def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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 §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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TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 2011
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 9:30 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 April 4, 2011, 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: April 6, 2011.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Louis J. Corna
Louis J. Corna
Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Tax Counsel and Secretary
This Proxy Statement is available at www.transconrealty-invest.com
Among other things, the Proxy Statement contains information regarding
The date, time and location of the meeting
A list of the matters being submitted to Stockholders
Information concerning voting in person
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 11, 2011
The Board of Directors of Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. (the Company or we or
us) is soliciting proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual
Meeting). Distribution of this Proxy Statement and a Proxy Form is scheduled to begin on April 6,
2011. 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 Wednesday, April 4,
2011 (the Record Date) may vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date, 8,413,669 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 April 4, 2011, there were 8,413,669 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding. The presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to
cast at least 4,206,835 votes constitutes a quorum for adopting the proposals at the Annual
Meeting. If you have properly
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signed
and returned your proxy card by mail, you will be considered part of the quorum, and the persons
named on the proxy card will vote your shares as you have instructed. If the broker holding your
shares in street name indicates to us on a proxy card that the broker lacks discretionary
authority to vote your shares, we will not consider your shares as present or entitled to vote for
any purpose.
A plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors. This means that the
director nominee with the most votes for a particular slot is elected to that slot. A proxy that
has properly withheld authority with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be
voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes
of determining whether there is a quorum.
For the other proposal, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
represented in person or by proxy entitled to vote on the proposal will be required for approval.
An abstention with respect to such proposal will not be voted, although it will be counted for
purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect
of a negative vote.
As of the Record Date, affiliates held 6,957,420 shares representing approximately 82% of the
shares outstanding. These affiliates have advised the Company that they currently intend to vote
all of their shares in favor of the approval of both proposals.
If you received multiple proxy cards, this indicates that your shares are held in more than
one account, such as two brokerage accounts, and are registered in different names. You should
vote each of the proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.
Other Matters to be Acted Upon at the Annual Meeting
We do not know of any other matters to be validly presented or acted upon at the Annual
Meeting. Under our Bylaws, no business besides that stated in the Annual Meeting Notice may be
transacted at any meeting of stockholders. If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting
on which a vote may be properly taken, the shares represented by proxies will be voted in
accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting those shares.
Expenses of Solicitation
The Company is making this solicitation and will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling,
printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. Some of our
directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally, without any additional
compensation, by telephone or mail. Proxy materials will also be furnished without cost to brokers
and other nominees to forward to the beneficial owners of shares held in their names.
Available Information
Our internet website address is www.transconrealty-invest.com. We
make available free of charge through our website our most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, 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 Business Conduct and Ethics, Code of
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Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Corporate Governance
Guidelines on Director Independence, 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.
Multiple Stockholders Sharing the Same Address
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) rules allow for the delivery of a single
copy of an annual report and proxy statement to any household at which two or more stockholders
reside, if it is believed the stockholders are members of the same family. Duplicate account
mailings will be eliminated by allowing stockholders to consent to such elimination, or through
implied consent if a stockholder does not request continuation of duplicate mailings. Depending
upon the practices of your broker, bank or other nominee, you may need to contact them directly to
continue duplicate mailings to your household. If you wish to revoke your consent to householding,
you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee.
If you hold shares of common stock in your own name as a holder of record, householding will
not apply to your shares.
If you wish to request extra copies free of charge of any annual report, proxy statement or
information statement, please send your request to Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc.,
Attention: Investor Relations, 1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75234 or call (800)
400-6407.
Questions
You may call our Investor Relations Department at 800-400-6407 if you have any questions.
PLEASE VOTE YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
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Corporate Governance and Board Matters
The affairs of the Company are managed by the Board of Directors. The Directors are elected
at the annual meeting of stockholders each year or appointed by the incumbent Board of Directors
and serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until a successor has been elected or
approved.
During the past two years, a number of changes occurred in the membership of the Board of
Directors. Ted P. Stokely, a director since April 1990 and Chairman since January 1995 resigned on
May 26, 2009 as a director and Chairman. On May 28, 2009, the Board of Directors elected Henry A.
Butler as Chairman of the Board. Sharon Hunt (a director since February 20, 2004) resigned as a
director on January 31, 2011. Martha C. Stephens and RL S. Lemke were elected directors on
February 1, 2011.
Current members of the Board
The members of the Board of Directors 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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Robert A. Jakuszewski |
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Chair |
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RL S. Lemke |
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Ted R. Munselle |
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Chair |
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Martha C. Stephens |
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Chair |
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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). 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 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 2010.
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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).
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 2010.
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). 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 2010.
Presiding Director
In May 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 September 2010, 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,
2011.
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
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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. |
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.
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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 2011. 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 Martha C. Stephens are each independent of the Company and its
management under the standards set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Board Meetings During Fiscal 2010
The Board met eight times during fiscal 2010. 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 2010.
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Directors Compensation
Each non-employee director is currently entitled to receive an annual retainer of $15,000 plus
reimbursement for expenses. Prior to January 4, 2010, when the Board of Directors reduced fees,
each non-employee director was entitled to an annual retainer of $30,000. The Chairman of the
Board does not currently receive any additional fee per year. The Chairman of the Audit Committee
receives an annual fee of $500. 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 2010, $60,500 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, 2010 through
December 31, 2010, and special service fees. Those fees received by directors were Sharon Hunt,
who resigned January 31, 2011 ($22,500), Ted Munselle ($19,250) and Robert A. Jakuszewski,
($18,750).
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, 2010, under the Directors Plan,
options covering 25,000 shares were outstanding. The Directors Plan was terminated by the Board of
Directors on December 15, 2005.
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.
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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, 2010. In making these statements, the Company has
relied upon the written representations of its directors and executive officers and the holders of
10% or more of the Companys Common Stock and copies of the reports that each has filed with the
Commission.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth the ownership of the Companys Common Stock, both beneficially
and of record, both individually and in the aggregate, for those persons or entities known by the
Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of its outstanding Common Stock as of the close
of business on April 4, 2011.
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Approximate |
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Amount and Nature of |
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Percent of |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership* |
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Class** |
EQK Holdings, Inc. |
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5,744,194 |
(a)(b) |
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68.27 |
% |
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
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American Realty Investors, Inc. |
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6,957,420 |
(a)(b)(c) |
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82.69 |
% |
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
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Transcontinental Realty Acquisition Corporation |
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1,213,226 |
(b) |
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14.42 |
% |
1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234 |
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Includes 5,744,194 shares owned by EQK Holdings, Inc. (EQK) directly, over which
the director of EQK, Daniel J. Moos, may be deemed to be beneficial owner by virtue of his position
as sole director of EQK. The director of EQK disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. EQK
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Realty Investors, Inc. (ARL). |
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Includes 1,213,226 shares owned by Transcontinental Realty Acquisition
Corporation (TRAC),
which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARL, over which each of the directors of TRAC, Daniel J. Moos
and Gene S. Bertcher may be deemed to be beneficial owners by virtue of their positions as
directors of TRAC. The directors of TRAC disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares. |
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Each of the directors of ARL, Henry A. Butler, RL S. Lemke, Robert A. Jakuszewski, Ted R.
Munselle and Martha C. Stephens may be deemed to be the beneficial owners by virtue of their
positions as current directors of ARL. The directors of ARL disclaim such beneficial ownership. |
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 April 4, 2011:
-10-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
Approximate |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficial Ownership* |
|
Percent of Class** |
Gene S. Bertcher |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
Henry A. Butler |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
Alfred Crozier |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
Louis J. Corna |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
RL S. Lemke |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
Daniel J. Moos |
|
|
6,962,420 |
(2)(3) |
|
|
82.75 |
% |
|
Ted R. Munselle |
|
|
6,962,420 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
82.75 |
% |
|
Martha C. Stephens |
|
|
6,957,420 |
(2) |
|
|
82.69 |
% |
|
All directors and executive
officers as a group (9
people) |
|
|
6,967,420 |
(1)(2)(3) |
|
|
82.81 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
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 8,413,669 shares of Common Stock outstanding at April 4, 2011. |
|
(1) |
|
Ted R. Munselle has options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock which are presently
exercisable. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 5,744,194 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 ARL may be deemed to be the beneficial
owners by virtue of their positions as executive officers and members of the Board of Directors of
ARL. The executive officers and current members of the Board of Directors of ARL disclaim
beneficial ownership of such shares. |
|
(3) |
|
Daniel J. Moos owns 5,000 shares of Common Stock. |
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, 2011. 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.
-11-
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, 61 (Affiliated)
Broker Land Sales (since July 2003) for Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (Prime) and
(1992 to June 2003) for BCM; Director (since December 2001) of the Company and (since July 2003) of
ARL and Director (December 2001 to July 1, 2003) of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc.
(IOT); Chairman of the Board (since May 28, 2009) of the Company and ARL.
Robert A. Jakuszewski, 49
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 ARL since November 22, 2005.
RL S. Lemke, 54 (Affiliated)
Mr. Lemke is Vice President, Project Development of Prime and has been so employed for more
than the past five years. Mr. Lemke is a Director (since February 1, 2011) of the Company and ARL
and (since February 8, 2011) of IOT. Mr. Lemke is also a Vice President (since February 1, 2011)
of the Company and ARL and (since February 8, 2011) of IOT. Mr. Lemke holds a Juris Doctor degree
(1982) from Creighton University School of Law.
Ted. R. Munselle, 54
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since October 1998) of Landmark Nurseries, Inc.;
President (since December 2004 until sold in April 2007) of Applied Educational Opportunities, LLC,
an educational organization which had two career training schools located in Texas; Director (since
February 2004) of the Company and ARL and (since May 2009) IOT; Certified Public Accountant (since
1980) who was employed as an Audit Partner in two Dallas, Texas based CPA firms (1986 to 1998), as
an Audit Manager at Grant Thornton LLP (1983 to 1986) and as Audit Staff to Audit Supervisor at
Laventhal & Horwath (1977 to 1983).
-12-
Martha C. Stephens, 64
Ms. Stephens is retired. Until January 2007 and for more than five years prior thereto, she
was employed in various administrative capacities by Prime. She was appointed as a director of the
Company and ARL on February 1, 2011. She is also a director (since February 23, 2007) and Chairman
of the Board (since May 7, 2009) of IOT.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the election of all of the Nominees named above.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the independent registered
public accounting firm of the Company for the 2011 fiscal year and to conduct quarterly reviews
through September 30, 2011. 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 fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The
Audit Committee will consider the outcome of this vote in its decision to appoint an independent
registered public accounting firm next year, however, it is not bound by the stockholders
decision. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its sole discretion, may
change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in
the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.
A representative of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. will attend the Annual Meeting. The
representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions from the stockholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm.
Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009 Audit Firm Fee Summary
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to or for
the Company for the years 2010 and 2009 by Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. and Swalm & Associates, P.C.
for 2009 and 2010:
-13-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
Farmer, |
|
|
Swlam & |
|
|
Farmer, |
|
|
Swalm & |
|
|
|
Fuqua & |
|
|
Associates, |
|
|
Fuqua & |
|
|
Associates, |
|
Type of Fee |
|
Huff, P.C. |
|
|
P.C. |
|
|
Huff, P.C. |
|
|
P.C. |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
434,992 |
|
|
|
45,269 |
|
|
$ |
405,992 |
|
|
$ |
75,835 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
48,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,900 |
|
|
|
2,572 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
483,717 |
|
|
$ |
45,269 |
|
|
$ |
457,892 |
|
|
$ |
78,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The audit fees for 2009 and 2010, respectively, were for professional services rendered
for the audits and reviews of the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Tax fees for
2009 and 2010, 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.
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.
-14-
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.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight
of the integrity of the Companys financial statements, the adequacy of the Companys system
of internal controls, the Companys risk management, the Companys compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, the independent auditors qualifications and independence, and the
performance of the Companys independent auditors. The 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 2010. 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.
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
-15-
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 2010, 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, 2010, 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, 2011.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martha C. Stephens
|
|
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
-16-
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.
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
-17-
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, 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.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Jakuszewski
|
|
Martha C. Stephens
|
|
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 all 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. No family
-18-
relationship exists among any director or executive officer of the Company. 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, 60
President and Chief Operating Officer (effective April 2007) of ARL, 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 (AMEX)
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.
Gene S. Bertcher, 62
Executive Vice President (since May 2008) and Chief Financial Officer (since November 2,
2009) of the Company, ARL and IOT. Prior thereto (from February 2008 to March 2008) he was
Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, ARL and IOT. Mr.
Bertcher is (and will continue to be) President and Chief Financial Officer of New Concept Energy,
Inc. (formerly CabelTel International Corporation), a Nevada corporation (GBR) which has its
common stock listed on the AMEX, a position he has occupied since November 1, 2004. From January
3, 2003 until November 1, 2004, Mr. Bertcher was also Chief Executive Officer of GBR. He has been
a certified public accountant since 1973; Mr. Bertcher has been a director since June 1999 (and was
from November 1989 to September 1996) of GBR. Until November 1989, Mr. Bertcher was a partner in
Grant Thornton, LLP having served as the Chairman of its National Real Estate and Construction
Committee.
Louis J. Corna, 63
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, ARL, 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, 58
Executive Vice President-Residential Construction (since November 2006) of ARL, 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,
-19-
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.
Officers
Although not an executive officer of the Company, Daeho Kim currently serves as Treasurer.
His position with the Company is not subject to a vote of stockholders. His age, term of service
and all positions and offices with the Company, other principal occupations, business experience
and relationship with other entities during the last five years or more are set forth below.
Daeho Kim, 34
Treasurer (since October 29, 2008) of ARL, IOT and the Company. For more than five years
prior thereto, Mr. Kim has been employed by Prime in various financial capacities including Cash
Manager and Assistant Director of Capital Markets.
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.
Prime is (and has been since October 1, 2003) the contractual advisor to the Company. Prime
is a single member Nevada limited liability company whose sole member is Prime Income Asset
Management, Inc. (PIAMI). PIAMI is owned by Realty Advisors, LLC (RALLC). Prime is a company
of which Messrs. Moos, Fletcher, Bertcher, Corna and Crozier serve as executive officers.
RALLC is a Nevada limited liability company the sole member 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,
and is involved in daily consultation with the officers of Prime and has significant influence over
the conduct of Primes business, including the rendering of advisory services and the making of
investment decision for itself and for the Company.
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. 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 to the Board, on
a quarterly basis, the Companys performance against the business plan. In addition, all
transactions require prior Board
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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 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
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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 or 2007 or 2008 or 2009 or 2010.
If and to the extent that the Company shall request of Prime, or any director, officer,
partner or employee of Prime, to render services to the Company other than those required to be
rendered by Prime under the Advisory Agreement, such additional services, if performed, will be
compensated separately on terms agreed upon between such party and the Company from time to time.
The Advisory Agreement automatically renews from year to year unless terminated in accordance
with its terms. Management believes that the terms of the Advisory Agreement are at least as fair
as could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Situations may develop in which the interests of the Company are in conflict with those of one
or more directors or officers in their individual capacities or of Prime, or of their respective
affiliates. In addition to services performed for the Company, Prime actively provides similar
services as agent for, and
advisor to, other real estate enterprises, including persons and entities involved in real
estate developing and financing, including ARL 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.
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Effective July 1, 2005, the Company and Prime entered into a Cash Management Agreement
to further define the administration of the Companys day-to-day investment operations,
relationship contacts, flow of funds and deposit and borrowing of funds. Under the Cash Management
Agreement, all funds of the Company are delivered to Prime which has a deposit liability to the
Company and is responsible for payment of all payables and investment of all excess funds which
earn interest at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 1% per annum, as set quarterly on the
first day of each calendar quarter. Borrowings for the benefit of the Company bear the same
interest rate. The term of the Cash Management Agreement is coterminous with the Advisory
Agreement, and it is automatically renewed each year unless terminated with the Advisory Agreement.
Prime may assign the Advisory Agreement only with the prior consent of the Company.
The managers and principal officers of Prime are set forth below:
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Mickey N. Phillips
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Ryan T. Phillips
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Daniel J. Moos
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President and Chief Operating Officer |
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Gene S. Bertcher
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Louis J. Corna
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Executive Vice President General Counsel, Tax
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Mickey N. Phillips is the brother of Gene E. Phillips, and Ryan T. Phillips is the son of Gene
E. Phillips.
Property Management and Real Estate Brokerage
Currently, Triad Realty Services LP (Triad), an affiliate of Prime 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 HRS Holdings LLC (HRSHLLC). 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 HRSHLLC.
Regis I also provides real estate brokerage services to the Company and receives brokerage
commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Certain Business Relationships
Prime, the Companys advisor, is an entity of which PIAMI is the sole member. PIAMI is owned
by RALLC. Prime is a company for which Messrs. Moos, Bertcher and Corna serve as executive
officers. The executive officers of the Company also serve as executive officers of ARL and IOT
and owe fiduciary duties to each of those entities as well as to Prime under applicable law. ARL
has the same relationship with Prime as does the Company. Mr. Bertcher is also an officer and
director of GBR and as such owes fiduciary duties to GBR.
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 HRSHLLC. 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 HRSHLLC. 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, 2010, the Company owned, and at
present continues to own, 3,556,118 shares of IOT Common Stock which comprises approximately 85.3%
of IOTs outstanding common stock. Martha C. Stephens, Henry A. Butler, RL S. Lemke, Robert A.
Jakuszewski and Ted R. Munselle, directors of the Company, are also members of the Board of
Directors of IOT. ARL, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns approximately 83% of outstanding
common stock of the Company; all of the Directors of the Company are also Directors of ARL.
Related Party Transactions
Historically, the Company, ARL, IOT 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.
TCI paid advisory fees of $11.9 million, net income fees of $900,000, acquisition fees of
$300,000, mortgage brokerage and equity refinancing fees of $1.6 million, cost reimbursements of
$3.3 million and interest of $2.3 million to Prime in 2010.
TCI paid property acquisition fees of $100,000, real estate brokerage fees of $1.5 million,
construction supervision fees of $1.8 million and property and construction management and leasing
commission of $1.9 million time Regis I in 2010.
Operating Relationships
In the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company received $2.2 million in rent from Prime and
its affiliates for rents of company owned properties, including One Hickory, Two Hickory, Addison
Hanger, Browning Place, Eagles Crest, Fenton Centre, Folsom Land, 1010 Commas, 2010 Valley View,
600 Las Colinas, Amoco, One Hickory, Parkway North, Sanford Centre, Thermallay and Senlac.
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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.
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, 2009 and 2010 are contained in the 2010 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is being
mailed to stockholders in April 2011 at the same time as the mailing 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.
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FUTURE PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Stockholder
proposals for our Annual Meeting to be held in 2012 must be received by us by
December 31, 2011, 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, 2010 TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) ARE AVAILABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE
THROUGH OUR WEBSITE WWW.TRANSCONREALTY-INVEST.COM OR UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC., 1800 VALLEY VIEW LANE, SUITE 300, DALLAS, TEXAS 75234,
ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS.
Dated: April 6, 2011.
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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,
Tax Counsel and Secretary |
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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
May 11, 2011
NOTICE
OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:
The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card
are available at www.transconrealty-invest.com.
Please sign, date and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
â
Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.
â
n20530000000000000000 7
051111
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The Board of Directors of Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. recommends approval of all nominees for election as directors and a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Farmer, Fuqua and Huff, P.C. as the independent registered public accounting firm. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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Election of Directors:
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Ratification of the Appointment of Farmer, Fuqua & Huff, P.C. as the independent registered public accounting firm.
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NOMINEES: |
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FOR
ALL NOMINEES
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL
NOMINEES
FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
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Henry A. Butler Robert
A. Jakuszewski RL S. Lemke Ted R. Munselle Martha C. Stephens |
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In their discretion on any other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjoumment(s) thereof. |
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THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BUT IF NO DIRECTION IS
INDICATED, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES AND FOR RATIFICATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF FARMER, FUQUA & HUFF, P.C. AS THE INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. ON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME
BEFORE SAID MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE DISCRETION OF THE
ABOVE-NAMED PERSONS.
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INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s),
mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill in the circle next to
each nominee you wish to
withhold, as shown here: = |
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To change the address on your account, please check the box
at right and indicate your new address in the address space
above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s)
on the account may not be submitted
via this method. |
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Signature
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Date:
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Signature
of Stockholder
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Date:
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
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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 MAY 11, 2011.
The undersigned stockholder of TRANSCONTINENTAL REALTY INVESTORS, INC. hereby appoints
HENRY A. BUTLER 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 Wednesday,
May 11, 2011, at 9:30 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 on the reverse side, for the transaction of such business as may
properly come before said meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, all as set forth in the April 6,
2011 Proxy Statement for said meeting.
(continued and to be signed and dated on the other side)