<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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 Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
American Realty Trust, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, If Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(l) 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 the 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 Statement No.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
AMERICAN REALTY TRUST, INC.
DALLAS, TEXAS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 13, 1999
The 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of American Realty Trust, Inc. will
be held on Monday, September 13, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. at 10670 N. Central
Expressway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas.
The purposes of the Annual Meeting are:
(1) to elect directors;
(2) to approve an amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation; and
(3) to transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting.
You must be a stockholder of record at the close of business on Monday,
July 26, 1999, to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Whether you plan to attend or not, please sign, date and return the
enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided. You may also attend and vote at
the Annual Meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ ROBERT A. WALDMAN
Robert A. Waldman
Secretary
Dated: August 4, 1999
<PAGE> 3
AMERICAN REALTY TRUST, INC.
DALLAS, TEXAS
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1999
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors of American Realty Trust, Inc. (the "Company") of proxies
to be used at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") for
a vote upon (1) the election of five directors, (2) a proposal to authorize and
approve an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of special stock ("Special Stock") from 20 million
to 50 million; and (3) the transaction of any other business as may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Annual Meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m., Dallas time, on Monday,
September 13, 1999, at 10670 North Central Expressway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas
75231.
The Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998,
were audited by BDO Seidman, LLP. Representatives of BDO Seidman are expected to
be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions, and the
representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to
do so. This Proxy Statement and the form of proxy are being mailed to
stockholders beginning on or about August 4, 1999.
The Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1998, was
previously mailed to all stockholders under separate cover.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND OF THE EXHIBITS THERETO, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY WRITING TO:
INVESTOR RELATIONS
AMERICAN REALTY TRUST, INC.
10670 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY, SUITE 300
DALLAS, TEXAS 75231
STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
Only holders of record of issued and outstanding shares of the Company's
common stock (the "Common Stock") at the close of business on Monday, July 26,
1999, (the "Record Date"), are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any
adjournments thereof. At the close of business on July 23, 1999 there were
10,563,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each holder is entitled to one
vote for each share held on the Record Date.
VOTING OF PROXIES
When the enclosed proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares
represented by the proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with
the instructions noted on the proxy. As to the election of the five directors
(Proposal One), stockholders may choose to vote for the nominees or to withhold
authority for voting for any of the nominees. As to the proposal to authorize
and approve the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the
number of authorized shares of Special Stock ("Proposal Two"), stockholders may
choose to vote for, against or abstain from voting on the proposal. In the
absence of other instructions, the shares represented by a properly executed and
submitted proxy will be voted in favor of each of the nominees for election to
the Board of Directors and in favor of Proposal Two. The Board of Directors does
not know of any other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If,
however, any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the proxy in
accordance with their judgment on such matters.
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<PAGE> 4
VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
Pursuant to Section 3.2 of the By-laws of the Company, election of any
director requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at a
meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present and voting. Pursuant to
Section 14-2-1003 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code, Proposal Two must be
adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding and
entitled to vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be included
in vote totals, and, as such, will have no effect on any proposal. Section 2.5
of the By-laws of the Company provides that a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
at any such meeting.
As of July 23, 1999, management and affiliates held 7,509,718 shares
representing approximately 71.1% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Management intends to vote such shares for each of the proposals in accordance
with the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A proxy is enclosed. Any stockholder who executes and delivers the proxy
may revoke the proxy at any time prior to its use by giving written notice of
the revocation to American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 40 Wall Street,
46th Floor, New York, New York 10005, or by executing and delivering a proxy
bearing a later date. A STOCKHOLDER MAY ALSO REVOKE A PROXY BY ATTENDING AND
VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
FUTURE PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Any proposal intended to be presented by a stockholder at the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company must be delivered to the Company's
Secretary at the Company's executive offices before April 1, 2000.
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES
The following persons have been nominated to serve as directors of the
Company: Karl L. Blaha, Roy E. Bode, Collene C. Currie, Al Gonzalez and Cliff
Harris. Each of the five nominees is currently a director of the Company and has
been nominated by the Board of Directors to serve for an additional term until
the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his or her successor shall have
been duly elected and qualified. Each nominee has consented to being named in
this Proxy Statement as a nominee and has agreed to serve as a director if
elected. When a proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares represented
thereby will be voted in favor of the election of each of the nominees, unless
authority to vote for any 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 proxy
holder 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 nominee(s).
The five nominees are listed below, together with their ages, terms of
service, all positions and offices with the Company or the Company's advisor,
Basic Capital Management, Inc. ("BCM"), 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 BCM, or an
officer of the Company. The designation "Independent", when used below with
respect to a director, means that the director is neither an officer of the
Company nor a director, officer or employee of BCM, although the Company may
have certain business or professional relationships with such director, as
discussed below under "Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions".
2
<PAGE> 5
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS,
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND DIRECTORSHIPS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGE
---
<S> <C> <C>
Karl L. Blaha: Director (Affiliated) (since 1996). President (since October 51
1993) and Executive Vice President and Director of
Commercial Management (April 1992 to October 1993).
Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial
Management (April 1992 to August 1995) and Executive Vice
President -- Commercial Asset Management (since July 1997)
of BCM, Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. ("TCI"),
Continental Mortgage and Equity Trust ("CMET"), Income
Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. ("IORI") and Syntek Asset
Management, Inc. ("SAMI"); Director (since November 1998) of
SAMI and (since October 1998) of Garden National Realty,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; Director
(since December 1998) and Executive Vice
President -- Commercial Asset Management (since January
1998) of NRLP Management Corp. ("NMC"), the general partner
of National Realty, L.P. ("NRLP") and National Operating,
L.P. ("NOLP") and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;
Executive Vice President (October 1992 to July 1997) of
Carmel Realty, Inc. ("Carmel Realty"), a company owned by
First Equity Properties, Inc. ("First Equity"), which is 50%
owned by a subsidiary of BCM; Director and President (since
1996) of First Equity; and Executive Vice President and
Director of Commercial Management (April 1992 to February
1994) of National Income Realty Trust ("NIRT") and Vinland
Property Trust ("VPT").
Roy E. Bode: Director (Independent) (since 1996). 51
Vice President of Public Affairs (since May 1992) of
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Editor
(June 1988 to December 1991) of Dallas Times Herald; and
Executive Board Member (since October 1996) of Yellow Rose
Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis Research.
Collene C. Currie: Director (Independent) (since 1999). 50
Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager (since
February 1996) of Bank of America Private Bank (formerly
NationsBank Private Client Group of Dallas); Director (since
April 1998) of NMC; and Director of Marketing and
Communications (October 1993 to January 1996) of the Dallas
Opera.
Al Gonzalez: Director (Independent) (since 1989). 63
President (since March 1991) of AGE Refining, Inc.;
President (January 1988 to March 1991) of Moody-Day Inc.;
owner and President of Gulf-Tex Construction Company; owner
and lessor of two restaurant sites in Dallas, Texas; and
Director (since April 1990) of Avacelle, Inc. ("Avacelle").
On April 21, 1997, Avacelle filed a voluntary petition under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Avacelle
voluntarily dismissed the petition in 1998.
Cliff Harris: Director (Independent) (since 1997). 50
President (since 1995) of Energy Transfer Group, L.L.C.;
Project Development Vice President (1990 to 1995) of Marsh &
McLennan; Vice Chairman (1990 to 1997) of the Dallas
Rehabilitation Institute; Director (since 1992) of Court
Appointed Special Advocates; and Director (since 1989) of
the NFL Alumni Association.
</TABLE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.
3
<PAGE> 6
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Company's Board of Directors held 17 meetings during 1998. For such
year, no incumbent director attended fewer than 75% of (1) the total number of
meetings held by the Board during the period for which he or she had been a
director and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the
Board on which he or she served during the periods that he served.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, the function of which is to
review the Company's operating and accounting procedures. The current members of
the Audit Committee are Messrs. Gonzalez (Chairman) and Bode. The Audit
Committee met two times during 1998.
The Board of Directors has a Stock Option Committee the function of which
is to administer the Company's stock option plan. The members of the Stock
Option Committee are Messrs. Bode, Gonzalez and Harris. The Stock Option
Committee met once in 1998.
The Company's Board of Directors does not have nominating or compensation
committees.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following persons, in addition to Karl L. Blaha, currently serve as
executive officers of the Company: Bruce A. Endendyk, Executive Vice President;
Thomas A. Holland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Steven
K. Johnson, Executive Vice President -- Residential Asset Management; and
Randall M. Paulson, Executive Vice President. Their positions with the Company
are not subject to a vote of stockholders. The age, terms of service, all
positions and offices with the Company or BCM, other principal occupations,
business experience and directorships with other companies during the last five
years or more of Messrs. Endendyk, Holland, Johnson and Paulson is set forth
below.
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS,
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND DIRECTORSHIPS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGE
---
<S> <C> <C>
Bruce A. Endendyk: Executive Vice President (since January 1995). 51
President (since January 1995) of Carmel Realty; Executive
Vice President (since January 1995) of BCM, SAMI, CMET, IORI
and TCI; Executive Vice President (since January 1998) of
NMC; and Management Consultant (November 1990 to December
1994).
Thomas A. Holland: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since 56
August 1995) and Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer (July 1990 to August 1995).
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since
August 1995) and Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer (July 1990 to August 1995) of BCM, SAMI, TCI, CMET
and IORI; Secretary (February 1997 to June 1999) of TCI,
CMET and IORI; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (since January 1998) of NMC; and Senior Vice
President and Chief Accounting Officer (July 1990 to
February 1994) of NIRT and VPT.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGE
---
<S> <C> <C>
Steven K. Johnson: Executive Vice President -- Residential Asset Management 41
(since August 1998).
Executive Vice President -- Residential Asset Management
(since August 1998) of BCM, SAMI, CMET, IORI, TCI and NMC;
Chief Operating Officer (January 1993 to August 1998) of
Garden Capital, Inc.; and Executive Vice President (December
1994 to August 1998) of Garden Capital Management, Inc.
Randall M. Paulson: Executive Vice President (since January 1995). 53
President (since August 1995) and Executive Vice President
(January 1995 to August 1995) of SAMI, CMET, IORI and TCI
and (October 1994 to August 1995) of BCM; Director (August
1995 to November 1998) of SAMI; President (since January
1998) of NMC; and Vice President (1993 to 1994) of GSSW, LP,
a joint venture of Great Southern Life and Southwestern
Life.
</TABLE>
OFFICERS
Although not executive officers of the Company, the following persons
currently serve as officers of the Company: Robert A. Waldman, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary; and Drew D. Potera, Vice President and
Treasurer. Their positions with the Company are not subject to a vote of
stockholders. Their ages, terms of service, all positions and offices with the
Company or BCM, 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
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGE
---
<S> <C> <C>
Robert A. Waldman: Senior Vice President and General Counsel (since January 47
1995), Secretary (since December 1989) and Vice President
(January 1993 to January 1995).
Senior Vice President and General Counsel (since January
1995), Vice President (since December 1990) and Secretary
(from December 1993 to February 1997 and since June 1999) of
CMET, 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; Senior Vice President and
General Counsel (since January 1995), Vice President (April
1990 to January 1995) and Secretary (since December 1990) of
SAMI; and Senior Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel (since January 1998) of NMC.
Drew D. Potera: Vice President (since December 1996), Treasurer (since 40
August 1991) and Assistant Treasurer (December 1990 to
August 1991).
Vice President (since December 1996) and Treasurer (since
December 1990) of IORI, CMET and TCI; Vice President,
Treasurer and Securities Manager (since July 1990) of BCM;
Vice President and Treasurer (since February 1992) of SAMI;
Vice President and Treasurer (since January 1998) of NMC;
and Treasurer (December 1990 to February 1994) of NIRT and
VPT.
</TABLE>
In addition to the foregoing officers, the Company has several vice
presidents and assistant secretaries who are not listed herein.
5
<PAGE> 8
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company's directors,
executive officers, and any persons holding more than 10% of the Company's
shares of Common Stock are required to report their ownership of the Company'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 the Company is required to
report any failure to file by these dates during 1998. All of these filing
requirements were satisfied by the Company's directors and executive officers
and 10% holders. In making these statements, the Company has relied on the
written representations of its incumbent directors, executive officers and 10%
holders and copies of the reports that they have filed with the Commission.
THE ADVISOR
Although the Board of Directors is directly responsible for managing the
affairs of the Company and for setting the policies which guide it, the
day-to-day operations are performed by BCM, a contractual advisor under the
supervision of the Board of Directors. The duties of the advisor include, among
other things, investigating, evaluating and recommending real estate and
mortgage loan investment opportunities as well as financing and refinancing
sources. The advisor also serves as a consultant in connection with the
Company's business plan and investment policy decisions made by the Board of
Directors.
BCM has served as advisor to the Company since February 1989. BCM is a
company owned by a trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E. Phillips,
who served as the Chairman of the Board and a Director of the Company until
November 16, 1992. Gene E. Phillips also served as a director of BCM until
December 22, 1989 and as Chief Executive Officer of BCM until September 1, 1992.
Mr. Blaha, the President and a director of the Company, serves as Executive Vice
President-Commercial Asset Management of BCM, SAMI, NMC, CMET, IORI and TCI. Mr.
Paulson, an Executive Vice President of the Company, also serves as President of
BCM, NMC, SAMI, CMET, IORI and TCI.
Gene E. Phillips serves as a representative of the trust for the benefit of
his children which owns BCM and, in such capacity, has substantial contact with
the management of BCM and input with respect to BCM's performance of advisory
services to the Company. As of July 23, 1999, BCM owned 5,990,372 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, approximately 56.7% of the shares then outstanding.
The advisory agreement between the Company and BCM (the "Advisory
Agreement") provides for the advisor to receive monthly base compensation at the
rate of 0.125% (1.5% on an annualized basis) of the average of the aggregate
book value of the Company's assets invested in equity interests in and loans
secured by real estate before non-cash reserves (the "Average Invested Assets").
On October 23, 1991, based on the recommendation of BCM, the Company's
Board of Directors approved a reduction in the advisor's base fee by 50%
effective October 1, 1991. This reduction remains in effect until the Company's
earnings for the four preceding quarters equals or exceeds $.50 per share.
In addition to base compensation, BCM or an affiliate of BCM, receives the
following forms of additional compensation:
(a) an acquisition fee for locating, leasing or purchasing real estate
for the Company 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 the Company arranged by BCM;
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<PAGE> 9
(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
the Company for the fiscal year.
The Advisory Agreement further provides that BCM shall bear the cost of
certain expenses of its employees, excluding fees paid to the Company's
Directors; rent and other office expenses of both BCM and the Company (unless
the Company maintains office space separate from that of BCM); costs not
directly identifiable to the Company's assets, liabilities, operations, business
or financial affairs; and miscellaneous administrative expenses relating to the
performance by BCM of its duties under the Advisory Agreement.
If and to the extent that the Company shall request BCM, or any director,
officer, partner or employee of BCM, to render services to the Company other
than those required to be rendered by BCM under the Advisory Agreement, such
additional services, if performed, will be compensated separately on terms
agreed upon between such party and the Company from time to time. The Company
has requested that BCM perform loan administration functions, and the Company
and BCM have entered into a separate agreement, as described below.
The Advisory Agreement automatically renews from year to year unless
terminated in accordance with its terms. The Company's management believes that
the terms of the Advisory Agreement are at least as fair as could be obtained
from unaffiliated third parties.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, BCM is the loan
administration/servicing agent for the Company, under an agreement dated as of
October 4, 1989, and terminable by either party upon 30 days' notice, under
which BCM services most of the Company's mortgage notes and receives as
compensation a monthly fee of 0.125% of the month-end outstanding principal
balances of the loans serviced.
Situations may develop in which the interests of the Company are in
conflict with those of one or more directors or officers of the Company in their
individual capacities or of BCM, or of their respective affiliates. In addition
to services performed for the Company, as described above, BCM actively provides
similar services as agent for, and advisor to, other real estate enterprises,
including persons and entities involved in real estate development and
financing, including CMET, TCI and IORI. BCM also performs certain
administrative services for NRLP on behalf of NRLP's general partner, NMC. The
Advisory Agreement provides that BCM may also serve as advisor to other
entities. As advisor, BCM is a fiduciary of the Company's public investors. In
determining to which entity a particular investment opportunity will be
allocated, BCM 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.
7
<PAGE> 10
The directors and principal officers of BCM are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Mickey N. Phillips: Director
Ryan T. Phillips: Director
Randall M. Paulson: President
Karl L. Blaha: Executive Vice President -- Commercial
Asset Management
Bruce A. Endendyk: Executive Vice President
Thomas A. Holland: Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Steven K. Johnson: Executive Vice President -- Residential
Asset Management
A. Cal Rossi, Jr.: Executive Vice President
Cooper B. Stuart: Executive Vice President
Clifford C. Towns, Jr.: Executive Vice President -- Finance
Dan S. Allred: Senior Vice President -- Land Division
James D. Canon, III: Senior Vice President -- Portfolio
Manager
Robert A. Waldman: Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Drew D. Potera: Vice President, Treasurer and Securities
Manager
</TABLE>
Mickey N. Phillips is the brother of Gene E. Phillips, and Ryan T. Phillips
is the son of Gene E. Phillips. Gene E. Phillips serves as a representative of
the trust established for the benefit of his children which owns BCM and, in
such capacity, has substantial contact with the management of BCM and input with
respect to its performance of advisory services to the Company. As of July 23,
1999, BCM owned 5,990,372 shares of the Company's Common Stock, 56.7% of the
Company's then outstanding shares.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Since February 1, 1990, affiliates of BCM have provided property management
services to the Company. Currently, Carmel Realty Services, Ltd. ("Carmel,
Ltd.") provides property management services for a fee of 5% or less of the
monthly gross rents collected on the properties under management. Carmel, Ltd.
subcontracts with other entities for the provision of the property-level
management services to the Company at various rates. The general partner of
Carmel, Ltd. is BCM. The limited partners of Carmel, Ltd. are (1) First Equity
Properties, Inc. ("First Equity"), which is 50% owned by a subsidiary of BCM (2)
Gene E. Phillips and (3) a trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E.
Phillips. Carmel, Ltd. subcontracts the property-level management of 15 of the
Company's commercial properties (office buildings, shopping centers and a
merchandise mart) and its hotels to Carmel Realty, which is a company owned by
First Equity. Carmel Realty is entitled to receive property and construction
management fees and leasing commissions in accordance with the terms of its
property-level management agreement with Carmel, Ltd.
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
Affiliates of BCM provide real estate brokerage services to the Company and
receive brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company has no employees, payroll or employee benefit plans and pays no
compensation to executive officers of the Company. The directors and executive
officers of the Company who are also officers or employees of the Company's
advisor are compensated by the advisor. Such affiliated directors and executive
officers of the Company perform a variety of services for the advisor and the
amount of their compensation is
8
<PAGE> 11
determined solely by the advisor. BCM does not allocate the cash compensation of
its officers among the various entities for which it serves as advisor.
The only direct remuneration paid by the Company is to those directors who
are not officers or employees of BCM or its affiliated companies. Until April 1,
1998, the Company compensated the independent directors at a rate of $5,000 per
year, plus $500 per Board of Directors meeting attended and $300 per committee
meeting attended. Effective April 1, 1998, the Company compensates independent
directors at the rate of $20,000 per year, plus $300 per committee meeting
attended. In addition, the chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual
fee of $500. During 1998, $65,600 was paid to independent directors in total
directors' fees for all meetings, as follows: Roy E. Bode, $21,900; Al Gonzalez,
$22,400; and Cliff Harris, $21,300.
Independent Director Stock Option Plan
In January 1999, the Company's stockholders approved the Director Stock
Option Plan ("Director Plan") which provides for options to purchase up to
40,000 shares of Common Stock. Options granted pursuant to the Director 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 $16.25 per share on January 11, 1999, the date
the stockholders approved the plan. Each independent director will be awarded an
option to purchase an additional 1,000 shares on January 1 of each year.
1997 Stock Option Plan
The Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan") was approved by the
stockholders in January 1998. The 1997 Plan is intended principally as an
incentive for and as a means of encouraging ownership of the Company's Common
Stock, by eligible persons, including certain directors and officers of the
Company. Options may be granted either as incentive stock options (which qualify
for certain favorable tax treatment) or as non-qualified stock options.
Incentive stock options cannot be granted to, among others, persons who are not
employees of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary of the Company, or to
persons who fail to satisfy certain criteria concerning ownership of less than
10% of the shares of the Company. The 1997 Plan is administered by the Stock
Option Committee, which currently consists of three independent directors of the
Company. The exercise price per share of an option will not be less than 100% of
the fair market value per share on the date of grant thereof. The Company
receives no consideration for the grant of an option.
STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN 1998
The following table sets forth certain information for the executive
officers of the Company relating to stock option grants during 1998 under the
Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
----------------------------------- VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATE OF STOCK
SECURITIES OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO PRICE PER FOR OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES SHARE EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME GRANTED IN 1998(2) ($/SHARE) DATE 5% 10%
- ---- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Karl L. Blaha................. 20,000 7.17% $15.00 7/1/08 $168,600 $478,200
Bruce A. Endendyk............. 15,000 5.38% 15.00 7/1/08 126,450 358,650
Thomas A. Holland............. 15,000 5.38% 15.00 7/1/08 126,450 358,650
Steven K. Johnson............. 10,000 3.58% 15.00 7/1/08 84,300 239,100
Randall M. Paulson............ 0 0 0 N/A 0 0
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at the
5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and,
therefore, are not intended to forecast future appreciation of the Company's
stock price. For the options expiring on July 1, 2008, the Company's per
share stock price would be $23.43 and $38.91 if increased 5% and 10%,
respectively, compounded annually over the 10 year option term.
9
<PAGE> 12
(2) The Company has no employees. This percentage represents the percent of
total options granted in 1998.
The following table presents certain information for the executive officers
of the Company relating to the exercise of stock options during 1998 and, in
addition, information relating to the valuation of unexercised stock options.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
ACQUIRED OPTIONS AT 12/31/98 AT 12/31/98(1)
ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
NAME (#) ($) (#) (#) ($) ($)
---- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Karl L. Blaha............... 0 0 0 20,000 0 $27,500
Bruce A. Endendyk........... 0 0 0 15,000 0 20,625
Thomas A. Holland........... 0 0 0 15,000 0 20,625
Steven K. Johnson........... 0 0 0 10,000 0 13,750
Randall M. Paulson.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based on the closing price of the Company's shares of Common Stock on
December 31, 1998, of $16.375.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Company's shares 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, 1993 in
shares of the Company's 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
GRAPH
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
The Company 100.00 107.21 121.64 220.57 247.41 284.66
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DJ Equity Index 100.00 100.70 138.69 170.63 228.57 294.05
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DJ Real Estate Index 100.00 95.11 117.54 157.80 188.75 147.02
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE> 13
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Management. The following table sets forth the
ownership of shares of the Company's Common Stock, both beneficially and of
record, both individually and in the aggregate, for the directors and executive
officers of the Company, as of the close of business on July 23, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME OF OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP CLASS(1)
- ---------------- ----------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Karl L. Blaha............................................... 7,506,954(2)(3) 71.1%
(4)(5)
Roy E. Bode................................................. 500,000(5) 4.7%
Collene C. Currie........................................... 695,732(2)(4) 6.6%
(5)
Bruce A. Endendyk........................................... 7,506,954(2)(3) 71.1%
(4)(5)
Al Gonzalez................................................. 500,000(5) 4.7%
Cliff Harris................................................ 500,000(5) 4.7%
Thomas A. Holland........................................... 7,509,718(2)(3) 71.1%
(4)(5)(6)
Steven K. Johnson........................................... 7,506,954(2)(3) 71.1%
(4)(5)
Randall M. Paulson.......................................... 7,506,954(2)(3) 71.1%
(4)(5)
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (9
persons).................................................. 7,509,718(2)(3) 71.1%
(4)(5)(6)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Percentage is based upon 10,563,434 shares outstanding on July 23, 1999.
(2) Includes 820,850 shares owned by CMET over which the executive officers of
the Company may be deemed to be beneficial owners by virtue of their
positions as executive officers of CMET. The executive officers of the
Company disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares.
(3) Includes 5,990,372 shares owned by BCM over which the executive officers of
the Company may be deemed to be beneficial owners by virtue of their
positions as executive officers of BCM. The executive officers of the
Company disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares.
(4) Includes 195,732 shares owned by NOLP over which the executive officers of
the Company and two of the directors of NMC may be deemed to be beneficial
owners by virtue of their positions as executive officers or directors of
NMC, the general partner of NOLP. The executive officers of the Company and
the directors of NMC, Mr. Blaha and Ms. Currie, disclaim beneficial
ownership of such shares.
(5) Includes 500,000 shares owned by ND Investments, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, over which the directors and executive officers
of the Company may be deemed to be beneficial owners by virtue of their
positions as directors and executive officers of the Company. The directors
and executive officers of the Company disclaim beneficial ownership of such
shares..
(6) Includes 2,432 shares owned directly over which Thomas A. Holland and his
wife jointly hold voting and dispositive power, and an additional 332 shares
held by Mr. Holland in an individual retirement account.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following table sets
forth the ownership of the Company's Common Stock both beneficially and of
record, both individually and in the aggregate, for those
11
<PAGE> 14
persons or entities known by the Company to be the owner of more than 5% of the
shares of the Company's Common Stock as of the close of business on July 23,
1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP CLASS(1)
- ------------------- ----------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Basic Capital Management, Inc............................... 5,990,372 56.7%
10670 N. Central Expressway
Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
Davister Corp............................................... 1,669,436(2) 15.6%
10670 N. Central Expressway
Suite 410
Dallas, Texas 75231
Continental Mortgage and Equity Trust....................... 820,850(3) 7.8%
10670 N. Central Expressway
Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75231
Ryan T. Phillips............................................ 6,088,704(4) 57.6%
10670 N. Central Expressway
Suite 600
Dallas, Texas 75231
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Percentage is based on 10,563,434 shares of Common Stock outstanding on July
23, 1999.
(2) Each of the directors of Davister Corp., Ronald F. Akin and Ronald F. Bruce,
may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of such shares by virtue of their
positions as directors of Davister Corp. The directors of Davister Corp.
disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares.
(3) Each of the trustees of CMET, Richard W. Douglas, Larry E. Harley, R.
Douglas Leonhard, Murray Shaw, Ted P. Stokely, Martin L. White and Edward G.
Zampa, may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of such shares by virtue of
their positions as trustees of CMET. The trustees of CMET disclaim such
beneficiary ownership.
(4) Includes 5,990,372 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 98,332 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. The By-laws of the Company, as
amended, provide, in accordance with Georgia law, that no contract or
transaction between the Company and one or more of its directors or officers, or
between the Company and any other corporation, partnership, association or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
that reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Company's Board of Directors or committee
thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or
her votes are counted for such purpose, if one or more of the following three
conditions are met: (1) the material facts as to his or her interest and as to
the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Company's Board of
Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors constitute less
than a quorum; (2) the material facts as to his or her interest and as to the
contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled
to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved or
ratified in good faith by vote of such stockholders; or (3) the contract or
transaction is fair to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved or
ratified by the Company's Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the
stockholders.
12
<PAGE> 15
The Company's policy is to have such contracts or transactions approved or
ratified by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company 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 the Company. 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 the Company as other investments that
could have been obtained.
The Company expects to enter into future transactions with entities the
officers, trustees, directors or stockholders of which are also officers,
directors or stockholders of the Company if such transactions would be
beneficial to the operations of the Company and consistent with the Company's
then-current investment objectives and policies, subject to approval by a
majority of disinterested directors as discussed above.
The Company does not prohibit its officers, directors, stockholders or
related parties from engaging in business activities of the types conducted by
the Company.
CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
As mentioned above, BCM is a company of which Messrs. Blaha, Endendyk,
Holland, Johnson and Paulson serve as executive officers. BCM is beneficially
owned by a trust for the benefit of the children of Gene E. Phillips.
Mr. Paulson, an Executive Vice President of the Company, is the President
of CMET, IORI and TCI, and owes fiduciary duties to such entities as well as to
BCM under the applicable law. CMET, IORI and TCI have the same relationship with
BCM as does the Company. In addition, BCM has been engaged to perform certain
administrative functions for NRLP and NOLP. Mr. Blaha, the President and a
director of the Company, is a director and Executive Vice President of NMC, the
general partner of NRLP and NOLP.
Since February 1, 1990, the Company has contracted with affiliates of BCM
for property management services. Currently, Carmel, Ltd. provides such property
management services. The general partner of Carmel, Ltd. is BCM. The limited
partners of Carmel, Ltd. are (1) First Equity, a company which is 50% owned by a
subsidiary of BCM, (2) Gene E. Phillips and (3) a trust for the benefit of the
children of Gene E. Phillips. Carmel, Ltd. subcontracts the property-level
management of 15 of the Company's commercial properties (office buildings,
shopping centers and a merchandise mart) and its hotels to Carmel Realty, which
is a company owned by First Equity.
Affiliates of BCM provide brokerage services to the Company and receive
brokerage commissions in accordance with the Advisory Agreement.
The Company owns an equity interest in each of CMET, IORI, TCI and NRLP. In
addition, CMET and NRLP own a beneficial interest in the Company.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
BCM has entered into put agreements with certain holders of the Class A
limited partner units of Ocean Beach Partners, L.P. Such Class A units are
convertible into Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company. The put
price of the Series D Preferred Stock is $20.00 per share plus accrued but
unpaid dividends.
BCM has also entered into put agreements with the holders of the Class A
limited partner units of Valley Ranch Limited Partnership. Such Class A units
are convertible into Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the
Company which is further convertible into Common Stock of the Company. The put
price for the Class A units is $1.00 per unit and the put price for either the
Series E Preferred Stock or the Company's Common Stock is 80% of the average
daily closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the 20 previous trading
days.
In August 1996, the Company obtained a $2.0 million loan from a financial
institution secured by a pledge of equity securities of CMET, IORI and TCI owned
by the Company and Common Stock of the Company owned by BCM with a market value
at the time of $4.0 million. The Company received $2.0 million
13
<PAGE> 16
in net cash after the payment of closing costs associated with the loan. The
loan was paid in full by the proceeds of a new $4.0 million loan from another
financial institution secured by a pledge of equity securities of CMET, IORI and
TCI owned by the Company and Common Stock of the Company owned by BCM with a
market value at the time of $10.4 million. The Company received $2.0 million in
net cash after the payoff of the $2.0 million loan. In January 1998, the lender
made a second $2.0 million loan. This loan is also secured by a pledge of Common
Stock of the Company owned by BCM with a market value at the time of $4.7
million. The Company received $2.0 million in net cash. The loans mature in
February 2000.
In September 1996, the Company obtained a $2.0 million loan from a
financial institution secured by a pledge of equity securities of the CMET, IORI
and TCI owned by the Company and Common Stock of the Company owned by BCM with a
market value at the time of $9.1 million. The Company received $2.0 million in
net cash after payment of closing costs. In October 1998, the lender advanced an
additional $1.0 million, increasing the loan balance to $3.0 million. The loan
matures in January 2000.
In October 1997, the Company entered into leases with BCM and Carmel Realty
for space at the One Hickory Center Office Building, construction of which was
completed in December 1998. The BCM lease is for 50,574 square feet
(approximately 50% of the building), has a term of 10 years and provides for
annual base rent of $974,000 per year for the first year or $19.25 per square
foot increasing to $1.3 million in the tenth year or $24.90 per square foot. The
Carmel Realty lease is for 25,278 square feet (approximately 25% of the
building) has a term of 15 years, and provides for annual base rent of $487,050
per year for the first year or $19.25 per square foot increasing to $964,000 in
the fifteenth year or $38.15 per square foot.
Effective January 1, 1998, Carmel Realty entered into a master lease for
23,813 square feet of space at the Company's Denver Merchandise Mart. The lease
has a term of three years and provides for annual rent of $358,000 or $15.00 per
square foot.
In 1998 and the first quarter of 1999, Garden Capital, L.P. ("GCLP") funded
$76.0 million of a $95.0 million loan commitment to the Company. The loan is
secured by (1) a second lien on an office building in Minnesota, (2) second
liens on four apartments in Mississippi, (3) a second lien on 130.54 acres of
land in Texas, (4) a pledge of the stock of ART Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company that owns 3,299,535 NRLP units of limited partnership,
and (5) a pledge of the stock of NMC. The loan bears interest at 12.0% per
annum, requires monthly payments of interest only and matures in November 2003.
In February 1999, the Company made a $999,000 paydown on the loan. In April
1999, GCLP funded an additional $5.7 million.
In December 1998, in connection with a litigation settlement, NMC, the
general partner of NRLP, assumed responsibility for repayment to NRLP of $12.4
million paid by NRLP to the plaintiff class members and legal counsel; $184,000
of such amount being paid in March 1999. The loan bears interest at 90 day LIBOR
(London InterBank Offered Rate) plus 2.0% per annum currently 7.0% per annum,
adjusted every 90 days and requires annual payments of accrued interest plus
principal payments of $500,000 in each of the first three years, $750,000 in
each of the next three years, $1.0 million in each of the next three years, with
payment in full of the remaining balance in the tenth year. The note is
guaranteed by the Company. The note matures upon the earlier of the liquidation
or dissolution of NRLP, NMC ceasing to be the general partner or 10 years from
March 24, 1999, the date of the first cash distribution to the plaintiff class
members.
In 1998, the Company paid BCM and its affiliates $3.8 million in advisory
and mortgage servicing fees; $7.5 million in real estate brokerage commissions;
$804,000 in loan arrangement fees and $1.6 million in property and construction
management fees and leasing commissions, net of property management fees paid to
subcontractors, other than Carmel Realty. In addition, as provided in the
Advisory Agreement, in 1998 BCM received cost reimbursements from the Company of
$1.8 million.
14
<PAGE> 17
PROPOSAL TWO:
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF SPECIAL STOCK
The Board of Directors is recommending that Article Five of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Company be amended to increase the number of authorized
shares of Special Stock, $2.00 par value per share, from 20 million shares to 50
million shares. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding and
entitled to vote is required to approve the proposal to amend Article Five.
Pursuant to this proposal, the first paragraph of Article Five of the Articles
of Incorporation would be deleted and replaced in its entirety with the
following:
"The Corporation shall have authority exercisable by its Board of Directors
to issue not more than 100,000,000 shares of common voting stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Stock"), and 50,000,000 shares of a special
class of stock, $2.00 par value per share (the "Special Stock"), which
shall be designated as the Board of Directors may determine and which may
be issued in series by the Board of Directors as hereinafter provided.
Preferences, limitation, and relative rights with respect to the shares of
each class of stock of the Corporation shall be as hereinafter set forth:"
As of July 23, 1999, there were four series of the Company's Special Stock,
which had been designated by the Board of Directors. The total number of shares
designated in these series is 15,414,750. The Board of Directors has no present
intent to issue any additional shares of Special Stock in excess of the amount
currently authorized. Although there are no pending transactions which would
require the issuance of any Special Stock in excess of the amount currently
authorized, the Board of Directors recommends that the number of authorized
shares be increased and thereby provide the Company with the ability to issue
such additional new shares of Special Stock should the opportunity be presented
in the future.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE PROPOSAL TO
AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SPECIAL
STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE BY THE COMPANY.
SELECTION OF AUDITORS FOR 1999
The Company's auditors for the 1998 fiscal year were BDO Seidman, LLP. A
representative of BDO Seidman will attend the Annual Meeting. The Board of
Directors has not selected the auditors for the Company for the 1999 fiscal
year.
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 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders, including audited financial
statements, has previously been mailed to stockholders under separate cover.
15
<PAGE> 18
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished to stockholders to solicit proxies on
behalf of the directors of the Company. The cost of soliciting proxies will be
borne by the Company. Directors and officers of the Company may, without
additional compensation, solicit by mail, in person or by telecommunication. In
addition, the Company has retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc.
("GSC") to assist in the solicitation of proxies. An agreement with GSC provides
that it will distribute materials relating to the solicitation of proxies,
contact stockholders to confirm receipt of materials and answer questions
relating thereto. GSC is to be paid a base fee of $2,000 plus out-of-pocket
expenses and is to be indemnified against certain liability incurred as a result
of the provision of such services.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ KARL L. BLAHA
KARL L. BLAHA
President
16
<PAGE> 19
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR ALL OF THE NOMINEES AND THAT YOU VOTE 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.
17
<PAGE> 20
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 13, 1999
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
AMERICAN REALTY TRUST, INC.
The undersigned hereby appoints THOMAS A. HOLLAND 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 TRUST,
INC., to be held on Monday, September 13, 1999, at 2:00 p.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:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
FOR the nominee(s) (except as marked to the contrary WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO vote for the nominee(s) listed below
below)
Karl L. Blaha Collene C.
Currie
Roy E. Bode Al Gonzalez Cliff
Harris
</TABLE>
INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL
NOMINEE, WRITE THAT NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE BELOW. When a proxy
card is property 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2. PROPOSAL TO AMEND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF SPECIAL STOCK:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
3. OTHER BUSINESS:
I AUTHORIZE the aforementioned proxies in their discretion:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
(continued and to be signed and dated on the other side)
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMERICAN REALTY TRUST, INC. RECOMMENDS A
VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSAL TWO.
YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY MARKING THE BOXES FOR ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS
AND FOR PROPOSAL TWO. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS CARD TODAY IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. IF NOT OTHERWISE MARKED ABOVE, YOUR PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSAL TWO. THIS
PROXY REVOKES ALL PREVIOUS PROXIES.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY IMMEDIATELY
Dated:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ,
1999
x
-----------------------------
Signature
x
-----------------------------
Signature (if held jointly)
x
-----------------------------
Title
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.
