Edward L. Kuntz
About Edward L. Kuntz
Edward L. Kuntz, age 80, has served as an independent director of Stabilis Solutions, Inc. (SLNG) since July 26, 2019. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Kindred Healthcare and holds B.A., J.D., and LL.M. degrees from Temple University, bringing multi-decade board and CEO experience in healthcare and public-company governance to SLNG . The Board has affirmatively determined he is independent under NASDAQ rules and that he qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindred Healthcare | Chairman; Chief Executive Officer | Chairman 1998–May 2014; CEO 1998–2004 | Led governance and operational oversight at a diversified post-acute care provider |
| U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. | Chairman of the Board; Director | Director 2014–May 2024 | Public company board leadership at an operator of PT clinics |
| Rotech Healthcare, Inc. | Director | 2000–2016 | Oversight at a large home medical equipment provider |
| American Electric Technologies, Inc. | Director; Audit Committee Chair | Sept 2013–July 2019 | Chaired Audit; strengthened financial oversight at an industrial electrical company |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. | Chairman; Director | Ended May 2024 | Public board service concluded May 2024 |
| Other current public boards | — | Not disclosed | No current public directorships disclosed for Kuntz |
Board Governance
- Committee assignments: Audit Committee member; Compensation Committee member. He is not committee chair; Audit Committee chaired by Peter C. Mitchell .
- Audit Committee financial expert and independence: The Board determined Kuntz is independent and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules .
- Meeting cadence and attendance: Board met 4 times in 2024; no director attended fewer than 75% of Board and committee meetings. Audit Committee met 4 times in 2024; Compensation Committee met 2 times in 2024 .
- Leadership structure: SLNG is a “Controlled Company”; the Executive Chairman also serves as interim CEO; no lead independent director. Compensation Committee includes a non-independent director (Executive Chairman J. Casey Crenshaw) under controlled company exemptions .
Fixed Compensation
| Year | Fees Earned (Cash, $) | Stock Awards ($) | All Other ($) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 100,000 | — | — | 100,000 |
| 2023 | 100,000 | — | — | 100,000 |
- Policy: Independent directors receive $100,000 per year in cash, with the Board able to elect to pay 50% in SLNG common stock with one-year vesting by Board resolution at the first meeting of the year .
Performance Compensation
- Directors at SLNG do not receive performance-based pay; no bonuses, options, RSUs or PSUs were awarded to independent directors in 2023–2024 .
- Compensation Committee–overseen company performance plan (context for governance oversight): Annual non‑equity incentive plan uses Adjusted EBITDA and non‑financial metrics (HSE and corporate goals), with payout ranges set by the Board. In 2024, actual performance yielded payouts between 90–110% of target for eligible executives; in 2023, 119–137% of target for executives and key employees .
| Metric | Definition/Use | 2023 Outcome | 2024 Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EBITDA | Primary financial metric for annual non‑equity incentive plan | Company achieved 119–137% of targets across executives/key employees | Company achieved 90–110% of targets across executives/key employees |
| HSE & Corporate Goals | Non‑financial safety and corporate objectives | Incorporated into annual plan | Incorporated into annual plan |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
- Historical interlock: Kuntz (AETI Audit Chair, 2013–2019) and SLNG’s Executive Chairman J. Casey Crenshaw (AETI director, 2012–2019) overlapped at AETI, indicating prior boardroom ties that may influence information flow and governance dynamics .
- No current public-company interlocks disclosed for Kuntz beyond May 2024 .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Degrees: B.A., J.D., LL.M. – Temple University .
- Board credentials: Experienced public-company Chairman/CEO; Audit Committee financial expert; multi-industry governance experience (healthcare, industrials) .
Equity Ownership
| As of | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of Outstanding | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2, 2025 | 62,172 | <1% (asterisked in table) | Ownership reported; no pledge/hedge disclosure for directors beyond policy prohibitions |
| June 14, 2024 | 58,172 | <1% (asterisked in table) | Ownership reported; no pledge/hedge disclosure for directors beyond policy prohibitions |
- Insider policy: SLNG prohibits hedging, short sales, and trading in derivatives tied to Company stock under its Insider Trading Policy .
Governance Assessment
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Positives
- Independence and financial expertise: Kuntz is independent and designated an “audit committee financial expert,” strengthening financial reporting oversight .
- Attendance and engagement: Board met 4 times in 2024; no director fell below the 75% attendance threshold; Kuntz served on both Audit and Compensation Committees that met regularly .
- Director pay structure restrained: $100,000 cash retainer; no equity or option awards to independent directors in 2023–2024, limiting pay-related conflicts .
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Risks and potential red flags
- Controlled Company governance: Concentration of voting power with the Crenshaws; board exempt from certain NASDAQ independence requirements, and the Compensation Committee includes a non‑independent director (Executive Chairman), raising alignment and oversight concerns .
- Leadership concentration: Executive Chairman also serves as interim CEO; absence of a lead independent director may reduce independent counterbalance during a management transition .
- Related party transactions: Ongoing leases and purchases with The Modern Group, where SLNG directors/executives hold leadership positions; though reviewed by independent directors, these transactions warrant continued scrutiny for conflicts and pricing fairness .
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Overall implication
- Kuntz’s presence provides seasoned audit and governance oversight, but SLNG’s controlled structure, leadership consolidation, and related‑party ties require vigilant independent committee processes and clear disclosure to maintain investor confidence .