<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
File by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] 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:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
<PAGE> 2
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
445 MARINE VIEW AVENUE, SUITE 230
DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 92014
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 19, 1999
Dear Stockholder:
You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of
American Residential Investment Trust, Inc. ("AMREIT"), which will be held on
May 19, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. at the L'Auberge Del Mar Resort, for the following
purposes:
1. To elect two Class II directors, each to hold office for a
three-year term and until their respective successors are
elected and qualified. Management has nominated the following
persons for election at the meeting: David E. De Leeuw and
Richard T. Pratt.
2. To consider a proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as
AMREIT's independent public accountants for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1999.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 1999 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any adjournments
thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors,
CLAY STRITTMATTER
Secretary
Del Mar, California
April 19, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: Please fill in, date, sign and promptly mail the enclosed proxy card
in the accompanying postpaid envelope to assure that your shares are represented
at the meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may choose to vote in person even
if you have previously sent in your proxy card.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 3
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 19, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
GENERAL INFORMATION...........................................................1
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS......................................6
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.............................10
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RETURN.............................................11
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS........................................................12
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS................12
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING.................12
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS................................................13
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 4
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
445 MARINE VIEW AVENUE, SUITE 230
DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA 92014
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of
American Residential Investment Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("AMREIT"),
for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 19, 1999, or any
adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting. The date of this Proxy Statement is April 19, 1999, the
approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of
proxy were first sent or given to stockholders.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Annual Report. An annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, is enclosed with this Proxy Statement.
Voting Securities. Only stockholders of record as of the close of
business on April 14, 1999, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any
adjournment thereof. As of that date, there were 8,055,500 shares of common
stock, $0.01 par value, of AMREIT issued and outstanding. Stockholders may vote
in person or in proxy. Each holder of shares of common stock is entitled to one
vote for each share of stock held on the proposals presented in this Proxy
Statement. AMREIT's bylaws provide that a majority of all of the shares of the
stock entitled to vote, whether present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining
a quorum.
Solicitation of Proxies. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by
AMREIT. In addition, AMREIT will solicit stockholders by mail through its
regular employees, and will request banks and brokers, and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries, to solicit their customers who have stock of AMREIT
registered in the names of such persons and will reimburse them for their
reasonable, out-of-pocket costs. AMREIT may use the services of its officers,
directors, and others to solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without
additional compensation. In addition, AMREIT has engaged the services of
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company to solicit proxies. AMREIT will pay a
fee for such services, which it reasonably expects to be no more than $1,000.
Voting of Proxies. All valid proxies received prior to the meeting will
be voted. All shares represented by a proxy will be voted, and where a
stockholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the
shares will be voted in accordance with the specification so made. If no choice
is indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted in favor of the election of
the nominees for director and the proposals contained in this Proxy Statement
and at the discretion of the proxy holders on any other matter that comes before
the meeting. A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his or her
proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted by delivery to the Secretary of
AMREIT of either a written instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed
proxy with a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. The
following table sets forth certain information, as of March 6, 1999, with
respect to the beneficial ownership of AMREIT's common stock by (i) all persons
known by AMREIT to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding
common stock of AMREIT, (ii) each director and director-nominee of AMREIT, (iii)
each executive officer of AMREIT named in the Summary Compensation Table, and
(iv) all executive officers and directors of AMREIT as a group.
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<PAGE> 5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OWNED (1)
------------------------------
NAME OF NUMBER PERCENTAGE OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES CLASS (2)
- - ---------------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
MDC REIT Holdings, LLC (3) 1,600,000 19.9%
Howard Amster (4) 687,500 8.5
H. James Brown 5,000 *
Ray McKewon 4,000 *
Richard Pratt 5,800 *
Mark Riedy 7,500 *
David E. De Leeuw (5) 12,100 *
John M. Robbins (6) 264,278 3.2
Jay M. Fuller (6) 220,600 2.7
Mark A. Conger (7) 64,240 *
Lisa S Faulk (8) 50,000 *
Rollie O. Lynn (9) 45,200 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group
(10 persons) (5) (6) (10) 678,718 7.9
</TABLE>
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of AMREIT's common
stock.
(1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in
the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to
community property laws, where applicable.
(2) Calculated on the basis of 8,055,500 shares of common stock outstanding,
except that shares of common stock underlying options exercisable within
60 days of March 6, 1999 are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of
calculating the beneficial ownership of securities of the holders of
such options.
(3) The address for MDC REIT Holdings, LLC ("Holdings") is 445 Marine View
Avenue, Suite 230, Del Mar, CA 92014. Home Asset Management Corp. (the
"Manager") is the managing member of Holdings pursuant to an operating
agreement. Accordingly, the Manager may be deemed to have voting control
of the shares of AMREIT's common stock held by Holdings with respect to
ordinary and usual matters. Transactions which could result in the
disposition of the shares of AMREIT's common stock by Holdings require
the approval of the members of Holdings having membership interests
which constitute more than 80% of all membership interests. No single
member or group of affiliated members of Holdings holds 80% of the
membership interests of Holdings. The shares of AMREIT's common stock
held by Holdings have been pledged as collateral to certain entities
affiliated with TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C.
(4) This information is from the Schedule 13D filed by Mr. Amster. Mr.
Amster has sole voting power of 607,500 shares and shared voting power
of 23,800 shares. Ramat Securities Ltd. owns 80,000 shares and Mr.
Amster is 83% owner of Ramat Securities. Mr. Amster disclaims beneficial
ownership of the following shares which are not included in the
Beneficial Ownership table: 4,800 shares held by Tamara F. Gould IRA,
Mr. Amster and Tamara Gould are husband and wife; 65,200 shares held by
Gould Trading Company, which is 100% owned by Tamara Gould; 3,600 shares
held by Amster Ltd. Partnership, of which Mr. Amster is a General
Partner; 11,600 shares held by Amster Trading Co. Charitable Remainder
Unitrust, of which Mr. Amster has the right to change the trustee; 8,200
shares held by Howard M. Amster Charitable Remainder Unitrust, of which
Mr. Amster has the right to change the trustee; and 400 shares held by
Pleasant Lake Apt. Ltd. Partnership, of which Mr. Amster is the
President.
(5) Mr. De Leeuw is also a director of the Manager. He disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares of AMREIT's common stock held by Holdings. See
Note 3 above.
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<PAGE> 6
(6) Includes 164,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options exercisable within 60 days of March 6, 1999. Mr. Robbins and Mr.
Fuller are directors of the Manager. They each disclaim beneficial
ownership of the shares of AMREIT's common stock held by Holdings. See
Note 3 above.
(7) Includes 64,240 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of March 6, 1999.
(8) Includes 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of March 6, 1999.
(9) Includes 45,200 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of March 6, 1999.
(10) Includes 497,440 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options exercisable within 60 days of March 6, 1999.
Directors. The table below sets forth certain information, as of March
6, 1999, with respect to age and background of AMREIT's directors, including the
Class II nominees to be elected at this meeting.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME POSITION WITH AMREIT AGE SINCE
- - ---- -------------------- --- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class II directors whose terms expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
David E. De Leeuw Director 54 1997
Richard T. Pratt Director 62 1997
Class III directors whose terms expire at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
John M. Robbins Chairman of the Board, Chief 51 1997
Executive Officer and Director
Jay M. Fuller President, Chief Operating 48 1997
Officer and Director
Mark J. Riedy Director 56 1997
Class I directors to be elected at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
H. James Brown Director 58 1997
Ray McKewon Director 50 1997
</TABLE>
DAVID E. DE LEEUW has served as a Director of AMREIT since its formation
in February 1997. Mr. De Leeuw is a co-founder and a Managing Partner of McCown
De Leeuw & Co., a private equity firm that buys and builds middle-market
companies in partnership with management teams. Prior to co-founding McCown De
Leeuw & Co. in 1984, Mr. De Leeuw was employed by Citibank as Vice President and
Deputy Head of the Merger and Acquisition Department and as Head of the
Leveraged Acquisition Unit. Mr. De Leeuw currently serves as a Vice Chairman of
Vans, Inc. and a director of Nimbus CD International, Inc. and several other
private companies.
-3-
<PAGE> 7
RICHARD T. PRATT, PH.D. currently serves as Chairman of Richard T. Pratt
Associates, a position he has held since 1992, performing consulting activities,
including strategic studies for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
on-site consulting for the Housing Section Perform Project in Russia and
Kazakhstan for the U.S. Agency for International Development and various
strategic consultations for private sector institutions. Dr. Pratt also held the
position of Professor of Finance at the David Eccles School of Business at the
University of Utah from 1966 to 1998, when he retired. From 1983 to 1991, Dr.
Pratt served as Chairman of Merrill Lynch Mortgage, Inc., a subsidiary of
Merrill Lynch & Company. From 1991 to 1994, Dr. Pratt served as Managing
Director of the Financial Institutions Group of Merrill Lynch. Dr. Pratt was
Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation from 1981 to 1983, and
served as Chairman of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation from
1981 to 1983.
JOHN M. ROBBINS has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer and Director of AMREIT since its formation in February
1997. Prior to joining AMREIT, Mr. Robbins was Chairman of the Board of American
Residential Mortgage Corporation ("AMRES Mortgage") from 1990 until 1994 and
President of AMRES Mortgage from the time he co-founded it in 1983 until 1994.
He also served as Executive Vice President of Imperial Savings Association from
1983 to 1987. Mr. Robbins has worked in the mortgage banking industry since
1973. Mr. Robbins has served two terms on the Board of Governors and the
Executive Committee of the Mortgage Association of America, and has served on
FNMA's National Advisory Board. Mr. Robbins also serves as a director of Pacific
Research & Engineering Corporation, Garden Fresh Restaurant Corporation,
National Bankcard and the University of San Diego.
JAY M. FULLER has served as President, Chief Operating Officer and
Director of AMREIT since its formation in February 1997. Prior to joining AMREIT
Mr. Fuller served as President of Victoria Mortgage from 1995 to 1996. Mr.
Fuller was an Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer of AMRES
Mortgage from 1985 to 1994 and Senior Vice President from 1983 to 1985. In these
capacities, at various times, Mr. Fuller was responsible for, among other
things, mortgage loan originations and servicing for AMRES Mortgage. Mr. Fuller
has worked in the mortgage banking industry continuously since 1975. Mr. Fuller
currently serves as President of Friends of Santa Fe Christian Schools.
MARK J. RIEDY, PH.D. is currently employed as an Ernest W. Hahn
Professor of Real Estate Finance at the University of San Diego. In such
capacity, he teaches courses in real estate finance. Prior to his employment at
the University, Dr. Riedy served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
National Council of Community Bankers in Washington, D.C. from 1988 to 1992.
From 1987 to 1988, Dr. Riedy served as President and Chief Operating Officer of
the J. E. Robert Companies. Dr. Riedy was President, Chief Operating Officer and
Director of the Federal National Mortgage Association from 1985 to 1986. Dr.
Riedy currently serves as a director of Pan Pacific Retail Properties, Inc. and
two other private companies.
H. JAMES BROWN, PH.D. has served as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy since 1996, an educational
institution formed to study and teach land policy, including land economics and
land taxation. Prior to 1996, Dr. Brown was a professor at the Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University from 1970 to 1996. During his tenure at Harvard
University, Dr. Brown served as a director of the Joint Center Housing Studies,
Chairman of the City and Regional Planning Program and as Director of the State,
Local and Intergovernmental Center at Harvard University and MIT/Harvard
University Joint Center for Urban Studies. In addition, Dr. Brown has served as
a Managing Partner of Strategic Property Investments, Inc., a company
specializing in real estate asset management from 1988 to 1991. Dr. Brown also
serves as a director of Building Materials Holding Company, a distributor and
retailer of building materials.
RAY MCKEWON is a co-founder and Executive Vice President of Accredited
Home Lenders, a mortgage banking firm founded in 1990 which specializes in
sub-prime credit. From 1980 to 1990, Mr. McKewon was a managing partner of the
Enterprise Management Company, a venture capital firm that he co-founded and
which provided capital to companies including Dura Pharmaceuticals, Cytotech
(sold to Quidel), Impulse Enterprise, McKewon & Timmins (sold to First
Affiliated), Garden Fresh Restaurants, Intelligent Images (merged into and
renamed Darox) and Sunward Technology (merged into Read-Rite).
-4-
<PAGE> 8
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Board held fourteen
meetings. Except for H. James Brown, each director serving on the Board in
fiscal year 1998 attended at least 75% of such meetings of the Board and any
committees on which he served.
AMREIT does not have a standing Nominating Committee, but does have an
Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee's function is to review with AMREIT's independent
auditors and management, the annual financial statements and independent
auditors' opinion, review the scope and results of the examination of AMREIT's
financial statements by the independent auditors, approve all professional
services performed by the independent auditors and related fees, recommend the
retention of the independent auditors to the Board and periodically review
AMREIT's accounting policies and internal accounting and financial controls. The
members of the Audit Committee for fiscal 1998 were H. James Brown, David E. De
Leeuw and Ray McKewon. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Audit
Committee held one meeting.
The Compensation Committee's function is to review salary and bonus
levels and approve stock option grants for AMREIT's executive officers. The
members of the Compensation Committee for fiscal 1998 were David E. De Leeuw,
Richard T. Pratt and Mark J. Riedy. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, the Compensation Committee held one meeting. For additional information
concerning the Compensation Committee, see "REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION."
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<PAGE> 9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation
of the Chief Executive Officer of AMREIT and each of AMREIT's four other most
highly compensated executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers") for
services rendered in all capacities to AMREIT during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
----------------------------- -----------
Securities
Underlying
Name and Principal Position Salary (1) Bonus (2) Options/SARs
- - --------------------------- --------------------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John M. Robbins ..................... 1998 $396,479 $ 0 0
CEO and Chairman of the Board 1997 $282,917 $300,000 220,000
of Directors
Jay M. Fuller ....................... 1998 $289,503 $ 0 0
President and Chief Operating 1997 $230,208 $250,000 220,000
Officer
Mark A. Conger ...................... 1998 $160,267 $ 0 0
Executive Vice President and 1997 $137,292 $112,500 70,000
Chief Financial Officer
Rollie O. Lynn ...................... 1998 $118,925 $ 0 0
Senior Vice President, 1997 $ 92,916 $ 56,250 50,000
Capital Markets
Lisa S. Faulk ....................... 1998 $111,354 $ 0 0
Senior Vice President, Operations 1997 $ 20,833 $ 40,000 50,000
</TABLE>
- - ---------
(1) All base salary amounts are paid directly by AMREIT and reimbursed to
AMREIT by the Manager pursuant to a Management Agreement. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions."
(2) Bonus amounts were paid by the Manager. Each executive officer has
elected to defer receipt of all or a portion of the bonus pursuant to
the Manager's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Bonuses with respect
to 1997 and 1998 were paid solely in the discretion of the Board of
Directors of the Manager.
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<PAGE> 10
None of the Named Executive Officers received any stock option grants or
exercised any stock options during the year ended December 31, 1998. The
following table provides information with respect to unexercised options held as
of December 31, 1998, by the Named Executive Officers.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES (1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares
Underlying Unexercised
Options/SARs
at December 31, 1998
----------------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable
- - ------------------------------- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
John M. Robbins 136,000(2) 84,000(2)
Jay M. Fuller 136,000(2) 84,000(2)
Mark A. Conger 61,360 8,640
Rollie O. Lynn 42,800 7,200
Lisa S. Faulk 50,000 0
</TABLE>
(1) The fiscal year-end value of "in-the-money" stock options and SARs
granted in tandem with such options represents the difference or a
portion of the difference between the exercise price of such options and
SARs, respectively, and the fair market value of AMREIT's common stock
as of December 31, 1998. The fair market value of AMREIT's common stock
on December 31, 1998 was $5.375 per share, the closing price of the
common stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on such date. None
of the options or SARs held by the named Executive Officers were "in
the-money" on December 31, 1998.
(2) Includes options to purchase shares of common stock and SARs granted in
tandem with certain options. The SARs are for 35% of the difference
between the fair market value of the common stock at the time the
related option is exercised and the exercise price, up to a maximum of
$20 per share.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
The Manager has entered into Employment and Non-Competition Agreements
with Mr. Robbins and Mr. Fuller effective as of February 11, 1997 (the
"Employment Agreements"). The Employment Agreements are for a term of five
years, commencing on February 11, 1997 and provide for a minimum monthly base
salary of not less than $25,000 in the case of Mr. Robbins and $20,833 in the
case of Mr. Fuller. The Employment Agreements also provide for one year's salary
to be paid upon termination of either of such employees without cause. Bonus
payments in 1998 and 1999 will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of
the Manager. Subsequent to 1998, the Employment Agreements provide for payment
of a bonus of up to 100% of base salary if certain financial targets and
objectives are achieved. The annual base compensation for Mr. Robbins and Mr.
Fuller was subsequently increased to $400,000 and $300,000, respectively.
Mr. Robbins and Mr. Fuller each purchased stock of the Manager which is
subject to repurchase by the Manager in the event the executive officer
terminates his employment with AMREIT and the Manager. See "Certain
Transactions."
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<PAGE> 11
The Manager has also entered into letter agreements with Mr. Conger and
Mr. Lynn which provide for base compensation of $150,000 and $100,000 per year,
respectively. The annual base compensation for Mr. Conger and Mr. Lynn was
subsequently increased to $175,000 and $125,000, respectively. In addition, the
agreements provide for bonus payments after 1998 of up to 75% of the employee's
base salary if certain financial targets and objectives are achieved. Mr. Conger
and Mr. Lynn were each issued Contingent Warrants to purchase up to 34,299
shares of the common stock of the Manager at an exercise price of $0.01 per
share (the "Contingent Warrants"). The Contingent Warrants expire on February
11, 2007 and are exercisable only to the extent that certain letters of credit
which collateralize debt of the Manager are reduced from their current principal
amounts. Mr. Conger and Mr. Lynn were also issued percentage interests in
Holdings initially equal to 1.5% each. These interests may also vary based upon
the extent to which such letters of credit continue to be outstanding. See
"Certain Transactions."
All options and SARs granted to date pursuant to AMREIT's 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan and AMREIT's 1997 Stock Option Plan contain provisions pursuant
to which unvested portions of outstanding options become fully vested upon a
change of control in AMREIT, as defined under the relevant plan.
Each of the officers of the Manager has modified his Employment
Agreement with the Manager which allowed each such person to become an employee
of AMREIT. The Manager will reimburse AMREIT on a dollar for dollar basis for
the actual cost to AMREIT of paying the base salaries of such officers.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each independent director of AMREIT will be paid annual compensation of
$15,000 with an additional $1,000 paid for attendance at a regularly scheduled
Board of Directors meeting and $500 for attendance at a special or committee
meeting. All directors will be reimbursed for any expenses related to attendance
at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees of the Board of Directors.
In addition to cash compensation, each non-employee director of AMREIT, except
Mr. De Leeuw, receives an initial grant of options to purchase 7,500 shares of
the common stock of AMREIT at the time he begins service as a director. The
initial grant is at fair market value and will vest over a three year period
(one-third every twelve months). Thereafter, following the annual meeting of
stockholders, AMREIT anticipates making annual grants to each non-employee
director, except Mr. De Leeuw, of options to purchase 7,500 shares of AMREIT's
common stock which will vest after one year.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
No officer or employee of AMREIT has participated in deliberations by
AMREIT's Board of Directors concerning executive officer compensation.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following transactions were concluded in connection with the
formation of AMREIT and involve AMREIT, the Manager and certain executive
officers, directors and affiliates of AMREIT and the Manager. Because of the
relationships between the parties to each transaction, there can be no assurance
that transactions described below were on terms as favorable to AMREIT as could
have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
On February 11, 1997, in connection with the founding of AMREIT,
Holdings, Mr. Robbins and Mr. Fuller each purchased 1.6 million, 8,000 and 6,000
shares, respectively, of AMREIT's common stock at a price of $12.50 per share in
cash.
AMREIT and the Manager entered into a Management Agreement pursuant to
which AMREIT pays base Management fees and incentive compensation to the
Manager. AMREIT has entered into a Management Agreement with the Manager for an
initial term of two years beginning February 11, 1997. The Management Agreement
is renewed automatically for successive one year periods unless a notice of
non-renewal is timely delivered by AMREIT. In 1998, the Manager accrued
approximately $2.5 million in fees pursuant to the Management Agreement. The
executive officers and certain directors of AMREIT are also executive officers
and directors of the Manager. For a detailed description of the Management
Agreement see information set forth under the caption "Business - The Management
Agreement" in AMREIT's Annual Report provided with this Proxy Statement.
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<PAGE> 12
On February 11, 1997, in connection with the founding of AMREIT, the
Manager issued the following securities to AMREIT's officers, directors,
beneficial holders of 5% or more of AMREIT's common stock and their Affiliates:
- The Manager issued 1,000,000 shares of its common stock to entities
affiliated with McCown De Leeuw & Co. and 127,032 shares to each of
Mr. Robbins and Mr. Fuller. The shares of Manager's common stock were
issued at a purchase price of $0.01 per share and paid in cash.
- The Manager issued 12% senior secured notes in the principal amount
of $25,000,000 (the "Notes") to entities affiliated with TCW/Crescent
Mezzanine, L.L.C. The Notes were issued at a purchase price equal to
$994.56 per $1,000 principal amount, paid in cash.
- The Manager issued warrants to purchase up to 666,667 shares of its
common stock to entities affiliated with TCW/Crescent Mezzanine,
L.L.C. The warrants were purchased at a price of $0.20 per warrant
share paid in cash and have an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The
warrants expire on February 11, 2007; AMREIT paid TCW/Crescent
Mezzanine, L.L.C. a fee of approximately $500,000 in connection with
the sale and issuance of the Notes and these warrants.
- The Manager issued warrants to purchase up to 17,149, 51,448, 34,299,
and 34,299 shares of its common stock to entities affiliated with
TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C., entities affiliated with McCown De
Leeuw & Co., and two senior officers of the Company, respectively.
Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, dated as of February
11, 1997, and as a result of a partial draw on certain letters of
credit, warrants issued to the contributors have been terminated.
The shares of the Manager's common stock held by Mr. Robbins and Mr.
Fuller are subject to a right of repurchase by the Manager which lapses after
the earlier of February 11, 2002 and the closing of a public offering by AMREIT
which generates proceeds to AMREIT, which, when aggregated with the proceeds of
all other public offerings, equals $150 million or more. The purchase price for
the shares of the Manager's common stock in the event of a repurchase shall be
(i) equal to the book value of the securities in the event that the executive
officer's employment is terminated without cause or in the event that the
executive officer resigns for good cause, (ii) fair market value of the
securities in the case of death, and (iii) a nominal amount in all other
circumstances.
In connection with the founding of AMREIT, on February 11, 1997,
Holdings issued 29.91%, 45.98%, 1.5% and 1.5% ownership interests to entities
affiliated with TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C., entities affiliated with McCown
De Leeuw & Co., Mr. Conger and Mr. Lynn, respectively.
The Manager and MDC Management Company II, L.P., ("MDC"), an affiliate
of McCown De Leeuw & Co., have entered into an advisory services agreement
pursuant to which MDC will provide financial and management services to the
Manager. Under the terms of the advisory services agreement, the Manager has
accrued an initial fee obligation of $500,000 with an additional accrued annual
fee of $250,000 to be paid to MDC. The initial fee will be paid only after the
Manager has retired certain debt and preferred equity obligations.
AMREIT has entered into employment agreements with certain of its
executive officers. See "Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and
Change in Control Arrangements." AMREIT has also entered into an Indemnification
Agreement with certain of its directors, officers and other key personnel.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires AMREIT's
executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of
AMREIT's common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such
persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish AMREIT with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms filed by such persons.
Based solely on AMREIT's review of such forms furnished to AMREIT and
written representations from certain reporting persons, AMREIT believes that all
filing requirements applicable to AMREIT's executive officers, directors and
more than 10% stockholders were complied with, except that H. James Brown, David
De Leeuw and John Robbins were late with respect to filing one report each.
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<PAGE> 13
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee is comprised of three non-management
directors of the Board of Directors. No member of the Committee has been an
executive officer or employee of AMREIT since AMREIT commenced operations on
February 11, 1997. One member, Mr. De Leeuw, is also a director of the Manager.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the annual base
and incentive compensation for executive officers and setting and administering
the policies governing equity compensation of executive officers. Aggregate
compensation is intended to be set at a level competitive with the amounts paid
to the management of similarly sized companies in similar industries. The
Committee also evaluates the performance of management.
Compensation of AMREIT's executive officers consists primarily of base
salary, bonuses based upon each executive officer's performance and longer term
equity incentives. Prior to AMREIT's initial public offering in October 1997,
all compensation matters were determined in the sole discretion of the Manager
and base salaries were paid by the Manager. Subsequent to the IPO, although
AMREIT pays the base salaries of the executive officers, it is reimbursed
quarterly by the Manager for all costs incurred with respect to such payments.
Accordingly, all salary levels for executive officers are determined by the
board of directors of the Manager, rather than the Compensation Committee. In
addition, all annual incentive bonus amounts are paid by the Manager and
accordingly are determined by the Manager's board of directors. Subsequent to
the IPO, the Committee has determined and will continue to determine the levels
of stock option grants to be made to executive officers under the 1997 Stock
Option Plan.
BASE SALARIES.
The CEO's and President's annual base salaries were originally set
pursuant to the terms of at-will employment agreements negotiated with investors
at the time of AMREIT's initial organization in February 1997. Each other
executive officer's base salary was originally negotiated at the time the
executive officer was hired. See "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS -
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control
Arrangements." No increases were made to executive base salaries in 1998.
BONUSES.
Pursuant to the agreements between the Manager and each of the executive
officers, the board of directors of the Manager has established an incentive
compensation program for executive officers. This program permits the board of
directors of the Manager to award cash bonuses annually to executive officers.
Bonus payments in 1998 were at the discretion of the Manager, although no
bonuses were paid relative to 1998.
EQUITY COMPENSATION.
It is the policy of the Compensation Committee that a significant
portion of the annual compensation of each executive officer be contingent upon
the performance of AMREIT. The Committee also believes that employee equity
ownership provides a major incentive to employees in building stockholder value
and serves to align the interests of employees with stockholders.
Like base salary, the level of options to purchase AMREIT's stock
granted to each executive officer at the time of his or her employment and at
the time of the IPO were negotiated at the time each executive officer was
initially employed by the Manager pursuant to an employment agreement. After
AMREIT's IPO, the Committee compared the stock ownership and options held by
each executive officer with equity positions held by executive officers of
similarly sized companies in similar industries. Based upon the Committee's
review and the recommendation of AMREIT's CEO and President, the Committee
granted two additional stock options to executive officers. The Committee
believes that these grants were necessary to provide compensation to these
executive officers at a level that approximates the median of the amounts paid
to executive officers of similarly sized companies in similar industries. Based
on the options previously granted to AMREIT's executive officers and the
criteria for granting options outlined above, no options were granted to any
AMREIT executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION.
The compensation of the Chief Executive Officer is based upon the same
criteria outlined above for the executive officers of AMREIT. Mr. Robbins
received no bonus payment or option grants with respect to 1998.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
David E. De Leeuw
Richard T. Pratt
Mark J. Riedy
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<PAGE> 14
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RETURN
Set forth below is a line graph comparing changes in the cumulative
total return on AMREIT's common stock, a broad market index (the "S&P-500
Index") and a peer group industry index ("Peer Group Index") for the period
commencing on October 28, 1997, the date the common stock commenced trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, and ending on December 31, 1998.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN FROM OCTOBER 28, 1997 THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 1998 (1)
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.,
PEER GROUP INDEX (2), S&P 500 INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
10/28/97 12/31/97 12/31/98
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AMREIT 100.00 79.17 36.67
Peer Group Index 100.00 90.52 43.77
S&P-500 Index 100.00 105.27 133.34
</TABLE>
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(1) Assumes that $100.00 was invested on October 28, 1997 in AMREIT's common
stock and each index, and that all dividends were reinvested. Dividends
have been declared on AMREIT's common stock. Stockholder returns over
the indicated period should not be considered indicative of future
stockholder returns.
(2) The self determined Peer Group Index is comprised of the following
companies: INMC Mortgage Holdings Inc.; Novastar Financial Inc.;
Imperial Credit Mortgage Holdings; Annaly Mortgage Management Inc.;
Redwood Trust Inc.; Dynex Capital Inc.; Capstead Mortgage Corp.; and
Thornburg Mortgage Asset Corp. These are publicly traded companies that
are predominantly in the residential mortgage REIT business.
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<PAGE> 15
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
AMREIT has a classified Board of Directors currently consisting of two
Class I directors (H. James Brown and Ray McKewon), two Class II directors
(David E. De Leeuw and Richard T. Pratt), and three Class III directors (John M.
Robbins, Jay M. Fuller and Mark J. Riedy), who will serve until the Annual
Meetings of Stockholders to be held in 2001, 1999 and 2000, respectively, and
until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. Directors in a
class are elected for a term of three years to succeed the directors in such
class whose terms expire at such annual meeting. Information regarding each
Director is set forth in the Section captioned "GENERAL INFORMATION -
Directors."
Management's nominees for election at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to fill the Class II positions on the Board of Directors are David E. De Leeuw
and Richard T. Pratt. If elected, the nominees will serve as directors until
AMREIT's Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2002, and until their successors are
elected and qualified. If a nominee declines to serve or becomes unavailable for
any reason, or if a vacancy occurs before the election, the proxies may be voted
for such substitute nominee as the proxy holders may designate.
If a quorum is present, either in person or by proxy, the two nominees
for the positions as Class II directors receiving the highest number of votes
will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the
vote. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors of AMREIT has selected KPMG LLP as its
independent accountants to audit the financial statements of AMREIT for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. KPMG LLP has acted in such capacity since
its appointment on April 2, 1997. A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if the
representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders at which a quorum is present and voting, either in
person or by proxy, is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS
AMREIT'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1999.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED
AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
AMREIT has an advanced notice provision in its Bylaws for stockholder
business to be presented at meetings of stockholders. This provision states that
in order for stockholder business to be properly brought before a meeting by a
stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice in writing to
AMREIT's Secretary. In order to be timely, a stockholder proposal for next
year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received at AMREIT's offices at
445 Marine View Avenue, Suite 230, Del Mar, California 92014 between February 21
and March 23, 2000.
Stockholders proposals to be included in AMREIT's Proxy Statement for next
year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by AMREIT by December 20,
1999 and satisfy the conditions established by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, specifically, Rule 14a - 8 of the Exchange Act.
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<PAGE> 16
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
At the date of this Proxy Statement, the only business which the Board
of Directors intends to present or knows that others will present at the meeting
is as set forth above. If any other matter or matters are properly brought
before the meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the
persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such
matters in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
CLAY STRITTMATTER
Secretary
April 19, 1999
<PAGE> 17
PROXY
AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints John Robbins, Jay Fuller and Mark Conger, and
each of them, with full power of substitution to represent the undersigned and
to vote all of the shares of stock of American Residential Investment Trust,
Inc. (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the L'Auberg Del Mar
Resort, Del Mar, California on Wednesday, May 19, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., and at any
adjournment thereof (i) as hereinafter specified upon the proposals listed on
the reverse side and as more particularly described in the Company's Proxy
Statement, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and (ii) in their discretion
upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY SHALL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION
IS MADE, SUCH SHARES SHALL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
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<PAGE> 18
A vote FOR the following proposals is recommended by
the Board of Directors:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
FOR WITHHELD
Nominee: David E. De Leeuw [ ] [ ]
FOR WITHHELD
Nominee: Richard T. Pratt [ ] [ ]
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2. To approve the selection of KPMG LLP as the Even if you are planning to attend the
Company's independent public accountants for the meeting in person, you are urged to sign and
year ending December 31, 1999. mail this Proxy in the return envelope so that
your stock may be represented at the meeting.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ] Sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your
stock certificates. If shares of stock
stand on record in the names of two or more
persons or in the name of husband and wife,
whether as joint tenants or otherwise, both
or all of such persons should sign this
Proxy. If shares of stock are held of
record by a corporation, the Proxy should be
executed by the President or Vice President
and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary,
and the corporate seal should be affixed
thereto. Executors or administrators or
other fiduciaries who execute this Proxy for
a deceased stockholder should give their
title. Please date this Proxy.
</TABLE>
Signature(s)_________________________________________ Date __________________
_________________________________________
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