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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement. |
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CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2)). |
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Definitive Proxy Statement. |
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Definitive Additional Materials. |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 140.14A-1l(c) or
Section 240.14a-12. |
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 20, 2006
Transcontinental
Realty Investors, Inc. will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
Monday. November 20, 2006, at 10:00 a.m.. local Dallas,
Texas time, at 1800 Valley View Lane,
Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75234. The purpose of the meeting is to:
Elect a Board of five directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and until their successors are duly-elected and qualified.
Ratify
the appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff. P.C. as the independent
registered public accounting firm.
Act upon such other matters as may properly be presented at the Annual
Meeting.
Only
Stockholders of record at the close of business on October 13, 2006, will be entitled to
vote at the meeting.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please complete, sign,
date and return the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope provided. Your completed proxy
will not prevent you from attending the meeting and voting in person should you choose.
Dated: October 17, 2006.
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By order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ Louis J. Corna |
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Louis J. Corna |
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Executive Vice President, General Counsel, |
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Tax Counsel and Secretary |
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TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 20, 2006
The Board of Directors of Transcontinental Realty Investors. Inc. (the Company or
we or us) is soliciting proxies to be used at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
Annual Meeting), Distribution of this Proxy Statement and a Proxy Form is scheduled to begin on
October 17, 2006. The mailing address of the Companys principal executive offices is 1800 Valley
View Lane., Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75234.
About the Meeting
Who Can Vote
Record holders of Common Stock of the Company at the close of business on Friday,
October 13, 2006 (the Record Date) may vote at the
Annual Meeting. On that date, 7,900,869
shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Each share is entitled to cast one vote.
How Can You Vote
If you return your signed proxy before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you
direct. You can specify whether your shares should be voted for all, some or none of the nominees
for director. You can also specify whether you approve, disapprove or abstain from the other
proposal to ratify the selection of auditors.
If a proxy is executed and returned but no instructions are given, the shares will be voted
according to the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors recommends a
vote FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
Revocation of Proxies
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (a) delivering a
written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary, (b) delivering another proxy that is dated
later than the original proxy, or (c) casting your vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Your last
vote will be the vote that is counted.
Vote Required
The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are either present in
person or represented by a proxy at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at the Annual Meeting. As of October 13, 2006. there
were 7,900,869 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast
at least 3,950,435 votes constitutes a quorum for adopting the proposals at the Annual Meeting. If
you have properly
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signed and returned your proxy card by mail, you will be considered part of the quorum, and the
persons named on the proxy card will vote your shares as you have instructed. If the broker
holding your shares in street name indicates to us on a proxy card that the broker lacks
discretionary authority to vote your shares, we will not consider your shares as present or
entitled to vote for any purpose.
A plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors. This means that the
director nominee with the most votes for a particular slot is elected to that slot. A proxy that
has properly withheld authority with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be
voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for
purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.
For the other proposal, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
represented in person or by proxy entitled to vote on the proposal will be required for approval.
An abstention with respect to such proposal will not be voted, although it will be counted for
purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect
of a negative vote.
As
of the Record Date, affiliates held 6,491,375 shares representing approximately 82% of the
shares outstanding. These affiliates have advised the Company that they currently intend to vote
all of their shares in favor of the approval of both proposals.
If you received multiple proxy cards, this indicates that your shares are held in more than
one account, such as two brokerage accounts, and are registered in different names. You should
vote each of the proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.
Other Matters to be Acted Upon at the Annual Meeting
We do not know of any other matters to be validly presented or acted upon at the Annual
Meeting. Under our Bylaws, no business besides that stated in the Annual Meeting Notice may be
transacted at any meeting of stockholders. If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting
on which a vote may be properly taken, the shares represented by proxies will be voted in
accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting those shares.
Expenses of Solicitation
The Company is making this solicitation and will pay the entire cost of preparing,
assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. Some of
our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally, without any additional
compensation, by telephone or mail. Proxy materials will also be furnished without cost to brokers
and other nominees to forward to the beneficial owners of shares held in their names.
Available Information
Our internet website address is www.transconrealty-invest.com. We make available free
of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Current Reports on Form 8-K, reports filed pursuant to Section 16 and amendments to those reports
as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the
Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, we have posted the Charters of our Audit
Committee, Compensation Committee, and our Governance and Nominating Committee, as well as our Code
of
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Business Conduct and Ethics. Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Corporate Governance
Guidelines and Director Independence Standards, all under separate headings. These charters and
principles are not incorporated in this instrument by reference. We will also provide a copy of
these documents free of charge to stockholders upon written request. The Company issues Annual
Reports containing audited financial statements to its common stockholders.
Questions
You may call our Investor Relations Department at 800-400-6407 if you have any questions.
PLEASE VOTE YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
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Corporate Governance and Board Matters
The affairs of the Company are managed by the Board of Directors. The Directors are elected
at the annual meeting of stockholders each year or appointed by the incumbent Board of Directors
and serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until a successor has been elected or
approved.
After December 31, 2003, a number of changes occurred in the composition of the Board of
Directors of the Company, the creation of certain Board Committees, the adoption of Committee
charters, the adoption of a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and the adoption of
Guidelines for Director Independence. Also, the composition of the members of the Board of
Directors changed with the resignation of Earl D. Cecil
(February 29, 2004), the cessation of
Martin L. White as a director (November 22, 2005), as well as the election of independent
Directors, Sharon Hunt and Ted R. Munselle on February 20, 2004, and Robert A. Jakuszewski on
November 22, 2005.
Current members of the Board
The members of the Board of Directors (all of whom were elected by the stockholders at the
last Annual Meeting held on November 22, 2005) on the date of this proxy statement, and the
committees of the Board on which they serve, are identified below:
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Governance |
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Audit |
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Nominating |
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Henry A. Butler |
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Ted R. Munselle |
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Chair |
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Sharon Hunt |
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Chair |
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Robert A. Jakuszewski |
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Chair |
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Ted P. Stokley |
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Role of the Boards Committees
The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Compensation and Governance and Nominating
Committees.
Audit Committee. The functions of the Audit Committee are described below under the heading
Report of the Audit Committee. The charter of the
Audit Committee was adopted on February 19, 2004, and is available on the Companys Investor Relations website (www.
transconrealtv-invest.com).The Board selected the current members of the Audit Committee for
the coming year on December 15, 2005, as shown above. All of the members of the Audit Committee are
independent within the meaning of SEC regulations, the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange and the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines. Mr. Munselle, a member and Chair of the
Committee, is qualified as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC
regulations and the Board has determined that he has accounting and related financial management
expertise within the meaning of
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the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. All of the members of the Audit Committee
meet the independence and experience requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange. The Audit Committee met ten times during 2005.
Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible
for developing and implementing policies and practices relating to corporate governance, including
reviewing and monitoring implementation of the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines. In
addition, the Committee develops and reviews background information on candidates for the Board
and makes recommendations to the Board regarding such candidates. The Committee also prepares and
supervises the Boards annual review of director independence and the Boards performance
self-evaluation. The charter of the Governance and Nominating Committee was adopted on March 17,
2004 and is available on the Companys Investor Relations website
(www.transconrealty-invest.com). The Board selected the current members of the Governance and
Nominating Committee for the coming year on December 15, 2005, as shown above. All of the members
of the Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange and the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Governance and Nominating
Committee met one time during 2005.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the policies
of the Company relating to compensation to be paid by the Company to the Companys principal
executive officer and any other officers designated by the Board and make recommendations to the
Board with respect to such policies, produce necessary reports on executive compensation for
inclusion in the Companys proxy statement in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and
to monitor the development and implementation of succession plans for the principal executive
officer and other key executives and make recommendations to the Board with respect to such plans.
The charter of the Compensation Committee was adopted on March 17, 2004, and is available on the
Companys Investor Relations website (www.transconrealtv-invest.com). The Board selected
the current members of the Compensation Committee for the coming year on December 15. 2005, as
shown above. All of the members of the Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing
standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines. The
Compensation Committee is to be comprised of at least two directors who are independent of
management and the Company. The Compensation Committee met one time during 2005.
Presiding Director
In June 17, 2004, the Board created a new position of presiding director, whose primary
responsibility is to preside over periodic executive sessions of the Board in which management
directors and other members of management do not participate. The presiding director also advises
the Chairman of the Board and as appropriate, Committee chairs with respect to agendas and
information needs relating to Board and Committee meetings, provides advice with respect to the
selection of Committee chairs and performs other duties that the Board may from time to time
delegate to assist the Board in the fulfillment of its responsibilities.
Former Director Martin L. White served in such position from June 17, 2004 to November 22,
2005. In December 2005, the non-management members of the Board designated Ted R. Munselle to serve
in this position until the Companys 2006 annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
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Selection of Nominees for the Board
The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider candidates for Board membership
suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and stockholders. The
Committee may also retain a third-party executive search firm to identify candidates upon request
of the Committee from time to time. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee
for the Board should notify the Companys Corporate Secretary or any member of the Governance and
Nominating Committee in writing with whatever supporting material the stockholder considers
appropriate. The Governance and Nominating Committee will also consider whether to nominate any
person nominated by a stockholder pursuant to the provisions of the Companys bylaws relating to
stockholder nominations.
Once the Governance and Nominating Committee has identified a prospective nominee, the
Committee will make an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the
candidate. This initial determination will be based on whatever information is provided to the
Committee with the recommendation of the prospective candidate, as well as the Committees own
knowledge of the prospective candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making
the recommendation or others. The preliminary determination will be based primarily on the need for
additional Board members to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that
the prospective nominee can satisfy the evaluation factors described below. If the Committee
determines, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and other Board members as appropriate,
that additional consideration is warranted, it may request the third-party search firm to gather
additional information about the prospective nominees background and experience and to report its
findings to the Committee. The Committee will then evaluate the prospective nominee against the
standards and qualifications set out in the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines, including:
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the ability of the prospective nominee to represent the interests of the
stockholders of the Company; |
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the prospective nominees standards of integrity, commitment and
independence of thought and judgment; |
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the prospective nominees ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy, and
attention to the diligent performance of his or her duties, including the
prospective nominees service on other public company boards, as
specifically set out in the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
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the extent to which the prospective nominee contributes to the range of
talent, skill and expertise appropriate for the Board; |
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the extent to which the prospective nominee helps the Board reflect the
diversity of the Companys stockholders, employees, customers, guests and
communities: and |
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the willingness of the prospective nominee to meet any minimum equity
interest holding guideline. |
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The Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the
current composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the need
for Audit Committee expertise and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. In connection
with this evaluation, the Committee determines whether to interview the prospective nominee, and
if warranted, one or more members of the Committee, and others as appropriate, interview
prospective nominees in person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and interview,
the Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated
by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and
report of the Committee.
The Bylaws of the Company provide that any stockholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
in the election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election as directors
at a meeting only if written notice of such stockholders intention to make such nomination has
been delivered personally to, or has been mailed to and received by the Secretary at the principal
office of the Company not later than 35 nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting. If a
stockholder has a suggestion for candidates for election, the stockholder should follow this
procedure. Each notice from a stockholder must set forth (i) the name and address of the
stockholder who intends to make the nomination and the name of the person to be nominated, (ii)
the class and number of shares of stock held of record, owned beneficially and represented by
proxy by such stockholder as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date of such notice,
(iii) a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting
to nominate the person specified in the notice, (iv) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between such stockholder and each nominee and any other person (naming those
persons) pursuant to which the nomination is to be made by such stockholder, (v) such other
information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be
included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules, and (vi) the consent of each
nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected. The chairman of the Annual Meeting
may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with this procedure.
Determinations of Director Independence
In
February 2004, the Board enhanced its Corporate Governance Guidelines. The
Guidelines adopted by the Board meet or exceed the new listing standards adopted by the New York
Stock Exchange. The full text of the Guidelines can be found in the Investor Relations section of
the Companys website (www.transconrealty-invest.com). A copy may also be obtained upon
request from the Companys Corporate Secretary.
Pursuant to the Guidelines, the Board undertook its annual review of director independence in
February 2006. During this review, the Board considered transactions and relationships between each
director or any member of his or her immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, including those reported under Certain Relationships and Related Transactions below.
The Board also examined transactions and relationships between directors or their affiliates and
members of the Companys senior management or their affiliates. As provided in the Guidelines, the
purpose of this review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were
inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent.
As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined directors. Ted R. Munselle,
Robert A. Jakuszewski, and Sharon Hunt are each independent of the Company and its management
under the standards set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
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Board Meetings During Fiscal 2005
The Board met 14 times during fiscal 2005. No incumbent director attended fewer than 75% of
the meetings of the Board, and each director attended all of the meetings of the Committees on
which he or she served. Under the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines, each Director is
expected to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure the diligent performance of
his or her duties, including by attending meetings of the stockholders of the Company, the Board
and Committees of which he or she is a member. In addition, the independent directors met in
executive session four times during fiscal 2005.
Directors Compensation
Each non-employee director receives an annual retainer of $30,000 plus reimbursement for
expenses. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $3,000 per year. Each director
who serves as a member of the Audit Committee receives $250 for each Audit Committee meeting
attended. In addition, each independent director receives an additional fee of $1,000 per day for
any special services rendered by him to the Company outside of his or ordinary duties as a
director plus reimbursement of expenses. The Company also reimburses directors for travel expenses
incurred in connection with attending Board, committee and stockholder meetings and for other
Company-business related expenses. Directors who are also employees of the Company or its Advisor
receive no additional compensation for service as a director.
During
2005, $133,498 was paid to the non-employee directors in total directors fees for all
services, including the annual fee for service during the period from January 1, 2005 through
December 31, 2005, and special service fees. Those fees received by directors were Martin L. White
($35,698), who did not stand for re-election on
November 22, 2005, Sharon Hunt ($32,500), Ted
Munselle ($32,500), Ted P. Stokely ($33,250), and Robert A. Jakuszewski, ($0), who was elected as
a director on November 22, 2005.
On October 10, 2000, the stockholders of the Company approved the Directors Stock Option Plan
(the Directors Plan) which provides for the availability of options to purchase shares of Common
Stock. The Directors Plan provides for automatic annual grants of options to directors of the
Company who, at the time of grant of an option are not, and have not been for at least one year,
either an employee or officer of the Company or any of its affiliates. Options granted pursuant to
the Directors Plan are immediately exercisable and expire on the earlier of the first anniversary
of the date on which a director ceases to be a director or ten years from the date of grant. Each
non-employee director was granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares on January 1 of each year. The
exercise price of shares issued pursuant to each option was to be 100% of the fair market value of
the shares on the date of grant of each option. At December 31,
2005, under the Directors Plan,
options covering 40,000 shares were outstanding, of which options covering 10,000 shares are
exercisable at $ 17,64 per share, options covering 10,000 shares are
exercisable at $16,73 per
share and options covering 20,000 shares are exercisable at $14,25 per share. The Directors Plan
was terminated by the Board of Directors on December 15, 2005.
On
October 20, 2000, stockholders of the Company approved the 2000 Stock Option Plan (the
Option Plan) which provides for options to purchase up to 300,000 shares of Common Stock. The
Option Plan is intended principally as an incentive for and as a means of encouraging ownership of
the Companys Common Stock by eligible persons, including directors and officers of the Company.
Options may be granted either as an incentive stock option (which qualifies for certain favorable
tax
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treatment)
or as a non-qualified stock option. Incentive stock options cannot be granted to,
among others, persons who are not employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the
Company, or to persons who fail to satisfy certain criteria concerning ownership of less than 10%
of the shares of Common Stock of the Company. The Option Plan was administered by the Stock Option
Committee, which consisted of three independent directors of the
Company, Messrs, Munselle and
White and Ms. Hunt. The exercise price per share of an option is not be less than 100% of the fair
market value per share on the date of grant. The Company receives no consideration for the grant
of an option. At December 31, 2005, no options covering any shares were outstanding under the
Option Plan. The Option Plan was terminated by the Board of Directors
on December 15, 2005. No
options were granted under the Option Plan in 2005. None of the
executive officers (Messrs, Abney
or Corna) nor any of the directors of the Company hold any options under the Option Plan.
Stockholders Communication with the Board
Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the presiding
director or with the non-Management directors as a group may do so by
writing to Ted R. Munselle,
Director, Post Office Box 830163, Richardson, Texas 75083-0163. Effective March 22, 2004, the
Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board also approved a process for handling letters
received by the Company and addressed to members of the Board but received at the Company. Under
that process, the Corporate Secretary of the Company reviews all such correspondence and regularly
forwards to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that,
in the opinion of the Corporate Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board or committees
thereof or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review
a log of all correspondence received by the Company that is addressed to members of the Board and
received by the Company and request copies of any such correspondence. Concerns relating to
accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the
Chairman of the Audit Committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit
Committee with respect to such matters.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all
directors, officers and employees (including those of the Contractual Advisor). In addition, the
Company has adopted a code of ethics entitled Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that
applies to the principal executive officer, president, principal financial officer, chief financial
officer, the principal accounting officer and controller. The text of both documents is available
on the Companys Investor Relations website (www. transconrealty-invest.com). The
Company intends to post amendments to or waivers from its Code of Ethics for Senior Financial
Officers (to the extent applicable to the Companys principal executive officer, principal
financial officer or principal accounting officer) at this location on its website.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of Reporting Requirements
Section 16(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys
directors, executive officers and any persons holding 10% or more of the Companys shares of
Common Stock to report their ownership of the Companys shares of Common Stock and any changes in
that ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on specified report
forms. Specific due dates for these reports have been established, and the Company is required to
report any failure to file by these dates during each fiscal year. All of these filing
requirements were satisfied by the
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Companys directors and executive officers and holders of more than 10% of the Companys
Common Stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. In making these statements, the
Company has relied upon the written representations of its directors and executive officers and
the holders of 10% or more of the Companys Common Stock and copies of the reports that each has
filed with the Commission.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth the ownership of the Companys Common Stock, both
beneficially and of record, both individually and in the aggregate, for those persons or entities
known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of its outstanding Common Stock
as of the close of business on October 13, 2006.
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Amount and Nature of |
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Approximate |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership* |
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Percent of Class** |
EQK
Holdings, Inc. |
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5,278,149(a) |
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66.8% |
1800 Valley
View Lane, Suite 300
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Dallas, Texas 75234 |
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American
Realty Trust, Inc. |
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5,278,149(a) |
|
66.8% |
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
|
|
|
|
|
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
|
|
American
Realty Investors, Inc. |
|
6,491,375(a)(b)(c) |
|
82.16% |
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
|
|
|
|
|
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
|
|
Transcontinental Realty Acquisition
Corporation |
|
1,213,226(b) |
|
15.36% |
1800 Valley
View Lane, Suite 300
|
|
|
|
|
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Includes 5,278,149 shares owned by EQK Holdings, Inc. (EQK), over which each of
the directors of EQK, Louis J. Corna and Steven A. Abney may be deemed to be beneficial owners by
virtue of their positions as directors of EQK. The directors of EQK disclaim beneficial ownership
of such shares. EQK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Realty
Trust, Inc. (ART), which in
turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Realty Investors, Inc. (ARI). |
|
(b) |
|
Includes 1,213,226 shares owned by Transcontinental Realty Acquisition Corporation
(TRAC), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARI. |
|
(c) |
|
Each of the directors of ARI, Henry A. Butler. Sharon Hunt,
Robert A. Jakuszewski, Ted R.
Munselle and Ted P. Stokely may be deemed to be the beneficial owners by virtue of their positions
as current directors of ARI. The directors of ARI disclaim such beneficial ownership. |
-10-
Security Ownership of Management
The following table sets forth the ownership of the Companys Common Stock, both
beneficially and of record, both individually and in the aggregate for the directors, nominees for
election as a director, and executive officers of the Company as of the close of business on
October 13, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
Approximate |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficial Ownership* |
|
Percent of Class** |
Steven A. Abney |
|
6,491,375(2) |
|
82.16% |
|
|
|
|
|
Henry A. Butler |
|
6,491,375(2) |
|
82.16% |
|
|
|
|
|
Louis J. Corna |
|
6,491,375(2) |
|
82.16% |
|
|
|
|
|
Sharon Hunt |
|
6,496,375(1)(2) |
|
82.22% |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski |
|
6,491,375(2) |
|
82.16% |
|
|
|
|
|
Ted R. Munselle |
|
6,496,375(1)(2) |
|
82.22% |
|
|
|
|
|
Ted P. Stokley |
|
6,506,375(1)(2) |
|
82.35% |
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive
officers as a group (7 people) |
|
6,516,375(1)(2) |
|
82.47% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Beneficial Ownership means the sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the
voting of, a security or investment power with respect to a security, or any combination thereof. |
|
** |
|
Percentages are based upon 7,900,869 shares of Common Stock outstanding at October 13,
2006. |
|
(1) |
|
Ted P. Stokely has options to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock which are presently
exercisable. Ted R. Munselle and Sharon Hunt each has options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common
Stock which are presently exercisable. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 5,278,149 shares owned by EQK, and 1,213,226 shares owned by TRAC, over which the
executive officers and members of the Board of Directors of ARI may be deemed to be the beneficial
owners by virtue of their positions as executive officers and members of the Board of Directors of
ARI. The executive officers and current members of the Board of Directors of ARI disclaim
beneficial ownership of such shares. |
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Each director elected will hold
office until the 2007 Annual Meeting. All of the nominees for director are now serving as
directors of the Company. Each of the nominees has consented to being named in this proxy
statement as a nominee and has agreed to serve as a director if elected. The persons named on the
proxy card will vote for all
-11-
of the nominees for director listed unless you withhold authority to vote for one or more of the
nominees. The nominees receiving a plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected
as directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be treated as a vote for or against any
particular nominee and will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. Cumulative voting
for the election of directors is not permitted. If any director is unable to stand for
re-election, the Board will designate a substitute. If a substitute nominee is named, the persons
named on the proxy card will vote for the election of the substitute director.
The nominees for directors are listed below, together with their ages, terms of service, all
positions and offices with the Company or the Companys advisor, other principal occupations,
business experience and directorships with other companies during the last five years or more. The
designation affiliated when used below with respect to a director means that the director is an
officer, director or employee of the Company or the advisor.
Henry
A. Butler, 55 (Affiliated)
Broker Land Sales (since July 2003) for Prime Income Asset Management, LLC and (1992 to June
2003) for Basic Capital Management, Inc. (BCM): Director (since December 2001) of the Company
and (since July 2003) of AR1 and Director (December 2001 to
July 1, 2003) of Income Opportunity
Realty Investors, Inc. (IOT).
Sharon
Hunt, 63
Licensed Realtor with Virginia Cook Realtors; President and Owner (until sold in 1997) of
Sharons Pretzels, Inc. (a Texas food products entity); Director (19912000) of a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation (involved in acquisition, renovation and operation of real estate):
Director (since February 2004) of the Company and ARI.
Robert
A. Jakuszewski, 43
Vice President Sales and Marketing (since September 1998) of New Horizons Communications,
Inc.; Consultant (January 1998 September 1998) for
New Horizon Communications, Inc.; Regional
Sales Manager (19961998) of Continental Funding; Territory Manager (19921996) of Sigvaris, Inc.;
Senior Sales Representative (19881992) of Mead Johnson
Nutritional Division, USPNG; Sales
Representative (19861987) of Muro Pharmaceutical, Inc. Mr. Jakuszewski has been a director of IOT
since March 16, 2004, and a director of the Company and ARI since November 22, 2005.
Ted.
R. Munselle, 50
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer (since October 1998) of
Landmark Nurseries, Inc.;
Director (since February 2004) of the Company and ARI; Certified Public Accountant employed in the
accounting industry until 1998 when he entered his current employment.
Ted
P. Stokely, 72 (Affiliated)
General Manager (since January 1995) of ECF Senior Housing Corporation, a non-profit
corporation; General Manager (since January 1993) of Housing Assistance Foundation, Inc., a
non-profit
-12-
corporation: part-time unpaid Consultant (since January 1993) of Eldercare Housing
Foundation, a non-profit corporation; General Manager (since April 2002) of Unified Housing
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit corporation: Director and Chairman of the Board of ARI (since
November 2002): and Director (since April 1990) and Chairman of the Board (since January 1995) of
the Company and IOT.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the election of all of the Nominees named above.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The
Audit Committee has appointed Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company for the 2006 fiscal year and to conduct quarterly reviews
through September 30, 2006. The Companys Bylaws do not require that stockholders ratify the
appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm. Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. has served as the Companys independent public
accounting firm for each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005. The Audit
Committee will consider the outcome of this vote in its decision to appoint an independent
registered public accounting firm next year, however, it is not bound by the stockholders
decision. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its sole discretion, may
change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in
the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.
A
representative of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. will attend the Annual Meeting. The
representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions from the stockholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm.
Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 Audit Firm Fee Summary
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to or for
the Company for the years 2004 and 2005 by Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. and BDO Seidman LLP for 2005
and 2004:
-13-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
Farmer, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Farmer, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fuqua & |
|
|
BDO |
|
|
Fuqua & |
|
|
BDO |
|
Type of Fee |
|
Huff, P.C. |
|
|
Seidman |
|
|
Huff, P.C. |
|
|
Seidman |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
280,971 |
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
86,148 |
|
|
$ |
102,184 |
|
Audit-Related
Fees |
|
|
36,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
34,405 |
|
|
|
12,913 |
|
|
|
9,550 |
|
|
|
50,021 |
|
All Other
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
351,876 |
|
|
$ |
27,913 |
|
|
$ |
95,698 |
|
|
$ |
152,205 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
audit fees for 2005 and 2004, respectively, were for professional services
rendered for the audits and reviews of the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Tax
fees for 2005 and 2004, respectively, were for services related to federal and state compliance
and advice.
All services rendered by the principal auditors are permissible under applicable laws and
regulations and were pre-approved by either the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee, as
required by law. The fees paid the principal auditors for services as described in the above table
fall under the categories listed below:
Audit Fees. These are fees for professional services performed by the principal
auditor for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements and review of
financial statements included in the Companys 10-Q filings and services that are
normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filing or engagements.
Audit-Related Fees. These are fees for assurance and related services
performed by the principal auditor that are reasonably related to the performance
of the audit or review of the Companys financial statements. These services
include attestations by the principal auditor that are not required by statute or
regulation and consulting on financial accounting/reporting standards.
Tax Fees. These are fees for professional services performed by the principal
auditor with respect to tax compliance, tax planning, tax consultation, returns
preparation and review of returns. The review of tax returns includes the Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries.
All Other Fees. These are fees for other permissible work performed by the
principal auditor that do not meet the above category descriptions.
These services are actively monitored (as to both spending level and work content) by the
Audit Committee to maintain the appropriate objectivity and independence in the principal auditors
core work, which is the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements.
-14-
Report of the Audit Committee
Of the Board of Directors
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of three directors, each of
whom satisfies the requirements of independence, experience and financial literacy under the
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and the SEC. The Audit Committee has directed the
preparation of this report and has approved its content and submission to the stockholders.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The
Committees responsibilities are set forth in this charter which is available on our website at
www. transconrealty-invest. com.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general
oversight of the integrity of the Companys financial statements, the adequacy of the Companys
system of internal controls, the Companys risk management, the Companys compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements, the independent auditors qualifications and independence, and the
performance of the Companys independent auditors. The Committee has sole authority over the
selection of the Companys independent auditors and manages the Companys relationship with its
independent auditors. The Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from outside
legal, accounting or other advisors as the Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and
receive appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, from the Company for such advice and
assistance.
The Committee met eight times during 2005. The Committee schedules its meetings with a view
to ensuring that it devotes appropriate attention to all of its tasks. The Committees meetings
include private sessions with the Companys independent auditors without the presence of the
Companys management, as well as executive sessions consisting of only Committee members. The
Committee also meets senior management from time to time.
Management is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process, including its system
of internal control over financial reporting and for the preparation of consolidated financial
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. The Companys independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial
statements in accordance with professional standards and expressing an opinion as to their
material conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
and for auditing managements assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over
financial reporting. The Committees responsibility is to monitor and review the Companys
financial reporting process and discuss managements report on the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. It is not the Committees duty or responsibility to conduct audits or
accounting reviews or procedures. The Committee has relied, without independent verification, on
managements representation that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and
objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America and on the opinion of the independent registered public accountants included in their
report on the Committees financial statements.
As part of its oversight of the Companys financial statements, the Committee reviews and
discusses with both management and the Companys independent registered public accountants all
annual and quarterly financial statements prior to their issuance. During 2005, management advised
the Committee that each set of financial statements reviewed had been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and reviewed significant
-15-
accounting and disclosure issues with the Committee. These reviews include discussions with the
independent accountants of the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards), including the quality (not
merely the acceptability) of the Companys accounting principles, the reasonableness of
significant judgments, the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements and disclosures
related to critical accounting practices. The Committee has also
discussed with Farmer, Fuqua &
Huff, P.C. matters relating to its independence, including a review of audit and non-audit fees,
and written disclosures from Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. to the Company pursuant to Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). The Committee
also considered whether non-audit services, provided by the independent accountants are compatible
with the independent accountants independence. The Company also received regular updates on the
amount of fees and scope of audit, audit-related and tax services provided.
In addition, the Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening the
effectiveness of the Companys internal and disclosure control structure. As part of this process,
the Committee continued to monitor the scope and adequacy of the Companys internal controls,
reviewed staffing levels and steps taken to implement recommended improvements in any internal
procedures and controls.
Based on the Committees discussion with management and the independent accountants and the
Committees review of the representation of management and the report of the independent
accountants to the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors,
and the Board of Directors has approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors have
also selected Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the Companys independent registered public
accountants and auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sharon Hunt
|
|
Ted R. Munselle
|
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski |
Pre-Approval
Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the SO Act), and the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC), the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. The purpose of
the provisions of the SO Act and the SEC rules for the Audit Committee role in retaining the
independent registered public accounting firm is two-fold. First, the authority and responsibility
for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the auditors should be with directors who are
independent of management. Second, any non-audit work performed by the auditors should be reviewed
and approved by these same independent directors to ensure that any non-audit services performed by
the auditor do not impair the independence of the independent auditor. To implement the provisions
of the SO Act, the SEC issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor
may not provide to its audit client, and governing the Audit Committees administration of the
engagement of the independent auditor. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee is
required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in
order to assure that they do not impair the auditors independence. Accordingly, the Audit
Committee has adopted a written pre-
-16-
approval policy of audit and non-audit services (the Policy), which sets forth the procedures
and conditions pursuant to which services to be performed by the independent auditor are to be
pre-approved. Consistent with the SEC rules establishing two different approaches to approving
non-prohibited services, the policy of the Audit Committee covers pre-approval of audit services,
audit-related services, international administration tax services,
non-U.S. income tax compliance
services, pension and benefit plan consulting and compliance services, and U.S. tax compliance and
planning. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Audit Committee will evaluate other known
potential engagements of the independent auditor, including the scope of work proposed to be
performed and the proposed fees, and approve or reject each service, taking into account whether
services are permissible under applicable law and the possible impact of each non-audit service on
the independent auditors independence from management. Typically, in addition to the generally
pre-approved services, other services would include due diligence for an acquisition that may or
may not have been known at the beginning of the year. The Audit Committee has also delegated to
any member of the Audit Committee designated by the Board or the financial expert member of the
Audit Committee responsibilities to pre-approve services to be performed by the independent
auditor not exceeding $25,000 in value or cost per engagement of audit and non-audit services, and
such authority may only be exercised when the Audit Committee is not in session.
Compensation
Committee Report
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of at least two directors
who are independent of management and the Company. Each member of the Compensation Committee must
be determined to be independent by the Board under the Corporate Governance Guidelines on Director
Independence adopted by the Board and under the NYSE standards for non-employee directors and Rule
16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and the requirements for outside directors set forth in Treasury Regulations, Section 27(e)(3).
Each member of the Committee is to be free of any relationship that, in the judgment of the Board,
from time to time may interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment. Each
Committee member is appointed annually subject to removal at any time by the Board and serves until
his or her Committee appointment is terminated by the Board. The Compensation Committee is composed
of three directors, each of whom meets the standards described above.
The purposes of the Compensation Committee is to oversee the policies of the Company relating
to compensation to be paid by the Company to the Companys principal executive officer (CEO) and
any other officers designated by the Board and make recommendations to the Board with respect to
such policies, produce necessary reports and executive compensation for inclusion in the Companys
proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, and monitor the development
and implementation of succession plans for the CEO and other key executives and make
recommendations to the Board with respect to such plans.
The Company has no employees, payroll or benefit plans and pays no compensation to its
executive officers. The executive officers of the Company, who are also officers or employees of
Prime Income Asset Management LLC (Prime), are compensated by Prime. Such executive officers
perform a variety of services for Prime, and the amount of their compensation is determined solely
by Prime. Prime does not allocate the cash compensation of its officers among the various entities
for which it may serve as advisor or sub-advisor.
-17-
The only remuneration paid by the Company is to directors who are not officers or directors
of Prime. These independent directors (i) review the business plan of the Company to determine
that it is in the best interest of the stockholders, (ii) review the advisory contract, (iii)
supervise the performance of the Companys advisor, and review the reasonableness of the
compensation paid to the advisor in terms of the nature and quality of services performed, (iv)
review the reasonableness of the total fees and expenses of the Company, and (v) select, when
necessary, a qualified, independent real estate appraiser to appraise properties acquired. See
Directors Compensation for a description of the compensation paid.
The charter of the Compensation Committee was adopted on March 17, 2004, and the members of
the Compensation Committee, all of whom are independent within the meaning of the listing
standards of the NYSE and the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines, are listed below. Since
its formation on March 17, 2004, the Compensation Committee has annually reviewed its existing
charter and regularly performed the tasks described above relating to the business plan, advisory
contract, reasonableness of compensation paid to the advisor, and the reasonableness of the total
fees and expenses of the Company.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sharon Hunt
|
|
Ted R. Munselle
|
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski |
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Companys Compensation Committee is made up of non-employee directors who have never
served as officers of, or been employed by, the Company. None of the Companys executive officers
serve on a board of directors of any entity that has a director or officer serving on this
Committee.
Executive
Officers
Executive officers of the Company are Steven A. Abney, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer and Louis J. Corna. Executive Vice President General Counsel/Tax Counsel and
Secretary, all of whom are employed by Prime. None of the executive officers receive any direct
remuneration from the Company nor do any hold any options granted by the Company. Their positions
with the Company are not subject to a vote of stockholders. The ages, terms of service and all
positions and offices with the Company, Prime, BCM, other affiliated entities, other principal
occupations, business experience and directorships with other publicly-held companies during the
last five years or more are set forth below.
Steven
A. Abney, 51
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since September 2005) of the Company and
ARI. Mr. Abney was Vice PresidentFinance and Chief Accounting Officer/Principal Financial Officer
(from November 2001 to February 2005) of and was employed (from November 2001 to August 2005) by
CRT Properties, Inc. (f/k/a Koger Equity, Inc.), a Boca Raton, Florida-based real estate enterprise
which had securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange until September 27,2005. For more than
four years prior thereto. Mr. Abney was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
-18-
of Konover and Associates. Inc.. a privately-held real estate developer based in Farmington.
Connecticut. Mr. Abney has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1980.
Louis J. Corna, 58
Executive Vice President-General Counsel/Tax Counsel and Secretary (since February 2004),
Executive Vice President (October 2001 to February 2004), Executive Vice President-Tax and Chief
Financial Officer (June 2001 to October 2001) and Senior Vice President-Tax (December 2000 to June
2001) of the Company, ARI, IOT and BCM: Executive Vice President, General Counsel/Tax Counsel and
Secretary (since February 2004), Executive Vice President-Tax (July 2003 to February 2004) of
Prime and PIAMI; Private Attorney (January 2000 to December 2000); Vice President-Taxes and
Assistant Treasurer (March 1998 to January 2000) of IMC Global, Inc.: Vice President-Taxes (July
1991 to February 1998) of Whitman Corporation.
In addition to the foregoing executive officers, the Company has several vice presidents and
assistant secretaries who are not listed herein.
The Advisor
Although the Board of Directors is directly responsible for managing the affairs of the
Company and for setting the policies which guide it, day-to-day operations are performed by a
contractual advisor under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The duties of the advisor
include, among other things, locating, investigating, evaluating and recommending real estate and
mortgage note investment and sales opportunities, as well as financing and refinancing sources.
The advisor also serves as a consultant to the Board of Directors in connection with the business
plan and investment decisions made by the Board.
Prior
to July 1, 2003, BCM served as the advisor to the Company since March 1989. On July
1, 2003, PIAMI became the advisor to the Company until
October 1, 2003 when it was replaced by
Prime. PIAMI is the sole member of Prime. PIAMI is owned by Syntek
West, Inc. (20%) and Realty
Advisors, LLC (80%). Syntek West, Inc. (SWI) is a Nevada corporation owned by Gene E. Phillips.
Realty Advisors, LLC is a Nevada limmited liability company the sole member of which is Realty
Advisors, Inc. (RAI), a Nevada corporation owned by a Trust for the benefit of the children of
Gene E. Phillips. Mr. Phillips is not an officer or director of Prime, but serves as a
representative of the owners of Prime and is involved in daily consultation with the officers of
Prime and has significant influence over the conduct of Primes business, including the rendering
of advisory services and the making of investment decisions for itself and the Company.
Under
the Advisory Agreement, Prime is required to annually formulate and submit for Board
approval a budget and business plan containing a twelve-month forecast of operations and cash
flow, a general plan for asset sales and purchases, borrowing activity and other investments.
Prime is required to report quarterly to the Board on the Companys performance against the
business plan. In addition, all transactions require prior Board approval, unless they are
explicitly provided for in the approved plan or are made pursuant to authority expressly delegated
to Prime by the Board.
The Advisory Agreement also requires prior approval of the Board for the retention of all
consultants and third party professionals, other than legal counsel. The Advisory Agreement
provides that Prime shall be deemed to be in a fiduciary relationship to the stockholders; contains
a broad
-19-
standard governing Primes liability for losses by the Company: and contains guidelines for
Primes allocation of investment opportunities as among itself, the Company and other entities it
advises.
The Advisory Agreement provides for the advisor to receive monthly base compensation at the
rate of 0.0625% per month (0.75% on an annualized basis) of average gross asset value (total
assets less allowance for amortization, depreciation or depletion and valuation reserves) and an
annual net income fee equal to 7.5% of the Companys net income.
The Advisory Agreement also provides for Prime to receive an annual incentive sales fee equal
to 10% of the amount, if any, by which the aggregate sales consideration for all real estate sold
by the Company during such fiscal year exceeds the sum of: (i) the cost of each such property
originally recorded in the Companys books for tax purposes (without deduction for depreciation,
amortization or reserve for losses), (ii) capital improvements made to such assets during the
period owned, and (iii) all closing costs, (including real estate commissions) incurred in the
sale of such real estate; provided, however, no incentive fee shall be paid unless (a)
such real estate sold in such fiscal year, in the aggregate, has produced 8% simple annual return
on the net investment including capital improvements, calculated over the holding period before
depreciation and inclusive of operating income and sale consideration, and (b) the aggregate net
operating income from all real estate owned for each of the prior and current fiscal years shall
be at least 5% higher in the current fiscal year than in the prior fiscal year.
Additionally, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Prime or an affiliate of Prime is to
receive an acquisition commission for supervising the acquisition, purchase or long-term lease of
real estate equal to the lesser of (i) up to 1% of the cost of acquisition, inclusive of
commissions, if any, paid to non-affiliated brokers, or (ii) the compensation customarily charged
in arms-length transactions by others rendering similar property acquisition services as an
ongoing public activity in the same geographical location and for comparable property, provided
that the aggregate purchase price of each property (including acquisition fees and real estate
brokerage commissions) may not exceed such propertys appraised value at acquisition.
The Advisory Agreement requires Prime or any affiliate of Prime to pay to the Company
one-half of any compensation received from third parties with respect to the origination,
placement or brokerage of any loan made by the Company;
provided, however, that the
compensation retained by Prime or any affiliate of Prime shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 2% of
the amount of the loan commitment, or (ii) a loan brokerage and commitment fee which is reasonable
and fair under the circumstances.
The Advisory Agreement also provides that Prime or an affiliate of Prime is to receive a
mortgage or loan acquisition fee with respect to the acquisition or purchase of any existing
mortgage loan by the Company equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the amount of the loan purchased, or
(ii) a brokerage and commitment fee which is reasonable and fair under the circumstances. Such fee
will not be paid in connection with the origination or funding of any mortgage loan by the
Company.
Under the Advisory Agreement, Prime or an affiliate of Prime also is to receive a mortgage
brokerage and equity refinancing fee for obtaining loans or refinancing on properties equal to the
lesser of (i) 1 % of the amount of the loan or the amount refinanced, or (ii) a brokerage or
refinancing fee which is reasonable and fair under the circumstances;
provided, however, that no such fee shall be paid on loans from Prime or an affiliate of Prime without the approval of
the Companys Board of Directors. No fee shall be paid on loan extensions.
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Under the Advisory Agreement, Prime receives reimbursement of certain expenses
incurred by it in the performance of advisory services. Under the Advisory Agreement, all or a
portion of the annual advisory fee must be refunded by the advisor if the Operating Expenses of
the Company (as defined in the Advisory Agreement) exceed certain limits specified in the Advisory
Agreement based on the book value, net of asset value and net income of the Company during the
fiscal year. BCM, as advisor at the time, was required to refund $1.4 million of the 2002 advisory
fee and was required to refund $1.3 million of the 2003 advisory fee under this provision.
If and to the extent that the Company shall request of Prime, or any director, officer,
partner or employee of Prime, to render services to the Company other than those required to be
rendered by Prime under the Advisory Agreement, such additional services, if performed, will be
compensated separately on terms agreed upon between such party and the Company from time to time.
The Advisory Agreement automatically renews from year to year unless terminated in accordance
with its terms. Management believes that the terms of the Advisory Agreement are at least as fair
as could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Situations may develop in which the interests of the Company are in conflict with those of
one or more directors or officers in their individual capacities or of Prime, or of their
respective affiliates. In addition to services performed for the
Company, Prime actively provides
similar services as agent for, and advisor to, other real estate enterprises, including persons
and entities involved in real estate developing and financing, including ARI and the Company. The
Advisory Agreement provides that Prime may also serve as advisor to those entities.
As
advisor, Prime is a fiduciary of the Companys public investors. In determining to which
entity a particular investment opportunity will be allocated, Prime will consider the respective
investment objectives of each entity and the appropriateness of a particular investment in light
of each such entitys existing mortgage note and real estate portfolio and business plan. To the
extent any particular investment opportunity is appropriate to more than one such entity, such
investment opportunity will be allocated to the entity that has had funds available for investment
for the longest period of time, or, if appropriate, the investment may be shared among various
entities.
Effective
July 1, 2005, the Company and Prime entered into a Cash Management Agreement to
further define the administration of the Companys day-to-day investment operations, relationship
contacts, flow of funds and deposit and borrowing of funds. Under the Cash Management Agreement,
all funds of the Company are delivered to Prime which has a deposit liability to the Company and is
responsible for payment of all payables and investment of all excess funds which earn interest at
the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 1% per annum, as set quarterly on the first day of each
calendar quarter. Borrowings for the benefit of the Company bear the same interest rate. The term
of the Cash Management Agreement is coterminous with the Advisory Agreement, and it is
automatically renewed each year unless terminated with the Advisory Agreement.
Prime may assign the Advisory Agreement only with the prior consent of the Company.
The managers and principal officers of Prime are set forth below:
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Mickey N. Phillips
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Ryan T. Phillips
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Steven A. Abney
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Louis J. Corna
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Mickey N. Phillips is the brother of Gene E. Phillips, and Ryan T. Phillips is the son
of Gene E. Phillips.
Property Management and Real Estate Brokerage
Currently, Triad Realty Services LP (Triad), an affiliate of Prime, and Carmel
Realty, Inc. (Carmel) provide property management services to the Companys properties for a
fee of 6% or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the residential properties under its
management and 3% or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the commercial properties
under its management. Triad and Carmel subcontract with other entities for the provision of
property-level management services at various rates. The general
partner of Triad is PIAMI. The
limited partner of Triad is Highland Realty Services, Inc.
(Highland), a related party. Since
January 1, 2003, Triad subcontracted the property-level management and leasing of 24 of the
Companys commercial properties (shopping centers, office buildings) to Regis Realty I, LLC
(Regis I), a related party. Regis I was entitled to receive property and construction
management fees and leasing commissions in accordance with the terms of its property-level
management agreement with Triad. Since January 1, 2003, Regis Hotel I, LLC has managed four of
the Companys hotels. The sole member of Regis I and Regis Hotel
I, LLC is Highland. Carmel is a
company previously owned by First Equity Properties, Inc., which is a company affiliated with
BCM: on May 1, 2004, Regis I acquired the ownership of Carmel.
Regis
I also provides real estate brokerage services to the Company and receives brokerage
commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Certain Business Relationships
Effective
July 1, 2003, PIAMI became the advisor to the Company and ARI. PIAMI is owned
by Realty Advisors, LLC (80%) and Syntek West, Inc. (20%). On October
1, 2003, Prime, which is
100% owned by PIAMI, replaced PIAMI as the advisor to the Company and ARI. Prime is a company for
which Messrs. Abney and Corna serve as executive officers. The executive officers of the Company
also serve as executive officers of ARI, and Messrs. Abney and Corna also serve as executive
officers of IOT, and owe fiduciary duties to each of those entities as well as to Prime under
applicable law. ARI has the same relationship with Prime as does the Company.
The
Company contracts with affiliates of Prime for property management
services. Currently, Triad, an affiliate, and Carmel provide such property management services. The general partner
of Triad is PIAMI. The limited partner of Triad is Highland, a related party. Triad subcontracts
the property-
-22-
level management and leasing of 24 of the Companys commercial properties (office
buildings, shopping centers) to Regis I, a related party, which is a company also owned by
Highland. Regis I also provides real estate brokerage services to the Company and receives
brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement. Carmel is a company owned (until
May 1, 2004) by First Equity Properties. Inc.. which is a
company affiliated with BCM. On May 1, 2004, Regis 1 acquired the ownership of Carmel.
The
Company owns an equity interest in IOT. At December 31, 2005, the Company owned, and at
present continues to own, approximately 24% of IOTs outstanding common stock. ARI, through
wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns approximately 82% of outstanding common stock of the Company; all
of the Directors of the Company are also Directors of ARI.
Related Party Transactions
Historically,
the Company. ARI, IOT, BCM and Prime have each engaged in, and may continue to
engage in, business transactions, including real estate partnerships, with related parties.
Management believes that all of the related party transactions represented the best investments
available at the time and were at least as advantageous to the Company as could have been obtained
from unrelated parties.
Operating Relationships
In
the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company received $56,000 in rent from Prime for a
lease at Addison Hangar. BCM owns a corporate jet that is housed at the hangar, and the Company
has available space at the hangar.
Property Transactions
In January 2002, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding common shares of ART Two
Hickory Corporation (Two Hickory) from ARI for $4.4 million. The purchase price was determined
based upon the market value of the property exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net
operating income (cap rate) of 7%. The business purpose of the transaction was for the Company
to make an equity investment in Two Hickory anticipating a profitable return.
In
April 2002, the Company purchased 100% of the following entities from ARI: Garden
Confederate Point, L.P., Garden Foxwood, L.P., Garden Woodsong, L.P. and ART One Hickory
Corporation for $10 million. The purchase price for these entities was determined based on a cap
rate of 8.41% for the partnerships and 7% for ART One Hickory Corporation. The business purpose of
the transaction was for the Company to make an equity investment in the entities anticipating a
profitable return.
During
2002, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Chief Financial Officer of
the Company to advance funds either to or from the Company, through BCM, in an amount up to $15
million, on the condition that such advances shall be repaid in cash or transfer of assets within
90 days. Several property transfers from BCM or Prime were made during 2004 and 2003 to reduce the
affiliate balance. Each of these transactions was approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company.
In
December 2003, the Company sold six properties to subsidiaries of Unified Housing
Foundation, Inc. (UHF), a Texas Non-Profit 501(c)3 Corporation. The Company sold 10.72 acres of
-23-
Marine Creek land for $1.5 million, the Limestone at Vista Ridge apartments for $19 million, the
Cliffs of El Dorado apartments for $13.4 million, the Limestone Canyon apartments for $18 million,
the Sendero Ridge apartments for $29.4 million, and Tivoli apartments for $16.1 million. All of
the transactions include the assumption of debt and notes receivable to the Company for the
remainder of the purchase price. Ted Stokely, Chairman of the Board of the Company, is the General
Manager of UHF. Richard Humphrey, who is employed by Regis I, is President of UHF. As UHF is
considered a related party to the Company and as the Company has continuing involvement and may
control these entities, these transactions have not been recorded as sales. Instead, these
transactions are accounted for on the deposit method and the properties and corresponding debt
will continue to be consolidated by the Company. All of these transactions were approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Stokely abstained from voting on all of these transactions.
The loans on Limestone Canyon apartments, Limestone at Vista Ridge apartments and Tivoli
apartments were approved by their prospective lenders for transfer to the purchasing entities. The
Company guaranteed the loans on both of these transfers. Also, Marine Creek land and the Cliffs of
El Dorado apartments were recognized as sales during 2004. Management is currently seeking Lender
approval on the transfer of the notes associated with Sendero Ridge Apartments.
In
December 2003, the Company sold the Lamar/Parmer land parcel to a subsidiary of UHF for $2
million in the form of a seller note receivable. As no cash was received and common control
exists, the Company has elected to continue consolidating this tract of land until the
requirements for a sale have been met. No sale has been recognized and no note receivable has been
recorded.
In
January 2004, the Company purchased the Vista Ridge land tract
from ARI for $2.6 million.
This transaction decreased the Companys affiliate receivable with Prime by $1 million.
In
February 2004, the Company incurred a debt for $1 million used for the purchase of land by
ARI. This transaction increased the Companys affiliate receivable with Prime by $2. 6 million.
In
February 2004, the Company recorded the sale of a tract of Marine Creek land originally
sold to a related party in December 2003. This transaction was not recorded as a sale for
accounting purposes in December 2003 and was recorded as a Company refinancing transaction in
February 2004. The Company received $1.2 million in cash from the related party in February 2004
as payment on the land. The Company has a note receivable balance of $270,000 remaining that bears
interest at 12% and matures in April 2009. The Company recorded the sale of the Marine Creek land
tract due to the payment received on the note receivable.
In
May 2004, the Company purchased the Treehouse Apartments from an affiliate with a net
purchase price of $7.5 million for the assumption of debt and a note receivable, less cash received
of $498,000. The note receivable was from the sale of the Cliffs of El Dorado Apartments to a
related party in 2003. At that time, the sale of the Cliffs of El Dorado Apartments was not
recorded as a sale for accounting purposes. The Company recorded the sale of the Cliffs of El
Dorado in May 2004 due to payment received for the Cliffs of El Dorado note receivable.
In January 2004, the Company purchased the Lacy Longhorn land tract from ARI for $4.5
million. This transaction decreased the Companys affiliate receivable with Prime by $4.5 million.
In
June 2004, TCI sold Waters Edge IV apartments to ARI for $5 million, which increased TCIs
affiliate receivable from Prime by $5 million.
-24-
In
June 2004, the Company refinanced the 1010 Common office building, Lacy Longhorn land and
certain tracts of Marine Creek land. The Company paid an existing note payable for ARI for $1.9
million, increasing the affiliate receivable balance by $1.9 million.
In
September 2004, the Company sold Limestone Canyon II land to a subsidiary of UHF for
$720,000 in the form of a seller note receivable. Due to no cash received and common control, the
Company elected to continue consolidating this tract of land until the requirements for a sale
have been met. No sale was recognized and no note receivable has been recorded.
In
December 2003, the Companys Board of Directors approved the payment to Regis I of a six
percent (6%) construction management fee on all construction projects
in progress at December 31, 2003, to be applied to all costs incurred during 2003 on each project. Construction management
fees of $5.6 million for 2004 and $4.1 million for 2003 were treated as reductions in the
affiliate receivable balance from Prime.
The Company is a partner with IOT in Nakash Income Associates. The Company owns 345,728
shares of IOTs Common Stock, an approximate 24% interest. At
December 31, 2005, the market value
of the IOT common shares was $6.5 million.
At December 31, 2005, the Company owned 746.972 shares of ARI common stock which were
primarily purchased in open market transactions in 1990 and 1991 at a total cost of $1.6 million.
The officers of the Company also serve as officers of ARI. At
December 31, 2005, the market value
of the ARI common shares was $6 million.
In 2005, the Company paid Prime, its affiliates and related parties, $5.3 million in
advisory, incentive and net income fees, $700,000 million in mortgage brokerage and equity
refinancing fees, $3.5 million in property acquisition fees, $1.9 million in real estate brokerage
commissions. $1.7 million in construction supervision fees and $1.6 million in property and
construction management fees and leasing commissions, net of property management fees paid to
subcontractors, other than affiliates of Prime. In addition, as provided in the Advisory
Agreement, in 2005 Prime received cost reimbursements of $2.4 million.
In addition, from time to time, the Company and its affiliates have made advances to each
other, which generally have not had specific repayment terms did not bear interest until July
1, 2005, and have been reflected in the Companys financial statements as other assets or other
liabilities. At December 31, 2005, the Company was owed $1.1 million by Prime and Regis Hotel I
LLC. Also at December 31, 2005, the Company owed $11.7 million and $3 million to Prime and Regis
I, respectively. Effective July 1, 2005, such advances bear interest at 1% above the prime rate
per annum.
In
connection with the resolution in April 2005 of certain
litigation filed August 10, 2004, by the Company, ARI and IOT, the Company owns 48.8% of Midland Odessa Properties, Inc. (formerly
Innovo Realty, Inc.) (MOPI), the balance of which is
owned by ARI (31.3%) and IOT (19.9%). MOPI
in turn is a 30% limited partner in several Metra partnerships formed in 2002 when IOT, ARI and
the Company sold certain residential properties to partnerships controlled by Metra Capital LLC.
The original sale transactions were accounted for as refinancing transactions with the Company
continuing to report the assets and new debt incurred by the Metra partnerships on the Companys
financial statements. As properties are sold to independent third parties, the transactions are
reported as sales.
-25-
Restrictions on Related Party Transactions
Article FOURTEENTH of the Companys Articles of Incorporation provides that the Company shall
not, directly or indirectly, contract or engage in any transaction with (i) any director, officer
or employee of the Company, (ii) any director, officer or employee of the advisor, (iii) the
advisor, or (iv) any affiliate or associate (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of any of the aforementioned persons, unless (a) the
material facts as to the relationship among or financial interest of the relevant individuals or
persons and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed to or are known by the Board of
Directors or the appropriate committee thereof, and (b) the Board of Directors or committee
thereof determines that such contract or transaction is fair to the Company and simultaneously
authorizes or ratifies such contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of
independent directors of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Article FOURTEENTH defines an
Independent Director as one who is neither an officer or employee of the Company, nor a
director, officer or employee of the Companys advisor.
Sunset Proceedings
On
May 16, 2005, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas,
Dallas Division, entered its Memorandum Opinion and Order and Judgment dismissing a purported
stockholders derivative action filed October 5, 2004, filed by Sunset Management LLC (Sunset)
against a number of entities, including the Company. The Courts Judgment granted a Motion to
Dismiss filed by the Defendants, including the Company, and ordered that Plaintiff Sunset take
nothing by its suit. No appeal was timely filed, and the dismissal of this action became final.
The Sunset Complaint was purportedly filed derivatively on behalf of the Company. With the
Judgment dismissing the action, the Company is not at this time a direct party to any litigation
involving Sunset.
Various separate legal proceedings continue to exist which involve matters between Sunset and
ARI and BCM over a pledge as collateral for certain loans of a number of shares of Common Stock of
the Company. At least five items of litigation have terminated involving substantially the same
issues with all relief sought by Sunset in those proceedings being denied. Three cases continue,
all pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas or the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
American Realty Trust, Inc., et al. v. Sunset Management LLC, etal., Adversary Proceeding No.
03-04256, was filed September 10, 2003, as an associated case to the case styled In Re: ART
Williamsburg, Inc., Debtor, pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District
of Texas, Sherman Division, Case No. 4:03-43909-BTR-11. Sunset Management LLC v. American Realty
Investors, Inc., etal. is now pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District
of Texas, Tyler Division, as Case No. 4:06-CV-00018. Both of these proceedings involve certain
shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by BCM and ARI and its subsidiaries and
matters emanating from certain loans in September 2001 to BCM
and three subsidiaries of ARI, Sunsets agreement to extend maturity dates and accept substituted collateral, arrangements which
were not honored. Adversary Proceeding No. 03-04256 was removed to the Bankruptcy Court from a
Texas state court originally filed October 2002 alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation,
breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing and slander of title by Sunset which also sought
certain declaratory relief against Sunset, as well as temporary and permanent anti-suit injunctions
against Sunset.
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Case No. 4:06-CV-00018 was originally filed in the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, and originally sought to require conveyance by ARI
and/or subsidiaries of certain pledged shares back to pledgors, ARI and BCM. Such matter was first
transferred to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas as an
adversary proceeding and then transferred to the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas, Tyler Division.
ARI, American Realty Trust, Inc. (ART), a subsidiary of ART, and BCM are also the
Plaintiffs in an action filed July 19, 2006 against Sunset and John Baldwin in the case styled
American Realty Trust, Inc., et al. v. Sunset Management LLC and John Baldwin, now pending in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, as Case No.
6:06-CV-00315. In this case, the Plaintiffs seek actual and exemplary damages against Sunset and
John Baldwin, individually, for alleged violations of federal and state securities laws and rules
promulgated thereunder, including an alleged unlawful and concealed plan to use a late fee
provision in a note to obtain title to securities by manufacturing a default and purporting to
foreclose on certain securities in a scheme, artifice and device to defraud the Plaintiffs, and the
filing by Sunset of a false and misleading Schedule 13D with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. On August 14, 2006, Sunset filed a Motion to Dismiss the action pursuant to Rule
12b(6), and Rule 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
-27-
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph represents the cumulative total stockholder return on
TCIs shares of Common Stock with the Dow Jones US Total Market Index (Total Market Index) and
the Dow Jones Real Estate Investment Index (Real Estate Index). The comparison assumes that $ 100
was invested on December 31, 2000, in TCIs shares of Common Stock and in each of the indices and
further assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. Past performance is not necessarily an
indicator of future performance.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS INC.,
THE DOW JONES US TOTAL MARKET INDEX,
AND THE DOW JONES US REAL ESTATE INDEX
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73.44 |
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132.82 |
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145.98 |
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138.45 |
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117.92 |
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DJ Real Estate Index
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127.51 |
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142.56 |
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147.75 |
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202.25 |
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DJ Total U.S. Market Index
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90.87 |
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80.04 |
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62.37 |
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81.54 |
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91.45 |
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that may be properly or should be
brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the
Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy or their substitutes will vote in
accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements of the Company, in comparative form for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2005 are contained in the 2005 Annual Report to Stockholders, which was
separately mailed to stockholders in advance of this proxy statement. However, such report and the
financial statements contained therein are not to be considered part of this solicitation.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS FURNISHED TO STOCKHOLDERS TO SOLICIT PROXIES ON BEHALF OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC. The cost of soliciting proxies will
be born by the Company. Directors and officers of the Company may, without additional
compensation, solicit by mail, in person or by telecommunication.
FUTURE PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Stockholder proposals for our Annual Meeting to be held in 2007 must be received by us by
December 31, 2006, and must otherwise comply with the rules promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for that year. Any
stockholder proposal, whether or not to be included in our proxy materials, must be sent to our
Corporate Secretary at 1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75234.
COPIES OF TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) ARE AVAILABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE
THROUGH OUR WEBSITE WWW. TRANSCONREALTY-INVEST. COM OR UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC., 1800 VALLEY VIEW LANE, SUITE 300, DALLAS, TEXAS 75234,
ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS.
Dated: October 17,2006.
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By order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ Louis J. Corna
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Louis J. Corna |
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Executive Vice President, General Counsel, |
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Tax Counsel and Secretary |
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-29-
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
November 20, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
¯Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. ¯
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The Board of Directors of Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. recommends approval of
all nominees for election as directors and a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Farmer, Fuqua and Huff, P.C. as the Independent registered public accounting firm.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
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Ratification of the Appointment of
Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the Independent Registered Public
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NOMINEES:
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FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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Henry A. Butler |
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In their discretion on any other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
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Sharon Hunt |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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Ted R. Muselle Ted p. Stokely Robert A. Jakuszewski |
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THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BUT IF NO
DIRECTION IS INDICATED, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES AND FOR
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF FARMER, FUQUA & HUFF, P.C. AS
THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. ON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE SAID
MEETING, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED IN THE DISCRETION OF THE ABOVE-NAMED PERSONS. |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
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INSTRUCTION: |
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To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee(s), mark FOR
ALL EXCEPT and fill in
the circle next to each nominee you
wish to withhold, as
shown here: l |
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To change the address on your account, please check
the box at right and indicate your new address in
the address space above. Please note that changes to
the registered name(s) on the account may not be
submitted via this method. |
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Signature
of Stockholder
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Date:
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Signature of Stockholder
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Date:
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Note: |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 20, 2006.
The
undersigned stockholder of TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
hereby appoints TED P. STOKELY and LOUIS J. CORNA, and each of them
proxies with full power of substitution in each of them, in the name, place and stead of
the undersigned, as attorneys and proxies to vote all shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, of TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTOR, INC. which the undersigned is entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Monday,
November 20, 2006 at 10:00a.m.,
local Dallas, Texas time, at 1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300,
Dallas, Texas 75234, or any
adjournment(s) thereof, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present,
as indicated below, for the transaction of such business as may properly come before said
meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, all as set forth in the October 17, 2006 Proxy Statement
for said meeting.
(continued
and to be signed and dated on the other side)