def14a
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-11(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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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
Friday, November 16, 2007, 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 12, 2007, 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 15, 2007.
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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 |
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 16, 2007
The Board of Directors of Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. (the Company or we or
us) is soliciting proxies to be used at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual
Meeting). Distribution of this Proxy Statement and a Proxy Form is scheduled to begin on October
16, 2007. 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 12,
2007 (the Record Date) may vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date, 8,086,267 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 12, 2007, there were 8,086,267 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding. The presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to
cast at least 4,043,134 votes constitutes a quorum for adopting the proposals at the Annual
Meeting. If you have properly
-1-
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 80.28% 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
-3-
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 20, 2006) 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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Committee |
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 |
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.transconrealty-invest.com). The Board selected the current members of the Audit
Committee for the coming year on December 15, 2006, 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 eight times during 2006.
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, 2006, 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 2006.
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.transconrealty-invest.com). The Board selected
the current members of the Compensation Committee for the coming year on December 15, 2006, 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 2006.
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. In December 2006, the
non-management members of the Board designated Ted R. Munselle to serve in this position until the
Companys annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
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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 during that year 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 2007. 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 2006
The Board met 11 times during fiscal 2006. 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 2006.
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 2006, $123,500 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, 2006 through
December 31, 2006, and special service fees. Those fees received by directors were Sharon Hunt
($30,000), Ted Munselle ($30,000), Ted P. Stokely ($33,500) and Robert A. Jakuszewski, ($30,000).
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, 2006, 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 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
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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, 2006, 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. Moos, Abney, Corna, Crozier
or Vidal) 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 Companys directors and executive officers and holders of more than 10% of the
Companys Common Stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. In making these statements,
the Company has
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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 12, 2007.
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Amount and Nature of |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership* |
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Percent of Class** |
EQK Holdings, Inc
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
5,278,149 |
(a) |
|
|
65.28 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Realty Trust, Inc
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
5,278,149 |
(a) |
|
|
65.28 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Realty Investors, Inc
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(a)(b)(c) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transcontinental Realty Acquisition
Corporation
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
|
|
1,213,226 |
(b) |
|
|
15.00 |
% |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Includes 5,278,149 shares owned by EQK Holdings, Inc. (EQK), over which each of the
directors of EQK, Daniel J. Moos 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) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
Henry A. Butler |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(2) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
Alfred Crozier |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(2) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
Louis J. Corna |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(2) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
Sharon Hunt |
|
|
6,496,375 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
80.29 |
% |
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(2) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
Daniel J. Moos |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(2) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
Ted R. Munselle |
|
|
6,496,375 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
80.29 |
% |
|
Ted P. Stokley |
|
|
6,506,375 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
80.31 |
% |
|
Reagan K. Vidal |
|
|
6,491,375 |
(2) |
|
|
80.28 |
% |
|
All directors and
executive officers as a
group (10 people) |
|
|
6,516,375 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
80.39 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
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 8,086,267 shares of Common Stock outstanding at October 12,
2007. |
|
(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. |
-11-
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Each director elected will hold
office until the Annual Meeting following the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. 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 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, 56 (Affiliated)
Broker Land Sales (since July 2003) for Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (Prime) and
(1992 to June 2003) for Basic Capital Management, Inc. (BCM); Director (since December 2001) of
the Company and (since July 2003) of ARI and Director (December 2001 to July 1, 2003) of Income
Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (IOT).
Sharon Hunt, 64
Licensed Realtor with Virginia Cook Realtors; President and Owner (until sold in 1997) of
Sharons Pretzels, Inc. (a Texas food products entity); Director (since 1991) 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, 44
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 (1996-1998) of Continental Funding; Territory Manager (1992-1996) of Sigvaris, Inc.;
Senior Sales Representative (1988-1992) of Mead Johnson Nutritional Division, USPNG; Sales
Representative (1986-1987) 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.
-12-
Ted. R. Munselle, 51
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since October 1998) of Landmark Nurseries, Inc.;
President (since December 2004) of Applied Educational Opportunities, LLC, an educational
organization which has career training schools located in the Cities of Richardson and Tyle, Texas;
Director (since February 2004) of the Company and ARI; Certified Public Accountant employed in the
accounting industry from 1977 until 1998 when he entered his current employment.
Ted P. Stokely, 73 (Affiliated)
General Manager (since January 1995) of ECF Senior Housing Corporation, a non-profit
corporation; General Manager (since January 1993) and paid consultant (April 1992 to December 1992)
of Housing Assistance Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 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); Director (April 1990 to February 2007) and
Chairman of the Board (January 1995 to February 2007) of IOT; and Director (since April 1990) and
Chairman of the Board (since January 1995) of the Company.
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 2007 fiscal year and to conduct quarterly reviews
through September 30, 2007. 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 three fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. 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.
-13-
Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006 Audit Firm Fee Summary
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to or for
the Company for the years 2005 and 2006 by Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. and BDO Seidman LLP for 2005
and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
Farmer, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Farmer, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fuqua & |
|
|
BDO |
|
|
Fuqua & |
|
|
BDO |
|
Type of Fee |
|
Huff, P.C. |
|
|
Seidman |
|
|
Huff, P.C. |
|
|
Seidman |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
280,971 |
|
|
$ |
102,184 |
|
|
$ |
347,894 |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
36,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,755 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
34,405 |
|
|
|
50,021 |
|
|
|
37,005 |
|
|
|
7,317 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
351,876 |
|
|
$ |
152,205 |
|
|
$ |
386,654 |
|
|
$ |
7,317 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The audit fees for 2005 and 2006, respectively, were for professional services rendered for
the audits and reviews of the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Tax fees for 2005
and 2006, 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
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 is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
retaining and overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm that
serves as our independent auditor and evaluating their performance and independence; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing the annual audit plan with management and the independent registered
public accounting firm; |
|
|
|
|
pre-approving any permitted non-audit services provided by our independent
registered public accounting firm; |
|
|
|
|
approving the fees to be paid to our independent registered public accounting
firm; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls with
management, internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and discussing the annual audited financial statements and the
interim unaudited financial statements with management and the registered public
accounting firm; and |
|
|
|
|
approving our internal audit plan and reviewing reports of our internal
auditors. |
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 and is attached as Appendix A.
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
ofinternal 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 Audit Committee has sole authority over the
selection of the Companys independent auditors and manages the Companys relationship with its
independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from
outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its
duties and receive appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from the Company for
such advice and assistance.
The Audit Committee met eight times during 2006. The Audit Committee schedules its meetings
with a view to ensuring that it devotes appropriate attention to all of its tasks. The Audit
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 Audit Committee members. The Audit Committee also meets senior management from time
to time.
-15-
Management has the primary responsibility 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and for auditing
managements assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial
reporting. The Audit 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 Audit Committees duty or responsibility to conduct audits or accounting
reviews or procedures. The Audit 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 Audit Committees financial statements.
As part of its oversight of the Companys financial statements, the Audit 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 2006, management
advised the Audit 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 accounting and disclosure issues with the Audit 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 Audit 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 Audit 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 Audit 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 Audit 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 Audit Committees discussion with management and the independent accountants and
the Audit 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, 2006, 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, 2007.
-16-
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-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.
Executive Compensation
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, the Companys advisor, 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 serves as
advisor. See The Advisor for a discussion of the compensation payable to Prime under the
Advisory Agreement.
-17-
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 Compensation 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 Compensation Committee member is appointed annually subject to removal at any time by the
Board and serves until his or her Compensation 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 are 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.
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 the best interest of the stockholders, (ii) review the advisory contract and recommend any
appropriate changes thereto, (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 to be acquired. See the sub caption Directors Compensation in the Proxy Statement
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.
-18-
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski
|
|
Sharon Hunt
|
|
Ted R. Munselle |
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 Daniel J. Moos, President and Chief Operating Officer,
Steven A. Abney, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Alfred Crozier, Executive
Vice President-Residential Construction, Louis J. Corna, Executive Vice President General
Counsel/Tax Counsel and Secretary and Reagan K. Vidal, Executive Vice President, Managing Director
of Capital Markets, 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.
Daniel J. Moos, 56
President and Chief Operating Officer (effective April 2007) of ARI, IOT, the Company and
(effective March 2007) of Prime, Senior Vice President and Business Line Manager for U.S. Bancorp
(NYSE:USB) working out of their office in Houston, Texas from 2003 to April 2007: Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, Fleetcor Technologies, a privately held transaction
processing company that was headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1998 to 2003; Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, ICSA, a privately held internet security and information
company headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania from 1996 to 1998; and for more than ten years
prior thereto was employed in various financial and operating roles for PhoneTel Technologies, Inc.
which was a publicly traded telecommunication company on the American Stock Exchange headquartered
in Cleveland, Ohio (1992-1996) and LDI Corporation which was a publicly traded computer equipment
sales/service and asset leasing company listed on the NASDAQ and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
Steven A. Abney, 52
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 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.
-19-
Louis J. Corna, 59
Executive Vice PresidentGeneral Counsel/Tax Counsel and Secretary (since February 2004),
Executive Vice President (October 2001 to February 2004), Executive Vice PresidentTax and Chief
Financial Officer (June 2001 to October 2001) and Senior Vice PresidentTax (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 PresidentTax (July 2003 to February 2004) of Prime
and PIAMI; Private Attorney (January 2000 to December 2000); Vice PresidentTaxes and Assistant
Treasurer (March 1998 to January 2000) of IMC Global, Inc.; Vice PresidentTaxes (July 1991 to
February 1998) of Whitman Corporation.
Alfred Crozier, 54
Executive Vice President-Residential Construction (since November 2006) of ARI, IOT and the
Company; Managing Director of Development for Woodmont Investment Company GP, LLC of Dallas, Texas
from November 2005 to November 2006; President of Sterling Builders, Inc. of Spring, Texas from
October 2003 to November 2005; Vice President of Westchase Construction, Ltd. of Houston, Texas
from August 2001 to September 2003. For more than five years prior thereto, Mr. Crozier was
employed by various firms in the construction industry including Trammell Crow Residential
(February 1995 through February 2000) and The Finger Companies (August 1991 through February 1995).
Mr. Crozier is a licensed architect.
Reagan K. Vidal, 46
Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Capital Markets (since February 2007) of ARI,
IOT and the Company; Senior Vice President, Guaranty Bank of Dallas, Texas from 1996 to January
2007; Vice President, U.S. Real Estate Group of Societe Generale, a France-based multi-national
financial institution with U.S. real estate operations based in Dallas, Texas; and for more than
five years prior thereto was Vice President, Western Region Commercial of Lomas Management, Inc.,
ana dvisor and manager to Lomas & Nettleton Mortgage Investors and Lomas Financial Corporation,
then two publicly-traded real estate investment trsuts.
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.
BCM served as the advisor to the Company from March 1989 to June 30, 2003. Effective
July 1, 2003, BCM was replaced as contractual advisor by Prime Asset Management, Inc. (PIAMI)
under the same terms as BCMs advisory agreement. On August 18, 2003, PAMI changed its name to
Prime Income Asset Management, Inc. (PIAMI). PIAMI is owned by Realty Advisors, Inc. (80%) and
-20-
Syntek West, Inc. (20%). Syntek West, Inc. (SWI) is owned by Gene Phillips. On October 1, 2003,
Prime, which is owned 100% by PIAMI, replaced PIAMI as the advisor to TCI. The duties of Prime
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.
Prime also serves as a consultant in connection with the Companys business plan and investment
decisions made by the Board.
Prime is a company of which Messrs. Moos, Abney, Corna, Crozier and Vidal serve as executive
officers. Prime is 80% owned by Realty Advisors LLC, a Nevada limited liability company the sole
membership of which is Realty Advisors, Inc., a Nevada corporation which is 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 trust, is an officer of SWI and is involved in daily
consultation with the officers o Prime and has significant influence over the conduct of Primes
business, including the rendering of advisory services and the making of investment decision for
itself and for 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 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
-21-
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. Prime does
not receive any commission or acquisitions from an affiliated or related party.
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.
The Advisory Agreement also provides that for all activities in connection with or related to
construction for the Company and its subsidiaries, Prime shall receive a fee equal to 6% of the
so-called hard costs only of any costs of construction on a completed basis, based upon amounts
set forth as approved on any architect certificate issued in connection with such construction,
which fee is payable at such time as the applicable architect certifies others costs for payment to
third parties. The phrase hard costs means all actual costs of construction paid to contractors,
subcontractors, and third parties for material or labor performed as part of the construction but
does not include items generally regarded as soft costs, which are consulting fees, attorneys
fees, architectural fees, permit fees and fees of other professionals.
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. Prime,
as advisor at the time, was
required to refund $1.3 million of the 2003 advisory fee and was required to refund $2.4
million of the 2005 advisory fee under this provision. No refund was required in 2004 or 2006.
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.
-22-
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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Name
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Office(s) |
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Mickey N. Phillips
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Manager |
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Ryan T. Phillips
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Manager |
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Daniel J. Moos
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President and Chief Operating Officer |
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A. Cal Rossi
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Senior Executive Vice President |
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Steven A. Abney
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Louis J. Corna
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Executive Vice President General Counsel, Tax Counsel
and Secretary |
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Alfred Crozier
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Executive Vice President Residential Construction |
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Reagan K. Vidal
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Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Capital
Markets |
-23-
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 provides 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 subcontracts 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). Since January 1, 2003, Triad has 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). 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. Regis I also receives real estate brokerage commissions in accordance with
the terms of a non-exclusive brokerage agreement. 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.
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. Moos, Abney, Corna, Crozier and Vidal serve as executive officers. The executive officers
of the Company also serve as executive officers of ARI and 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, provides such property management services. The general partner of Triad is
PIAMI. The limited partner of Triad is Highland. Triad subcontracts the property-level management
and leasing of 24 of the Companys commercial properties (office buildings, shopping centers) to
Regis I, 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.
The Company owns an equity interest in IOT. At December 31, 2006, the Company owned, and at
present continues to own, approximately 24% of IOTs outstanding common stock. Robert A.
Jakuszewski, a director of the Company is also a member of the Board of Directors of IOT. ARI,
through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns approximately 80% of outstanding common stock of the
Company; all of the Directors of the Company are also Directors of ARI.
-24-
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, 2006, the Company received $70,000 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 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.
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 Unified
Housing Foundation, Inc. (UHF), a Texas non profit 501(c)(3) corporation, for $720,000 in the
form of a seller note receivable. Due to no cash received and common control, the Company elected to
-25-
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, 2006, the market value
of the IOT common shares was $2.3 million.
At December 31, 2006, 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, 2006, the market value
of the ARI common shares was $6 million.
In November 2006, ARI purchased Windmill Farms, 3,035 acres in Kaufman County, Texas for $52
million. The purchase price was funded by $39.1 million debt and $10 million Preferred Stock of
TCI. In connection with the purchase by ARI, TCI issued $10 million of Series D Preferred Stock to
the sellers of the property. The transaction was recorded on the books of TCI as a reduction in
the amount payable to affiliate of $10 million.
In August 2006, TCI purchased 99 acres in Farmers Branch, Texas known as the LaDue/Walker
tract, from ARI for $21.5 million. The transaction was financed by assumption of $9.9 million note
payable and an increase in the amount payable to affiliate of $11.2 million.
In May 2006, TCI acquired the 102,615 square feet One Hickory office building in Farmers
Branch, Texas from IOT. The purchase price was paid by forgiveness of the $12.2 million note
receivable from IOT.
In 2006, the Company paid Prime, its affiliates and related parties, $11.1 million in
advisory, incentive and net income fees, $700,000 in mortgage brokerage and equity refinancing
fees, $3.64 million in property acquisition fees, $1.4 million in real estate brokerage
commissions, $2 million in construction supervision fees and $2.35 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 $2.8 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 and have been reflected in the
Companys financial statements as other assets or other liabilities. At December 31, 2006, the
Company was owed $350,000 by
Regis Hotel I LLC. Also at December 31, 2006, the Company owed $5.7 million to Prime.
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
-26-
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.
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.
-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, 2001, 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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* |
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$100 Invested on 12/31/01 in stock or index-including
reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31. |
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12/01
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12/02
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12/03
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12/04
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12/05
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12/06
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Transcontinental Realty Investors Inc.
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100.00
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109.91
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104.24
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88.79
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103.74
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86.60
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Dow Jones US Total Market
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100.00
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77.92
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101.88
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114.12
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121.34
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140.23
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Dow Jones US Real Estate
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100.00
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103.63
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141.87
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186.15
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204.09
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276.53
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-28-
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, 2005 and 2006 are contained in the 2006 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 2008 must be received by us by
December 31, 2007, 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, 2006 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.
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Dated: October 15, 2007. |
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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 |
-29-
APPENDIX A
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall be comprised of at least three directors
who are independent of management and the Company. Each member of the Audit Committee must be
determined to be independent under the New York Stock Exchanges (NYSE) standards and must meet
the additional requirements under the Exchange Act. Under these requirements, an Audit Committee
member may not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee
from the Company, other than director fees. Also, an Audit Committee member may not be an
affiliated person of the Company. Members of the Audit Committee shall be considered independent
if they have no relationship to the Company that may interfere with the exercise of their
independent from management and the Company. All Audit Committee members will be financially
literate, and at least one member shall be an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the
SEC.
Statement of Policy
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to directors in fulfilling their oversight
responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment community relating to:
the integrity of the Companys financial statements, the Companys compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, the independent auditors qualifications and independence, and the
performance of the Companys internal audit function and the independent auditors. In so doing, it
is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open communication among the
directors, the independent auditors and the financial management of the Company. It is the
expectation of the Audit Committee that the financial management will fulfill its responsibility of
bringing any significant items to the attention of the Audit Committee.
Responsibilities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee believes its policies and procedures
should remain flexible in order to best react to changing conditions and to ensure to the directors
and shareholders that the corporate accounting and reporting practices of the Company are in
accordance with pertinent requirements.
The following is a listing of the Audit Committees responsibilities:
General
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Obtain annually the full Board of Directors approval of this Charter and
review and reassess this Charter as conditions dictate. |
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2. |
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Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Audit Committee to, or discuss the
matters discussed at each Audit Committee meeting, with the Board of Directors. |
A-1
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3. |
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Report the results of the annual audit to the Board of
Directors. |
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4. |
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Investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties,
with the power to retain outside legal, accounting or other advisors for this purpose
if, in its judgment, that is appropriate. |
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5. |
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Review, consider and authorize any proposal to hire employees or former
employees of the independent auditors. |
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6. |
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Monitor procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints
received from employees regarding accounting, internal control or auditing matters,
including the confidential and anonymous submission by employees regarding questionable
accounting or auditing practices. |
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7. |
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Include a Report of the Audit Committee in the proxy statement. |
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8. |
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On an annual basis, conduct a self evaluation. |
Meetings and Communications
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9. |
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Hold regularly scheduled meeting. |
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10. |
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Periodically, the Audit Committee will meet privately with the independent
auditors, with the Companys Chief Financial Officer and with the Companys internal
auditor to discuss issues and concerns warranting Audit Committee attention. |
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11. |
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Review the financial statements contained in the annual report to the
shareholders. Discuss such annual report with management and the independent auditors,
including the Companys disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. Determine that the independent auditors are
satisfied with the disclosure and content of the financial statements to be
presented to the shareholders. Review with financial management and the independent
auditors the results of their timely analysis of significant financial reporting
issues and practices, including changes in, or adoptions of, accounting principals
and disclosure practices, and discuss other matters required to be communicated to
the Audit Committee by the auditors. |
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12. |
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Review with the independent auditors, the Companys internal auditor, and
financial and accounting personnel, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting
and financial controls of the Company, and elicit recommendations for the improvement
of such internal controls or particular areas where new or more detailed controls or
procedures are desirable. |
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13. |
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Review, in general, earnings press releases, quarterly filings, and financial
information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. |
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14. |
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Discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. |
A-2
Independent Auditors
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15. |
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The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment,
termination, compensation and oversight of the independent auditors, including
resolution of any disagreements between management and the independent auditors. The
Audit Committee will have a clear understanding with the independent auditors that they
are ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee, as the shareholders
representatives, who have the ultimate authority in deciding to engage, evaluate, and
if appropriate, terminate their services. |
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16. |
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Preapprove all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent
auditors, with appropriate pre-approval authority delegated to the Audit Committee
Chairperson. Any decisions of the Audit Committee Chairperson will be presented to the
full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. |
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17. |
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Meet with the independent auditors and financial management of the Company to
review the scope of the proposed audit and quarterly reviews for the current year and
the procedures to be utilized. At the conclusion thereof, the results of such audit or |
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reviews, including any audit problems or difficulties, any comments or
recommendations of the independent auditors, along with managements responses to
these issues, shall be communicated to the Audit Committee. |
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18. |
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On an annual basis, obtain from the independent auditors a written
communication delineating all their relationships and professional services as required
by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees. Additionally, such annual written communication will describe any issue
that would materially affect the independent auditors ability to effectively provide
services to the Company and render an audit opinion. Obtain and review at least
annually a report from the independent auditors describing that firms internal
quality-control procedures as well as any material issues raised by the most recent
quality-control review, or peer review of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation
by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years,
respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and steps taken to
deal with any such issues. |
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19. |
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On an annual basis, evaluate the independent auditors qualifications,
performance and independence, including the review and evaluation of the lead partner
of the independent auditor. Assure the regular rotation of the lead audit partner as
required by law. Periodically consider and evaluate the prudence of rotation of the
independent auditor. Present conclusions to the Board of Directors. |
A-3
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC. |
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on November 16, 2007. |
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 INVESTORS, INC. which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Friday,
November 16, 2007, at 10:00 a.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 12, 2007
Proxy Statement for said meeting. |
[INSERT ADDRESS LABEL] Please Sign Here Dated: , 2007. |
To change the address on Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names
your account, please appear hereon. When there is more than one
check the box at right owner, each must sign. When signing as an
and indicate your new agent, attorney, administrator, executor,
address in the address guardian or trustee, please indicate your title
space above. Please note as such. If executed by a corporation, the
that changes to the proxy should be signed by a duly-authorized
registered name(s) on the officer who should indicate his title. If a
account may not be partnership, please sign in partnership name by
submitted via this an authorized person. Please date, sign and
method. ¨ mail this proxy card in the enclosed envelope
for which no postage is required if mailed in
the United States. |
(Continued and to be Completed on the Other Side) |
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. |
1. Election of Directors ¨ For All Nominees (except or marked to the contrary) |
¨ Withhold Authority For All Nominees listed below |
Henry A. Butler, Sharon Hunt, Ted R. Munselle, Ted P. Stokely, Robert A. Jakuszewski |
Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line
through the nominees name listed above. |
2. Ratification of the Appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the independent registered
public accounting firm |
¨ For ¨ Against ¨ Abstain |
3. In their discretion on any other matters which may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. |
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. |
(Continued and to be Signed on the Other Side) |