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SEC Comment Letter for Alon USA Energy, Inc. (CIK 0001325955) — Jun 11, 2005

Alon USA Energy, Inc. (CIK 0001325955)
Date: June 11, 2005 · CIK: 0001325955 · Accession: 0000000000-05-029176

AI Filing Summary & Sentiment

File numbers found in text: 333-124797

Date
June 10, 2005
Author
Not clearly detected
Form
UPLOAD
Company
Alon USA Energy, Inc. (CIK 0001325955)

Letter

June 10, 2005 via U.S. Mail Jeff D. Morris Chief Executive Officer Alon USA Energy, Inc. 7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75251

Re: Alon USA Energy, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 Filed May 11, 2005 File No. 333-124797 Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 File No. 333-124797 Filed June 2, 2005

Dear Mr. Morris:

We have reviewed your filings and have the following comments. Where indicated, we think you should revise your document in response to these comments. If you disagree, we will consider your explanation as to why our comment is inapplicable or a revision is unnecessary. Please be as detailed as necessary in your explanation. In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure. After reviewing this information, we may raise additional comments.

Please understand that the purpose of our review process is to assist you in your compliance with the applicable disclosure requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in your filing. We look forward to working with you in these respects. We welcome any questions you may have about our comments or on any other aspect of our review. Feel free to call us at the telephone numbers listed at the end of this letter.

Form S-1

General

1. Where comments on a section also relate to disclosure in another section, please make parallel changes to all affected disclosure. This will eliminate the need for us to repeat similar comments.

2. Please be advised that we are in the process of reviewing the confidential treatment request submitted on June 2, 2005. The processing of the confidential treatment request will be a precondition to the effectiveness of the registration statement. Counsel identified in the confidential treatment request will receive any communications from the staff under a separate cover letter during the course of our review.

3. We note that you omit information required by Regulation S-K, not all of which is related to information that may be omitted as specified by Rule 430A of Regulation C. For example, information is missing on the cover page, pages 5, 21, 22, 88, 91, 92 and 97. Please revise to fill in such missing information throughout the document.

4. Please provide us with a list of the board of directors and executive officers of Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd.

5. Provide updated disclosure in each amendment. For example, include any new information regarding the proposed listing by the New York Stock Exchange and the proposed stock split.

Cover Page

6. Please provide disclosure regarding the amount of shares being offered and the estimated price range of the shares as required by Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K.

Prospectus Summary, page 1

7. Please revise the disclosure to place less emphasis on the background and activities of your parent company. For example, remove the references to your parent company`s ownership of exclusive franchise rights for the Pizza Hut and KFC brands in Israel as it does not appear to be relevant to an understanding of your company`s business or general background. Also, on page 3, under the heading "Competitive Strengths-Experienced Leadership", you make reference to your parent company`s level of growth and its "proven track record." Please revise so that you explain how the experience and track record of your parent company is a competitive strength to your company or remove such disclosure.

8. In describing the acquisition of assets from Atofina Petrochemicals, Inc., here and in the business section, please revise the disclosure to define the "mid-stream assets" and "downstream assets" acquired.

9. Given the complexity of the organizational structure of the company and affiliated companies and in light of the fact that the company is organized as a holding company, please include disclosure in this section and in more detail in the business section that delineates the background and operations of any subsidiary that is material to an understanding of your business taken as a whole. For example, explain the background and importance of Alon Assets Inc., Alon USA Operating Inc., Alon USA Capital Inc. and Southwest Convenience Stores, LLC.

10. Rather than stating that your refinery has a Nelson complexity rating of 10.2, provide an explanation of the relevance and significance of the score. Further, when was such rating achieved and how often are refineries rated? Please revise your disclosure accordingly.

11. Provide us with objective support for statements you make throughout your disclosure. For example, you state:

* "Our parent company is the largest services and trade company in Israel;" * "Our Big spring refinery has a Nelson complexity rating of 10.2;" * "Our Big Spring refinery ranks in the second quartile of all refineries in the United States in terms of net cash margin per barrel;" and, * "For the year ended December 31, 2004, our retail margins were approximately...5% above the national average."

12. Please advise us of the reason for the anticipated stock- split. We may have further comments.

13. Where you disclose EBITDA, please refer the reader to your non- GAAP reconciliation of EBITDA under footnote (c) on page 7.

Risk Factors, page 11

Risks Relating to our Business and Our Industry, page 11

14. As noted on page 49, please provide a risk factor that delineates the risk the company faces with respect to its access to its credit facilities in the event of specified events of default. For example, specify the risk should Mr. Wiessman cease to be chairman and Mr. Morris cease to be involved in the management and operations of the company and an acceptable successor is not appointed within 180 days.

15. Please disclose, if material, the risks associated with the regulation of pipelines owned by the company by regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Transportation. In this regard, we note disclosure on page 69 that indicates the impact and risks associated with new regulations promulgated by the state of Texas and the Department of Transportation.

"The prices of crude oil, feedstocks and refined products...," page

16. Please tailor the discussion in this risk factor to include a specific discussion of the risk associated with the fact that you hold substantial quantities of crude oil and refined product inventories. As disclosed on page 32, provide a specific example of how you were negatively impacted due to changes in the value of inventories held.

"We may incur significant costs and liabilities with respect to environmental lawsuits...," page 13

17. Please specify the dollar amount expended or estimated to be spent in connection with environmental lawsuits, proceedings and the investigation and remediation of existing and future environmental conditions.

"Our insurance policies do not cover all losses...," page 14

18. Provide us with a schedule that shows the insurance coverage you currently have. Also, please file your insurance policies as exhibits to the registration statement. We may have further comments.

"A substantial portion of our refining workforce is unionized...," page 15

19. Advise us of any recent labor disputes involving the company and its unionized employees. Moreover, describe to us whether you anticipate any significant difficulties in the renegotiation of the collective bargaining agreement that is set to expire in March 2006. We may have further comments.

Use of Proceeds, page 21

20. We note you intend to pay an aggregate dividend to your stockholders of record immediately prior to this offering. Since this planned distribution to owners is not reflected in the latest balance sheet, please present a pro forma balance reflecting the distribution accrual (but not giving effect to the offering proceeds) along side the historical balance sheet in the filing, as contemplated by SAB Topic 1B.3. In addition, since this distribution is to be paid out of proceeds of the offering rather than from the current year`s earnings, present pro forma per share data (for the latest year and interim period only) giving effect to the number of shares whose proceeds would be necessary to pay the dividend (but only the amount that exceeds current year`s earnings) in addition to historical earnings per share.

Dividend Policy, page 21

21. You indicate your intention to pay dividends immediately prior to the offering. However, you also reference the limitations imposed by your senior credit facility with respect to your ability to pay dividends. Please revise your disclosure and elaborate so that you clarify under what circumstances a dividend payment will occur.

Capitalization, page 22

22. Please remove the Cash and cash equivalents line item in your capitalization table.

Management`s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, page 30

23. Throughout this section, you utilize a significant amount of technical terms or jargon. Although terms such as "crack spread", `sweet/sour spread" are defined in the appendix, the disclosure would be improved if you minimized the usage of such terms. Instead, define the terms in a concise and simple manner to facilitate a reader`s understanding of your disclosure. Please revise your disclosure accordingly.

History, page 30

24. It appears that certain of your directors and officers have indirect interests in, or are affiliated with, the minority investors with which you completed the minority interest acquisition transaction. Please clarify the disclosure here and in the section entitled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," so that you elaborate and clarify, as applicable, the dollar amount received by each director or officer or any company affiliated with such director or officer as a consequence of the minority acquisition interest transaction. We may have further comments.

Market Trends, page 32

25. You state that a "[h]igh demand for refined products and a strengthening economy resulted in increased crack spreads in 2004 compared to 2003." As noted in a prior comment, avoid the usage of technical jargon and restate so that you provide meaningful insight into market trends affecting your company.

26. Please provide information regarding the business done by your subsidiaries as required by Item 101(c) of Regulation S-K. As noted in our prior comment, the disclosure provided should reference information that is material to an understanding of your business taken as a whole.

27. Please confirm whether or not your refining and marketing segment is dependent upon any one customer or a few customers, the loss of which would be material to your operations. See Item 101(c)(vii).

Results of Operations

28. Disclose the effect that changes in prices as opposed to changes in volume have had on your revenues from one period to the next. Please provide this information by segment. Refer to Item 303(a)(3)(iii) of Regulation S-K.

Liquidity and Capital Resources, page 46

Revolving Credit Facility, page 49

29. A significant amount of your operations is funded through your reliance on debt. Revise the disclosure in this section so that you provide an accurate summary of all the material covenants of your debt agreements. For example, rather than stating that your debt agreements contain provisions that you believe are "customary for financings of this kind," delineate the material terms of each debt agreement to facilitate an investor`s understanding of the terms with which you must comply.

30. Please ensure that you provide an accurate and complete summary of the material terms of the agreements filed as exhibits. In this regard, we note the summary of terms of the Revolving Credit Facility provided on page 49 is inconsistent with the terms in the agreement itself with respect to the percentage of ownership Alon Israel must retain in order for there not to be deemed a change in control. We refer you to the definition of "Change of Control" in exhibit 10.19. Please advise or revise your description accordingly.

Business, page 57

Branded Transportation Fuel Marketing, page 61

31. Please explain to us the basis of your belief that "transitioning to [y]our own brand would [not] materially affect [y]our business or operations." We may have further comments.

32. Please correct the inconsistency in the disclosure on pages 65 and 69 relating to the amount of damages HEP must first incur before you would be required under the environmental indemnity, to indemnify HEP. Further, please provide us with a copy of the executed version of the agreement referenced in section 2.2 (e) of the Contribution Agreement.

Management, page 72

33. Please inform us of whether any of your directors and officers are non-US residents. We may have further comments.

Executive Compensation, page 76

34. The employment agreements filed as exhibits to the registration statement contain different base salary amounts than the salary disclosed in the prospectus for Messrs. Morris, Concienne, Dean and Hart. Please explain this discrepancy and revise the disclosure in the compensation table and elsewhere in the prospectus, accordingly.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, page

35. You state on page 80 that Mr. Wiessman`s compensation is "determined by Alon Israel." Given that Mr. Wiessman is also the Chief Executive Officer, President and director of Alon Israel, please explain to us in detail, the procedures in place regarding how Alon Israel makes decisions regarding the compensation awarded to Mr. Wiessman.

Principal Stockholders, page 81

36. Provide the information required by Item 403 of Regulation S- K.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, page 84

37. There is a significant amount of disclosure in the document regarding various direct and indirect relationships between the company and its directors, officers and their affiliates. This information, however, is not presented in a manner that facilitates an investor`s complete understanding of the extent of the related party transactions and relationships. For example, rather than include material disclosure regarding Mr. Wiessman`s compensation arrangements and intended compensation arrangements in a footnote reference to the table on page 82, move such disclosure to the main text of the disclosure. Specify what the "maintenance and utility costs" of $17,524 were, delineate the new compensation arrangements that, subject to board approval, will be provided to Mr. Wiessman, and indicate what the terms of the termination of such compensation arrangements prior to December 31, 2009, would be. Further, indicate the related party transactions that involve Mr. Wiessman due to his ownership in or control of affiliated companies, including the parent company in the main text of the disclosure.

38. Please specify in your disclosure, the amount Mr. Wiessman will be reimbursed for "maintenance and utility costs" under the terms of the anticipated agreement. Has the company paid any such costs to Mr. Wiessman to date? If so, please disclose all such amounts paid to date. Finally, include a complete description of all items that comprise such costs. We may have further comments.

39. Please clarify the nature of the relationships between entities doing businesses with the company that are partially, wholly, directly or indirectly owned by the directors and officers of the company. In this regard, we note disclosure on page 86 regarding Mr. Morris` transactions, through SCS Beverage Inc., with the company. Please advise us of the relationship between Southwest Convenience Stores LLC, SCS Beverage LLC , and Mr. Morris. Also, we note the consulting arrangements between the company and Rosebud Medi

Show Raw Text
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>LETTER
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.txt
<TEXT>
      June 10, 2005

via U.S. Mail
Jeff D. Morris
Chief Executive Officer
Alon USA Energy, Inc.
7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75251

Re:	Alon USA Energy, Inc.
		Registration Statement on Form S-1
      Filed May 11, 2005
      File No. 333-124797
      Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
      Form S-1
      File No. 333-124797
      Filed June 2, 2005

Dear Mr. Morris:

      We have reviewed your filings and have the following
comments.
Where indicated, we think you should revise your document in
response
to these comments.  If you disagree, we will consider your
explanation as to why our comment is inapplicable or a revision is
unnecessary.  Please be as detailed as necessary in your
explanation.
In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with
information so we may better understand your disclosure.  After
reviewing this information, we may raise additional comments.

	Please understand that the purpose of our review process is
to
assist you in your compliance with the applicable disclosure
requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in your filing.
We look forward to working with you in these respects.  We welcome
any questions you may have about our comments or on any other
aspect
of our review.  Feel free to call us at the telephone numbers
listed
at the end of this letter.

Form S-1

General

1. Where comments on a section also relate to disclosure in
another
section, please make parallel changes to all affected disclosure.
This will eliminate the need for us to repeat similar comments.

2. Please be advised that we are in the process of reviewing the
confidential treatment request submitted on June 2, 2005.  The
processing of the confidential treatment request will be a
precondition to the effectiveness of the registration statement.
Counsel identified in the confidential treatment request will
receive
any communications from the staff under a separate cover letter
during the course of our review.

3. We note that you omit information required by Regulation S-K,
not
all of which is related to information that may be omitted as
specified by Rule 430A of Regulation C.  For example, information
is
missing on the cover page, pages 5, 21, 22, 88, 91, 92 and 97.
Please revise to fill in such missing information throughout the
document.

4. Please provide us with a list of the board of directors and
executive officers of Alon Israel Oil Company, Ltd.

5. Provide updated disclosure in each amendment.  For example,
include any new information regarding the proposed listing by the
New
York Stock Exchange and the proposed stock split.

Cover Page

6. Please provide disclosure regarding the amount of shares being
offered and the estimated price range of the shares as required by
Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K.

Prospectus Summary, page 1

7. Please revise the disclosure to place less emphasis on the
background and activities of your parent company.   For example,
remove the references to your parent company`s ownership of
exclusive
franchise rights for the Pizza Hut and KFC brands in Israel as it
does not appear to be relevant to an understanding of your
company`s
business or general background.  Also, on page 3, under the
heading
"Competitive Strengths-Experienced Leadership", you make reference
to
your parent company`s level of growth and its "proven track
record."
Please revise so that you explain how the experience and track
record
of your parent company is a competitive strength to your company
or
remove such disclosure.

8. In describing the acquisition of assets from Atofina
Petrochemicals, Inc., here and in the business section, please
revise
the disclosure to define the "mid-stream assets" and "downstream
assets" acquired.

9. Given the complexity of the organizational structure of the
company and affiliated companies and in light of the fact that the
company is organized as a holding company, please include
disclosure
in this section and in more detail in the business section that
delineates the background and operations of any subsidiary that is
material to an understanding of your business taken as a whole.
For
example, explain the background and importance of Alon Assets
Inc.,
Alon USA Operating Inc., Alon USA Capital Inc. and Southwest
Convenience Stores, LLC.

10. Rather than stating that your refinery has a Nelson complexity
rating of 10.2, provide an explanation of the relevance and
significance of the score.  Further, when was such rating achieved
and how often are refineries rated?  Please revise your disclosure
accordingly.

11. Provide us with objective support for statements you make
throughout your disclosure.  For example, you state:

* "Our parent company is the largest services and trade company in
Israel;"
* "Our Big spring refinery has a Nelson complexity rating of
10.2;"
* "Our Big Spring refinery ranks in the second quartile of all
refineries in the United States in terms of net cash margin per
barrel;" and,
* "For the year ended December 31, 2004, our retail margins were
approximately...5% above the national average."

12. Please advise us of the reason for the anticipated stock-
split.
We may have further comments.

13. Where you disclose EBITDA, please refer the reader to your
non-
GAAP reconciliation of EBITDA under footnote (c) on page 7.

Risk Factors, page 11

Risks Relating to our Business and Our Industry, page 11

14. As noted on page 49, please provide a risk factor that
delineates
the risk the company faces with respect to its access to its
credit
facilities in the event of specified events of default.  For
example,
specify the risk should Mr. Wiessman cease to be chairman and Mr.
Morris cease to be involved in the management and operations of
the
company and an acceptable successor is not appointed within 180
days.

15. Please disclose, if material, the risks associated with the
regulation of pipelines owned by the company by regulatory
agencies,
such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the
Department
of Transportation.  In this regard, we note disclosure on page 69
that indicates the impact and risks associated with new
regulations
promulgated by the state of Texas and the Department of
Transportation.

"The prices of crude oil, feedstocks and refined products...,"
page
11

16. Please tailor the discussion in this risk factor to include a
specific discussion of the risk associated with the fact that you
hold substantial quantities of crude oil and refined product
inventories.  As disclosed on page 32, provide a specific example
of
how you were negatively impacted due to changes in the value of
inventories held.

"We may incur significant costs and liabilities with respect to
environmental lawsuits...," page 13

17. Please specify the dollar amount expended or estimated to be
spent in connection with environmental lawsuits, proceedings and
the
investigation and remediation of existing and future environmental
conditions.

"Our insurance policies do not cover all losses...," page 14

18. Provide us with a schedule that shows the insurance coverage
you
currently have.  Also, please file your insurance policies as
exhibits to the registration statement.  We may have further
comments.

"A substantial portion of our refining workforce is unionized...,"
page 15

19. Advise us of any recent labor disputes involving the company
and
its unionized employees.  Moreover, describe to us whether you
anticipate any significant difficulties in the renegotiation of
the
collective bargaining agreement that is set to expire in March
2006.
We may have further comments.

Use of Proceeds, page 21

20. We note you intend to pay an aggregate dividend to your
stockholders of record immediately prior to this offering.  Since
this planned distribution to owners is not reflected in the latest
balance sheet, please present a pro forma balance reflecting the
distribution accrual (but not giving effect to the offering
proceeds)
along side the historical balance sheet in the filing, as
contemplated by SAB Topic 1B.3.  In addition, since this
distribution
is to be paid out of proceeds of the offering rather than from the
current year`s earnings, present pro forma per share data (for the
latest year and interim period only) giving effect to the number
of
shares whose proceeds would be necessary to pay the dividend (but
only the amount that exceeds current year`s earnings) in addition
to
historical earnings per share.

Dividend Policy, page 21

21. You indicate your intention to pay dividends immediately prior
to
the offering.  However, you also reference the limitations imposed
by
your senior credit facility with respect to your ability to pay
dividends.  Please revise your disclosure and elaborate so that
you
clarify under what circumstances a dividend payment will occur.

Capitalization, page 22

22. Please remove the Cash and cash equivalents line item in your
capitalization table.

Management`s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations, page 30

23. Throughout this section, you utilize a significant amount of
technical terms or jargon.  Although terms such as "crack spread",
`sweet/sour spread" are defined in the appendix, the disclosure
would
be improved if you minimized the usage of such terms.  Instead,
define the terms in a concise and simple manner to facilitate a
reader`s understanding of your disclosure.  Please revise your
disclosure accordingly.

History, page 30

24. It appears that certain of your directors and officers have
indirect interests in, or are affiliated with, the minority
investors
with which you completed the minority interest acquisition
transaction.  Please clarify the disclosure here and in the
section
entitled "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," so that
you elaborate and clarify, as applicable, the dollar amount
received
by each director or officer or any company affiliated with such
director or officer as a consequence of the minority acquisition
interest transaction.   We may have further comments.

Market Trends, page 32

25. You state that a "[h]igh demand for refined products and a
strengthening economy resulted in increased crack spreads in 2004
compared to 2003."  As noted in a prior comment, avoid the usage
of
technical jargon and restate so that you provide meaningful
insight
into market trends affecting your company.

26. Please provide information regarding the business done by your
subsidiaries as required by Item 101(c) of Regulation S-K.  As
noted
in our prior comment, the disclosure provided should reference
information that is material to an understanding of your business
taken as a whole.

27. Please confirm whether or not your refining and marketing
segment
is dependent upon any one customer or a few customers, the loss of
which would be material to your operations.  See Item 101(c)(vii).

Results of Operations

28. Disclose the effect that changes in prices as opposed to
changes
in volume have had on your revenues from one period to the next.
Please provide this information by segment.  Refer to Item
303(a)(3)(iii) of Regulation S-K.

Liquidity and Capital Resources, page 46

Revolving Credit Facility, page 49

29. A significant amount of your operations is funded through your
reliance on debt.  Revise the disclosure in this section so that
you
provide an accurate summary of all the material covenants of your
debt agreements.  For example, rather than stating that your debt
agreements contain provisions that you believe are "customary for
financings of this kind," delineate the material terms of each
debt
agreement to facilitate an investor`s understanding of the terms
with
which you must comply.

30. Please ensure that you provide an accurate and complete
summary
of the material terms of the agreements filed as exhibits.  In
this
regard, we note the summary of terms of the Revolving Credit
Facility
provided on page 49 is inconsistent with the terms in the
agreement
itself with respect to the percentage of ownership Alon Israel
must
retain in order for there not to be deemed a change in control.
We
refer you to the definition of "Change of Control" in exhibit
10.19.
Please advise or revise your description accordingly.

Business, page 57

Branded Transportation Fuel Marketing, page 61

31. Please explain to us the basis of your belief that
"transitioning
to [y]our own brand would [not] materially affect [y]our business
or
operations."  We may have further comments.

32. Please correct the inconsistency in the disclosure on pages 65
and 69 relating to the amount of damages HEP must first incur
before
you would be required under the environmental indemnity, to
indemnify
HEP.  Further, please provide us with a copy of the executed
version
of the agreement referenced in section 2.2 (e) of the Contribution
Agreement.

Management, page 72

33. Please inform us of whether any of your directors and officers
are non-US residents.  We may have further comments.

Executive Compensation, page 76

34. The employment agreements filed as exhibits to the
registration
statement contain different base salary amounts than the salary
disclosed in the prospectus for Messrs. Morris, Concienne, Dean
and
Hart.  Please explain this discrepancy and revise the disclosure
in
the compensation table and elsewhere in the prospectus,
accordingly.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation, page
80

35. You state on page 80 that Mr. Wiessman`s compensation  is
"determined by Alon Israel."  Given that Mr. Wiessman is also the
Chief Executive Officer, President and director of Alon Israel,
please explain to us in detail, the procedures in place regarding
how
Alon Israel makes decisions regarding the compensation awarded to
Mr.
Wiessman.

Principal Stockholders, page 81

36. Provide the information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-
K.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, page 84

37. There is a significant amount of disclosure in the document
regarding various direct and indirect relationships between the
company and its directors, officers and their affiliates.  This
information, however, is not presented in a manner that
facilitates
an investor`s complete understanding of the extent of the related
party transactions and relationships.  For example, rather than
include material disclosure regarding Mr. Wiessman`s compensation
arrangements and intended compensation arrangements in a footnote
reference to the table on page 82,  move such disclosure to the
main
text of the disclosure.  Specify what the "maintenance and utility
costs" of $17,524 were, delineate the new compensation
arrangements
that, subject to board approval, will be provided to Mr. Wiessman,
and indicate what the terms of the termination of such
compensation
arrangements prior to December 31, 2009, would be.  Further,
indicate
the related party transactions that involve Mr. Wiessman due to
his
ownership in or control of affiliated companies, including the
parent
company in the main text of the disclosure.

38. Please specify in your disclosure, the amount Mr. Wiessman
will
be reimbursed for "maintenance and utility costs" under the terms
of
the anticipated agreement.  Has the company paid any such costs to
Mr. Wiessman to date?  If so, please disclose all such amounts
paid
to date.  Finally, include a complete description of all items
that
comprise such costs.  We may have further comments.

39. Please clarify the nature of the relationships between
entities
doing businesses with the company that are partially, wholly,
directly or indirectly owned by the directors and officers of the
company. In this regard, we note disclosure on page 86 regarding
Mr.
Morris` transactions, through SCS Beverage Inc., with the company.
Please advise us of the relationship between Southwest Convenience
Stores LLC,  SCS Beverage LLC , and Mr. Morris.  Also, we note the
consulting arrangements between the company and Rosebud Medi