UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
April 6, 2021

___________________________________________________________________

GRAPHIC
COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada
000-24960
88-0320154
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
  Identification No.)

400 Birmingham Hwy., Chattanooga, TN
37419
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(423) 821-1212
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
$0.01 Par Value Class A common stock
CVLG
The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 
Emerging growth company  ☐
   
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   [   ]


Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
   
 
Updates to Management Team

On April 6, 2021, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Covenant Logistics Group Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), created the Office of the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and appointed certain of the Company’s executives to new positions as follows:

Name
New Title
Joey B. Hogan
President and Principal Financial Officer
M. Paul Bunn
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
John A. Tweed
Advisor to the CEO

 
On April 6, 2021, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board approved compensation changes for certain of our Named Executive Officers, as set forth below.

Restricted Stock Grants

The Committee approved grants of restricted stock for Messrs. Hogan and Bunn under the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), in recognition of their respective promotions. Mr. Hogan received 150,000 shares of restricted stock to vest in installments of 50,000 shares on each of April 6, 2022, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023, subject to certain continued employment, acceleration, and forfeiture provisions. Mr. Bunn received 16,667 shares of restricted stock to vest on January 1, 2025, subject to certain continued employment, acceleration, and forfeiture provisions.

Mr. Hogan did not receive an equity award during 2020. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Committee does not expect to make additional equity awards to Mr. Hogan for 2021, 2022, or 2023.

Incentive Stock Options

The Committee approved performance-based options to purchase the Company’s Class A common stock (“Options”) to David R. Parker, our Chairman and CEO, and Mr. Bunn under the Plan, to further align their compensation with the Company’s performance, as well as to recognize Mr. Bunn’s promotion. Mr. Parker received 400,000 Options and Mr. Bunn received 50,000 Options. The Options vest (i) 25% if the average closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock exceeds a certain level over any 90 day period before December 31, 2023, but in no event sooner than April 6, 2022, (ii) 25% if the Company achieves a certain level of freight revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, (iii) 25% if the Company achieves certain adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) goals for the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, along with a minimum adjusted EPS goal for the year ended December 31, 2023, and (iv) 25% if the Company achieves certain other adjusted EPS goals for the three-year period ended December 31, 2023. The vesting of the Options is subject to certain continued employment, acceleration, and forfeiture provisions.

Mr. Parker did not receive an equity award during 2020. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Committee does not expect to make additional equity awards to Mr. Parker for 2021, 2022, or 2023.
2021 Short-Term Cash Incentive Plans

The Committee approved a short-term cash incentive plan for Messrs. Parker, Hogan, and Bunn (the “2021 Senior Executive Bonus Program”). Under the 2021 Senior Executive Bonus Program, the bonus targets, expressed as a percentage of year-end annualized base salary, were the same as under the 2020 short-term cash incentive plan for Messrs. Parker and Hogan at 100% and Mr. Bunn’s bonus target was changed from 60% to 80% of year-end annualized base salary in recognition of his promotion. Under the 2021 Senior Executive Bonus Program, participants are eligible to earn 100% of their target bonus upon the attainment of a certain adjusted EPS goal for fiscal year 2021. Additionally, if the adjusted EPS goal is met, participants are eligible to earn up to additional 100% of their bonus target as follows: (i) 32% of the bonus target for achieving a goal related to leadership structure, (ii) 34% of the bonus target for achieving certain goals related to safety, and (iii) up to 34% for achieving certain goals related to productivity.

The Committee approved a short-term cash incentive plan for Mr. Hough (the “2021 Hough Bonus Program”). Mr. Hough’s bonus target is 50% of annualized year-end base salary. Under the 2021 Hough Bonus Program, Mr. Hough is eligible to earn up to 200% of his bonus target for achievement of goals related to Expedited gross margin (weighted at 75%) and adjusted EPS (weighted at 25%).

 
Salary Change and Severance Agreement Amendment

In further recognition of Mr. Bunn’s promotion, the Committee also approved a salary increase for Mr. Bunn from $337,000 to $400,000 and an amendment to the his Severance Agreement as follows:
• Upon a qualifying severance event, subject to employment, release, and other customary provisions, including a non-compete through 12 months post-termination, the Severance Agreement was amended to provide for 24 months of salary continuation and COBRA reimbursement (versus 18 months previously).
•  Upon a qualifying change-in-control event only when the recipient is terminated without “cause” or is subject to a “constructive termination” during the 24 months following a change-in-control, subject to employment, release, and other customary provisions, including a non-compete through 12 months post-termination, the Severance Agreement was amended to provide for a 300% lump sum severance payment and 36 months COBRA reimbursement (versus 200% and 24 months, respectively, previously).
The following is biographical information for Messrs. Hogan and Bunn:

Joey B. Hogan, 59, previously served as our Co-President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) from April 2020 to April 2021 and as our President and COO from February 2016 to April 2020. From May 2007 to February 2016 Mr. Hogan served as our Senior Executive Vice President and COO, as well as President of CTI.  Mr. Hogan was our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) from 1997 to May 2007, our Executive Vice President (“EVP”) from May 2003 to May 2007, and a Senior Vice President from December 2001 to May 2003.  From joining us in August 1997 through December 2001, Mr. Hogan served as our Treasurer.  Mr. Hogan served as a director and on the Audit Committee of Chattem, Inc., a consumer products company, from April 2009 through March 2010, and currently serves as an officer of the Truckload Carriers Association.
 
M. Paul Bunn, 43, previously served as our EVP, CFO, and Secretary form April 2020 to April 2021, our EVP from April 2019 to April 2020, our Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer from January 2012 to April 2020, and our SVP from 2017 to April 2019. Previously, Mr. Bunn served as our Corporate Controller from July 2009 to January 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Bunn served as an Audit Senior Manager for Ernst & Young, LLP, a global professional services provider.
   
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
   
   
(d)
 
Exhibits.
     
   
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
 
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
     

99
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. press release announcing the continued evolution of leadership team
     
 
The information contained in Item 9.01 of this report and the exhibit hereto shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
   

The information in Item 9.01 of this report and the exhibit hereto may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.  Such statements are made based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.  Actual results or events may differ from those anticipated by forward-looking statements.  Please refer to the italicized paragraph at the end of the attached press release and various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information concerning risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may affect future results.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
     
Date: April 8, 2021
By:
/s/ Joey B. Hogan
   
Joey B. Hogan
   
President


Exhibit 99

COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP ANNOUNCES CONTINUED EVOLUTION OF LEADERSHIP TEAM

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE – April 7, 2021 - Covenant Logistics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ/GS: CVLG) (“Covenant”) announced today key changes to the executive leadership team.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David R. Parker, commented: “Based on the successful execution of our strategic plan during 2020 and the rate of improvement in 2021, we are accelerating the planned evolution of our management team. We have great confidence in the next generation of leaders, and it is time for them to enhance their contribution. To this end, I am excited to announce the creation of the Office of the CEO. I will remain Chairman and CEO, Joey Hogan will be President and Paul Bunn has been promoted to Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, both reporting to me.

Paul Bunn will assume daily responsibility for all operations, sales and operational improvement of Covenant. He has been with the company for 12 years and has excelled as a leader within the financial and administrative side of Covenant, particularly leading the due diligence and transition team for the Landair acquisition. The respect and relationships already built with the sales and operations teams will allow a quick and seamless transition for Paul, keeping our team focused on our strategic plan.

Joey Hogan will continue focusing on mentoring our leadership team while leading the financial and administrative side of Covenant. During his almost 24 years at Covenant, Joey has led where needed and has accumulated much experience in many areas. Joey will become our Principal Financial Officer.

John Tweed will step back from the Co-President position and transition to a short-term consulting role effective July 3, 2021. He will continue to focus on improving legacy dedicated contracts, expanding the Warehousing segment, and refining our new FP&A process, as well as providing support and leadership to the next generation of leaders in sales and operations.

I appreciate the full support of Joey, John, Paul and our Board in facilitating this change and preparing Covenant for the next step in generating sustained excellence.”

Covenant Logistics Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, offers a portfolio of transportation and logistics services to customers throughout the United States. Primary services include asset- based expedited, dedicated, and irregular route truckload capacity, as well as asset-light warehousing, transportation management, and freight brokerage capability. In addition, Transport Enterprise Leasing is an affiliated company providing revenue equipment sales and leasing services to the trucking industry. Covenant's Class A common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select market under the symbol, “CVLG.”

This press release contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” "intends," “outlook,” “focus,” “seek,” “potential,” “mission,” “continue,” “goal,” “target,” “objective,” derivations thereof, and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. In this press release, the statements relating to expectations for our realigned management team and our ability to execute our strategic plan are forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: elevated experience in the frequency and severity of claims relating to accident, cargo, workers' compensation, health, and other claims, increased insurance premiums, erosion of available limits in our aggregate insurance policies and additional expenses to reinstate insurance policies due to liability claims, higher self-insured retentions, reduced insurance coverage, fluctuations in claims expenses that result from our self-insured retention amounts, including in our excess layers and in respect of claims for which we commute policy coverage, and the requirement that we pay additional premiums if there are claims in certain of those layers, differences between estimates used in establishing and adjusting claims reserves and actual results over time, adverse changes in claims experience and loss development factors, or additional changes in management's estimates of liability based upon such experience and development factors that cause our expectations of insurance and claims expense to be inaccurate or otherwise impacts our results; government regulations imposed on our captive insurance companies; changes in the market condition for used revenue equipment and real estate that impact our capital expenditures and our ability to dispose of revenue equipment and real estate on the schedule and for the prices we expect; increases in the prices paid for new revenue equipment that impact our capital expenditures and our results generally; changes in management’s estimates of the need for new tractors and trailers; the effect of any reduction in tractor purchases on the number of tractors that will be accepted by manufacturers under tradeback arrangements; our inability to generate sufficient cash from operations and obtain financing on favorable terms to meet our significant ongoing capital requirements; our ability to respond to changes in our industry or business in light of our indebtedness and operating lease obligations; our ability to improve profitability in the future; our ability to maintain compliance with the provisions of our credit agreements, particularly financial covenants in our revolving credit facility; excess tractor or trailer capacity in the trucking industry; decreased demand for our services or loss of one or more of our major customers; our ability to renew Dedicated service offering contracts on the terms and schedule we expect; surplus inventories, recessionary economic cycles, and downturns in customers' business cycles; strikes, work slowdowns, or work stoppages at the Company, customers, ports, or other shipping related facilities; armed conflicts or terrorist attacks; deterioration of U.S. transportation infrastructure and reduced investment in such infrastructure; increases or rapid fluctuations in fuel prices, as well as fluctuations in hedging activities and surcharge collection, including, but not limited to, changes in customer fuel surcharge policies and increases in fuel surcharge bases by customers; the volume and terms of diesel purchase commitments and hedging contracts; increases in compensation for and difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified drivers and independent contractors; our ability to retain our key employees; the risks associated with engaging independent contractors to provide a portion of our capacity; seasonal factors such as harsh weather conditions that increase operating costs; competition from trucking, rail, andintermodal competitors; our dependence on third-party providers, particularly in our Managed Freight segment; regulatory requirements that increase costs, decrease efficiency, or impact the availability or effective driving time ofour drivers and other drivers in the industry, including the terms and exemptions from hours-of-service and electronic log requirements for drivers and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program applicable to driver standards and the methodology for determining a carrier’s Department of Transportation safety rating; compliance with environmental laws and regulations; developments in labor and employment law; changes to trade regulation, quotas, duties, or tariffs; the proper functioning and availability of our management information and communication systems and other information technology assets; volatility of our stock price; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; future outcomes of litigation; the ability to reduce, or control increases in, operating costs; changes in the Company’s business strategy that require the acquisition of new businesses, the disposition of businesses, and the ability to identify acceptable acquisition candidates and appropriate assets or businesses to be disposed, consummate acquisitions and dispositions, and integrate acquired operations; our ability to achieve our strategic plan; fluctuations in the results of Transport Enterprise Leasing, which are included as equity in income (loss) of affiliate in our financial statements; additional charges in connection with the disposition of substantially all of the operations and assets of TFS; our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and his wife control a large portion of our stock and have substantial control over us, which could limit other stockholders' ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including changes of control; provisions in our charter documents or Nevada law which may inhibit a takeover and could limit the price of our stock; failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; future share repurchases, if any; and the impact of the recent coronavirus outbreak or other similar outbreaks. Readers should review and consider these factors along with the various disclosures by the Company in its press releases, stockholder reports, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking information.

For further information contact:
Joey Hogan, President
JHogan@covenantlogistics.com

Tripp Grant, Chief Accounting Officer
TGrant@covenantlogistics.com

For copies of Company information contact:
Brooke McKenzie, Executive Administrative Assistant
BMcKenzie@covenantlogistics.com


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