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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement.
[ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14a-6(e)(2)).
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement.
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials.
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
American Realty Investors, Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
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PERSONS WHO ARE TO RESPOND TO THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
FORM ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RESPOND UNLESS THE FORM DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OMB
CONTROL NUMBER.
SEC 1913 (11-01)
AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
DALLAS, TEXAS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AUGUST 26, 2003
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of American Realty Investors, Inc. to be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at
10:00 a.m. at 1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas.
This year you will be asked to vote in favor of two proposals. One is for
the election of four directors. The second proposal is to amend the Articles of
Incorporation. The proposals are more fully explained in the attached proxy
statement which we encourage you to read.
Whether you plan to attend or not, please sign, date and return the
enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided or vote by telephone or through the
designated internet site. Thank you for your cooperation.
/s/ ROBERT A. WALDMAN
Robert A. Waldman
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Dated: July 21, 2003
AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
DATE: Tuesday, August 26, 2003
TIME: 10:00 a.m. (Central time)
PLACE: 1800 Valley View Lane, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas
AGENDA: A proposal, numbered as Item 1 on the proxy card, for the
election of four nominees as directors of American Realty
Investors, Inc. ("ARI").
A proposal, numbered as Item 2 on the proxy card, for the
amendment of the Articles of Incorporation to delete the
designation for the Series B Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock.
WHO CAN VOTE: All holders of record of our common stock at the close of
business on July 21, 2003, are entitled to vote. Holders
of the common stock are entitled to one vote per share at
the Annual Meeting. The common stock is the only class of
our securities entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
PROXIES SOLICITED BY: Your vote and proxy is being solicited by our Board of
Directors for use at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy
Statement and enclosed proxy card is sent on behalf of our
Board of Directors to all stockholders beginning on July
22, 2003. By completing, signing and returning your proxy
card, you will authorize the persons named on the proxy
card to vote your shares according to your instructions.
PROXIES: If you do not indicate how you wish to vote for one or
more of the nominees for director, the persons named on
the proxy card will vote FOR election of all the nominees
for director (Proposal 1). If you "withhold" your vote for
any of the nominees, this will be counted as a vote
AGAINST that nominee.
If you do not indicate how you wish to vote on the
proposed amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, the
persons named on the proxy card will vote FOR the
amendment (Proposal 2).
REVOKING YOUR PROXY: You can revoke your proxy by:
- writing to the Corporate Secretary (at 1800 Valley View
Lane, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75234) before the Annual
Meeting;
- voting again via mail; or
- casting your vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Your
last vote will be the vote that is counted.
QUORUM: As of July 21, 2003, there were 11,375,127 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding. The holders of the
common stock have the right to cast one vote for each
share held by them. The presence, in person or by proxy,
of stockholders entitled to cast at least 5,687,564 votes
constitutes a quorum for adopting the proposals at the
Annual Meeting. If you have properly 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 a 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.
VOTES OF MANAGEMENT AND
AFFILIATES: As of July 21, 2003, management and affiliates held
8,878,827 shares representing approximately 78.0% of the
shares outstanding. Management intends to vote such
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shares for each proposal in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board of Directors.
MULTIPLE PROXY CARDS: If you receive 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
of your shares are voted.
COSTS OF PROXY
SOLICITATION: Some of our directors, officers and employees may solicit
proxies personally, without any additional compensation,
by telephone or mail. Proxy materials also will be
furnished without cost to brokers and other nominees to
forward to the beneficial owners of shares held in their
names.
QUESTIONS: You may call our Investor Relations Department at (469)
522-4245 if you have any questions.
PLEASE VOTE -- YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
ITEM NO. 1 ON THE PROXY CARD
The Board of Directors consists of four members. Four directors are to be
elected at the Annual Meeting. Each director elected will hold office until the
2004 Annual Meeting. All of the nominees for director are now serving as
directors. The nominees for election as director are:
DIRECTOR
NAME AGE SINCE
---- --- --------
Henry A. Butler............................................. 53 2003
Earl D. Cecil............................................... 74 2001
Ted P. Stokely.............................................. 69 2002
Martin L. White............................................. 63 2003
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.
All of our nominees have consented to serve as directors. Our Board of
Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to
act as a director. However, 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
nominee.
DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHIES
The nominees for directors are listed below, together with their terms of
service, all positions and offices with ARI or ARI's advisor, Prime Asset
Management, Inc. ("Prime"), 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 Advisor or an officer of
ARI. The designation "Independent", when used below with respect to a director,
means the director is neither an officer of ARI nor a director, officer or
employee of the Advisor, although ARI may have certain business or professional
relationships with such director as discussed below under "Certain Business
Relationships and Related Transactions".
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS,
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND DIRECTORSHIPS
Henry A. Butler: Director (Affiliated) (since July 2003).
Broker -- Land Sales (since 1992) of Basic Capital
Management, Inc. ("BCM"), the advisor to ARI until June 30,
2003; Owner/Operator (1989 to 1991) of Butler Interests,
Inc.; and Director (since December 2001) of Transcontinental
Realty Investors, Inc. ("TCI") and (from December 2001 to
July 2003) of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc.
("IORI").
Earl D. Cecil: Director (Independent) (since November 2001).
Financial and business consultant (since January 1994);
Division Vice President (February 1987 to December 1993) of
James Mitchell & Company, a financial services marketing
organization; and Director (since March 2002) of IORI and
TCI.
3
Ted P. Stokely: Director (Independent) and Chairman of the Board (since
November 2002).
General Manager (since January 1995) of ECF Senior Housing
Corporation, a nonprofit corporation; General Manager (since
January 1993) of Housing Assistance Foundation, Inc., a
nonprofit corporation; Part-time unpaid consultant (since
January 1993) of Eldercare Housing Foundation, a nonprofit
corporation; General Manager (since April 2002) of Unified
Housing Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation; and
Director (since April 1990) and Chairman of the Board (since
January 1995) of IORI and TCI.
Martin L. White: Director (Independent) (since July 2003).
Chief Executive Officer (since 1995) of Builders Emporium,
Inc.; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 1993) of
North American Trading Company, Ltd.; President and Chief
Operating Officer (since 1992) of Community Based
Developers, Inc.; and Director (since January 1995) of TCI
and IORI.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held twenty meetings during 2002. For such year, no
incumbent director attended fewer than 75 percent of the aggregate of (1) the
total number of meetings held by the Board during the period for which he had
been a director and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of
the Board on which he served during the period that he served.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, the function of which is to
review ARI's operating and accounting procedures. The members of the Audit
Committee are Messrs. Cecil, Stokely and White. The Board of Directors has a
Stock Option Committee the function of which is to administer ARI's stock option
plan. The member of the Stock Option Committee is Mr. Cecil. The Stock Option
Committee did not meet in 2002.
ARI's Board of Directors does not have nominating or compensation
committees.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee meets periodically with the independent auditors and
(1) reviews annual financial statements and the independent auditors' work and
report thereon, (2) reviews the independent auditors' report on internal
controls and related matters, (3) selects and recommends to the Board of
Directors the appointment of the independent auditors, (4) reviews the letter of
engagement and statement of fees which pertain to the scope of the annual audit
and certain special audit and non-audit work which may be required or suggested
by the independent auditors, (5) receives and reviews information pertaining to
internal audits, (6) directs and supervises special investigations, and, (7)
performs any other functions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
Members of the Audit Committee are Earl D. Cecil, Ted P. Stokely and Martin L.
White each of whom is independent (as defined in Section 303.01(B)(2)(a) and (3)
of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual). The Board of Directors
has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met
nine times during 2002.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee oversees ARI's financial reporting process on behalf of
the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the
financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal
controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed
the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management, including
a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting
principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of
disclosures in the financial statements.
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The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible
for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial
statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to
the quality, not just the acceptability, of ARI's accounting principles and such
other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under generally
accepted auditing standards. In addition, the Committee has discussed with the
independent auditors the auditors' independence from management and ARI,
including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence
Standards Board.
The Committee discussed with ARI's independent auditors the overall scope
and plans for their audit. The Committee meets with the independent auditors,
with and without management present, to discuss the results of their
examinations, their evaluations of ARI's internal controls and the overall
quality of ARI's financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the
audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2002, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Committee has also recommended, subject to Board approval, the
selection of ARI's independent auditors.
Audit Committee
Earl D. Cecil
Ted P. Stokely
Martin L. White
Dated: July 21, 2003
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following persons currently serve as executive officers of ARI: Mark W.
Branigan, Executive Vice President -- Residential; Louis J. Corna, Executive
Vice President -- Tax; and Ronald E. Kimbrough -- Acting Principal Executive
Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Their positions
with ARI are not subject to a vote of stockholders. Their ages, terms of
service, all positions and offices with ARI or Prime, other principal
occupations, business experience and directorships with other companies during
the last five years or more are set forth below.
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS,
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND DIRECTORSHIPS
AGE
---
Mark W. Branigan: Executive Vice President -- Residential (since June 2001), 48
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (August
2000 to June 2001) and Director (September 2000 to June
2001).
Executive Vice President -- Residential (since June 2003) of
Prime; Executive Vice President -- Residential (since June
2001), Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(August 2000 to June 2001), Vice President -- Director of
Construction (August 1999 to August 2000) and Executive Vice
President -- Residential Asset Management (January 1992 to
October 1997) of TCI, IORI and BCM; Vice
President -- Director of Construction (August 1999 to August
2000) and Executive Vice President -- Residential Asset
Management (January 1992 to October 1997) of American Realty
Trust, Inc. ("ART"); and real estate consultant (November
1997 to July 1999)
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AGE
---
Louis J. Corna: Executive Vice President -- Tax (since October 2001), 55
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (June
2001 to October 2001), and Senior Vice President -- Tax
(December 2001 to June 2001).
Executive Vice President -- Tax (since June 2003) of Prime;
Executive Vice President -- Tax (since October 2001),
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (June
2001 to October 2001), and Senior Vice President -- Tax
(December 2000 to June 2001) of BCM, TCI and IORI; Private
Attorney (January 2000 to December 2000); Vice President --
Taxes and Assistant Treasurer (March 1998 to January 2000)
of IMC Global, Inc.; and Vice President -- Taxes (July 1991
to February 1998) of Whitman Corporation.
Ronald E. Kimbrough: Acting Principal Executive Officer (since February 2002) and 50
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since
January 2002).
Acting Principal Executive Officer, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer (since June 2003) of Prime;
Acting Principal Executive Officer, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer (since January 2002) of BCM, TCI
and IORI; Controller (September 2000 to January 2002) of
BCM; Director, Vice President and Treasurer (since February
2002) of First Equity Properties, Inc.; Vice President and
Treasurer (January 1998 to September 2000) of Syntek West,
Inc. and One Realco Corporation; and Consultant (1997).
OFFICERS
Although not an executive officer of ARI, Robert A. Waldman currently
serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. His position
with ARI is not subject to a vote of stockholders. His age, term of service, all
positions and offices with ARI or Prime, other principal occupations, business
experience and directorships with other companies during the last five years or
more are set forth below.
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS,
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND DIRECTORSHIPS
AGE
---
Robert A. Waldman: Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel (since 51
August 2000)
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since
June 2003) of Prime; Senior Vice President and General
Counsel (since January 1995), Vice President (December 1990
to January 1995) and Secretary (from December 1993 to
February 1997 and since June 1999) of IORI and TCI; Senior
Vice President and General Counsel (since November 1994),
Vice President and Corporate Counsel (November 1989 to
November 1994) and Secretary (since November 1989) of BCM.
In addition to the foregoing officers, ARI has several vice presidents and
assistant secretaries who are not listed herein.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
Under the securities laws of the United States, ARI's directors, executive
officers, and any persons holding more than 10 percent of ARI's shares of Common
Stock are required to report their ownership of ARI's shares and any changes in
that ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and
the New York Stock Exchange. Specific due dates for these reports have been
established and ARI is required to report any failure to file by these dates
during 2002. All of these filing requirements were satisfied by ARI's directors
and executive officers and 10 percent holders. In making these statements, ARI
has relied on the written representations of its incumbent directors, executive
officers and 10 percent holders and copies of the reports that they have filed
with the Commission.
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THE ADVISOR
Although the Board of Directors is directly responsible for managing the
affairs of ARI and for setting the policies which guide it, the day-to-day
operations are performed by Prime under the supervision of the Board of
Directors. The duties of Prime include, among other things, investigating,
evaluating and recommending real estate and mortgage loan investment
opportunities as well as financing and refinancing sources. Prime also serves as
a consultant in connection with ARI's business plan and investment policy
decisions made by the Board of Directors.
Prime has served as advisor to ARI since July 2003. Prime is a company 79%
owned by a trust for the children of Gene E. Phillips and 21% owned by Syntek
West, Inc., which is a company owned by Gene E. Phillips.
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
the average of the aggregate book value of ARI's assets invested in equity
interests in and loans secured by real estate before non-cash reserves (the
"Average Invested Assets").
In addition to base compensation, Prime or its affiliate or assignee,
receives the following forms of additional compensation:
(a) an acquisition fee for locating, leasing or purchasing real estate
for ARI in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the amount of compensation
customarily charged in similar arm's-length transactions or (2) up to 6% of
the costs of acquisition, inclusive of commissions, if any, paid to
nonaffiliated brokers;
(b) a disposition fee for the sale of each equity investment in real
estate in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the amount of compensation
customarily charged in similar arm's-length transactions or (2) 3% of the
sales price of each property, exclusive of fees, if any, paid to
non-affiliated brokers;
(c) a loan arrangement fee in an amount equal to 1% of the principal
amount of any loan made to ARI arranged by Prime;
(d) an incentive fee equal to 10% of net income for the year in excess
of a 10% return on stockholders' equity, and 10% of the excess of net
capital gains over net capital losses, if any, realized from sales of
assets; and
(e) a mortgage placement fee, on mortgage loans originated or
purchased, equal to 50%, measured on a cumulative basis, of the total
amount of mortgage origination or placement fees on mortgage loans made by
ARI for the fiscal year.
The Advisory Agreement further provides that Prime shall bear the cost of
certain expenses of its employees, excluding fees paid to ARI's Directors; rent
and other office expenses of both Prime and ARI (unless ARI maintains office
space separate from that of Prime); costs not directly identifiable to ARI's
assets, liabilities, operations, business or financial affairs; and
miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to the performance by Prime of
its duties under the Advisory Agreement.
If and to the extent that ARI shall request Prime, or any director,
officer, partner or employee of Prime, to render services to ARI 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 ARI from time to time.
The Advisory Agreement automatically renews from year to year unless
terminated in accordance with its terms. ARI's 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 ARI are in conflict with
those of one or more directors or officers of ARI in their individual capacities
or of Prime, or of their respective affiliates. In addition to services
performed for ARI, as described above, Prime actively provides similar services
as agent for, and advisor to,
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other real estate enterprises, including persons and entities involved in real
estate development and financing, including TCI. The Advisory Agreement provides
that Prime may also serve as advisor to other entities.
As advisor, Prime is a fiduciary of ARI's 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 entity's
existing mortgage note and real estate portfolio and which entity has had
uninvested funds for the longest period of time. 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 uninvested
funds for the longest period of time or if appropriate, the investment may be
shared among various entities. See "Certain Business Relationships and Related
Party Transactions -- Certain Business Relationships" below.
The directors and principal officers of Prime are set forth below:
Mickey N. Phillips: Director
Ryan T. Phillips: Director
Mark W. Branigan: Executive Vice
President -- Residential
Louis J. Corna: Executive Vice President -- Tax
Ronald E. Kimbrough: Acting Principal Executive Officer,
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Dan S. Allred: Senior Vice President -- Land
Development
Michael E. Bogel: Senior Vice President -- Project
Manager
Robert A. Waldman: Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Mickey N. Phillips is the brother of Gene E. Phillips, and Ryan T. Phillips
is the son of Gene E. Phillips.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Affiliates of Prime provide property management services to ARI. Currently,
Triad Realty Services, Ltd. ("Triad") and Carmel Realty, Inc. ("Carmel") provide
such property management services for a fee of 5 percent or less of the monthly
gross rents collected on residential properties under its management and 3
percent or less of the monthly gross rents collected on the commercial
properties under its management. Triad and Carmel subcontract with other
entities for the provision of the property-level management services to ARI at
various rates. The general partner of Triad is BCM. Triad subcontracts the
property-level management of 12 of ARI's commercial properties (office
buildings, shopping centers and a merchandise mart) and eight hotels to Regis
Realty I, LLC ("Regis I"), a related party. Regis is entitled to receive
property and construction management fees and leasing commissions in accordance
with the terms of its property-level management agreement with Triad.
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
Regis I, a related party, also provides real estate brokerage services to
ARI and receives brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory
Agreement.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ARI has no employees, payroll or employee benefit plans and pays no
compensation to its executive officers. The directors and executive officers of
ARI who are also officers or employees of Prime are compensated by Prime. Such
affiliated directors and executive officers perform a variety of services for
Prime and the amount of their compensation is determined solely by the advisor.
Prime does not allocate the cash compensation of its officers among the various
entities for which it serves as advisor.
8
Director Compensation
The only direct remuneration paid by ARI is to those Directors who are not
officers or employees of Prime or its affiliated companies. Each Independent
Director is compensated at the rate of $45,000 per year, plus $300 per Audit
Committee meeting attended and 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 outside of
their ordinary duties as Director, plus reimbursement of expenses. During 2002,
$162,000 was paid to Independent Directors in total Directors' fees for all
services including the annual fee for service during the period January 1, 2002
through December 31, 2002, and 2002 special service fees as follows: Earl D.
Cecil, $57,000; Collene C. Currie (a Director until November 2002), $53,000;
Joseph Mizrachi (a Director until July 2003), $47,000; and Ted P. Stokely,
$5,000. In the past, certain of the Directors have, from time to time, engaged,
directly or indirectly in transactions with ARI. See "Certain Business
Relationships and Related Party Transactions."
Stock Option Plans
In January 1999, stockholders approved the Directors' Stock Option Plan
("Directors' Plan") which provides for options to purchase up to 40,000 shares
of Common Stock. 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 Independent Director was granted an option to purchase 1,000 shares at an
exercise price of $17.71 per share on January 11, 1999, the date the
stockholders approved the Directors' Plan. On January 1, 2000, each Independent
Director was granted an option to purchase 1,000 shares at an exercise price of
$18.53 per share. On January 1, 2001, each Independent Director was granted an
option to purchase 1,000 shares at an exercise price of $13.625 per share. On
January 1, 2002, each Independent Director was granted an option to purchase
1,000 shares of an exercise price of $9.87 per share. Each Independent Director
will be awarded an option to purchase an additional 1,000 shares on January 1 of
each year. At December 31, 2002, 1,000 options were exercisable at $18.53 per
share, 2,000 options were exercisable at $13.625 per share and 3,000 options
were exercisable at $9.87 per share.
In January 1998, stockholders approved the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the
"Option Plan") which provides for options to purchase up to 300,000 shares of
Common Stock. The Option Plan is intended principally as an incentive for and as
a means of encouraging ownership of ARI's Common Stock, by eligible persons,
including certain directors and officers of ARI. Options may be granted either
as incentive stock options (which qualify for certain favorable tax treatment)
or as non-qualified stock options. Incentive stock options cannot be granted to,
among others, persons who are not employees of ARI or of any parent or
subsidiary of ARI, or to persons who fail to satisfy certain criteria concerning
ownership of less than 10 percent of the shares of ARI. The Option Plan is
administered by the Stock Option Committee, which currently consists of one
Independent Director of ARI. The exercise price per share of an option will not
be less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant
thereof. ARI receives no consideration for the grant of an option.
At December 31, 2002, there were 99,750 options outstanding under the
Option Plan.
No options were granted under the Option Plan in 2002.
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The following table presents certain information for the executive officers
of ARI relating to the exercise of stock options during 2002 and, in addition,
information relating to the valuation of unexercised stock options.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
ACQUIRED OPTIONS AT 12/31/02 AT 12/31/02
ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
NAME (#) ($) (#) (#) ($) ($)
---- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Mark W. Branigan............ 0 0 0 0 0 0
Louis J. Corna.............. 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ronald E. Kimbrough......... 0 0 0 0 0 0
As of December 31, 2002, there were 99,750 options to purchase ARI's shares
outstanding under the Option Plan of which 76,600 were vested and exercisable at
$16.35 per share and 2,400 were vested and exercisable at $18.53 per share.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on
ARI's shares (ART's shares prior to August 2000) of Common Stock with the Dow
Jones Equity Market Index ("DJ Equity Index") and the Dow Jones Real Estate
Investment Index ("DJ Real Estate Index"). The comparison assumes that $100 was
invested on December 31, 1997 in shares of Common Stock and in each of the
indices and further assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. Past performance
is not necessarily an indicator of future performance.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARI 100.00 116.48 121.26 97.22 70.40 57.70
DJ Equity Index 100.00 124.90 153.28 139.07 122.50 95.45
DJ Real Estate
Index 100.00 78.88 74.69 95.24 106.49 110.35
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Management. The following table sets forth the
ownership of shares of ARI Common Stock, both beneficially and of record, both
individually and in the aggregate, for the directors and executive officers of
ARI, as of the close of business on July 21, 2003.
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME OF OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP CLASS(1)
---------------- ----------------- ----------
Mark W. Branigan............................................ 8,851,225(2)(3) 77.8%
Henry A. Butler............................................. 749,972(2)(4) 6.6%
Earl D. Cecil............................................... 748,972(2)(5) 6.6%
Louis J. Corna.............................................. 8,851,225(2)(3) 77.8%
Ronald E. Kimbrough......................................... 8,851,225(2)(3) 77.8%
Ted P. Stokely.............................................. 747,972(2)(6) 6.6%
Martin L. White............................................. 746,972(2) 6.6%
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (7
persons).................................................. 8,857,225(2)(3)(4) 77.9%
(5)(6)
---------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Percentage is based upon 11,375,127 shares outstanding on July 21, 2003.
(2) Includes 746,972 shares owned by TCI over which the executive officers of
ARI may be deemed to be beneficial owners by virtue of their positions as
executive officers of TCI. The executive officers of ARI disclaim beneficial
ownership of such shares.
(3) Includes 8,104,253 shares owned by BCM over which the executive officers of
ARI may be deemed to be beneficial owners by virtue of their positions as
executive officers of BCM. The executive officers of ARI disclaim beneficial
ownership of such shares.
(4) Includes 3,000 shares that are subject to options exercisable as of July 21,
2003, or within 60 days thereafter.
(5) Includes 2,000 shares that are subject to options exercisable as of July 21,
2003, or within 60 days thereafter.
(6) Includes 1,000 shares that are subject to options exercisable as of July 21,
2003, or within 60 days thereafter.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following table sets
forth the ownership of ARI's Common Stock both beneficially and of record, both
individually and in the aggregate, for those persons or entities known by ARI to
be the owner of more than 5% of ARI Common Stock as of the close of business on
July 21, 2003.
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP CLASS(1)
------------------- ----------------- ----------
Basic Capital Management, Inc. ............................. 8,104,253 71.2%
1800 Valley View Lane
Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. .................... 746,972(2) 6.6%
1800 Valley View Lane
Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234
Ryan T. Phillips............................................ 8,131,855(3) 71.5%
1800 Valley View Lane
Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75234
11
---------------
(1) Percentage is based on 11,375,127 shares of Common Stock outstanding on July
21, 2003.
(2) Each of the directors of TCI, Henry A. Butler, Earl D. Cecil, Ted P. Stokely
and Martin L. White, may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of such
shares by virtue of their positions as directors of TCI. The directors of
TCI disclaim such beneficiary ownership.
(3) Includes 8,104,253 shares owned by BCM over which Ryan T. Phillips may be
deemed to be the beneficial owner by virtue of his position as a director of
BCM. Mr. Phillips disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Also,
includes 27,602 shares owned by the Gene E. Phillips Children's Trust. Ryan
T. Phillips is a beneficiary of such trust.
CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Policies with Respect to Certain Activities. Article ELEVENTH of ARI's
Articles of Incorporation provides that ARI shall not, directly or indirectly,
contract or engage in any transaction with (1) any director, officer of employee
of ARI, (2) any director, officer or employee of the advisor, (3) the advisor or
(4) 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 ARI's Board of
Directors or the appropriate committee thereof and (b) ARI's Board of Directors
or committee thereof determines that such contract or transaction is fair to ARI
and simultaneously authorizes or ratifies such contract or transaction by the
affirmative vote of majority of independent directors of ARI entitled to vote
thereon.
Article ELEVENTH defines an "Independent Director" as one who is neither an
officer or employee of ARI, nor a director, officer or employee of ARI's
advisor.
ARI's policy is to have such contracts or transactions approved or ratified
by a majority of the disinterested directors of ARI with full knowledge of the
character of such transactions, as being fair and reasonable to the stockholders
at the time of such approval or ratification under the circumstances then
prevailing. Such directors also consider the fairness of such transactions to
ARI. Management believes that, to date, such transactions have represented the
best investments available at the time and that they were at least as
advantageous to ARI as other investments that could have been obtained.
ARI expects to enter into future transactions with entities the officers,
directors or stockholders of which are also officers, directors or stockholders
of ARI if such transactions would be beneficial to the operations of ARI and
consistent with ARI's then-current investment objectives and policies, subject
to approval by a majority of disinterested directors as discussed above.
ARI does not prohibit its officers, directors, stockholders or related
parties from engaging in business activities of the types conducted by ARI.
CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
Prime is a company of which Messrs. Branigan, Corna and Kimbrough serve as
executive officers. Prime is beneficially 79% owned by a trust for the benefit
of the children of Gene E. Phillips and 21% owned by Syntek West, Inc., which is
a company owned by Gene E. Phillips.
The executive officers of ARI also serve as executive officers of IORI and
TCI, and owe fiduciary duties to each of these entities, as well as to Prime,
under applicable law. TCI has the same relationship with Prime as does ARI.
ARI contracts with affiliates of Prime for property management services.
Currently, Triad, an affiliate, and Carmel Realty, Inc. ("Carmel") provide such
property management services. The general partner of Triad is BCM. Triad and
Carmel subcontract the property-level management of 12 of ARI's commercial
properties (office buildings, shopping centers and a merchandise mart) and eight
of its hotels to Regis, a related party.
12
Regis I, a related party, also provides brokerage services to ARI and
receives brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.
ARI owns an equity interest in TCI. In addition, TCI owns a beneficial
interest in ARI.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Historically, ARI, TCI, IORI and BCM 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 ARI as could have been obtained from unrelated parties.
OPERATING RELATIONSHIPS
In October 1997, ARI entered into leases with BCM and an affiliate of BCM,
for space at the One Hickory Centre Office Building, where construction was
completed in December 1998. The BCM leases, effective upon ARI obtaining
permanent financing of the building, were for 75,852 sq. ft. (approximately 75%
of the building), had terms of ten and fifteen years and provided for annual
base rent of $19.25 per sq. ft. for the first year. In January 2001, both leases
were terminated, and ARI entered into a new lease with BCM, effective October 1,
2000. The new lease was for 59,463 sq. ft. (approximately 62% of the building),
had a term of three years, and provided for annual base rent of $1.3 million or
$21.50 per sq. ft. Effective March 1, 2002, the lease was amended to 57,879 sq.
ft. (approximately 59% of the building), with an annual base rent of $1.2
million, or $21.50 per sq. ft. In April 2002, ARI sold the subsidiary which owns
the building to TCI.
In 2002, ARI paid BCM, its affiliates and a related party $5.9 million in
advisory fees, $689,000 in mortgage brokerage and equity refinancing fees,
$13,000 in property acquisition fees, $5.3 million in real estate brokerage
commissions, $1.9 million in construction supervision fees and $4.3 million in
property and construction management fees and leasing commissions, net of
property management fees paid to subcontractors, other than affiliates of BCM.
In addition, as provided in the Advisory Agreement, BCM received cost
reimbursements of $2.5 million.
PARTNERSHIP TRANSACTIONS
BCM has entered into put agreements with certain holders of the Class A
limited partner units of Ocean Beach Partners, L.P. The Class A units are
convertible into Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock of ARI. The put price of
the Series D Preferred Stock is $20.00 per share plus accrued but unpaid
dividends.
BCM has entered into put agreements with the holders of the Class A limited
partner units of Valley Ranch, L.P. Such Class A units were convertible into
Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of ARI which was further
convertible into Common Stock of ARI. The put price for the Class A units was
$1.00 per unit and the put price for either the Series B Preferred Stock or
ARI's Common Stock was 80% of the average daily closing price of ARI's Common
Stock for the prior 20 trading days. In March 1999, ARI reached agreement with
the Class A unitholders of Valley Ranch, L.P. to acquire their eight million
Class A units for $1.00 per unit. In 1999, three million units were purchased.
Additionally, one million units were purchased in January 2000 and two million
units were purchased in May 2001. ARI purchased the remaining two million units
in 2002.
BCM has entered into put agreements with the holders of the Class A units
of ART Palm, L.P. Such Class A units are convertible into Series C Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock of ARI. The put price for the Class A units is $1.00
per unit and the put price for either the Series C Preferred Stock or ARI's
Common Stock is 90% of the average daily closing price of ARI's Common Stock for
the prior 20 trading days. The put agreement calls for ARI to repurchase the
Class A units as follows: June 30, 2003, 1,625,000 units; December 31, 2005,
1,625,000 units; and December 31, 2006, 8,563,750 units.
13
ADVANCES AND LOANS
From time-to-time, ARI and its affiliates have made advances to each other,
which have not had specific repayment terms, do not bear interest, are unsecured
and have been reflected in ARI's financial statements as other assets or other
liabilities. At December 31, 2002, after accounting for affiliate purchases and
sales, amounts still owed by ARI were $26.6 million, $6.6 million, $3.5 million
and $2.7 million to BCM, TCI, IORI and Regis, respectively.
In October 1999, ARI funded a $4.7 million loan to Realty Advisors, Inc.,
an affiliate. The loan was secured by all of the outstanding shares of common
stock of American Reserve Life Insurance Company. The loan bore interest at
10.25% per annum, and matured in November 2001. In January 2000, $100,000 was
collected. In November 2001, the maturity date was extended to November 2004.
The collateral was changed to a subordinate pledge of 850,000 shares of ARI
Common Stock owned by BCM. The shares are also pledged to a lender on ARI's
behalf. The interest rate was changed to 2% over the prime rate, currently 6.75%
per annum, and the accrued but unpaid interest of $984,000 was added to the
principal. The new principal balance is $5.6 million. All principal and accrued
interest are due at maturity.
In March 2000, a loan with a current principal balance of $2.6 million to
Lordstown, L.P., matured. The loan, to provide funds to purchase for resale
various parcels of land, is secured by a second lien on land in Ohio and
Florida, by 100% of the general and limited partner interest in Partners
Capital, Ltd., the limited partner of Lordstown, L.P., and a profits interest in
subsequent land sales. At December 2002, the loan, and $1.1 million of accrued
interest, remained unpaid. A corporation controlled by Richard D. Morgan is the
general partner of Lordstown, L.P. Mr. Morgan served as a director of ARI until
October 2001.
In December 2000, an unsecured loan with a principal balance of $1.9
million to Warwick of Summit, Inc. ("Warwick") matured. The loan was made to
provide funds to purchase, renovate and expand a shopping center property in
Warwick, Rhode Island. All principal and interest were due at maturity. At
December 2002, the loan, and $188,000 of accrued interest, remained unpaid.
Richard D. Morgan, a Warwick shareholder, served as a director of ARI until
October 2001.
In December 2000, a loan with a principal balance of $1.6 million to
Bordeaux Investments Two, L.L.C. ("Bordeaux"), matured. The loan, to provide
funds to purchase and renovate a shopping center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is
secured by (1) a 100% interest in Bordeaux, which owns a shopping center in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; (2) 100% of the stock of Bordeaux Investments One,
Inc., which owns 6.5 acres of undeveloped land in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and
(3) the personal guarantees of the Bordeaux members. At December 2002, the loan,
and $710,000 of accrued interest, remained unpaid. Richard D. Morgan, a Bordeaux
member, served as a director of ARI until October 2001.
In March 2001, ARI funded $13.6 million of a $15.0 million unsecured line
of credit to One Realco Corporation ("One Realco"), which owned approximately
14.8% of the outstanding shares of ARI's Common Stock. One Realco periodically
borrows money to meet its cash obligations. The line of credit bears interest at
12.0% per annum. All principal and interest were due at maturity in February
2002. The line of credit is guaranteed by BCM. In June 2001, $394,000 in
principal and $416,000 in interest was collected. In December 2001, $21,000 in
principal and $804,000 in interest was collected. In February 2002, the maturity
date was extended to February 2004. In March 2002, ARI funded an additional $1.8
million, increasing the outstanding principal balance to $15.5 million. In
October 2002, $856,900 in interest was collected by the return of 85,690 shares
of ARI Series A Preferred Stock. All principal and interest are due at maturity.
Ronald E. Kimbrough, Acting Principal Executive Officer, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of ARI, is a 10% shareholder of One
Realco. During 2001 and 2002, Mr. Kimbrough did not participate in day-to-day
operations or management of One Realco.
In June 2002, ARI converted $4.5 million of its receivable from BCM to a
recourse note receivable. This transaction was to provide ARI with additional
security over that provided by an unsecured receivable. The note bears interest
at 10.0% per annum, matures in March 2004 and requires quarterly payments of
principal and accrued interest, beginning in December 2002.
14
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
In May 2001, ARI exchanged with TCI two parcels of land, a 10.5 acre tract
of Vista Ridge land and an 8.88 acre tract of Hollywood Casino land, for the 168
unit Glenwood Apartments. The business purpose of the transaction was for TCI to
construct apartments on the Vista Ridge land and office buildings on the
Hollywood Casino land. ARI received net cash of $3.2 million on the subsequent
sale of the apartments.
In December 2001, TCI purchased 100% of the outstanding common shares of
National Melrose, Inc. ("NM"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARI, for $2.0
million. The purchase price was determined based upon the market value of the
property exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income. NM
owns the Executive Court Office Building. ARI has guaranteed the asset will
produce at least a 12% annual return on the purchase price for a period of three
years from the purchase date. If the asset fails to produce the annual return,
ARI will pay TCI any shortfall. In addition, if the asset fails to produce the
12% return for a calendar year, TCI may require ARI to repurchase the shares of
NM for the purchase price. The business purpose of the transaction was for TCI
to make an equity investment in NM, anticipating a profitable return, and for
ARI to receive cash for its equity investment. Management has classified this
related party transaction as a note payable to TCI.
In January 2002, IORI purchased 100% of the outstanding common shares of
Rosedale Corporation ("Rosedale"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARI for $5.1
million. The purchase price was determined based upon the market value of the
property exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income.
Rosedale owned the Rosedale Towers Office Building. ARI guaranteed that the
asset would produce at least a 12% annual return on the purchase price for a
period of three years from the purchase date. If the asset failed to produce the
12% return, ARI would pay IORI any shortfall. In addition, if the asset failed
to produce the 12% return for a calendar year, IORI could require ARI to
repurchase the shares of Rosedale for the purchase price. The business purpose
of the transaction was for IORI to make an equity investment in Rosedale
anticipating a profitable return, and for ARI to receive cash for its equity
investment. Management classified this related party transaction as a note
payable to IORI. IORI sold the Rosedale Towers Office Building to an unrelated
buyer in December 2002. ARI owed $2.1 million to IORI for remaining principal
and 12% return. In April, 2003, ARI repaid $2.0 million in principal and accrued
interest.
In January 2002, TCI purchased 100% of the common shares of ART Two Hickory
Corporation ("Two Hickory"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARI, for $4.4 million.
The purchase price was determined based upon the market value of the property
exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income. Two Hickory
owns the Two Hickory Centre Office Building. ARI has guaranteed that the asset
will produce at least a 12% annual return on the purchase price for a period of
three years from the purchase date. If the asset fails to produce the 12%
return, ARI will pay TCI any shortfall. In addition, if the asset fails to
produce the 12% return for a calendar year, TCI may require ARI to repurchase
the shares of Two Hickory for the purchase price. The business purpose of the
transaction was for TCI to make an equity investment in Two Hickory,
anticipating a profitable return, and for ARI to receive cash for its equity
investment. Management has classified this related party transaction as a note
payable to TCI.
In March 2002, ARI received $520,000 and exchanged with TCI a 24.5 acre
tract of Rasor land, a 16.89 acre tract of Lakeshore Villas Apartments land and
the 45,623 sq. ft. Oaktree Village Shopping Center for the 80,278 sq. ft. Plaza
on Bachman Creek Shopping Center. The exchange value prices for the shopping
centers were determined using a market rate multiple of net operating income,
and the values of the land parcels were determined using appraised rates. The
business purpose of the transaction was for TCI to construct apartments on the
Rasor and Lakeshore Villas land. To give ample value for the property TCI
exchanged, the Oaktree Village Shopping Center was added to the transaction. ARI
received $4.4 million on the subsequent financing of the shopping center.
Failure to notify and receive approval from the lender for this transaction may
constitute an event of default under the terms of the debt assumed by TCI.
In April 2002, TCI purchased all of the general and limited partnership
interest in Garden Confederate Point, L.P. ("Confederate Point") from ARI for
$1.9 million. The purchase price was determined based on the market value of the
property exchanged using a market rate multiple of net operating income.
Confederate Point owns the Confederate Point Apartments. ARI has guaranteed that
the asset will produce at least a 12%
15
annual return on the purchase price for a period of three years from the
purchase date. If the asset fails to produce the 12% return for a calendar year,
TCI may require ARI to repurchase the interests in Confederate Point for the
purchase price. The business purpose of this transaction was for TCI to make an
equity investment in Confederate Point anticipating a profitable return and to
reduce ARI's payable to BCM. Management has classified this related party
transaction as a note payable to TCI. Failure to notify and receive approval
from the lender for this transaction may constitute an event of default under
the terms of the debt assumed by TCI.
In April 2002, TCI purchased all of the general and limited partnership
interests in Garden Foxwood, L.P. ("Foxwood") from ARI for $1.1 million. The
purchase price was determined based on the market values of the property
exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income. Foxwood owns
the Foxwood Apartments. ARI has guaranteed that the asset will produce at least
a 12% annual return on the purchase price for a period of three years from the
purchase date. If the asset fails to produce the 12% return, ARI will pay TCI
any shortfall. In addition, if the asset fails to produce the 12% return for a
calendar year, TCI may require ARI to repurchase the interests in Foxwood for
the purchase price. The business purpose for the transaction was for TCI to make
an equity investment in Foxwood anticipating a profitable return and to reduce
ARI's payable to BCM. Management has classified this related party transaction
as a note payable to TCI. Failure to notify and receive approval from the lender
for this transaction may constitute an event of default under the terms of the
debt assumed by TCI.
In April 2002, TCI purchased all of the general and limited partnership
interests in Garden Woodsong, L.P. ("Woodsong") from ARI for $2.5 million. The
purchase price was determined based on the market values of the property
exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income. Woodsong owned
the Woodsong Apartments. ARI has guaranteed that the asset would produce at
least a 12% annual return on the purchase price for a period of three years from
the purchase date. If the asset failed to produce the 12% return, ARI would pay
TCI any shortfall. In addition, if the asset failed to produce the 12% return
for a calendar year, TCI could require ARI to repurchase the interests in
Woodsong for the purchase price. The business purpose for the transaction was
for TCI to make an equity investment in Woodsong anticipating a profitable
return and to reduce ARI's payable to BCM. Management classified this related
party transaction as a note payable to TCI. In July 2002, the Woodsong
Apartments was sold for $9.1 million. TCI received $2.6 million from the
proceeds of $2.8 million as payment of principal and accrued but unpaid interest
on the loan.
In April 2002, TCI purchased 100% of the common shares of ARI One Hickory
Corporation ("One Hickory"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARI, for $4.5 million.
The purchase price was determined based on the market values of the property
exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income. One Hickory
owns the One Hickory Centre Office Building. ARI has guaranteed that the asset
will produce at least a 12% annual return on the purchase price for a period of
three years from the purchase date. If the asset fails to produce the 12%
return, ARI will pay TCI any shortfall. In addition, if the asset fails to
produce the 12% return for a calendar year, TCI may require ARI to repurchase
the interests in One Hickory for the purchase price. The business purpose for
the transaction was for TCI to make an equity investment in One Hickory
anticipating a profitable return and to reduce ARI's payable to BCM. Management
has classified this related party transaction as a note payable to TCI. Failure
to notify and receive approval from the lender for this transaction may
constitute an event of default under the terms of the debt assumed by TCI.
In June 2002, TCI purchased Centura Tower, Ltd. partnership, which owns the
Centura Tower Office Building, from ARI for $50.0 million. The purchase price
for the Centura Tower was determined based on appraised value and replacement
cost. The business purpose of the transaction was for TCI to acquire a Class A
office building with significant upside potential anticipating a profitable
return and for ARI to satisfy debt.
In June 2002, TCI purchased five parcels of unimproved land from ARI for
$30.0 million: the Hollywood Casino, Marine Creek, Mason Goodrich, Nashville and
Monterrey land parcels. The purchase price of the Hollywood Casino land was
determined based on an appraised value. The business purpose of the transaction
was for TCI to consolidate its holdings within the Mercer Crossing development.
The purchase price for the Marine Creek, Mason Goodrich, Nashville and Monterrey
land parcels was determined based on appraised
16
rates. The business purpose of the transaction was for TCI to develop apartments
on these four tracts of land and for ARI to satisfy debt. Failure to notify and
receive approval from the lender for this transaction may constitute an event of
default under the terms of the debt assumed by TCI.
In June 2002, ARI purchased all the general and limited partnership
interests in Chalet North, L.P. ("Chalet North") from BCM for $3.0 million.
Chalet North owns the Pinecrest Apartments. The purchase price was determined
based on the market value of the property exchanged, using a market rate
multiple of net operating income. ARI assumed debt of $1.4 million. ARI's
receivable from BCM was reduced by $1.6 million, and no cash was paid by ARI.
The business purpose of the transaction was to reduce the affiliate payable owed
by BCM to ARI.
In June 2002, ARI purchased the Tiberon Trails Apartments from BCM for
$12.3 million. The purchase price was determined based on the market value of
the property exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income.
ARI assumed debt of $6.4 million. ARI's receivable from BCM was reduced by $5.9
million, and no cash was paid by ARI. The business purpose of the transaction
was to reduce the affiliate payable owed by BCM to ARI.
In June 2002, ARI purchased the Alta Mesa Shopping Center from BCM for $3.8
million. The purchase price was determined based on the market value of the
property exchanged, using a market rate multiple of net operating income. ARI
assumed debt of $1.8 million. ARI's receivable from BCM was reduced by $2.0
million, and no cash was paid by ARI. The business purpose of the transaction
was to reduce the affiliate payable owed by BCM to ARI.
On June 30, 2002, ARI obtained a 74.31% interest in Realty Advisors Korea,
Ltd. ("RAK") from BCM for $6.0 million. The business purpose of the transaction
was to reduce the affiliate payable owed by BCM to ARI. ARI's receivable from
BCM was reduced by $6.0 million, and no cash was paid by ARI. At the date of
acquisition, RAK's assets consisted of $2.3 million in cash, $3.0 million in
deposits and marketable securities, and $225,000 in other assets. RAK's net
equity was $5.5 million. ARI recorded $1.9 million in goodwill as a result of
this transaction.
In December 2002, ARI sold the Lakeshore Villas Apartments to Housing for
Seniors of Humble, LLC ("Humble"), a related party, for $22.0 million, paying
$764,000 after payment of closing costs and debt paydown and providing purchase
money financing of $8.4 million. One loan has a principal amount of $2.0
million. The loan is unsecured, and is guaranteed by Unified Housing Foundation,
Inc. ("Unified"), a related party. The second loan has a principal amount of
$6.4 million, and is secured by a pledge by Unified of 100% of the Member
Interest in Humble. Both loans bear interest at 11.5% per annum, mature in
December 2009 and require quarterly payments beginning in March 2003. Richard W.
Humphrey, a director of ARI until July 2003, is the President of Humble and the
President and Treasurer of Unified. Ted P. Stokely, Chairman of the Board and a
director of ARI, is the General Manager of Unified.
In December 2002, TCI purchased the NLP/CH, Ltd. partnership, which owns
the Centura Holdings, Clark and Woolley land parcels, from ARI for $13.3
million. The purchase price was determined based on an appraised rate. The
business purpose of the transaction was for TCI to construct apartments on the
land and for ARI to satisfy debt.
In March 2003, TCI purchased the Bridgeview Plaza and Cullman shopping
centers from ARI for $8.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, to satisfy
debt. The purchase price was determined using a market rate multiple of net
operating income.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
ITEM NO. 2 ON THE PROXY CARD
The Board of Directors is recommending that Article Fourth of the Restated
Articles of Incorporation of ARI be amended to eliminate the designation for
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Stock"). There are 80,000 shares
of Series B Stock authorized under the Articles of Incorporation. No shares of
17
Series B Stock have ever been issued. The Series B Stock was authorized and
reserved for issuance upon the conversion of Class A limited partner units of
Valley Ranch, L.P. However, as of June 2002, ARI had purchased all such Class A
limited partner units. Accordingly, no shares of the Series B Stock will ever be
issued and the authorization for such shares may be eliminated.
Pursuant to this proposal, Paragraph D. Series B Preferred Stock would be
amended by reducing the number of shares authorized under Section 1. Designation
and Amount from 80,000 to zero, and then deleting Paragraph D from the Restated
Articles of Incorporation.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders approve the proposal to
amend the Restated Articles of Incorporation to eliminate the authorization for
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
SELECTION OF AUDITORS FOR 2003
ARI's auditors for the 2002 fiscal year were BDO Seidman, LLP. A
representative of BDO Seidman will attend the Annual Meeting. The Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors has selected BDO Seidman as the auditors for
ARI for the 2003 fiscal year. They will have an opportunity to make a statement
if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP, ARI's independent auditors,
for all assurance professional services rendered for the year ended December 31,
2002, were $311,428.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
There were no fees billed to ARI by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional
services rendered for information technology services relating to financial
information systems design and implementation for the year ended December 31,
2002.
ALL OTHER FEES
The aggregate fees billed for services rendered to ARI by BDO Seidman, LLP,
other than the services described above under "Audit Fees" and "Financial
Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees," for the year ended December
31, 2002, were $387,016.
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no other matters which may be presented for
consideration at the meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought
before the 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 2002 Annual Report to Stockholders, including audited financial
statements, has previously been mailed to stockholders under separate cover.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished to stockholders to solicit proxies on
behalf of the directors of ARI. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by
ARI. Directors and officers of ARI may, without additional compensation, solicit
by mail, in person or by telecommunication.
18
PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS
Stockholder proposals for our Annual Meeting to be held in 2004 must be
received by us by December 29, 2003, 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.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ RONALD E. KIMBROUGH
RONALD E. KIMBROUGH
Acting Principal Executive Officer,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ARI UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ALL
OF THE NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSAL TWO ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY. REGARDLESS OF HOW
YOU WISH TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO PROMPTLY
SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR VOTE BY INTERNET.
19
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AUGUST 26, 2003
The undersigned hereby appoints RONALD E. KIMBROUGH and ROBERT A.
WALDMAN, and each of them, Proxies, with full power of substitution in each of
them, in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to be at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC., to be held on
Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. (Dallas time), or at any adjournments
thereof, according to the number of votes that the undersigned would be entitled
to vote if personally present, upon the following matters:
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE OTHER SIDE)
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
AMERICAN REALTY INVESTORS, INC.
AUGUST 26, 2003
CO. # ACCT. #
------------------- ----------------------------
PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
TO VOTE BY MAIL
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE (TOUCH-TONE PHONE ONLY)
PLEASE CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-PROXIES AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. HAVE YOUR
CONTROL NUMBER AND THE PROXY CARD AVAILABLE WHEN YOU CALL.
TO VOTE BY INTERNET
PLEASE ACCESS THE WEB PAGE AT "www.voteproxy.com" AND FOLLOW THE ON-SCREEN
INSTRUCTIONS. HAVE YOUR CONTROL NUMBER AVAILABLE WHEN YOU ACCESS THE WEB PAGE.
YOUR CONTROL NUMBER IS - [ ]
o Please Detach and Mail in the Envelope Provided o
[X] PLEASE MARK YOUR
VOTES AS IN THIS
EXAMPLE.
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
(except as marked AUTHORITY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMERICAN REALTY
to the contrary to vote for the nominees INVESTORS, INC. RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH
below) listed at right OF THE NOMINEES.
1. ELECTION [ ] [ ] Nominees: Henry A. Butler
OF DIRECTORS: Earl D. Cecil
Ted P. Stokely
Martin L. White
Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, write that nominee's name in the
space below.
----------------------------------------------------
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF [ ] [ ] [ ]
INCORPORATION
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
3. OTHER BUSINESS: I AUTHORIZE the aforementioned proxies in their [ ] [ ] [ ]
discretion to vote upon such other business as may properly come
before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
When a proxy card is properly executed and returned, the shares represented thereby will be voted in favor of the election for each
of the nominees, unless authority to vote for any such nominee is specifically withheld. There will be no cumulative voting for the
election of Directors. If any nominee is unable to serve or will not serve (an event which is not anticipated), then the person
acting pursuant to the authority granted under the proxy will cast votes for the remaining nominees and, unless the Board of
Directors takes action to reduce the number of Directors, for such other person(s) as he or she may select in place of such
nominees.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY IMMEDIATELY
YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY MARKING THE BOXES FOR ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS CARD TODAY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR VOTE ON THE INTERNET. DO NOT RETURN PROXY CARD BY MAIL IF
VOTING THROUGH INTERNET SITE. IF NOT OTHERWISE MARKED ABOVE, YOUR PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES. THIS PROXY
REVOKES ALL PREVIOUS PROXIES.
Signature Signature (if held jointly) Title Dated: , 2003
-------------------------- -------------------------- ----------------- -------
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears herein. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. When signing for corporation, please sign full
corporate name by an authorized officer. When signing for a partnership, please sign partnership name by an authorized person. If
shares are held in more than one capacity, this proxy shall be deemed valid for all shares held in all capacities.