GRAIN BROKERAGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
This Grain Brokerage Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 15th day of
December, 2009, by and between Southwest Georgia Ethanol, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company
(“SWGE”), and PALMETTO GRAIN BROKERAGE, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability corporation
(“Palmetto”) (each a “Party”, and collectively the “Parties”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, SWGE wants to ensure an adequate supply of grain at the most advantageous prices
available; and
WHEREAS, SWGE requires a continuous and predictable flow of grain to its facility in Camilla,
Georgia to ensure that required raw materials for its manufacturing process are always available
and to prevent demurrage; and
WHEREAS, SWGE desires market development services be supplied to grain producers and potential
grain producers in SWGE’s local grain market; and
WHEREAS, Palmetto desires to expand its presence in the rail grain market in the state of
Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Palmetto desires to expand its marketing services program to grain producers and
potential grain producers in the state of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, SWGE wants to insure an adequate demand for its dried distillers grains;
and
WHEREAS, SWGE requires a continuous and predictable removal of dried distillers grains from
its facility in Camilla, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Palmetto desires to expand its presence in the rail dried distillers grains market in
the south-eastern United States;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms and conditions contained herein, the
Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
| 1.1 | “Agreement”—means this grain brokerage agreement between Palmetto and SWGE. |
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| 1.2 | “Camilla Grain Storage Space”—as defined in Section 5.2. |
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| 1.3 | “DDG”—means dried distillers grain. |
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| 1.4 | “DDG Sales Contract”—means a contract between SWGE and a Third Party Purchaser for the sale of DDGs to the Third Party Purchaser. |
| 1.5 | “DDG Sales Opportunity”—means a Third Party Purchaser willing to purchase DDGs
from SWGE on commercially favorable terms and at a commercially favorable price. |
| 1.6 | “Force Majeure”—means strikes, lockouts, or industrial disturbances; riots or civil
disturbances; interference by civil or military authorities; wars, blockades, insurrection, or
acts of other public enemy or acts of terrorism; epidemics, landslides, lightning,
earthquakes, fires, storms, floods, washouts, or other acts of God; arrests or restraints of
governments and people; compliance with federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations,
acts, orders, directives, requisitions or requests of any official or agency of federal, state
or local governments; fires, explosions, freezing, failures, disruptions, breakdowns or
accidents to transportation equipment or facilities; prorationing by transporters; the
necessity of testing, making repairs, alterations or enlargements to transportation equipment
or facilities; embargoes, priorities, expropriation or condemnation by government or
governmental authorities; and any other cause which is not reasonably within the control of
the Party claiming suspension. |
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| 1.7 | “Grain Purchase Contract”—means a contract between SWGE and a Third Party Supplier
for the sale of grain required by SWGE for its manufacturing process. |
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| 1.8 | “Grain Purchase Opportunity”—means a Third Party Supplier willing to sell grain to
SWGE on commercially favorable terms and at a commercially favorable price. |
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| 1.9 | “Introducing Broker”—means Palmetto, when it seeks out a Third Party Supplier who is willing
to sell grain on commercially favorable terms and at a commercially favorable price and
introduces this Third Party Supplier to SWGE. |
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| 1.10 | “Introducing Broker Fee”—means the fee charged by Palmetto to Third Party Suppliers for
introducing that Third Party Supplier to a purchaser of the Third Party Supplier’s grain. |
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| 1.11 | “Local Grain Market”—means the aggregate grain producers and potential grain
producers located in reasonably close proximity to the SWGE manufacturing facility. |
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| 1.12 | “Long-Term Grain Forecast”—as defined in Section 5.1. |
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| 1.13 | “Market Analysis”—means a report of various relevant information needed by SWGE to make a
commercially reasonable decision on when, where, and from whom to purchase grain and sell
DDGs. Information in the Market Analysis includes but is not limited to: supply and demand
reports, planting intention reports, weather and crop condition reports, current and
historical basis information, grain storage availability, railroad car availability,
government price support levels, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ selling attitude, grain market predictions, and grain
basis price prospects. |
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| 1.14 | “Midwest Grain Storage Space”—as defined in Section 5.2. |
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| 1.15 | “Midwest Rail Grain Market”—means the aggregate Third Party Suppliers ‘Dented in the
middle-western portion of the United States, who are willing and able to ship grain by use of
the railroad system. |
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| 1.16 | “Non-Broker Transaction”—as defined in Section 3.7. |
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| 1.17 | “Non-Participating Broker Fee”—as defined in Section 3.7. |
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| 1.18 | “Pinnacle Marketing Program”—means a program designed and run by Palmetto that
seeks to develop the Local Grain Market. |
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| 1.19 | “Railroad Service Contracts”—as defined in Section 5.4. |
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| 1.20 | “Selling Broker”—means Palmetto, when it is searching for potential purchasers of
excess grain and DDGs that SWGE has available. |
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| 1.21 | “Short-Term Grain Forecast”—as defined in Section 5.1. |
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| 1.22 | “Third Party Purchaser”—means a third party, not a Party to this contract, that purchases
grains or DDGs from SWGE. |
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| 1.23 | “Third Party Supplier”—means a third party, not a Party to this contract, that has grain
for sale that is appropriate for use as a raw material in SWGE’s manufacturing process. |
ARTICLE 2
TERM AND RENEWAL
TERM AND RENEWAL
| 2.1 | Term: The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue
for a primary term of 1 year, from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. This Agreement
shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year terms, unless terminated on the
expiration date, or on the expiration date of any subsequent one (1) year renewal term. In
each case, termination requires at least six (6) months written notice by either Party prior
to the expiration of the primary term or any renewal term. |
| 2.2 | Termination: Notwithstanding anything contained herein, either Party may terminate
this Agreement upon written notice to the other Party in the event that (1) such other party
commits a material breach (other than a breach which in all the circumstances is insignificant
or involves payment of money) of any provision of this Agreement and fails to cure said breach
within thirty (30) days following receipt of written notice of such material breach; (2) a
payment that such other party is required to make is overdue for more than ten (10) days
following written notice of the overdue payment; (3) such other party becomes the subject of
any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings; or (4) any legislation, regulation, or
decision of a Federal, state or municipal government or of any agency thereof is implemented,
repealed or altered in such a way as to significantly prevent either party from lawfully
exercising or performing its obligations hereunder. |
ARTICLE 3
GRAIN BROKERAGE
GRAIN BROKERAGE
| 3.1 | Introducing Brokerage: Palmetto shall be the exclusive Introducing Broker to SWGE.
Palmetto shall research, on a daily basis, the Midwest Rail Grain Market, as well as all other
available grain markets, and shall use its best commercial efforts to discover and present to
SWGE the most favorable Grain Purchase Opportunities available in the market. Palmetto shall
present to SWGE the first opportunity to pursue Grain Purchase Opportunities that Palmetto
discovers. Palmetto shall actively advise SWGE on a daily basis of Palmettos findings
concerning Grain Purchase Opportunities. Palmetto shall act as an Introducing Broker between
SWGE and Third Party Suppliers and shall use reasonable commercial means to facilitate Grain
Purchase Contracts between SWGE and the Third Party Suppliers. Palmetto shall use its best
commercial efforts to assist SWGE in obtaining grain at the lowest possible price available in
the market.
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| 3.2 | Extent of Relationship: Palmetto shall not be a party to any contract between SWGE
and any Third Party Suppliers. SWGE shall have the exclusive power to enter into all
negotiations and
Grain Purchase Contracts with such Third Party Suppliers on terms and conditions negotiated
by SWGE and such Third Party Suppliers. |
| 3.3 | Introducing Broker Fees: The Third Party Suppliers shall be responsible to Palmetto
for any Introducing Broker Fees. Palmetto shall not charge the Third Party Suppliers
Introducing Broker Fees in excess of the fees Palmetto normally charges other Third Party
Suppliers for similar services. SWGE shall not be responsible for any Introducing Broker Fees
due to Palmetto. |
| 3.4 | Market Analysis: Palmetto shall provide to SWGE its Market Analysis and any third
party’s Market Analysis available to Palmetto which Palmetto reasonably believes would assist
SWGE in negotiating Grain Purchase Contracts. Palmetto shall use its best commercial efforts
to provide these Market Analyses as soon as the information becomes available to Palmetto. |
| 3.5 | Selling Brokerage: SWGE from time to time shall use Palmetto as a Selling Broker.
Palmetto shall use its best commercial efforts to secure Third Party Purchasers for SWGE’s
excess grain and generally act as a Selling Broker to facilitate the sale of SWGE’s excess
grain. |
| 3.6 | Selling Broker Fees: Palmetto shall be reimbursed at a rate of one quarter of one
cent ($0.0025) per bushel of western rail grain and $0.01 per bushels on any local bushels
sold to Third Party Purchasers when Palmetto is acting as a Selling Broker on behalf of SWGE.
We understand SWGE is a end user of corn but if they elect to “sell out” any purchased
bushels, which is usually a rare occasion, brokerage will be at these rates. |
| 3.7 | Non-Broker Transaction: SWGE shall have the right to purchase grain in situations
where Palmetto is not involved in the transaction and Palmetto cannot charge a Brokerage Fee
under this Agreement (“Non-Broker Transaction”). In Non-Broker Transactions, SWGE does not owe
Palmetto Grain Brokerage a brokerage fee for any grain that SWGE buys direct. |
| 3.8 | Quantity and Quality: Palmetto shall secure sufficient Grain Purchase Opportunities
to meet SWGE’s total currently anticipated grain usage of thirty-six million (36,000,000)
bushels of grain per year. Reasonable deviation flow this anticipated grain usage shall not be
a breach of this Agreement The Grain Purchase Opportunities must be for grain of a quality
that reasonably meets SWGE’s grain needs for ethanol manufacturing. |
ARTICLE 4
DDG BROKERAGE
DDG BROKERAGE
| 4.1 | DDG Selling Brokerage: SWGE will bring all DDG sales in house. Palmetto Grain
Brokerage will still assist SWGE on DDG sales on a normal brokerage type arrangement. |
| 4.2 | Extent of Relationship: Palmetto shall not be a party to any DDG Sales Contract
between SWGE and any Third Party Purchaser. SWGE shall have the exclusive power to enter into
all negotiations and DDG Sales Contracts with such Third Party Purchasers on terms and
conditions negotiated by SWGE and such Third Party Purchasers. |
| 4.3 | DDG Selling Broker Fees: SWGE shall pay to Palmetto one dollar ($1.00) per ton for
all DDGs sold through the efforts of Palmetto acting as Selling Broker.
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ARTICLE 5
GRAIN LOGISTICS
GRAIN LOGISTICS
| 5.1 | Grain Use Forecasts: SWGE shall provide to Palmetto, on a bimonthly basis, an
estimate of the amount of grain it will need for the next two weeks (“Short-Term Grain
Forecast”). The Short-Term Grain Forecast shall indicate the amount of grain SWGE expects to
use over the next two week period and the anticipated train schedule. SWGE shall amend this
forecast as it reasonably deems necessary. SWGE shall provide to Palmetto on a monthly basis a
forecast detailing the amount of grain SWGE will require for a period of one year horn the
date of the forecast (“Long-Tern Grain Forecast”). The Long-Term Grain Forecast shall indicate
the amount of grain SWGE shall require in one-half month increments. SWGE is free to amend
this Long-Term Grain Forecast as it reasonably deems necessary. These forecasts shall not be
binding orders by SWGE and shall simply be estimates to assist Palmetto in meeting SWGE’s
grain wails in an efficient and timely fashion. |
| 5.2 | Intentionally left blank. |
| 5.3 | Leased Railroad Cars: Palmetto shall use its best efforts to assist SWGE in the
acquisition of a suitable leased rail ▇▇▇▇▇▇ feet to service its corn logistics needs. |
| 5.4 | Railroad Service Contacts: Palmetto shall use its best commercial effort to assist
SWGE in negotiating contracts with third ▇▇▇▇▇ railroad companies to ship grain to SWGE’s
manufacturing facility (“Railroad Service Contracts”). Palmetto shall abide and be bound by
any terms and conditions required by any such third party railroad company in the negotiation
of such Railroad Service Contracts including but not limited to confidentiality agreements.
Palmetto shall execute and deliver any documents required by such third party railroad in
order to facilitate Palmetto’s involvement in the negotiation of such Railroad Service
Contracts. |
ARTICLE 6
LOCAL GRAIN PRODUCTION
LOCAL GRAIN PRODUCTION
| 6.1 | Pinnacle Marketing Program: Palmetto shall provide its Pinnacle Marketing Program to
the Local Grain Market to help establish a local grain supply that can be utilized by SWGE to
meet its grain supply needs. Palmetto shall make the Pinnacle Marketing Program available to
the Local Grain Market at a reasonable cost to be paid by those producers that choose to
participate. SWGE shall have no liability to pay for the Pinnacle Marketing Program in
addition to the fees listed in Article 7. |
ARTICLE 7
FEES AND EXCLUSIVITY
FEES AND EXCLUSIVITY
| 7.1 | Annual Fees: As primary consideration for the exclusivity relationship provided in Section 72
herein and in addition to any fees SWGE is required to pay Palmetto in Article 3, SWGE shall
pay Palmetto an annual fee in two equal payments, V2 invoiced in February 2010 and Y2 invoiced
in September 2010. The amount of the annual fee shall be as follows: |
January I through December 31, 2010 $50,000.00 ( Fifty Thousand and no one hundredths)
| 7.2 | Exclusive Relationship: Both Parties acknowledge that the relationship set out in this
contract provides both parties with significant business and marketing opportunities. SWGE
further contends that if Palmetto’s services were provided to another ethanol company within
the states of Georgia, Alabama, or Florida, either in existence or built in the future, SWGE’s
interests would be materially damaged. As a -Jesuit, Palmetto shall not provide the same or
similar services as those described in this Agreement to any other ethanol manufacturing or
related company during
the term of this Agreement in the following states: Georgia (not including Sandersville,
Georgia), Alabama, and Florida This includes all existing and future ethanol manufacturing
or related companies. Any breach of this Section 72 by Palmetto shall be deemed a material
breach and shall be grounds for termination as set forth in Section 2.2 herein.
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ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
| 8.2 | Indemnity: Palmetto shall indemnify, defend, and hold SWGE and its affiliates,
subsidiaries, parents, and its and their respective directors, officers, stockholders,
members, employees, and agents harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, awards,
judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses (including
reasonable out-of-pocket attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred on account of any injury or
death of persons or damages to property to the extent caused by or arising out of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of Palmetto, its officers, employees, or agents in performing
Palmetto’s obligations under this Agreement. |
SWGE shall indemnify, defend, and hold Palmetto and its affiliates, subsidiaries, parents,
and its and their respective directors, officers, stockholders, employees, and agents
harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, awards, judgments, settlements, fines,
penalties, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket
attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred on account of any injury to or death of persons or
damages to property to the extent caused by or arising out of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of SWGE, its officers, employees, or agents in performing SWGE’s
obligations under this Agreement.
| 8.3 | Force Majeure: In the event either Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by
Force Majeure to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, it is agreed that on such
Party’s giving notice in writing, or by telephone and confirmed in writing, to the other Party
as soon as possible after the commencement of such Force Majeure event, the obligations of the
Party giving such notice, so far as and to the extent they are affected by such Force Majeure,
shall be suspended from the commencement of such Force Majeure and during the remaining period
of such Force Majeure, but for no longer period, and such Force Majeure shall so far as
possible be remedied with all reasonable dispatch; provided, however, the obligation to make
payments then accrued hereunder prior to the occurrence of such Force Majeure shall not be
suspended. |
| 8.4 | Limitation of Damages: NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE OR OTHERWISE RESPONSIBLE TO THE
OTHER PARTY HEREUNDER FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
AS TO ANY ACTION OR OMISSION, WHETHER CHARACTERIZED AS A CONTRACT BREACH OR TORT OR OTHERWISE
THAT ARISES OUT OF OR RELATES TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS PERFORMANCE EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH AMOUNTS
PAID BY A PARTY TO A NON-AFFILIATE THIRD PARTY, WHICH WOULD THEREFORE BE CONSIDERED ACTUAL
DAMAGES INCURRED BY SUCH PARTY. |
| 8.5 | Independent Contractor: It is expressly understood that the relationship of Palmetto
to SWGE is that of an independent contractor and nothing contained herein shall be construed
to create any partnership, agency, or employer/employee relationship. Palmetto may freely
choose the customers from whom business shall be solicited and the time and place for
solicitation.
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| 8.6 | Notices: Any notices required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing
and be sufficiently given when delivered in person or deposited in the U.S. mail (registered
or certified), postage prepaid, addressed as follows: |
| SWGE: | SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ETHANOL | |||
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | ||||
| Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, CEO | ||||
| PALMETTO: | PALMETTO GRAIN BROKERAGE, LLC | |||
| ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇ | ||||
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | ||||
| Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, President |
| 8.7 | Entire Agreement: This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties
and supersedes all previous agreements, either oral or written, between the Parties. The
language of this Agreement shall not be construed in favor of or against either Party, but
shall be construed as if the language was drafted mutually by both Parties. No modifications
hereof shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by both Parties. |
| 8.8 | Waiver: The failure of either Party to enforce any of its rights hereunder on any
particular occasion shall not constitute a waiver of such rights on any subsequent occasion. |
| 8.9 | Assignment: This Agreement may not be assigned by either Party without the prior
written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
provided, however, that either party may assign its rights and responsibilities to a
subsidiary or similarly related organization if such assignment is part of a business
restructuring and such assignment does not materially impair or affect the rights and
obligations of the other Party. |
| 8.10 |
Headings: Any paragraph headings are used for convenience only and are not intended
and shall not be used in interpreting any provisions of this Agreement. |
| 8.11 | No Third Party Beneficiary: Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing contained in
this Agreement shall be considered or construed as conferring any right or benefit on a person
not a Party to this Agreement and neither this Agreement nor the performance hereunder shall
be deemed to have created a joint venture or partnership between the Parties. |
| 8.12 | Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia
without regard to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. Each of the parties hereto
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of
Georgia in any action or proceeding brought to enforce or otherwise arising out of or relating
to this Agreement. |
| 8.13 | Arbitration: Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be
submitted to arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted according to the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The place of arbitration shall be
Atlanta, Georgia or such other place as may be agreed upon by the Parties. Both Parties shall
attempt to agree upon one arbitrator, but if they are unable to agree, each shall appoint an
arbitrator and these two shall appoint a third arbitrator. Expenses of the arbitrator(s) shall
be divided equally between the Parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s)
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereat and shall be enforceable against the
Parties.
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| 8.14 | Severability: If any term or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or
invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to a Party. Upon such determination,
the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to affect the
original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner so that the
transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest
extent possible. |
| 8.15 | Confidentiality: The terms of this Agreement and any non-public information provided
to either Party pursuant to this Agreement are confidential and the Party receiving such
information will hold, and will cause its agents, accountants and advisors to hold, all such
information in confidence, unless it is compelled to disclose such information by judicial or
administrative process or by other requirements of law. Notwithstanding any other provision
contained in this Agreement, Palmetto acknowledges and agrees that the disclosure of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by SWGE in any report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission at any time after the date hereof will not be a violation
of this Section 8.15. |
In WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the
date first written above.
| PALMETTO GRAIN BROKERAGE, LLC | SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ETHANOL | |||||
By:
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/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |||
| ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, President | ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, CEO | |||||
| Date: 12-15-09 | Date: 12/31/09 | |||||
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