Bryan H. Lawrence
Ramaco ResourcesAbout Bryan H. Lawrence
Bryan H. Lawrence (age 82) is a non‑independent director of Ramaco Resources (METC), serving since December 2016. He is the founder and senior manager of Yorktown Partners LLC, previously a Managing Director at Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. until 1997; he holds a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University . He is currently not assigned to any Board committee at METC .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorktown Partners LLC | Founder and Senior Manager | Not disclosed | Energy-focused private equity leadership |
| Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. | Managing Director; employed since 1966 through merger in 1997 | 1966–1997 | Transactional experience in energy |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallador Energy Company | Director | Not disclosed | Public company board |
| Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. | Director | Not disclosed | Public company board |
| Star Group, L.P. | Director | Not disclosed | Public company board |
| Various nonpublic energy companies | Director | Not disclosed | Boards of Yorktown portfolio companies |
Board Governance
| Attribute | Status/Detail |
|---|---|
| Committee memberships | None |
| Committee chair roles | None |
| Independence status | Non‑independent (Board affirmed) |
| Years of service | Director since December 2016 |
| Attendance | Each director attended >75% of Board and committee meetings in 2024; all directors attended 2024 annual meeting |
| Executive sessions | Independent directors hold sessions without management |
Fixed Compensation
| Year | Annual Retainer (Cash) | Committee Fees (Cash) | Equity Grants (RSUs/DSUs) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Note: Independent directors received $150,000 cash and 5,297 RSUs granted Feb 29, 2024 (vested Jan 2025); Lawrence and Leidel did not receive director compensation in 2024 .
Performance Compensation
No director-specific performance-linked awards (RSUs/PSUs) were disclosed for Lawrence in 2024 .
| Metric Type | Metrics Used | Vesting | Award Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A for Lawrence | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Entity | Relationship | Holding Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorktown Energy Partners IX, L.P. | Significant shareholder; Lawrence related to Yorktown | 4,640,819 total common (Class A: 3,625,044; Class B: 1,015,775) | Shared voting/dispositive power via GP entities |
| Yorktown Energy Partners X, L.P. | Significant shareholder; Lawrence related to Yorktown | 3,598,280 total common (Class A: 2,929,557; Class B: 668,723) | Shared voting/dispositive power via GP entities |
| Yorktown Energy Partners XI, L.P. | Significant shareholder; Lawrence related to Yorktown | 5,443,997 total common (Class A: 4,432,261; Class B: 1,011,736) | Shared voting/dispositive power via GP entities |
| Peter Leidel | METC director; Yorktown co‑founder | Non‑independent director; no committee roles | Shared Yorktown ties with Lawrence |
Footnote: Because of his relationship to Yorktown IX/X/XI, Lawrence reports indirect beneficial ownership of all Yorktown Fund shares (13,683,096 total); he disclaims beneficial ownership beyond his pecuniary interest .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Energy private equity, transactional execution, and board governance across multiple energy companies .
- Education: B.A. (Hamilton College); M.B.A. (Columbia University) .
Equity Ownership
| Class | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of Class |
|---|---|---|
| Class A Common | 11,121,739 | 25.0% |
| Class B Common | 2,720,141 | 26.4% |
| Total Common | 13,841,880 | 25.3% |
Disclosure: Lawrence’s reported ownership includes indirect beneficial ownership of Yorktown Funds’ holdings; he disclaims beneficial ownership beyond pecuniary interest . Hedging transactions in METC securities are prohibited by company policy .
Related-Party Exposure and Conflicts
- Ramaco Coal, LLC acquisition (April 29, 2022): Yorktown IX and Randall W. Atkins were owners prior to acquisition; transaction was negotiated/approved by a Special Committee of independent directors; potential conflicts acknowledged and managed; installments fully retired by Dec 31, 2023 .
- Audit Committee oversees related-person transactions; formal policy requires arm’s‑length terms and recusal where appropriate .
Insider Trades
| Filing | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Form 4 (Lawrence) | March 27, 2025 | Reported indirect beneficial ownership related to Yorktown Funds; aligns with ownership table and 13D/A references |
Governance Assessment
-
Strengths
- Significant energy investment and transactional expertise; broad external board experience .
- High meeting participation (Board/committees >75% in 2024) supports engagement .
- Robust related‑party and conflicts oversight via Audit Committee and formal policy; explicit hedging prohibition .
-
Risks and potential red flags
- Non‑independent status with substantial indirect ownership through Yorktown Funds may concentrate influence and create perceived conflicts, particularly given fellow director Leidel’s Yorktown ties .
- No committee assignments or chair roles (limits formal oversight participation) .
- Historical related‑party context (Ramaco Coal acquisition involving Yorktown) underscores ongoing need for rigorous independent oversight .
- Absence of director compensation for Lawrence in 2024 removes pay-for-performance alignment lever at the board level; reliance is primarily on ownership alignment .
Overall implication: Lawrence’s substantial ownership and energy PE background can align incentives with shareholders, but the Yorktown interlocks and non‑independence require sustained vigilance via independent committees and conflict‑management policies to maintain investor confidence .