Al, I see Mr. Smith's (Kelmer's) position as CEO of SSTP as a requirement of IC Thomasson to agree to joining the companies (USSE and SSTP). It's sort of, "Yes we're on board but we get to put our man in charge."
Stanton did the same sort of thing when he put David Crow on the USSE BOD. It's sort of, "Sure, I'll finance you but I want my man on the board." Normally Stanton would be on the BOD and probably its chairman, but given his and JR's past relationships, discretion won out.
Nothing against either Mr. Smith or Mr. Crow. USSE is a real winner as a result