Robert Lambert
About Robert Lambert
Robert F. Lambert (age 55) was appointed to The York Water Company’s Board in September 2024 and is standing for a three‑year term expiring in 2028. He serves as President of York County Libraries (since 2016), previously led business development at Martin Library (1990–2016) and served as Controller for the City of York (2008–2016). He also founded Sir Newton Traders, LLC and leads the Global Read and Feed Children’s Foundation. The Board cited his public administration experience, strategic thinking, and governance background, along with community commitment and diversity, as reasons for his selection. He is classified as an independent director under Nasdaq rules.
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of York | Controller | 2008–2016 | Municipal finance leadership; supports audit/financial literacy credentials |
| Martin Library (York County Library System) | Director of Business Development | 1990–2016 | Advanced library system development; community engagement |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| York County Libraries | President | 2016–Present | Current operating leadership role |
| Global Read and Feed Children’s Foundation | CEO | 2013–Present | National non‑profit focused on childhood hunger |
| Sir Newton Traders, LLC | Owner/Founder | Not disclosed | Provides automated trading strategies and education in commodity futures |
| Various community/non‑profit organizations | Board/Committee roles | Various | Ongoing community leadership |
Board Governance
- Independence: The Board determined Mr. Lambert is independent under Nasdaq standards.
- Committee assignments (2024): Audit Committee member; Audit Committee met four times in 2024. All Audit members, including Mr. Lambert, are deemed financially literate and “audit committee financial experts” under SEC rules.
- Attendance: The Board held seven meetings in 2024; all directors attended more than 75% of Board and committee meetings during their tenure, and all then‑serving directors attended the 2024 annual meeting.
- Executive sessions: Independent directors hold regular executive sessions led by the Board Chair.
- Director elections: Mr. Lambert was appointed in September 2024; he is nominated for a term expiring in 2028.
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Amount/Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cash retainer | $27,500 per year | Paid quarterly to non‑employee directors |
| Per‑meeting fees – Chair | Board $2,500; Exec $1,200; Audit $1,800; N&CG $1,090; Comp & HC $1,090 | Applies to chairing respective committees |
| Per‑meeting fees – Member | Board $810; Exec $890; Audit $950; N&CG $840; Comp & HC $840 | Applies to committee membership |
| 2024 total (Lambert) | $11,737 cash; $0 equity | Pro‑rated partial‑year service; no equity award for 2024 |
Performance Compensation
| Equity Vehicle | Structure | 2024 Award (Lambert) | Vesting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director stock award | Fixed retainer‑based grant equal to 75% of 30% of annual retainer; based on closing price on grant date | $0 (none granted for 2024) | Immediate vest on grant | 2024 standard grant was $5,293 (144 shares at $36.76) for other directors; Lambert received none due to no 2023 service to prorate |
No performance metrics apply to director equity grants; they are retainer‑based and vest immediately.
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None disclosed | — | No other public company directorships or interlocks disclosed for Mr. Lambert. |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Audit/Finance: Former City Controller and designated Audit Committee “financial expert” status under SEC rules.
- Governance & Strategy: Board cited strategic thinking and public/private governance experience as selection criteria.
- Community Leadership: Leads York County Libraries; extensive non‑profit board involvement.
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of Outstanding | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert F. Lambert | 15 | 0.00% | As of Feb 28, 2025; no right to acquire additional shares within 60 days disclosed |
| Ownership guidelines | Directors must attain shares equal to 3× annual cash retainer within 5 years of appointment; must maintain minimum thereafter | Policy applies to Lambert (appointed 2024) | Hedging, short sales, buying on margin, pledging prohibited |
Governance Assessment
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Key positives:
- Independent director with Audit Committee assignment and SEC “financial expert” designation—supports effective financial oversight.
- Good attendance culture (all directors >75% in 2024) and regular executive sessions of independent directors.
- No Section 16(a) filing issues noted for Lambert; company reported timely compliance except for two other insiders’ late reports.
- No material related‑party transactions disclosed involving Lambert; Board reviewed director relationships and found no impairments to independence.
-
Watch items:
- Low current ownership (15 shares) may signal limited alignment today; however, he is within the five‑year window to meet the 3× retainer ownership requirement and did not receive a 2024 equity grant due to appointment timing.
- External activities include owning a trading education/strategy business (Sir Newton Traders, LLC). While unrelated to York Water’s operations and subject to the company’s anti‑hedging/pledging policy, investors may monitor for any future conflicts or policy breaches.
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RED FLAGS: None disclosed specific to Lambert. No related‑party transactions, loan arrangements, or pledging/hedging activity reported; independence affirmed.