND POWER TO REVOKE PROXY
 
          A form of proxy is enclosed. Each proxy submitted will be voted as directed, but if not otherwise specified, proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company will be voted in favor of the candidates for election to the Board of Directors.
 
          A stockholder executing and delivering a proxy has power to revoke the same and the authority thereby given at any time prior to the exercise of such authority, if he so elects, by contacting either proxy holder or by attending the meeting and voting in person. However, a beneficial stockholder who holds his shares in street name must secure a proxy from his broker before he can attend the meeting and vote.
 
CAPITAL STOCK
 
          The outstanding capital stock of the Company on February 27, 2009 consisted of 98,419,782 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote (non-cumulative) for each share of such stock registered in their respective names at the close of business on February 27, 2009, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
          A majority of the outstanding shares will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. In accordance with the General Corporation Law of the state of Delaware, the election of the nominees named herein as Directors will require the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote in the election provided that a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. In the case of a plurality vote requirement (as in the election of directors), where no particular percentage vote is required, the outcome is solely a matter of comparing the number of votes cast for each nominee, with those nominees receiving the most votes being elected, and hence only votes for director nominees (and not abstentions) are relevant to the outcome. In this case, the four nominees receiving the most votes will be elected. There are no rights of appraisal or similar dissenter’s rights with respect to any matter to be acted upon pursuant to this Proxy Statement. It is expected that shares held of record by officers and directors of the Company, which in the aggregate represent approximately 71.4 percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, will be voted for the nominees for directors.
 
          The executives named in the Summary Compensation Table, and the name and address of each stockholder (or “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) who owned beneficially five percent (5%) or more of the shares of Common Stock of the Company on February 27, 2009, together with the number of shares owned by each such person and the percentage of outstanding shares that ownership represents, and information as to Common Stock ownership of the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (according to information received by the Company), are set out below:

 
1

 
 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
   
Amount
Beneficially
Owned (1)
 
Percent of
Outstanding
Shares
 
                     
R. Randall Rollins
     
64,591,383
(2)
   
65.4
   
Chairman of the Board
                   
2170 Piedmont Road, NE
                   
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
                   
                     
Gary W. Rollins
     
65,970,484
(3)
   
66.8
   
President and Chief Executive Officer, Rollins, Inc.
                   
2170 Piedmont Road, NE
                   
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
                   
                     
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
     
6,509,839
(4)
   
6.6
   
One Corporate Center
                   
401 Theodore Fremd Avenue
                   
Rye, NY 10580 -1433
                   
                     
Richard A. Hubbell
     
1,261,951
(5)
   
1.3
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
                   
2801 Buford Highway, Suite 520
                   
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
                   
                     
Linda H. Graham
     
378,517
(6)
   
**
   
Vice President and Secretary
                   
2170 Piedmont Road, NE
                   
Atlanta, Georgia 30324
                   
                     
Ben M. Palmer
     
280,922
(7)
   
**
   
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
                   
2801 Buford Highway, Suite 520
                   
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
                   
                     
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group
                   
(10 persons)
     
70,580,147
(8)
   
71.5
   
 

**
Less than one percent
   
(1)
Except as otherwise noted, the nature of the beneficial ownership for all shares is sole voting and investment power.
   
(2)
Includes 11,837 shares of the Company Common Stock held as Trustee, Guardian, or Custodian for his children. Also includes 687,148 shares of Company Common Stock in two trusts of which he is Co-Trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power. Also includes 57,537,985 shares of the Company Common Stock held by RFPS Management Company II, L.P. of which RFA Management Company, LLC (“General Partner”), a Georgia limited liability company, is the general partner. The voting interests of the General Partner are held by two revocable trusts, one of which each of Mr. Gary W. Rollins or Mr. R. Randall Rollins is the grantor and sole trustee. LOR, Inc. is the manager of the General Partner. Also includes 5,018,900 shares of the Company Common Stock held by RFT Investment Company, LLC of which LOR, Inc. is the manager. Mr. R. Randall Rollins and Mr. Gary W. Rollins have voting control of LOR, Inc. Included herein are 111,000 shares of restricted stock awards for Company Common Stock. This also includes 105,801 shares of Company Common Stock held by his wife, as to which Mr. Rollins disclaims any beneficial interest. Mr. Rollins is part of a control group holding Company securities that includes Mr. Gary W. Rollins, as disclosed on a Schedule 13D on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
2

 

(3)
Includes 687,148 shares of the Company Common Stock in two trusts of which he is Co-Trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power. Also includes 244,862 shares of Company Common Stock held as Trustee, Guardian or Custodian for his children. Also includes 57,537,985 shares of the Company Common Stock held by RFPS Management Company II, L.P. of which RFA Management Company, LLC (“General Partner”), a Georgia limited liability company, is the general partner. The voting interests of the General Partner are held by two revocable trusts, one of which each of Mr. Gary W. Rollins or Mr. R. Randall Rollins is the grantor and sole trustee. LOR, Inc. is the manager of the General Partner. Also includes 5,018,900 shares of the Company Common Stock held by RFT Investment Company, LLC of which LOR, Inc. is the manager. Mr. R. Randall Rollins and Mr. Gary W. Rollins have voting control of LOR, Inc. This also includes 202,513 shares of the Company Common Stock held by his wife, as to which Mr. Rollins disclaims any beneficial interest. Mr. Rollins is part of a control group holding Company securities that includes Mr. R. Randall Rollins, as disclosed on a Schedule 13D on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
   
(4)
Per Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 25, 2008.
   
(5)
Includes 253,123 shares of Company Common Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of February 27, 2009, and 127,200 shares of restricted stock awards for Company Common Stock.
   
(6)
Includes 50,625 shares of Company Common Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of February 27, 2009, and 37,000 shares of restricted stock awards for Company Common Stock.
   
(7)
Includes 119,200 shares of restricted stock awards for Company Common Stock.
   
(8)
Shares held in trusts as to which more than one officer and/or director are Co-Trustees or entities in which there is common ownership have been included only once. Includes an aggregate of 303,748 shares of Company Common Stock that may be purchased by two executive officers upon exercise of options that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of February 27, 2009, and 394,400 shares of restricted stock awards for Company Common Stock awarded and issued to them pursuant to the Company’s 1994 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
          At the Annual Meeting, Messrs. Richard A. Hubbell, Bill J. Dismuke, Larry L. Prince and Ms. Linda H. Graham will be nominated to serve as Class II directors. The nominees for election at the 2009 Annual Meeting are all now directors of the Company, except for Mr. Prince who was recommended to the Nominating and Governance Committee as a director candidate by our Chairman. The directors in each class serve for a term of three years. The director nominees will serve in their respective class until their successors are elected and qualified. Six other individuals serve as directors but are not standing for re-election because their terms as directors extend past this Annual Meeting pursuant to provisions of the Company’s Bylaws that provide for the election of directors for staggered terms, with each director serving a term of three years. Unless authority is withheld, the proxy holders will vote for the election of each nominee named below. Although management does not contemplate the possibility, in the event any nominee is not a candidate or is unable to serve as a director at the time of the election, unless authority is withheld, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who shall be designated by the present Board of Directors and recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee, to fill such vacancy.
 
          The name and age of the director nominees, their principal occupations, together with the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each and the percentage of outstanding shares that ownership represents, all as of the close of business on February 27, 2009 (according to information received by the Company) are set out below. Similar information is also provided for those directors whose terms expire in future years.

 
3

 
 
Names of Directors
 
Principal Occupation (1)
 
Service as
Director
 
Age
 
Shares of
Common
Stock (2)
 
Percent of
Outstanding
Shares
 
                         
Names of Director Nominees
 
                     
Class II (Current Term Expires 2009, New Term Will Expire 2012)
                     
Richard A. Hubbell
 
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 2003; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company prior to April 2003; President and Chief Executive Officer of Marine Products Corporation (boat manufacturing).
 
1987 to date
 
64
 
1,261,951
(3)
 
1.3
 
 
                           
Linda H. Graham
 
Vice President and Secretary of the Company; Vice President and Secretary of Marine Products Corporation (boat manufacturing).
 
2001 to date
 
72
 
378,517
(4)
 
**
 
 
                           
Bill J. Dismuke
 
Retired President of Edwards Baking
Company (manufacturer of pies and pie parts).
 
January
25, 2005 to date
 
72
 
3,375
 
 
**
 
 
                           
Larry L. Prince
 
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Genuine Parts Company (automotive parts distributor).
 
To be elected
 
70
 
 
 
**
 
 
 
                   
Names of Directors Whose Terms Have Not Expired
 
                     
                         
Class III (Term Expires 2010)
                       
Wilton Looney
 
Honorary Chairman of the Board of Genuine Parts Company (automotive parts distributor).
 
1984 to date
 
89
 
4,050
 
 
**
 
 
                           
Gary W. Rollins (5)
 
President and Chief Executive Officer of Rollins, Inc. (consumer services).
 
1984 to date
 
64
 
65,970,484
(6)
 
66.8
 
 
                           
James A. Lane, Jr.
 
Executive Vice President of Marine Products Corporation (boat manufacturing) and President of Chaparral Boats, Inc.
 
1987 to date
 
66
 
197,487
 
 
**
 
 

 
4

 
 
Names of Directors
 
Principal Occupation (1)
 
Service as
Director
 
Age
 
Shares of
Common
Stock (2)
 
Percent of
Outstanding
Shares
 
                       
Class I (Term Expires 2011)
                     
R. Randall Rollins (5)
 
Chairman of the Board of the Company since April 2003; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company prior to April 2003; Chairman of the Board of Marine Products Corporation (boat manufacturing); Chairman of the Board of Rollins, Inc. (consumer services).
 
1984 to date
 
77
 
64,591,383
(7)
 
65.4
 
 
                           
Henry B. Tippie
 
Presiding Director of the Company; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Tippie Services, Inc. (management services); Chairman of the Board of Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. (operator of multi-purpose gaming and entertainment complex) and Chairman of the Board of Dover Motorsports, Inc. (operator of motor racing tracks).
 
1984 to date
 
82
 
1,065,002
(8)
 
1.1
 
 
                           
James B. Williams
 
Chairman of the Executive Committee, SunTrust Banks, Inc. (bank holding company) from 1998 to April 2004.
 
1984 to date
 
76
 
135,000
 
 
**
 
 


**
less than one percent
   
(1)
Unless otherwise noted, each of the directors has held the positions of responsibility set out in this column (but not necessarily his or her present title) for more than five years. In addition to the directorships listed in this column, the following individuals also serve on the Boards of Directors of the following companies: James B. Williams: The Coca-Cola Company; R. Randall Rollins: Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. and Dover Motorsports, Inc.; Gary W. Rollins: Genuine Parts Company and Emory University: and Larry L. Prince: Genuine Parts Company, Crawford & Company and SunTrust Banks, Inc. All of the directors shown in the above table are also directors of Marine Products Corporation (“Marine Products” or “MPC”) and with the exception of Messrs. Hubbell and Lane and Ms. Graham are also directors of Rollins, Inc. (“Rollins”). Mr. Prince has been nominated for election to the Board of Directors of MPC and Rollins.
   
(2)
Except as otherwise noted, the nature of the beneficial ownership for all shares is sole voting and investment power.
   
(3)
See information contained in footnote (5) to the table appearing in Capital Stock section.
   
(4)
See information contained in footnote (6) to the table appearing in Capital Stock section.
   
(5)
R. Randall Rollins and Gary W. Rollins are brothers.
   
(6)
See information contained in footnote (3) to the table appearing in Capital Stock section.
   
(7)
See information contained in footnote (2) to the table appearing in Capital Stock section.
   
(8)
Includes 63,990 shares held in trusts of which he is a Trustee or Co-Trustee and as to which he shares voting and investment power. Also includes shares held by a wholly owned corporation that owns 1,012 shares.
 
Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed.

 
5

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
 
Board Meetings
 
          The Board of Directors met five times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. No director attended fewer than 75 percent of the aggregate of all Board meetings and meetings of committees on which he or she served during 2008. Board members are encouraged to attend the Company’s Annual Stockholder Meetings and all Board members were in attendance at last year’s meeting.
 
          The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Diversity Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee.
 
          Below is a summary of our committee structure and membership information.
                                 
Board of Directors
   
Audit
Committee
   
Compensation
Committee
   
Diversity
Committee
   
Nominating &
Governance
Committee
   
Executive
Committee
 
R. Randall Rollins (1)
                           
Member
 
Henry B. Tippie(2)
   
Chair
   
Chair
   
Chair
   
Chair
       
Wilton Looney(2)
   
Member
   
Member
   
Member
   
Member
       
James B. Williams(2)
   
Member
   
Member
   
Member
   
Member
       
Bill J. Dismuke(2)
   
Member
                         
Gary W. Rollins
                           
Member
 
 

(1)
Chairman of the Board of Directors
   
(2)
Financial Expert
 
Audit Committee
 
          The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company consists of Henry B. Tippie (Chairman), Wilton Looney, Bill J. Dismuke and James B. Williams. The Audit Committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The Board of Directors has determined that all of the Audit Committee members are independent as that term is defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Board of Directors has also determined that all of the Audit Committee members are “Audit Committee Financial Experts” as defined in the SEC rules. Additionally, the Board of Directors has determined that the simultaneous service by Mr. James B. Williams on the Audit Committees of three other publicly traded companies does not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Audit Committee of RPC. The Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accountants, internal auditor, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to review the scope and results of audits and recommendations made with respect to controls over financial reporting and specific accounting and financial reporting issues. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from, and receive appropriate funding from the Company for, outside legal, accounting or other advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties. The Audit Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at www.rpc.net under the Governance section. A written copy of the charter can be obtained free of charge by writing to The Secretary, RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324.
 
Compensation Committee
 
          The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company consists of Henry B. Tippie (Chairman), Wilton Looney, and James B. Williams. It held two meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The function of the Compensation Committee is to set the base salary and cash based incentive compensation of all of the executive officers. The Compensation Committee also administers the RPC, Inc. Stock Incentive Plans. The Compensation Committee does not have a formal charter, and is not required to have one under the “controlled company” exemption under the NYSE rules, as described in the section titled “Director Independence and NYSE Requirements” below.

 
6

 
 
Diversity Committee
 
          The Diversity Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company consists of Henry B. Tippie (Chairman), Wilton Looney, and James B. Williams. It held one meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The function of the Diversity Committee is to monitor compliance with applicable non-discrimination laws.
 
Nominating and Governance Committee
 
          The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company consists of Henry B. Tippie (Chairman), Wilton Looney, and James B. Williams, each of whom is independent, as discussed more fully under “Director Independence and NYSE Requirements.” The Committee was formed in 2002 pursuant to a resolution passed by the Board of Directors for the following purposes:
     
 
to recommend to the Board of Directors nominees for director and to consider any nominations properly made by a stockholder;
     
 
upon request of the Board of Directors, to review and report to the Board with regard to matters of corporate governance; and
     
 
to make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the agenda for Annual Stockholders’ Meetings and with respect to appropriate action to be taken in response to any stockholder proposals.
 
          The Nominating and Governance Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Director Nominations
 
          Under Delaware law, there are no statutory criteria or qualifications for directors. No criteria or qualifications have been prescribed by the Board at this time. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not have a charter or a formal policy with regard to the consideration of director candidates. However, it acts under the guidance of the Corporate Governance Guidelines approved by the Board of Directors and posted on the Company’s website at www.rpc.net under the Governance section. A written copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines can be obtained free of charge by writing to the Secretary, RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324. The Board believes that it should preserve maximum flexibility in order to select directors with sound judgment and other desirable qualities. According to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board of Directors will be responsible for selecting nominees for election to the Board of Directors. The Board delegates the screening process to the Nominating and Governance Committee. This Committee is responsible for determining the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the then current make-up of the Board. This determination takes into account all factors which the Committee considers appropriate, such as independence, experience, strength of character, mature judgment, technical skills, diversity, age and the extent to which the individual would fill a present need on the Board. The Company’s Bylaws provide that nominations for the election of directors may be made by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations must comply with an advance notice procedure which generally requires, with respect to nominations for directors for election at an annual meeting, that written notice be addressed to: Secretary, RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324, not less than ninety days prior to the anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting and set forth the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of the nominee proposed in the notice, the principal occupation or employment of the nominee for the past five years, the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings. Other requirements related to the notice are contained in the Company’s Bylaws. The Committee will consider nominations from stockholders who satisfy these requirements. The Committee is responsible for screening the nominees that are selected by the Board of Directors for nomination to the Board and for service on committees of the Board. To date, the Company has not received a recommendation for a director nominee from a stockholder. All of the nominees for directors being voted upon, at the Annual Meeting to be held on April 28, 2009 are directors standing for re-election, except for Mr. Prince. Mr. Prince was recommended to the Committee as a nominee by our Chairman.

 
7

 

 
Director Independence and NYSE Requirements
 
Controlled Company Exemption
 
          The Company is not required by law or NYSE listing requirements to have a Nominating or Compensation Committee composed of independent directors, nor to have a Board of Directors, the majority of which are independent. Because the Company is a “controlled corporation,” as defined by NYSE Rule 303A.00, the Company is exempt from NYSE Rules 303A.01, 303A.04 and 303A.05 and does not undertake compliance with those provisions. The Company is a “controlled corporation” because a group that includes the Company’s Chairman of the Board, R. Randall Rollins, his brother Gary W. Rollins who is also a director and certain companies under their control, possesses in excess of fifty percent of the Company’s voting power.
 
          The Company’s Audit Committee is composed of four “independent” directors as defined by the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE rules, the Exchange Act, SEC regulations there under, and the Company’s Audit Committee Charter. All of the members of the Compensation, Diversity and Nominating and Governance Committees are also independent directors. The independent directors of the Company are Henry B. Tippie, Wilton Looney, James B. Williams and Bill J. Dismuke. In addition, if elected, Mr. Prince will also be an independent director of the Company.
 
Independence Guidelines
 
          Under NYSE listing standards, to be considered independent, a director must be determined to have no material relationship with the Company other than as a director. The NYSE standards set forth a nonexclusive list of relationships which are conclusively deemed material.
 
          The Company’s Independence Guidelines (Appendix A to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines) are posted on the Company’s website at www.rpc.net under the Governance section. These independence guidelines provide that to be independent, a director must not have any relationship that would be considered material under NYSE standards and that except in special circumstances as determined by a majority of the Board, the following relationships are not material:
     
 
(i)
If the director, or a member of the director’s immediate family, has received less than one hundred twenty thousand dollars (US $120,000) in direct compensation from the Company (other than director and committee fees and compensation for prior service which are not contingent in any way on continued services) during every 12 month period within the past three (3) years;
     
 
(ii)
If the director is a director or officer, or any member of the director’s immediate family is a director or officer of a bank to which the Company is indebted, and the total amount of the indebtedness does not exceed one percent (1%) of the total assets of the bank for any of the past three (3) years;
     
 
(iii)
If the director or any member of the director’s immediate family is an employee of a charitable or educational organization, and donations by the Company do not exceed the greater of one million dollars (US $1,000,000) or two percent (2%) of the organization’s consolidated gross revenues within the preceding three (3) years;
     
 
(iv)
If the director has a relationship with the Company of a type covered by item 404(a) and/or item 407 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K (or any successor regulation), and that relationship need not, according to the terms of those items and any then- current proxy regulations, be disclosed in the Company’s annual Proxy Statement (except for relationships described elsewhere in the Company’s guidelines in which case the other guidelines will govern);
     
 
(v)
If the director, or a member of the director’s immediate family, has direct or beneficial ownership (as defined by Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of any amount of any class of common stock of the Company.

 
8

 

Audit Committee Charter
 
          Under the Company’s Audit Committee Charter, in accordance with NYSE listing requirements and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, all members of the Audit Committee must be independent of management and the Company. A member of the Audit Committee is considered independent as long as he or she (i) does not accept any consulting, advisory, or compensatory fee from the Company, other than as a director or committee member; (ii) is not an affiliated person of the Company or its subsidiaries; and (iii) otherwise meets the independence requirements of the NYSE and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.
 
Nonmaterial Relationships
 
          After reviewing all of the relationships between the members of the Audit Committee and the Company, the Board of Directors determined that none of the members of the Audit Committee nor Mr. Prince had any relationships not included within the categorical standards set forth in the Independence Guidelines and disclosed above except as follows:
     
 
1.
Mr. Tippie was employed by Rollins from 1953 to 1970, and held several offices with that company during that time, including as Executive Vice President – Finance, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Messrs. Randall and Gary Rollins are directors and executive officers of Rollins and are part of a group that has voting control of Rollins.
     
 
2.
Mr. Tippie is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dover Motorsports, Inc. and Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. Mr. Randall Rollins is also a director of these companies.
     
 
3.
Mr. Tippie is the trustee of the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation and of the Rollins Children’s Trust. O. Wayne Rollins is the father of Gary and Randall Rollins. The beneficiaries of the Rollins Children’s Trust include the immediate family members of Randall and Gary Rollins.
     
 
4.
Each of Messrs. Dismuke, Looney, Tippie and Williams also serve on the Boards of Rollins and Marine Products, of which Messrs. Gary and Randall Rollins are directors, and voting control over which is held by a control group of which Messrs. Randall and Gary Rollins are a part. Mr. Randall Rollins is an executive officer of Marine Products. In addition, if elected, Mr. Prince will also serve as a director of both Rollins and Marine Products.
     
 
5.
Mr. Prince is a director of Genuine Parts Company. Gary W. Rollins is also a director of Genuine Parts Company.
 
          As required by the Independence Guidelines, the Board of Directors unanimously concluded that the above-listed relationships would not affect the independent judgment of the independent directors, based on their experience, character and independent means, and therefore do not preclude an independence determination. All of the members are also independent under the heightened standards required for Audit Committee members.
 
          In accordance with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, Mr. Henry B. Tippie was elected as the Presiding Director. The Company’s non-management directors meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. Mr. Tippie presides during these executive sessions.
 
Corporate Governance Guidelines
 
          We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to promote better understanding of our policies and procedures. At least annually, the Board reviews these guidelines. As required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that our non-management directors meet in at least two regularly scheduled executive sessions per year without management.
 
          At the Company’s website at www.rpc.net, under the Governance section, you may access a copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Audit Committee Charter, our Code of Business Conduct and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors and Executive Officers and Related Party Transactions Policy. Copies are also available in print, without charge, to any stockholder who requests one by writing to: The Secretary, RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324.

 
9

 
 
Code of Business Conduct
 
          The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees generally, as well as a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors and Executive Officers and Related Party Transactions Policy applicable to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and directors. Both codes are available on the Company’s website at www.rpc.net under the Governance section. Copies are also available in print, without charge, to any stockholder who requests one by writing to: The Secretary, RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324.
 
Director Communications
 
          The Company also has a process for interested parties, including stockholders, to send communications to the Board of Directors, Presiding Director, any of the Board Committees or the non-management directors as a group. Such communications should be addressed as follows:
   
 
Mr. Henry B. Tippie
 
c/o Internal Audit Department
 
RPC, Inc.
 
2801 Buford Highway, Suite 520
 
Atlanta, Georgia 30329.
 
          The above instructions for communications with the directors are also posted on our website at www.rpc.net under the Governance section. All communications received from interested parties are forwarded to the Board of Directors. Any communication addressed solely to the Presiding Director or the non-management directors will be forwarded directly to the appropriate addressee(s).
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
          None of the directors named above who serve on the Company’s Compensation Committee are or have ever been an employee of the Company. There are no Compensation Committee interlocks requiring disclosure.

 
10

 
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
          The following table sets forth compensation to the Company’s directors for services rendered as a director. Three of the directors, Messrs. R. Randall Rollins, Richard A. Hubbell and Ms. Linda H. Graham are employees of the Company. Their compensation is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under Executive Compensation. The directors listed below have never been employed by the Company or paid a salary or bonus by the Company, have never been granted any options or other stock-based awards, and do not participate in any Company sponsored retirement plans, with the exception of Mr. James A. Lane, Jr. who was an employee of the Company until the spin-off of Marine Products in 2001.
                   
Name
 
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
 
Stock
Awards(1)
($)
 
Option
Awards(1)
($)
 
Total
($)
 
Henry B. Tippie
 
91,750
 
 
 
91,750
 
James B. Williams
 
48,750
 
 
 
48,750
 
Wilton Looney
 
48,750
 
 
 
48,750
 
Bill J. Dismuke
 
42,750
 
 
 
42,750
 
Gary W. Rollins
 
31,500
 
 
 
31,500
 
James A. Lane, Jr.
 
31,500
 
 
 
31,500
 
 

(1)
Directors are eligible for grants of stock awards under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (“SIP”). No stock awards have been granted to the non-management directors under the 2004 SIP.
 
          Directors that are our employees do not receive additional compensation for services rendered as a director.
 
          Under current compensation arrangements effective January 1, 2008, non-management directors each receive an annual retainer fee of $24,000. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual retainer of $16,000, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee receives an annual retainer of $9,000, and the Chairman of each of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Diversity Committee receives an annual retainer of $6,000. A director that chairs more than one committee receives a retainer with respect to each committee he chairs. All of the retainers are paid on a quarterly basis. Per meeting fees for non-management directors are as follows:
     
 
For meetings of the Board of Directors, Compensation Committee, Diversity Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, $1,500 and telephonic meetings of the Audit Committee, $1,250.
     
 
For in person meetings of the Audit Committee, $2,500. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional $1,500 for preparing to conduct each quarterly Board and Board Committee meetings.
 
          All non-management directors are also entitled to reimbursement of expenses for all services as a director, including committee participation or special assignments. There have been no changes to the director compensation arrangements for 2009.
 
          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that might incorporate future filings, including the Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the Report of the Audit Committee shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

 
11

 
 
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
          Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls, assessing the effectiveness of these controls and the financial reporting process. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing independent audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and for issuing reports thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is generally to monitor and oversee these processes, as described in the Audit Committee Charter. It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; that is the responsibility of management.
 
          In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the year ended December 31, 2008, the Audit Committee:
     
 
Approved the terms of engagement of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2008;
     
 
Reviewed with management the interim financial information included in the Forms 10-Q prior to their being filed with the SEC. In addition, the Committee reviewed all earnings releases with management and the Company’s independent public accountants prior to their release;
     
 
Reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the three years ended December 31, 2008;
     
 
Reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008;
     
 
Discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement on Auditing Standards (“SAS”) No. 61, “Communications with Audit Committees,” as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; and
     
 
Received from the independent registered public accounting firm the written disclosures and the letter in accordance with the requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the firm’s communications with the Committee concerning independence, and discussed with such firm its independence from the Company.
 
          Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the three years ended December 31, 2008 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
          In giving its recommendation to the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee has relied on (i) management’s representation that such financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and (ii) the report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm with respect to such financial statements.
 
          Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
   
 
Henry B. Tippie, Chairman
 
Wilton Looney
 
James B. Williams
 
Bill J. Dismuke
 
12

 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
Compensation Committee
 
          During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the members of our Compensation Committee held primary responsibility for determining executive compensation levels. The Committee is composed of three of our non-management directors who do not participate in the Company’s compensation plans. The Committee determines the compensation and administers the performance-based cash compensation plan for our executive officers. In addition, the Committee also administers our Stock Incentive Plan for all the employees.
 
          The members of our Compensation Committee have extensive and varied experience with various public and private corporations - as investors and stockholders, as senior executives, and as directors charged with the oversight of management and the setting of executive compensation levels. Henry B. Tippie, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, has served on the board of directors of twelve different publicly traded companies and has been involved in setting executive compensation levels at all of these companies. Messrs. Wilton Looney and James B. Williams have served on the board of directors of several different publicly traded companies and have similarly been involved in setting executive compensation levels at many of these companies.
 
          The Compensation Committee has authority to engage attorneys, accountants and consultants, including executive compensation consultants, to solicit input from management concerning compensation matters, and to delegate any of its responsibilities to one or more directors or members of management where it deems such delegation appropriate and permitted under applicable law. The Committee has not used the services of any compensation consultants in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive compensation.
 
          The Compensation Committee believes that determinations relative to executive compensation levels are best left to the discretion of the Committee. In addition to the extensive experience and expertise of the Committee’s members and their familiarity with the Company’s performance and the performance of our executive officers, the Committee is able to draw on the experience of other Directors and on various legal and accounting executives employed by the Company, and the Committee has access to the wealth of readily available public information relative to structuring executive compensation programs and setting appropriate compensation levels. The Committee also believes that the structure of our executive compensation programs should not become overly complicated or difficult to understand. The Committee solicits input from our Chairman with respect to the performance of our executive officers and their compensation levels.
 
General Compensation Objectives and Guidelines
 
          The Company is engaged in a highly competitive industry. The success of the Company depends on its ability to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated executives. In order to accomplish this objective, the Company structures the executive compensation in a fashion that takes into account the Company’s overall performance and the individual performance of the executive.
 
          The Compensation Committee endorses the philosophy that executive compensation should reflect Company performance and the contribution of executive officers to that performance. The Company’s compensation policy is designed to reward growth in revenues, net income and increase in shareholder value. The Committee recognizes that there are many intangibles involved in evaluating performance and in motivating performance, and that determining an appropriate compensation level is a highly subjective endeavor. The analysis of the Committee is not based upon a structured formula and the objectives referred to above are not weighted in any formal manner.
 
          The Company’s executive officers are also executive officers of Marine Products and receive compensation directly from Marine Products. The members of the Company’s Compensation Committee also constitute the Compensation Committee of Marine Products. In determining the compensation for the executive officers at the Company, the Committee considers these dual responsibilities and sources of compensation. The Company sets compensation of its executives at such levels so that the aggregate compensation received from both Marine Products and the Company is reasonable in light of their respective responsibilities and the performance of both companies, and so that the compensation from the Company for services solely to the Company is reasonable. A discussion of the Company’s executive officers’ compensation at Marine Products is contained in its annual Proxy Statement filed with the SEC.

 
13

 
 
          Pursuant to the Company’s compensation philosophy, the total annual compensation of its executive officers is primarily made up of base salary, performance-based incentive cash compensation and stock-based incentive compensation. In addition, the Company provides retirement compensation plans, group welfare benefits and certain perquisites.
 
          We believe a competitive base salary is important to attract, retain and motivate top executives. We believe a performance-based incentive cash compensation plan is valuable in recognizing and rewarding individual achievement. Finally, we believe stock-based incentives makes executives “think like owners” and, therefore, aligns their interests with those of our stockholders.
 
          The Company does not have any formal stock ownership requirements for its executive officers but notes that its current directors and executive officers are stockholders of the Company, as is disclosed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. The Company is mindful of the stock ownership of our directors and executive officers but does not believe that it is appropriate to provide a mechanism or formula to take stock ownership (or gains from prior option or stock awards) into account when setting compensation levels. The Company provides in its insider trading policies that directors and executive officers may not sell Company securities short and may not sell puts, calls or other derivative securities tied to our Common Stock.
 
          The Company does not have a formal policy relative to the adjustment or recovery of incentives or awards in the event that the performance measures upon which incentives or awards were based are later restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would have reduced the size of an incentive or award. However, as all incentives and awards remain within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the Committee retains the ability to take any such restatements or adjustments into account in subsequent years. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires in the case of accounting restatements that result from material non-compliance with SEC financial reporting requirements, that Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officers must disgorge bonuses and other incentive-based compensation and profits on stock sales, if the non-compliance results from misconduct.
 
Base Salary
 
          The salary of each executive officer is determined by the Compensation Committee. In making its determinations, the Committee gives consideration to the recent financial performance of the Company, the magnitude of responsibilities, the scope of the position, individual performance and compensation paid by Marine Products. The Committee solicits input from our Chairman with respect to the performance of our executive officers and their compensation levels. During 2008, the base salaries of our executive officers were increased to the following amounts: Mr. Richard A. Hubbell: $700,000 ($100,000 increase from 2007); Mr. Ben M. Palmer: $250,000 ($50,000 increase from 2007); Mr. R. Randall Rollins: $600,000 ($100,000 increase from 2007); and Ms. Linda H. Graham: $165,000 ($15,000 increase from 2007). These increases were subjectively based on growth in revenues, recent profit performance of the Company and return on invested capital. There have been no changes to these base salaries in 2009.
 
Performance-Based Incentive Cash Compensation
 
          The Company implemented the Performance-Based Incentive Cash Compensation Plan (the “Management Incentive Plan”) for the executive officers in 2006. Under the Management Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee establishes performance goals annually within ninety days after the commencement of the performance period to which such goals relate. Performance goals for each participant may be based on corporate, business unit/function or individual performance, or a combination of one or more such measures.
 
 
14

 
 
          In connection with the annual establishment of performance goals, the Compensation Committee sets a target award for each participant in the Management Incentive Plan for the applicable year, which is expressed as a percentage of the participant’s base compensation (the “Target Award”) in effect on the last day of the final pay period of that year. If the participant’s performance goals are based upon a combination of performance measures, the Compensation Committee will weigh the importance of each performance measure by assigning a percentage (the “Weighted Percentage”) to those performance measures. The participant’s cash award amount will also depend in part upon the level of achievement that the participant attained with respect to each such performance measure utilizing the formula set out in the Management Incentive Plan. This formula provides for a performance value (“Performance Value”) which ranges from:
     
 
threshold performance level (with a Performance Value of 25 percent of the Target Award),
     
 
target performance level (with a Performance Value up to 100 percent of the Target Award), to
     
 
superior performance level (with a Performance Value up to 200 percent of the Target Award).
 
          Subject to the limitations set forth below, a participant’s cash award amount for each year under the Management Incentive Plan equals the product of the Target Award multiplied by the Weighted Percentage assigned to each performance measure used for a participant, multiplied by the Performance Value attained for each performance measure, multiplied by base compensation. The Committee will determine the maximum cash award as a percentage of participants’ base compensation for each applicable year.
 
          For 2008, the Compensation Committee established the target incentive award under the Management Incentive Plan for the Chief Executive Officer and for the other members of executive management at the amounts shown in the table below. The target awards that could be earned under the Management Incentive Plan for 2008 are the same as for the prior year except for Mr. Ben M. Palmer whose percentage was increased to 100 percent from 80 percent.
 
Executive Officer
   
Target Award as a
percentage of base salary
Richard A. Hubbell
     
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
100
%
Ben M. Palmer
       
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
100
%
R. Randall Rollins
       
Chairman of the Board
 
100
%
Linda H. Graham
       
Vice President and Secretary
 
40
%
 
          The maximum bonus award for each participant under the Plan for 2008 and prior years was established at 150 percent of such participant’s base salary. The performance criteria applicable to the participants under the Management Incentive Plan for 2008 were determined based solely on corporate performance. The Compensation Committee established corporate performance goals for 2008 under the Management Incentive Plan based on cash flow return on invested capital. Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) is a widely used financial performance measure that typically correlates with long-term changes in shareholder value. The Company has used ROIC as the sole performance goal under the Management Incentive Plan for several years. For 2008, the target performance goal established by the Company is in excess of the comparable historical average ROIC of our peers, is in excess of the Company’s weighted average cost of capital, and is an amount which the Company believes represents outstanding financial performance. Under the Management Incentive Plan, the Company must achieve at least 80 percent of the target performance goal for executive officers to be eligible for any bonus award. Bonus awards under the Management Incentive Plan are determined on a sliding scale between the threshold performance level and a superior performance level, which corresponds to 175 percent of the target performance goal. The Company has consistently followed the same method to compute ROIC, and the Compensation Committee has not exercised discretion to waive the performance goals based on difficult industry conditions or other factors.
 
 
15

 
 
          The Company operates in a cyclical business where financial performance is influenced by changes in oil and natural gas prices. The industry in general and RPC in particular have generated very good financial performance in the last few years due to higher oil and natural gas prices and correspondingly high levels of customer activity. The Company generated ROIC that resulted in 143 percent of the target award in 2008, 163 percent of the target award in 2007 and 200 percent of the target award in 2006. The level of performance achieved has been steadily trending downward consistent with industry performance and the performance of our peers. Current trends and expectations for the oilfield industry predict a challenging environment in 2009.
 
          For 2008, the executive officers earned awards that were higher than target but lower than the superior performance level. This performance qualified the officers to receive bonus awards of 143 percent of the Target Award. Performance-based cash compensation earned under the Management Incentive Plan for 2008 was as follows: Mr. Richard A. Hubbell: $1,001,000; Mr. Ben M. Palmer: $357,500; Mr. R. Randall Rollins: $858,000; and Ms. Linda H. Graham $94,050. For 2009, the target awards, performance goal and maximum awards were established at the same levels as 2008.
 
Stock Based Incentive Plans
 
          Our Stock Incentive Plan allows for a wide variety of stock based awards such as stock options and restricted stock. We last issued stock options in fiscal year ended 2003 and have no current plans to issue additional stock options. We have never issued any stock appreciation rights. Partially in response to changes relative to the manner in which stock options are accounted for under generally accepted accounting principles, we have modified the structure and composition of the long-term equity based component of our executive compensation. In recent years, we have awarded time-based restricted stock in lieu of granting stock options. The terms and conditions of these awards are described in more detail below.
 
          Awards under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan are purely discretionary, are not based upon any specific formula and may or may not be granted in any given fiscal year. For the past three years, we have granted time-based restricted stock to various employees, including our executive officers, in early January during our regularly scheduled meetings of the Compensation Committee during which the Committee reviews executive compensation. Consistent with this practice, we granted restricted stock awards to our executive officers in January 2009, 2008 and 2007 as follows:
               
Name
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Richard A. Hubbell
 
30,000
 
20,000
 
20,000
 
Ben M. Palmer
 
20,000
 
10,000
 
8,000
 
R. Randall Rollins
 
30,000
 
20,000
 
20,000
 
Linda H. Graham
 
10,000
 
5,000
 
5,000
 
 
          When considering the grant of stock based awards, the Committee gives consideration to our overall performance and the performance of individual employees. It is our expectation to continue yearly grants of restricted stock awards although we reserve the right to modify or discontinue this or any of our other compensation practices at any time.
 
          All of our restricted stock awards granted since 2004 have had the same features. The shares vest one-fifth per year beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. Restricted shares have full voting and dividend rights. However, until the shares vest, they cannot be sold, transferred or pledged. Should the executive leave our employment for any reason prior to the vesting dates (other than due to death, disability or retirement on or after age 65), the unvested shares will be forfeited. In the event of a “change in control” of the Company, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to accelerate vesting of the shares.
 
          Grants are made under our Stock Incentive Plan and the plan is administered pursuant to Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Employment Agreements
 
          There are no agreements or understandings between the Company and any executive officer which guarantee continued employment or guarantee any level of compensation, including incentive or bonus payments, to the executive officer.

 
16

 
 
Retirement Plans
 
          The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan (called the Retirement Income Plan) for all our eligible employees, a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for our executives and certain other highly compensated employees and a 401(k) Plan for the benefit of all regular full time employees. In 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to cease all future benefit accruals under the Retirement Income Plan effective March 31, 2002. In lieu thereof, beginning in 2002, the Company began providing enhanced benefits in the form of cash contributions on behalf of certain long-service employees who were 40 to 65 years of age on or before December 31, 2002. These enhanced benefit contributions are discretionary and may be made annually, subject to a participant’s continued employment, for a maximum of seven years. The contributions are made either to the non-qualified Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SRP”) or to the 401(k) Plan for each employee who is entitled to the enhanced benefits. The Company contributed $26,262 towards enhanced benefits for Mr. Hubbell in 2008 and has now completed all the scheduled contributions. Beginning late in 2002, the Company began permitting selected highly compensated employees to defer a portion of their compensation into the SRP.
 
Other Compensation
 
          Other compensation to our executives includes typical employee benefits such as group medical, dental and vision coverage and group life insurance. The Company provides an automobile (or an automobile allowance) to Messrs. Richard A. Hubbell and Ben M. Palmer.
 
          The following Compensation Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
          We have reviewed and discussed the above “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with management.
 
          Based upon this review and discussion, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this Proxy Statement.
 
          Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
   
 
Henry B. Tippie, Chairman
 
Wilton Looney
 
James B. Williams
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
          The Company has completed a review of Forms 3, 4, and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company by all directors, officers and greater than 10 percent stockholders subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Company has a written representation from all directors, officers and greater than 10 percent stockholders from whom no Form 5 was received indicating that no Form 5 filing was required. Based solely on this review, the Company believes that filing requirements of such persons under Section 16 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 have been satisfied.

 
17

 
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
          Shown below is information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the calendar years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 of those persons who were at December 31, 2008,
     
 
our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; and
     
 
our two other executive officers:
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                                         
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
($)
 
Stock
Awards
($) (1)
 
Option
Awards
($) (1)
 
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($) (2)
 
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) (3)
 
All Other
Compensation
($) (4)
 
Total ($)
 
Richard A. Hubbell
 
2008
 
700,000
 
301,300
 
1,660
 
1,001,000
   
13,990
   
39,550
   
2,057,500
 
President and
 
2007
 
600,000
 
271,950
 
19,910
 
900,000
   
   
39,550
   
1,831,410
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
2006
 
500,000
 
217,770
 
41,290
 
750,000
   
102,950
   
37,780
   
1,649,790
 
                                         
Ben M. Palmer
 
2008
 
250,000
 
171,710
 
1,000
 
357,500
   
   
19,740
   
799,950
 
Vice President,
 
2007
 
200,000
 
163,560
 
11,950
 
260,000
   
   
16,970
   
652,480
 
Chief Financial Officer and
 
2006
 
175,000
 
150,130
 
18,360
 
262,500
   
9,880
   
16,250
   
632,120
 
Treasurer
                                       
                                         
R. Randall Rollins
 
2008
 
600,000
 
242,220
 
6,640
 
858,000
   
555,860
   
   
2,262,720
 
Chairman of the Board
 
2007
 
500,000
 
212,250
 
79,650
 
750,000
   
   
   
1,541,900
 
   
2006
 
400,000
 
148,300
 
79,650
 
600,000
   
   
   
1,227,950
 
                                         
Linda H. Graham
 
2008
 
165,000
 
83,440
 
660
 
94,050
   
199,510
   
4,650
   
547,310
 
Vice President and Secretary
 
2007
 
150,000
 
76,200
 
7,970
 
97,500
   
   
4,990
   
336,660
 
   
2006
 
135,000
 
63,280
 
10,100
 
108,000
   
   
3,940
   
320,320
 
   
(1)
These respective amounts represent the dollar amount recognized for financial reporting purposes with respect to each fiscal year for prior year option grants and current year and prior year grants of restricted Common Stock awarded under our Stock Incentive Plan, all computed in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123R. Please refer to Note 10 to our Financial Statements contained in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 for a discussion of the assumptions used in these computations. For this computation, we do not include an assumption for estimated forfeitures. Our Form 10-K has been included in our Annual Report and provided to our stockholders.
   
(2)
Bonuses under the Management Incentive Plan are accrued in the fiscal year earned and paid in the following fiscal year.
   
(3)
The actuarial present value of Mr. Ben Palmer’s accumulated benefit under the defined benefit plan decreased during 2008 by approximately ($1,600). Change represents impact of change in discount rate only as no additional benefits are being accrued.
   
(4)
All other compensation for 2008 includes the following items for:
 
 
Mr. Richard A. Hubbell:
Insurance on automobile provided by the Company, cost of dining club dues, cost of gasoline for personal automobile, 401(k) Plan Company match of $6,900 and contribution towards enhanced benefits of $26,262.
     
 
Mr. Ben M. Palmer:
Automobile allowance, cost of gasoline for personal automobile and 401(k) Plan Company match of $6,900.
     
 
Ms. Linda H. Graham:
401(k) Plan Company match of $4,650.

 
18

 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
                                 
       
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (1)
 
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of Shares
of Stock or Units
(#)
 
Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock and
Option Awards
($) (2)
Name
 
Grant
Date
 
Threshold
($)
 
Target
($)
 
Maximum
($)
 
Mr. Richard A. Hubbell
 
1/22/08
 
175,000
   
700,000
 
1,050,000
             
   
1/22/08
                 
20,000
   
196,200
 
Mr. Ben M. Palmer
 
1/22/08
 
62,500
   
250,000
 
375,000
             
   
1/22/08
                 
10,000
   
98,100
 
Mr. R. Randall Rollins
 
1/22/08
 
150,000
   
600,000
 
900,000
             
   
1/22/08
                 
20,000
   
196,200
 
Ms. Linda H. Graham
 
1/22/08
 
16,500
   
66,000
 
132,000
             
   
1/22/08
                 
5,000
   
49,050
 
   
(1)
These amounts illustrate the potential bonus awards under the Management Incentive Plan for 2008 that were paid out in early 2009. See Summary Compensation Table on page 18 for actual amounts awarded in 2008.
   
(2)
These amounts represent aggregate grant date fair value for grants of restricted shares of Common Stock awarded in fiscal year 2008 under our Stock Incentive Plan computed in accordance with SFAS 123R. Please refer to Note 10 to our Financial Statements contained in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 for a discussion of assumptions used in this computation. For this computation, we do not include an assumption for estimated forfeitures. Our Form 10-K has been included in our Annual Report and provided to our stockholders.
         
          The table above reflects grants of restricted shares of Company Common Stock under our Stock Incentive Plan awarded in fiscal year 2008. All grants of restricted shares of Common Stock vest one-fifth per year beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. Restricted shares have full voting and dividend rights. However, until the shares vest, they cannot be sold, transferred or pledged. Should the executive leave our employment for any reason prior to the vesting dates (other than due to death, disability or retirement on or after age 65), the unvested shares will be forfeited. We have not issued any stock options since 2003 and have no immediate plans to issue additional stock options.
 
          The Company’s employment contracts with its Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s other executive officers are oral, at will arrangements. All of the executive officers are eligible for annual cash bonuses which are awarded under the Management Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee’s decisions are based upon broad performance objectives under that plan. The executive officers are eligible to receive shares of Company Common Stock subject to options and restricted shares of Company Common Stock under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plans, in such amounts and with such terms and conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. All of the executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company’s SRP. The executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company’s regular employee benefit programs, including the 401(k) Plan with Company match, group life insurance, group medical and dental coverage, vision and other group benefit plans. All of the executive officers are eligible for the Retirement Income Plan that was frozen in March 2002. For more information on these plans, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” at page 13, and “Benefit Plans” at page 22.

 
19

 
 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
 
          The table below sets forth details concerning outstanding option awards made in prior years to the executives named in our Summary Compensation Table, including the grant date, the expiration date, the option exercise price, and the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the grants both exercisable and un-exercisable. The grant dates for all of these options are from fiscal year ended 2003 and earlier since we have not issued any stock options after 2003. The table below also sets forth the total number of restricted shares of Common Stock that were granted in prior years to the executives named in our Summary Compensation Table but which have not yet vested, together with the market value of these unvested shares based on the $9.76 closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2008.
                                       
   
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
 
Option
Expiration
Date (1)
 
Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (#)
 
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have
Not Vested ($)
 
Richard A. Hubbell
 
173,669
   
   
1.79
   
1/26/2009
(2)(5)
 
165,925
(6)
 
1,619,430
   
   
168,748
   
   
3.88
   
4/24/2011
(3)
 
           
   
84,375
   
   
2.81
   
1/28/2013
(4)
 
           
Ben M. Palmer
 
   
   
   
 
 
118,725
(6)
 
1,158,760
   
R. Randall Rollins
 
   
   
   
 
 
91,000
(6)
 
888,160
   
Linda H. Graham
 
12,766
   
   
1.79
   
1/26/2009
(2)
 
32,875
(6)
 
320,860
   
   
16,875
   
   
3.88
   
4/24/2011
(3)
 
           
   
33,750
   
   
2.81
   
1/28/2013
(4)
 
           
   
(1)
Unless otherwise noted, all options have ten year terms with vesting as follows: The options vest one-fifth per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
   
(2)
Options granted 01/26/1999.
   
(3)
Options granted 04/24/2001.
   
(4)
Options granted 01/28/2003.
   
(5)
Also includes 138,934 options granted 01/26/1999 that vest ratably over four years.
   
(6)
The Company has granted employees two forms of restricted stock: time lapse restricted and performance restricted. Time lapse restricted shares vest after a stipulated number of years from the grant date, depending on the terms of the issue. Time lapse restricted shares issued in years 2003 and prior vest after ten years. Time lapse restricted shares issued starting in 2004 vest one-fifth per year beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. The performance restricted shares are granted, but not earned and issued until certain five-year tiered performance criteria are met. The performance criteria are predetermined market prices of RPC common stock. On the date the common stock appreciates to each level (determination date), 20 percent of performance shares are earned. Once earned, the performance shares vest five years from the determination date. The Company has not granted performance restricted shares since 2003. Shares of restricted stock granted to the executive officers that have not vested as of December 31, 2008 are summarized in the table below:

 
20

 
 
Name
   
Number of shares
 
Grant Date
 
Date fully vested
 
                       
Richard A. Hubbell
   
50,625
   
1/26/1999
   
1/26/2009
   
     
27,000
   
4/27/2004
   
4/27/2010
   
     
24,300
   
1/25/2005
   
1/25/2011
   
     
24,000
   
1/24/2006
   
1/24/2012
   
     
20,000
   
1/23/2007
   
1/23/2013
   
     
20,000
   
1/22/2008
   
1/22/2014
   
                       
Ben M. Palmer
   
10,125
   
1/26/1999
   
1/26/2009
   
     
40,500
   
4/24/2001
   
4/24/2011
   
     
13,500
   
1/28/2003
   
10/28/2009
   
     
10,800
   
4/27/2004
   
4/27/2010
   
     
16,200
   
1/25/2005
   
1/25/2011
   
     
9,600
   
1/24/2006
   
1/24/2012
   
     
8,000
   
1/23/2007
   
1/23/2013
   
     
10,000
   
1/22/2008
   
1/22/2014
   
                       
R. Randall Rollins
   
27,000
   
4/27/2004
   
4/27/2010
   
     
24,000
   
1/24/2006
   
1/24/2012
   
     
20,000
   
1/23/2007
   
1/23/2013
   
     
20,000
   
1/22/2008
   
1/22/2014
   
                       
Linda H. Graham
   
6,750
   
4/27/2004
   
4/27/2010
   
     
10,125
   
1/25/2005
   
1/25/2011
   
     
6,000
   
1/24/2006
   
1/24/2012
   
     
5,000
   
1/23/2007
   
1/23/2013
   
     
5,000
   
1/22/2008
   
1/22/2014
   
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
 
          The following table sets forth:
     
 
the number of shares of Common Stock acquired by the executives named in the Summary Compensation Table upon the exercise of stock options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008;
     
 
the aggregate dollar amount realized on the exercise date for such options computed by multiplying the number of shares acquired by the difference between the market value of the shares on the exercise date and the exercise price of the options;
     
 
the number of restricted shares of Common Stock acquired by the executives named in the Summary Compensation Table upon the vesting of shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008; and
     
 
the aggregate dollar amount realized on the vesting date for such restricted stock computed by multiplying the number of shares which vested by the market value of the shares on the vesting date.

   
Option Awards (1)
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
 
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
 
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 
Richard A. Hubbell
 
127,695
   
2,440,960
   
27,600
   
329,590
   
Ben M. Palmer
 
10,125
   
117,650
   
30,075
   
317,570
   
R. Randall Rollins
 
337,500
   
875,980
   
19,500
   
247,050
   
Linda H. Graham
 
10,215
   
76,920
   
15,000
   
157,090
   
   
(1)
The shares acquired on exercise of options are restricted for a period of one year from the date of exercise.

 
21

 

BENEFIT PLANS
 
          The table below shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer, under the Retirement Income Plan determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in the Company’s financial statements. Information regarding the Retirement Income Plan can be found under Note 10 to our Financial Statements contained in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008.
 
Pension Benefits
                         
Name
 
Plan Name
 
Number of
Years Credited
Service (#) (1)
 
Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)
 
Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
($)
 
Mr. Richard A. Hubbell
 
Retirement Income Plan
 
15
   
385,542
   
   
Mr. Ben M. Palmer
 
Retirement Income Plan
 
4
   
30,233
   
   
Mr. R. Randall Rollins
 
Retirement Income Plan
 
30
   
2,375,954
   
261,600
   
Ms. Linda H. Graham
 
Retirement Income Plan
 
15
   
431,602
   
36,530
   
   
(1)
The difference in years of credited and actual service is due to the freezing of benefit accruals in 2002. See discussion below for further details.
 
          The Company’s Retirement Income Plan, a trusteed defined benefit pension plan, provides monthly benefits upon retirement at age 65 to eligible employees. In 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to cease all future benefit accruals under the Retirement Income Plan effective March 31, 2002. Retirement Income Plan benefits are based on the average of the employee’s compensation from the Company for the five consecutive complete calendar years of highest compensation during the last ten consecutive complete calendar years (“final average compensation”) immediately preceding March 31, 2002. The benefits are computed as the product of 1.5 percent of final average compensation multiplied by years of credited service (up to 30 years) reduced by an adjustment for benefits drawn from social security. Adjustments have been made for age and IRS mandated compensation limitations. The final average compensation for Mr. Hubbell is $205,890, Mr. Palmer is $179,900 and Ms. Graham is $127,325.
 
          The annual benefit payable at the later of retirement age or 65 for the named executive officers is $261,600 for Mr. Rollins, $41,400 for Mr. Hubbell, $24,900 for Ms. Graham and $9,400 for Mr. Palmer. In accordance with the Internal Revenue Code (as amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001), the maximum annual benefit payable to a Retirement Income Plan beneficiary in 2008 was $185,000. Retirement benefits accrued at the end of any calendar year or as of March 31, 2002 will not be reduced or increased by any subsequent changes in the maximum compensation limit.
 
          The Plan also provides reduced early retirement benefits at age 55 or older with 15 or more years of service. Mr. Hubbell is eligible for early retirement benefits and the amounts payable to him in such an event is calculated using the computation described above reduced by a certain percentage for each incremental month of early retirement. Ms. Graham is voluntarily receiving distributions from the plan even though she has not retired from the Company. In addition, as an owner with stock ownership in excess of five percent of the Company’s voting securities, Mr. Rollins is required to receive mandatory distributions currently, even though he has not retired from the Company. The amount of distribution received during 2008 has been disclosed in the table above and is not subject to change after retirement.
 
          In 2002, the Company began providing additional benefits on behalf of certain long-service employees in the form of discretionary cash contributions made either to the Company’s 401(k) Plan (which is described below) or the SRP as described in the section below titled “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.” Amounts contributed by the Company to the accounts of the executive officers are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 18.

 
22

 
 
401(k) Plan
 
          Effective July 1, 1984, the Company adopted a qualified retirement plan designed to meet the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Code. The Company makes matching contributions of fifty cents ($0.50) for each dollar ($1.00) of a participant’s contribution to the 401(k) Plan that does not exceed six percent of his or her annual compensation. The only form of benefit payment under the 401(k) Plan is a single lump-sum payment equal to the vested balance in the participant’s account on the date the distribution is processed. Under the 401(k) Plan, the full amount of a participant’s vested accrued benefit is payable upon his termination of employment, retirement, total and permanent disability, or death. Also under the 401(k) Plan, a participant may withdraw his or her pre-tax contributions to the extent of certain specified instances of financial hardship and may withdraw any amount from his or her pre-tax contribution account for any reason after attaining age 59 1/2. In addition, a participant may withdraw any amount from his or her rollover account for any reason. Amounts contributed by the Company to the accounts of the named executive officers under this plan are reported in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 18.
 
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
 
          The SRP has been established as a nonqualified plan that is designed to comply with the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (including Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code) for the cash contributions made to certain longer serviced employees in lieu of freezing of benefit accruals effective in 2002; the SRP also has a compensation deferral option for eligible employees. The contributions and deferrals to the SRP are invested in funds held in a rabbi trust.
                                 
Name
 
Executive
Contributions in
last FY ($) (1)
 
Registrant
contributions in
last FY ($) (2)
 
Aggregate
earnings in last
FY ($)
 
Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions ($)
 
Aggregate
balance at last
FYE ($)
 
Richard A. Hubbell
 
   
25,880
   
(52,250
)
 
   
166,180
   
Ben M. Palmer
 
41,150
   
   
(43,140
)
 
   
129,860
   
R. Randall Rollins
 
   
   
   
   
   
Linda H. Graham
 
90,000
   
   
(98,470
)
 
   
286,380
   
   
(1)
Includes the following amounts related to the base salary for 2008 which have been deferred by the executive officer pursuant to the SRP and which are included in the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Ben M. Palmer: $20,000 and Ms. Linda H. Graham: $41,250. The remaining amounts represent deferrals of bonus compensation related to 2007 that were paid in 2008.
   
(2)
Reflects the amounts for each of the named executive officers which are reported as compensation to such named executive officer in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 18.
 
          The deferral option provides that participants may defer up to 50 percent of their base salary and up to 100 percent of their annual bonus with respect to any given plan year, subject to a $2,000 per plan year minimum. The deferred amounts are voluntarily funded on a monthly basis; salary and bonus deferrals are generally 100 percent vested. Accounts are credited with hypothetical earnings, and/or debited with hypothetical losses, based on the performance of certain “Measurement Funds.” Account values are calculated as if the funds from deferrals and contributions had been converted into shares or other ownership units of selected Measurement Funds by purchasing (or selling, where relevant) such shares or units at the current purchase price of the relevant Measurement Fund at the time of the participant’s selection. The benefits are unsecured general obligations of the Company to the participants, and these obligations rank in parity with the Company’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. To the extent that the Company’s obligations under the SRP exceed assets available under the trust, the Company would be required to seek additional funding sources to fund its liability under the SRP.
 
          Generally, the SRP provides for distributions of any deferred amounts upon the earliest to occur of a participant’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment (a “Termination Event”). However, for any deferrals of base salary and bonus compensation (but not Company contributions), participants would be entitled to designate a distribution date which is prior to a Termination Event. The SRP allows a participant to elect to receive distributions in installments or lump-sum payments.

 
23

 
 
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
 
          The following table describes the potential payments and benefits under the Company’s compensation and benefit plans and arrangements to which the named executive officers would be entitled upon termination of employment. There are no other agreements, arrangements or plans that entitle executive officers to severance, perquisites, or other enhanced benefits upon termination of their employment except as described below. Additional payments or benefits to a terminating executive officer would be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The executive officers are not entitled to additional benefits at death or disability per the terms of the defined benefit plan. The amounts payable at retirement are disclosed in the “Benefit Plans” section on page 22. The executive officers can choose to receive the amounts accumulated in the SRP either as a lump-sum or in installments at retirement, death or disability. These amounts have been disclosed under the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” section on page 23. The table below shows the incremental restricted shares that would become vested as of December 31, 2008 at the closing market price of $9.76 per share for our Common Stock, as of that date in the case of retirement, death or disability.
                   
       
Stock Awards
 
Name
     
Number of shares
underlying unvested
stock (#)
 
Unrealized value of
unvested stock ($)
 
Richard A. Hubbell
             
 
Retirement
 
   
   
 
Disability
 
108,180
   
1,055,840
   
 
Death
 
108,180
   
1,055,840
   
               
Ben M. Palmer
             
 
Retirement
 
   
   
 
Disability
 
88,392
   
862,710
   
 
Death
 
88,392
   
862,710
   
               
R. Randall Rollins
             
 
Retirement
 
45,111
   
440,280
   
 
Disability
 
45,111
   
440,280
   
 
Death
 
45,111
   
440,280
   
               
Linda H. Graham
             
 
Retirement
 
17,137
   
167,260
   
 
Disability
 
17,137
   
167,260
   
 
Death
 
17,137
   
167,260
   
 
Accrued Pay and Regular Retirement Benefits
 
          The amounts shown in the table above do not include the following since they are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees generally upon termination of employment. These include:
     
 
Accrued salary and vacation pay.
     
 
Distributions of plan balances under the 401(k) Plan.
     
 
The value of option continuation upon termination, as described below. When an employee terminates prior to retirement, his or her stock options are terminated immediately, except that the options may be exercised for a period after termination (not to exceed the original option termination date) in the following circumstances:

 
Permanent Disability – one year after termination
     
 
Death – six months after the date of death
     
 
Normal or Early Retirement – one day less than three months after retirement
     
 
The termination of employment for any reason shall not accelerate the vesting of options.

 
24

 
 
Pension Benefit and Deferred Compensation
 
          The Retirement Income Plan does not provide for lump sum payments for a participant including executive officers for instances other than retirement. The Retirement Income Plan is described at “Pension Benefits” above. Upon termination, the executive officers will receive a distribution of the balance in their SRP account. These amounts are disclosed under the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” section on page 23.
 
Change in Control or Severance
 
          The Company does not have any change in control or severance arrangements for its executive officers. However, amounts may be paid at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
          Effective with the spin-off in 2001, the Company began providing certain administrative services to Marine Products. The service agreements between Marine Products and the Company provide for the provision of services on a cost reimbursement basis and may be terminated upon six months notice. The services covered by these agreements include administration of certain employee benefit programs and other administrative services. Charges from the Company (or from corporations which are subsidiaries of the Company) for such services aggregated approximately $842,000 in 2008.
 
          During 2008, a subsidiary of RPC conducted business with companies owned by LOR, Inc. Mr. R. Randall Rollins, Chairman, and Mr. Gary W. Rollins, Director, are officers, directors and controlling stockholders of LOR, Inc. In 2008, payments totaling approximately $393,000 were made to these LOR, Inc. companies for the purchase of parts and repair services related to certain of RPC’s oilfield operating equipment. RPC believes the charges incurred by its subsidiary are at least as favorable as the charges that would have been incurred for similar services from unaffiliated third parties.
 
          RPC receives certain administrative services including an allocation for office space from Rollins. The service agreements between Rollins and the Company provide for the provision of services on a cost reimbursement basis and are terminable on six months notice. The services covered by these agreements include office space, administration of certain employee benefit programs, and other administrative services. Charges to the Company (or to corporations which are subsidiaries of the Company) for such services and rent aggregated approximately $90,000 in 2008.
 
          A group that includes the Company’s Chairman of the Board, R. Randall Rollins, his brother Gary W. Rollins who is also a director, and certain companies under their control, possesses in excess of fifty percent of the Company’s voting power. Please refer to the discussion above under the heading, “Corporate Governance and Board of Directors Committees and Meetings, Director Independence and NYSE Requirements, Controlled Company Exemption.” The group discussed above also controls in excess of fifty percent of Marine Products’ voting power.
 
          Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors and Executive Officers and Related Party Transactions Policy provides that related party transactions, as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 404(a) must be reviewed, approved and/or ratified by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. As set forth in our Code, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility to ensure that it only approve or ratify related party transactions that are in compliance with applicable law, consistent with the Company’s corporate governance policies (including those relative to conflicts of interest and usurpation of corporate opportunities) and on terms that are deemed to be fair to the Company. The Committee has the authority to hire legal, accounting, financial or other advisors as it may deem necessary or desirable and/or to delegate responsibilities to executive officers of the Company in connection with discharging its duties. A copy of the Code is available on our website at www.rpc.net under the Governance section. All related party transactions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 were reviewed, approved and/or ratified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with the Code.

 
25

 
 
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
Principal Auditor
 
          Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) served as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. In addition to performing the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Grant Thornton provided various other services during 2008 and 2007.
 
          The Audit Committee has appointed Grant Thornton as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. Representatives of Grant Thornton are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
          The aggregate fees billed by the Company’s independent registered public accountants are set forth below:
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
Audit fees and quarterly reviews (1)
  $ 932,440     $ 893,690  
Audit related fees
           
Tax fees (2)
    11,025        
All other fees
           
   
(1)
Audit fees include fees for audit or review services in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, such as statutory audits and services rendered for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
   
(2)
Tax fees related to advice on international issues.
 
Pre-approval of Services
 
          All of the services described above were pre-approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has determined that the payments made to its independent registered public accountants for these services are compatible with maintaining such auditors’ independence. All of the hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the financial statements of the Company for the year 2008 was attributable to work performed by full-time, permanent employees of the principal accountant.
 
          The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment and termination, compensation, and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accountants, including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent registered public accountants regarding financial reporting. The Audit Committee is responsible for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accountants and ensuring that they are not engaged to perform the specific non-audit services proscribed by law or regulation. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman with the stipulation that his decision is to be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee has no other pre-approval policies.
 
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
          Appropriate proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders must be received by the Company by November 20, 2009, in order to be included, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. In accordance with Rule 14a-4(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, management proxy holders intend to use their discretionary voting authority with respect to any stockholder proposal raised at the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting as to which the proponent fails to notify the Company on or before February 3, 2010. With regard to such stockholder proposals, if the date of the next Annual Meeting of the Stockholders is advanced or delayed more than 30 calendar days from April 28, 2010, the Company will, in a timely manner, inform its stockholders of the change and of the date by which such proposals must be received.

 
26

 
 
          With respect to stockholder nomination of directors, the Company’s Bylaws provide that nominations for the election of directors may be made by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations must comply with an advance notice procedure which generally requires with respect to nominations for directors for election at an Annual Meeting, that written notice be addressed to: Secretary, RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324, not less than ninety days prior to the anniversary of the prior year’s Annual Meeting and set forth the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of the nominee proposed in the notice, the principal occupation or employment of the nominee for the past five years, the nominee’s qualifications, the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings. Other specific requirements related to such notice, including required disclosures concerning the stockholder intending to present the nomination, are set forth in the Company’s Bylaws. Notices of nominations must be received by the Secretary of the Company no later than January 28, 2010 and no earlier than December 20, 2009 with respect to directors to be elected at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
 
          The Company will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. Upon request, we will reimburse brokers, dealers and banks, or their nominees, for reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding copies of the proxy material to their beneficial shareholders of record. Solicitation of proxies will be made principally by mail. Proxies also may be solicited in person or by telephone, facsimile or other means by our directors, officers and regular employees. These individuals will receive no additional compensation for these services. The Company has retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc. to conduct a broker search and to send proxies by mail for an estimated fee of approximately $7,500 plus shipping expenses.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
          The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, without exhibits, is being mailed to stockholders with this Proxy Statement.
 
          Upon the written request of any record or beneficial owner of the Company’s Common Stock whose proxy was solicited in connection with the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company will furnish such owner, without charge, a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules (but without exhibits), for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Requests for a copy of such Annual Report on Form 10-K should be addressed to Ms. Linda H. Graham, Secretary, at RPC, Inc., 2170 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324.
 
          Management knows of no business other than the matters set forth herein which will be presented at the Annual Meeting. In as much as matters not known at this time may come before the Annual Meeting, the enclosed proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to such matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting; and it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
     
 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     
 
graphic
 
 
Linda H. Graham, Secretary
 
     
Atlanta, Georgia
   
March 20, 2009
   
 
27

 
RPC, Inc.
Proxy Solicited by the Board of Directors of RPC, Inc.
For Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 12:15 P.M.
 
          The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints GARY W. ROLLINS and R. RANDALL ROLLINS, and each of them, jointly and severally, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 28, 2009, at 12:15 P.M. at 2170 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, or any adjournment thereof.
 
          The undersigned acknowledges receipt of Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated March 20, 2009, grants authority to said proxies, or either of them, or their substitutes, to act in the absence of others, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present at such meeting and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said proxies or their substitutes may lawfully do in the undersigned’s name, place and stead. The undersigned instructs said proxies, or either of them, to vote as follows:
 
1.
o
FOR RICHARD A. HUBBELL, LINDA H. GRAHAM,
BiILL J. DISMUKE, AND LARRY L. PRINCE, AS CLASS II DIRECTORS
EXCEPT AS INDICATED BELOW
o
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FROM VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL CLASS II NOMINEES
 
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority from voting for any individual nominee, write that nominee’s name in the space provided below:
 

 
2.
IN THE DESCRETION OF THE PROXIES ON ALL OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
 
(Over)
 
RPC, INC.
 
ALL PROXIES SIGNED AND RETURNED WILL BE VOTED OR NOT VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, BUT THOSE WITH NO CHOICE INDICATED WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ABOVE-NAMED NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
 
 
PROXY
Please sign below, date and return promptly.
   
   
   
   
Signature
 
Dated:
   
, 2009
(Signature should conform to name and title stenciled
hereon. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians
and attorneys should add their title upon signing.)
   
 
NO POSTAGE REQUIRED IF THIS PROXY IS RETURNED IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE AND MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.