Pre-Business Combination Related Party Transactions — GSH
GSH historically engaged in various transactions with entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, by: Michael Nieri, GSH’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman; Mr. Nieri’s family members, including his wife, children, and father; trusts for the benefit of Mr. Nieri’s children; and Shelton Twine, GSH’s Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Nieri’s brother-in-law. Accordingly, any agreements or transactions GSH has entered into with such entities may involve a conflict of interest. For example, in the past, GSH has been a party to and is currently a party to agreements giving rise to material transactions between GSH and its affiliates, including Two Blue Stallions, LLC, GS Jacobs Creek, LLC, Land to Lots, LLC, PC Land Development Co., LLC and University Cottages, LLC. Set forth below is a description of certain related party transactions, other than compensation arrangements which are described under the section of this prospectus entitled “Executive Compensation.” GSH believes that each of these arrangements are on arm’s-length terms.
Distributions to Shareholders
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, distributions to shareholders consisted of $34,690,696 and $23,527,180, respectively, to Mr. Nieri; $4,269,803 and $2,232,105, respectively, to the PWN Trust 2018; $4,269,803 and $2,232,105, respectively, to the MEN Trust 2018; and $4,269,803 and $2,232,105, respectively, to the PMN Trust 2018. Such distributions consisted of distributions in amounts sufficient to allow the GSH shareholders to pay taxes related to GSH’s S corporation status and for personal use.
Airplane Lease
GSH is a party to an Aircraft Lease Agreement, dated as of September 3, 2020, with FF Air, LLC, an entity that is 50% owned by an entity wholly owned by Mr. Nieri, pursuant to which GSH leases the use of an airplane at a rate of $1,800 per flight hour. GSH paid approximately $100,660 and $49,211 under this Aircraft Lease Agreement during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Civil Engineering Services
GSH has contracted with Civil Engineering of Columbia, LLC (“CEC”) for the provision of civil engineering and surveying services. CEC is indirectly 55% owned by Pennington Nieri, who is Mr. Nieri’s son, the co-Executive Vice President – Construction Services of UHG, and the beneficial owner of 36.5% of the Class A Common Shares. GSH paid CEC approximately $710,897 and $733,346 during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for the provision of such services.
Developed Lot Purchase Agreements
Prior to the Closing, GSH entered into lot purchase agreements (collectively, the “Lot Purchase Agreements”) with the Land Development Affiliates which are owned, directly or indirectly, by Mr. Nieri and/or the Nieri Trusts. In addition, Mr. Nieri has a 49% ownership interest in Pennington Communities, LLC, an entity formed for the purpose of being the sole manager of each of the Land Development Affiliates. The Lot Purchase Agreements provide for the purchase by GSH of lots that are owned and developed by the Land Development Affiliates at a price equal to fair market value.
Letter Agreement with Mr. O’Grady
Pursuant to a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) dated May 13, 2022 and effective as of September 24, 2021, GSH engaged TS20 Holdings, LLC to assist GSH in connection with a possible transaction with a SPAC. TS20 Holdings, LLC is wholly owned by Tom O’Grady. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, GSH paid a success-based fee to TS20 Holdings, LLC in the amount of eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) upon the Closing. In addition, pursuant to the Letter Agreement, GSH agreed to pay (i) a monthly fee of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to Mr. O’Grady for his service on GSH’s board of directors (the monthly fee paid to all members of the GSH board of directors was subsequently increased to six thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($6,250), and (ii) a monthly amount equal to twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to Mr. O’Grady for his services as GSH’s Chief Administrative Officer.
Two Blue Stallions, LLC
GSH leases the following from Two Blue Stallions, LLC (“TBS”), which is owned by Mr. Nieri’s children and trusts for the benefit of such children, including Pennington Nieri: 90 N. Royal Tower Dr., Irmo, SC, 4420 Oleander Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC, and