UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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
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Filed by the Registrant | x |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant | o |
Check the appropriate box:
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o | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o | Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
o | Definitive Additional Materials |
o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
COLE OFFICE & INDUSTRIAL REIT (CCIT III), INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
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x | No fee required. |
o | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
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(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o | 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. |
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COLE OFFICE & INDUSTRIAL REIT (CCIT III), INC.
2398 East Camelback Road, 4th Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
April 15, 2019
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at 8:30 A.M. (local time) at The Camby Hotel located at 2401 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.
The matters expected to be acted upon at the meeting are described in the following Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, and include the election of five directors and the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm.
Directors and officers will be available at the meeting to speak with you. There will be an opportunity during the meeting for your questions regarding the affairs of Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc. and for a discussion of the business to be considered at the meeting.
It is important that you use this opportunity to take part in the affairs of your company by voting on the business to come before this meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE, OR AUTHORIZE YOUR PROXY BY USING THE TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET, SO THAT YOUR SHARES MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. FOR SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, PLEASE REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD. Authorizing a proxy to vote your shares does not deprive you of your right to attend the meeting and to vote your shares in person.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Richard S. Ressler
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
COLE OFFICE & INDUSTRIAL REIT (CCIT III), INC.
NOTICE OF 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 26, 2019
To Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc. Stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at 8:30 A.M. (local time) at The Camby Hotel located at 2401 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote upon:
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1. | The election of five directors to hold office until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify; |
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2. | The ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019; and |
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3. | The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The proposals and other related matters are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 5, 2019 are entitled to receive this notice and to vote at the meeting. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to postpone or adjourn the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to provide more time to solicit proxies for the meeting, if necessary.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 26, 2019.
THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.proxyvote.com.
You may obtain directions to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company by calling (866) 907-2653.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend, WE URGE YOU TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND EITHER (A) COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED OR (B) AUTHORIZE YOUR PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET. FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, PLEASE REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL HELP AVOID POTENTIAL DELAYS AND MAY SAVE THE COMPANY SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL EXPENSE ASSOCIATED WITH SOLICITING STOCKHOLDER VOTES.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Michael J. Komenda
Secretary
Phoenix, Arizona
April 15, 2019
PLEASE VOTE — YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
COLE OFFICE & INDUSTRIAL REIT (CCIT III), INC.
2398 East Camelback Road, 4th Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
We are providing you with this proxy statement, which contains information about the items to be voted upon at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To make this information easier to understand, we have presented some of the information below in a question and answer format.
Q: Why did you send me this proxy statement?
A: Our board of directors is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares of the Company’s common stock at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement includes information that we are required to provide to you under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is designed to assist you in voting. This proxy statement, the proxy card and our 2018 annual report to stockholders are being mailed to you on or about April 19, 2019.
Q: What is a proxy?
A: A proxy is a person who votes the shares of stock of another person. The term “proxy” also refers to the proxy card. When you return the enclosed proxy card, or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, you are giving your permission to either our chief financial officer and treasurer or our secretary to vote your shares of common stock at the annual meeting as you instruct. If you sign and return the proxy card, or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, and give no instructions, the proxies will vote FOR all of the director nominees and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. With respect to any other proposals to be properly presented at the meeting for voting, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in the discretion of one or both of the proxies. The proxies will not vote your shares of common stock if you do not return the enclosed proxy card or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet. This is why it is important for you to return the proxy card to us or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet as soon as possible, whether or not you plan on attending the meeting in person.
If you authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, please do not return your proxy card.
Q: When is the annual meeting and where will it be held?
A: The annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at 8:30 A.M. (local time) at The Camby Hotel located at 2401 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.
Q: How many shares of common stock can vote?
A: As of the close of business on the record date of April 5, 2019, there was an aggregate of 3,230,532 shares of our Class A and Class T common stock issued and outstanding. Every stockholder of record as of the close of business on April 5, 2019 is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock, regardless of class, held at that date and time. Fractional shares will have corresponding fractional votes.
Q: What is a “quorum”?
A: A “quorum” consists of the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders holding at least 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. There must be a quorum present in order for business to be transacted at the annual meeting. If you submit a properly executed proxy card, even if you abstain from voting or do not give instructions for voting, then you will at least be considered part of the quorum.
Q: What may I vote on?
A: You may vote on (i) the election of nominees to serve on our board of directors; (ii) the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019; and (iii) any other proposal properly presented for a vote at the annual meeting.
Q: How does the board of directors recommend I vote on the proposals?
A: The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” all of the nominees for election as director who are named as such in this proxy statement and “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.
Q: Who is entitled to vote?
A: Anyone who owned our common stock at the close of business on April 5, 2019, the record date, is entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
Q: How do I vote?
A: You may vote your shares of common stock either in person or by proxy. In order to vote in person, you must attend the annual meeting. Whether you plan to attend the meeting and vote in person or not, we urge you to have your vote recorded. Stockholders may authorize their proxy via mail, using the enclosed proxy card. In addition, stockholders who live in the United States may authorize a proxy by following the “Vote by Phone” instructions on the enclosed proxy card. Stockholders with Internet access may authorize a proxy by following the “Vote by Internet” instructions on the enclosed proxy card. The telephone and Internet proxy authorization procedures are designed to authenticate the stockholder’s identity and to allow stockholders to authorize a proxy and confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. If the telephone or Internet option is available to you, we strongly encourage you to use it because it is faster and less costly. If you attend the annual meeting, you also may vote in person, and any previous proxies that you authorized will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the annual meeting. You may also attend the annual meeting without revoking any previously authorized proxy. If you return your signed proxy card, or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, but do not indicate how you wish to vote, your shares of common stock will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum and voted (i) FOR all of the nominees for director; (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019; and (iii) with respect to any other proposals to be voted upon, in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in the discretion of the proxies.
Q: What vote is required to approve each proposal?
A: The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock, with each class of shares voting together as a single class, present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting at which a quorum is present is required for the election of each director nominee. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes cast against each director nominee.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting at which a quorum is present is required for ratifying the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Q: Will my vote make a difference?
A: Yes. Your vote is very important to ensure that the proposals can be acted upon. Unlike most public companies, no large brokerage houses or affiliated groups of stockholders own substantial blocks of our shares. As a result, a large number of our stockholders must be present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to constitute a quorum. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT EVEN IF YOU OWN ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF SHARES. Your immediate response will help avoid potential delays and may save us significant additional expense associated with soliciting stockholder votes. We encourage you to participate in the governance of the Company and welcome your attendance at the annual meeting.
Q: What if I return my proxy card and then change my mind?
A: You have the right to revoke your proxy at any time before the vote by:
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1. | notifying Michael J. Komenda, our secretary, in writing at our offices located at 2398 East Camelback Road, 4th Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85016; |
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2. | attending the meeting and voting in person; or |
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3. | returning another proxy after your first proxy, which is received before the annual meeting date. Only the most recent vote will be counted and all others will be discarded regardless of the method of voting. |
Q: How will voting on any other business be conducted?
A: Although we do not know of any business to be considered at the annual meeting other than the election of directors and the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, if any other business is properly presented at the annual meeting, your proxy gives authority to either official designated proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in their discretion.
Q: Who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?
A: The Company will pay all the costs of soliciting these proxies. The Company will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to our stockholders.
Q: Is this proxy statement the only way that proxies are being solicited?
A: No. In addition to mailing proxy solicitation material, our directors and officers, and employees of our sponsor, as well as third-party proxy service companies we retain, may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by any other electronic means of communication we deem appropriate. No additional compensation will be paid to our directors or officers or to employees of our sponsor for such services. We have retained Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. to assist us in the distribution of proxy materials and solicitation of votes. We anticipate the costs of such services to the Company to be approximately $8,700.
Q: If I plan to attend the annual meeting in person, should I notify anyone?
A: While you are not required to notify anyone in order to attend the annual meeting, if you do plan to attend the meeting, we would appreciate it if you would call us toll free at (866) 907-2653 to let us know that you will be attending the meeting so that we will be able to prepare a suitable meeting room for the attendees.
Q: Whom should I call if I have any questions?
A: If you have any questions about how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, you should contact:
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717
Call toll free: (800) 690-6903
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the annual meeting, you and the other stockholders will vote on the election of all five members of our board of directors. Those persons elected will serve as directors until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. The board of directors has nominated the following people for election as directors:
•Richard S. Ressler
•Stephen O. Evans
•W. Brian Kretzmer
•Avraham Shemesh
•Howard A. Silver
Each of the nominees for director is a current member of our board of directors. The principal occupation and certain other information about the nominees are set forth below. We are not aware of any family relationship among any of the nominees to become directors or executive officers of the Company. Each of the nominees for election as director has stated that there is no arrangement or understanding of any kind between him and any other person relating to his election as a director, except that such nominees have agreed to serve as our directors if elected.
If you return a properly executed proxy card, or if you authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, unless you direct the proxies to withhold your votes, the individuals named as the proxies will vote your shares for the election of the nominees listed above. If any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to stand for election, the board may reduce its size, designate a substitute nominee, or fill the vacancy through a majority vote of the remaining directors (including a majority of the remaining independent directors if the vacancy relates to an independent director position). If a substitute is designated, proxies voting for the original nominee will be cast for the substituted nominee.
Vote Required; Recommendation
The vote of holders of a majority of all shares entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at a meeting of stockholders duly called at which a quorum is present is necessary for the election of a director. For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes cast against each director. A properly executed proxy card, or instruction by telephone or over the Internet, indicating “FOR” a nominee will be considered a vote in favor of such nominee for election as director. A properly executed proxy card, or instruction by telephone or over the Internet, indicating “AGAINST” a nominee will be considered a vote against such nominee for election as director.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
INFORMATION ABOUT DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Board of Directors
In accordance with applicable law and our charter and bylaws, the business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of our board of directors. Our board of directors consists of five directors, three of whom are independent directors. Our board of directors has formed three committees: the audit committee; the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee; and the nominating and corporate governance committee.
Director Nominees
Our board of directors has nominated each of the following individuals for election as a director to serve until our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualifies. Each nominee currently is a director of the Company, and Messrs. Evans, Kretzmer and Silver are independent directors.
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Name | | Age * | | Position(s) |
Richard S. Ressler | | 60 | | Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Stephen O. Evans | | 73 | | Independent Director |
W. Brian Kretzmer | | 66 | | Independent Director |
Avraham Shemesh | | 57 | | Director |
Howard A. Silver | | 64 | | Independent Director |
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* As of April 15, 2019.
Richard S. Ressler has served as our chief executive officer, president and a director since February 2018, and as the chairman of our board of directors and a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee since August 2018. Mr. Ressler also has served as vice president of Cole Corporate Income Management III, LLC (“CCIT III Management”), our advisor, since February 2018. In addition, Mr. Ressler serves in the following positions for CCO Group, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “CCO Group”) and certain other programs sponsored by CCO Group: |
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Entity | | | Position(s) | | Dates |
Cole Credit Property Trust IV, Inc. (“CCPT IV”) and CIM Income NAV, Inc. (f/k/a Cole Real Estate Income Strategy (Daily NAV), Inc.) (“CIM Income NAV”) | | | Chief executive officer, president and director
Chairman of the board | | February 2018 – Present
August 2018 – Present |
Cole Credit Property Trust V, Inc. (“CCPT V”) and Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT II), Inc. (“CCIT II”) | | | Director | | January 2018 – Present |
Cole REIT Management IV, LLC (“CCPT IV Management”); Cole Corporate Income Management II, LLC (“CCI II Management”); Cole REIT Management V, LLC (“CCPT V Management”); CIM Income NAV Management (f/k/a Cole Real Estate Income Strategy (Daily NAV) Advisors, LLC) (“CIM Income NAV Management”); CREI Advisors, LLC (“CREI Advisors”); and CCO Group, LLC | | | Vice president | | February 2018 – Present |
Mr. Ressler is the founder and President of Orchard Capital Corp. (“Orchard Capital”), a firm through which Mr. Ressler oversees companies in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest. Through his affiliation with Orchard Capital, Mr. Ressler serves in various senior capacities with, among others, CIM Group, LLC (“CIM”), a vertically-integrated owner and operator of real assets, and the indirect parent of our sponsor, advisor, dealer manager and property manager; Orchard First Source Asset Management (together with its controlled affiliates, “OFSAM”), a full-service provider of capital and leveraged finance solutions to U.S. corporations; and OCV Management, LLC (“OCV”), an investor, owner and operator of technology companies. Mr. Ressler also serves as a board member for various public and private
companies in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest, including as chairman of j2 Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: JCOM), director of Presbia PLC (NASDAQ: LENS), and chairman of CIM Commercial Trust Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCT) (“CMCT”). Mr. Ressler served as Chairman and CEO of JCOM from 1997 to 2000 and, through an agreement with Orchard Capital, currently serves as its non-executive Chairman. Mr. Ressler has served as a director of LENS since January 2015 and as chairman of CMCT since March 2014. Mr. Ressler co-founded CIM in 1994 and, through an agreement with Orchard Capital, chairs its executive, investment, credit, allocation and asset management committees. Mr. Ressler co-founded the predecessor of OFSAM in 2001 and, through an agreement with Orchard Capital, chairs its executive committee. Mr. Ressler co-founded OCV in 2016 and, through an agreement with Orchard Capital, chairs its executive committee. Prior to founding Orchard Capital, from 1988 until 1994, Mr. Ressler served as Vice Chairman of Brooke Group Limited, the predecessor of Vector Group, Ltd. (NYSE: VGR) and served in various executive capacities at VGR and its subsidiaries. Prior to VGR, Mr. Ressler was with Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc., where he focused on merger and acquisition transactions and the financing needs of middle-market companies. Mr. Ressler began his career in 1983 with Cravath, Swaine and Moore, working on public offerings, private placements, and merger and acquisition transactions. Mr. Ressler holds a B.A. from Brown University, and J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Columbia University. Mr. Ressler was selected to serve as a director because of his extensive real estate, business management and finance experience and expertise, in addition to his leadership roles at several public companies, all of which are expected to bring valuable insight to the board of directors.
Stephen O. Evans has served as one of our independent directors and as a member of our audit committee since July 2016 and as chairman of our nominating and corporate governance committee and our valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee since August 2018. Mr. Evans previously served as non-executive chairman of the board of directors from July 2016 to August 2018. Retiring in 2010, Mr. Evans served as an executive and trustee of Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR), a publicly traded REIT. In 1981, Mr. Evans co-founded and served as chief executive officer and chairman of Evans Withycombe Residential, a multi-family investment company focused in Arizona and California. In 1994, Evans Withycombe Residential (EWR) became a publicly traded REIT and Mr. Evans served as its chief executive officer and chairman until its merger with Equity Residential in December 1997. Mr. Evans served as a director of the Biltmore Bank of Arizona from 2004 to December 2012, and currently serves as a director of Communities Southwest, a private land investment and development company. His business affiliations have included the Arizona Multi-Housing Association, Urban Land Institute, National Multi-Housing Council and National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Mr. Evans currently serves on the Board of Directors of the following non-profit organizations: Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona State University Foundation and Valley of the Sun United Way. Mr. Evans received a B.S. in Business Administration and a MBA from Arizona State University. Mr. Evans was selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience as a real estate industry executive, with strong leadership and investment expertise, all of which are expected to bring valuable insight to the board of directors.
W. Brian Kretzmer has served as an independent director of our company since February 2018 and as a member of our audit committee and our valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee since August 2018. In addition, Mr. Kretzmer serves in the following positions for certain other programs sponsored by CCO Group:
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Entity | | | Position(s) | | Dates |
CCPT IV and CIM Income NAV | | | Independent director | | February 2018 – Present |
Mr. Kretzmer currently operates his own consultancy practice and is an investor in several private firms where he serves in multiple capacities. From 1999 to 2006, Mr. Kretzmer was Chief Executive Officer of MAI Systems Corporation (which operated principally through its subsidiary Hotel Information Systems), a provider of enterprise management solutions for lodging organizations. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of MAI Systems Corporation from 1993 to 1996 and 1999 to 2000. Mr. Kretzmer is a thirty-year veteran in technology industries. Mr. Kretzmer has also served as a director of j2 Global, Inc. since July 2007. Mr. Kretzmer holds a B.A. from Montclair State University and an M.B.A. from Farleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Kretzmer was selected to serve as a director because of his extensive operational and financial perspective and accounting expertise, in addition to his leadership roles at MAI Systems Corporation, all of which are expected to bring valuable insight to the board of directors.
Avraham Shemesh has served as a director since January 2019. Mr. Shemesh has also served as president and treasurer of Cole Corporate Income Management III, our advisor, since February 2018. In addition, Mr. Shemesh serves in the following positions for CCO Group and certain other programs sponsored by CCO Group:
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Entity | | | Position(s) | | | Dates |
CCIT II | | | Chief executive officer, president and director
Chairman of the board
| | | February 2018 – Present
August 2018 – Present
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CCPT V | | | Chief executive officer and president
Director Chairman of the board | | | February 2018 – Present
March 2018 – Present August 2018 – Present |
CIM Income NAV | | | Director | | | January 2019 – Present |
CCPT IV | | | Director | | | March 2019 – Present |
CCPT V Management; CCI II Management; CCPT IV Management; CIM Income NAV Management; CCO Group, LLC; and CREI Advisors | | | President and treasurer | | | February 2018 – Present |
Mr. Shemesh is a Co-Founder and Principal of CIM, a vertically-integrated owner and operator of real assets for its own account and on behalf of its partners and co-investors seeking to invest in urban real assets and associated credit strategies and, since February 1, 2018, the indirect parent of our sponsor, advisor, dealer manager and property manager, with more than 25 years of active real estate, infrastructure and lending experience. Since co-founding CIM in 1994, Mr. Shemesh has been instrumental in building the firm’s real estate, infrastructure and debt platforms. He serves on CIM’s Investment and Real Assets Management Committees, providing guidance on the diverse opportunities available across CIM’s various platforms. Mr. Shemesh is responsible for CIM’s long-time relationships with strategic institutions and oversees teams essential to acquisitions, portfolio management and internal and external communication. Since March 2014, Mr. Shemesh also has served as a director of CMCT, a real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and operates office investments and is operated by affiliates of CIM. Prior to CIM, Mr. Shemesh was involved in a number of successful entrepreneurial real estate activities, including co-founding Dekel Development, which developed a wide variety of commercial and multifamily properties in Los Angeles. Mr. Shemesh was selected to serve as a director because of his significant experience with the real estate acquisition process and strategic planning as a result of his experience with CIM, including as a Co-Founder thereof, as well as his leadership roles at CIM and CMCT.
Howard A. Silver has served as one of our independent directors and the chairman of our audit committee since July 2016 and as a member of our valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee since August 2018. From 1994 until 2007, Mr. Silver held various positions with Equity Inns, Inc., a publicly listed hospitality REIT on the New York Stock Exchange, including chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and secretary. Until the sale of Equity Inns to Whitehall Global Real Estate Funds in October 2007, Equity Inns was the largest hotel REIT focused on the upscale extended stay, all suite and midscale limited service segments of the hotel industry. From 1992 until 1994, Mr. Silver served as chief financial officer of Alabaster Originals, L.P., a fashion jewelry wholesaler. Prior to joining Equity Inns, Mr. Silver was employed by Ernst & Young LLP from 1987 to 1992 and by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1978 to 1985, both global accounting firms. Mr. Silver has served as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of Jernigan Capital, Inc. (NYSE: JCAP), a publicly listed mortgage REIT focused on lending to self-storage facilities, since April 2015. From 2012 until the sale of the company in 2018, Mr. Silver served as a member of the board of directors and as lead independent director of Education Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a publicly listed collegiate housing REIT. From January 2014 until the sale of the company in January 2016, he served as a member of the board of directors and as chairman of the audit committee of Landmark Apartment Trust, Inc., a publicly registered, non-listed multifamily REIT, and, from its inception in 2004 through the sale of the company in November 2013, he served as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the audit committee of CapLease, Inc. (NYSE: LSE), a publicly listed net lease REIT. From 2004 until the sale of the company in May 2012, Mr. Silver also served as a member of the board of directors of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF), a publicly listed family entertainment resort company. Mr. Silver graduated cum laude from the University of Memphis with a B.S. in Accountancy and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1980. Mr. Silver was selected because of his extensive experience in the real estate industry and accounting, which is expected to bring valuable insight to our board of directors.
Board Meetings and Annual Stockholder Meeting
The board of directors held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Each director attended all of his board and committee meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of our board of directors at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we encourage all of our directors to attend. All of our directors serving at the time of our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders attended our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders either in person or by telephone.
Independence
As required by our charter, a majority of the members of our board of directors must qualify as “independent” as affirmatively determined by the board. Consistent with our charter and applicable securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” after review of all relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his family members, and the Company, our senior management and our independent registered public accounting firm, the board has determined that Messrs. Evans, Kretzmer and Silver, who comprise a majority of our board, qualify as independent directors. A copy of our independent director definition, which is contained in our charter and complies with the requirements of the North American Securities Administrators Association’s Statement of Policy Regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts, was attached as an appendix to the proxy statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 17, 2017. Although our shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange, our independent directors also meet the current independence and qualifications requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.
Board Committees
The board of directors has established a committee structure that includes an audit committee, a valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The audit committee and valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee are each comprised solely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
The audit committee is comprised of Mr. Silver, Mr. Evans and Mr. Kretzmer, all of whom are independent directors. Mr. Silver serves as the chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee reports regularly to the full board. The audit committee meets periodically during the year, usually in conjunction with regular meetings of the board. The audit committee, by approval of at least a majority of the members, selects the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our annual financial statements, reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, approves the audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considers the range of audit and non-audit fees and reviews the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. Our board of directors has adopted a charter for the audit committee that sets forth its specific functions and responsibilities. The audit committee charter can be located on our sponsor’s website at www.cimgroup.com/strategies/individual/managed-reit-corporate-governance by clicking on “CCIT III.”
Although our shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange, all members of the audit committee meet the current independence and qualifications requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, as well as our charter and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. While each member of the audit committee has significant financial and/or accounting experience, the board of directors has determined that Mr. Silver and Mr. Kretzmer satisfy the SEC’s requirements for an “audit committee financial expert” and has designated Mr. Silver and Mr. Kretzmer as our audit committee financial experts. The audit committee met four times during 2017.
Valuation, Compensation and Affiliate Transactions Committee
In August 2018, our board of directors established a valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee. It is comprised solely of our independent directors, Messrs. Evans, Kretzmer and Silver. Mr. Evans serves as the chairman of the committee. The committee met one time during 2018. Our board of directors has adopted a charter for the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee that sets forth its specific functions and responsibilities. The charter of the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee is available on our sponsor’s website at www.cimgroup.com/strategies/individual/managed-reit-corporate-governance by clicking on “CCIT III.”
The primary purposes of the committee are to: (1) assist the board in satisfying its obligations to determine and provide the fair value of assets of the Company and the determination of the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the
common stock of the Company to comply with all applicable SEC, state and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) requirements; (2) oversee the Company’s compensation programs, including plans and programs relating to cash compensation, incentive compensation, equity-based awards and other benefits and perquisites and to administer any such plans or programs as required by the terms thereof; (3) perform an annual or more frequent review of the advisory agreement between the Company and its advisor, CCI III Management, and/or its affiliates, and any amendments thereto, and review the performance of CCI III Management and determine whether compensation paid to it is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and the investment performance of the Company, and that the provisions of the advisory agreement are being carried out by the advisor; (4) consider for approval any other agreements and transactions between the Company and/or its subsidiaries on the one hand and any of (i) the advisor, (ii) CIM and/or its subsidiaries, and (iii) a director or officer of the Company, or (iv) an affiliate of the foregoing, on the other hand; and (5) consider the approval of all other matters required to be approved by the independent directors. Notwithstanding the scope of the committee’s responsibilities under the charter with respect to compensation matters, our executive officers, including our principal financial officer, and non-independent directors do not receive compensation directly from us for services rendered to us, and we do not pay any compensation directly to our executive officers or non-independent directors.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The nominating and corporate governance committee was established by our board of directors in August 2018. The committee consists of three directors, Messrs. Evans, Kretzmer and Ressler. Mr. Evans serves as the chairman of the committee. The primary purposes of the nominating and corporate governance committee are to: (1) at the request of the board of directors, review and make recommendations to the board of directors regarding the size, structure and composition of the board of directors and its committees; (2) establish criteria for the selection of directors to serve on the board; (3) identify and evaluate individuals believed to be qualified to become board members, including persons suggested by the Company’s stockholders or others on a substantially similar basis as it considers other nominees, and conduct appropriate inquiries into the independence, background and qualifications of such possible candidates, including all applicable requirements contained in the Company’s charter; (4) recommend prospective candidates to the board for nomination by the board at each annual meeting of the stockholders or any special meeting of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected, and for any vacancies or newly created directorships on the board of directors; (5) make recommendations to the board of directors regarding members to serve on committees of the board of directors, taking into account the experience and expertise of each individual director; (6) review on an annual basis the Company’s codes of ethics for independent directors and the principal executive officer and senior financial officers, respectively, as well as such other governance documents and policies that may be adopted by the Company from time to time; and (7) advise and make recommendations to the board of directors on corporate governance and all matters pertaining to the role of the board of directors and the practices and the performance of its directors.
Our board of directors has adopted a charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee that sets forth its specific functions and responsibilities. The charter of the nominating and corporate governance committee is available on our sponsor’s website at www.cimgroup.com/strategies/individual/managed-reit-corporate-governance by clicking on “CCIT III.”
Given the date of the establishment of the nominating and corporate governance committee, the committee did not meet in 2018. Prior to the establishment of the nominating and corporate governance committee, the functions of the committee were carried out by the full board of directors.
The nominating and corporate governance committee and the board of directors annually review the appropriate experience, skills and characteristics required of board members in the context of the then-current membership of the board. This assessment includes, in the context of the perceived needs of the board at that time, issues of knowledge, experience, judgment and skills such as an understanding of the real estate industry or brokerage industry or accounting or financial management expertise. Other considerations included the candidate’s independence from conflicts of interest with the Company and the ability of the candidate to attend board meetings regularly and to devote an appropriate amount of effort in preparation for those meetings. A majority of our directors must be independent, as defined in our charter. Moreover, as required by our charter, at least one of our independent directors must have at least three years of relevant real estate experience, and each director must have at least three years of relevant experience demonstrating the knowledge and experience required to successfully acquire and manage the type of assets we acquire and manage.
Historically, our board of directors has solicited candidate recommendations from its own members and management of the Company. The Company has not employed and does not currently employ or pay a fee to any third party to identify or evaluate, or assist in identifying or evaluating, potential director nominees, although we are not prohibited from doing so if we determine such action to be in the best interests of the Company. Our nominating and
corporate governance committee and board of directors also will consider recommendations made by stockholders for director nominees who meet the established director criteria set forth above. In order to be considered by our board of directors, recommendations made by stockholders must be submitted within the time frame required to request a proposal to be included in the proxy materials. See “Stockholder Proposals” below for more information on procedures to be followed by our stockholders in submitting such recommendations. In evaluating the persons recommended as potential directors, our nominating and corporate governance committee and board of directors will consider each candidate without regard to the source of the recommendation and take into account those factors that our board of directors determines are relevant. Stockholders may directly nominate potential directors (without the recommendation of our board of directors) by satisfying the procedural requirements for such nomination as provided in Article II, Section 11 of our bylaws.
In considering possible candidates for election as a director, the nominating and corporate governance committee and the board of directors are guided by the principles that each director should (i) be an individual of high character and integrity; (ii) be accomplished in his or her respective field, with superior credentials and recognition; (iii) have relevant expertise and experience upon which to base advice and guidance to management in the conduct of our real estate investment and management activities; (iv) have sufficient time available to devote to our affairs; and (v) represent the long-term interests of our stockholders as a whole. Our nominating and corporate governance committee and board of directors may also consider an assessment of its diversity, including factors such as, but not limited to, age, geography, gender and ethnicity. While we do not have a formal diversity policy, we believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a significant composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow our board of directors to fulfill its responsibilities.
Communication with Directors
We have established procedures for stockholders or other interested parties to communicate directly with our board of directors. Such parties can contact the board by mail at: Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 2398 East Camelback Road, 4th Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85016.
The chairman of the board of directors will receive all communications made by these means, and will distribute such communications to such member or members of our board of directors as he deems appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication received.
Board Leadership Structure
Our board of directors has the authority to select the leadership structure it considers appropriate, considering many factors including the specific needs of our business and what is in the best interests of our stockholders. In 2018, our board of directors completed a review of the Company’s corporate governance practices, including the corporate governance practices of its peers in the industry. In August 2018, the board of directors implemented certain changes, including naming Richard S. Ressler, who is also our chief executive officer and president, as our chairman of the board, and creating two new committees: the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee, of which Mr. Evans, our former chairman of the board, is the chairman; and the nominating, corporate governance and affiliate transactions committee, of which Mr. Evans is the chairman. The board of directors believes these changes will allow the Company to better leverage the experience and expertise of Mr. Ressler with respect to setting the investment strategy of the Company, while retaining the experience and oversight of Mr. Evans as chairman of the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee, which consists only of all of the independent directors and considers matters for which the oversight of our independent directors is key, including matters relating to the valuation of the Company’s common stock, review of the performance and fees paid to the advisor, and consideration of the renewal of the Company’s advisor on an annual basis. The board of directors believes that the current board leadership structure is the most appropriate at this time, given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Company. With the assistance of the nominating and corporate governance committee, the board of directors will continue to monitor the corporate governance practices of the company, including the leadership structure of its board of directors.
In addition, although we do not have a lead independent director, in light of the function and make-up of the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee, and for the reasons further set forth below, the board of directors believes that its current corporate governance practices achieve independent oversight and management accountability. Our governance practices provide for strong independent leadership, independent discussion among directors and for independent evaluation of and communication with our executive officers, as well as the officers and key personnel of our advisor. Some of the relevant processes and other corporate governance practices include:
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| • | | A majority of our directors are independent directors. Each director is an equal participant in decisions made by the full board of directors. In addition, all matters that relate to our sponsor, our advisor or any of their affiliates must be approved by a majority of the independent directors. The audit committee and the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee are comprised entirely of independent directors. |
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| • | | Each of our directors is elected annually by our stockholders. |
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| • | | Our advisor has a one-year contract, with an annual review by, and renewal subject to the approval of, our board of directors. The fees paid to our advisor must be deemed reasonable, as determined by our independent directors, on an annual basis. |
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The board of directors oversees our stockholders’ interest in the long-term health and the overall success of the Company and its financial strength.
The board of directors is actively involved in overseeing risk management for the Company. It does so, in part, through its oversight of our property acquisitions and assumptions of debt, as well as its oversight of our Company’s executive officers and our advisor. In particular, the board of directors may determine at any time to terminate the advisor, and must evaluate the performance of the advisor, and re-authorize the advisory agreement, on an annual basis.
In addition, the audit committee is responsible for assisting the board of directors in overseeing the Company’s management of risks related to financial reporting. The audit committee has general responsibility for overseeing the accounting and financial processes of the Company, including oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the adequacy of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we have adopted policies and procedures with respect to complaints related to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, which enables anonymous and confidential submission of complaints that the audit committee shall discuss with management. Further, in connection with the annual audit of the Company’s financial statements, the audit committee conducts a detailed review with the Company’s independent auditors of the accounting policies used by the Company and its financial statement presentation.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers (the “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics”) that is applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The policy may be located on our sponsor’s website at www.cimgroup.com/strategies/individual/managed-reit-corporate-governance by clicking on “CCIT III.”
If, in the future, we amend, modify or waive a provision in the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, we may, rather than filing a Current Report on Form 8-K, satisfy the disclosure requirement by posting such information on our sponsor’s website as necessary.
Compensation of Directors
Summary
Directors who are also officers or employees of the Company, our advisor or their affiliates (Messrs. Shemesh and Ressler) do not receive any special or additional remuneration for service on the board of directors or any of its committees. Prior to October 2018, we paid to each of our independent directors a retainer of $50,000 per year, plus an additional retainer of $7,500 to the chairman of the audit committee and $10,000 to the non-executive chairman of the board of directors. We also paid $2,000 for each meeting of our board of directors or committee thereof that the director attended in person and $250 for each meeting the director attended by telephone. In the event that there was a meeting of the board of directors and one or more committees thereof in a single day, the fees paid to each director were limited to $2,500 per day.
Beginning in October 2018, each independent director receives compensation for service on the board of directors and any of its committees as provided below:
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• | an annual board membership retainer of $60,000; and |
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• | an additional annual retainer for each committee on which a director serves equal to $25,000 for the committee chair and $15,000 for other members of the committee. |
Each director’s aggregate annual board compensation will be paid 75% in cash (in four quarterly installments) and 25% will be paid in the form of an annual grant of restricted Class A common stock based on the then-current per share NAV at the time of grant pursuant to the Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”), as further described below. Restricted stock grants issued pursuant to the Equity Plan will generally vest one year from the date of the grant. In addition, all directors receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the board of directors.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our director compensation during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:
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Name | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | | Stock Awards ($)(4) | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | | All Other Compensation ($) | | Total Compensation ($) |
Richard S. Ressler(1) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Stephen O. Evans | | $ | 66,500 |
| | $ | 31,250 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 97,750 |
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W. Brian Kretzmer(1) | | $ | 35,694 |
| | $ | 26,250 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 61,944 |
|
Glenn J. Rufrano(2) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Avraham Shemesh(3) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Howard A. Silver | | $ | 64,000 |
| | $ | 25,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 89,000 |
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(1) Messrs. Kretzmer and Ressler were appointed as members of our board of directors effective February 1, 2018.
(2) Mr. Rufrano resigned from the board of directors effective December 31, 2018. Mr. Rufrano was not an independent director and was not compensated for his service on the board of directors.
(3) Mr. Shemesh was appointed as a member of the board of directors effective immediately upon the resignation of Mr. Rufrano, whose resignation was effective on December 31, 2018. Mr. Shemesh is not an independent director and is not compensated for his service on the board of directors.
(4) Represents the grant date fair value of the restricted Class A common stock issued pursuant to the Equity Plan, for purposes of ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Each of the independent directors received a grant of restricted shares of Class A common stock on October 1, 2018, which shares will vest one year from the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares is based on the per share estimated value of the Class A common stock on October 1, 2018, which was $9.10.
Long Term Incentive Plan Awards to Independent Directors
In August 2018, in connection with the approval and implementation of a revised compensation structure of our independent directors, the board of directors approved the Equity Plan, under which 400,000 of the Company’s common shares were reserved for issuance and share awards of 391,000 are available for future grant at December 31, 2018. Under the Equity Plan, the board of directors or a committee designated by the board of directors has the authority to grant restricted stock awards or deferred stock awards to non-employee directors of the Company. The board of directors or committee also has the authority to determine the terms of any award granted pursuant to the Equity Plan, including vesting schedules, restrictions and acceleration of any restrictions. The purpose of the Equity Plan is to help the Company: (1) align the interests of the non-employee directors compensated under the Equity Plan with the Company’s stockholders; and (2) to promote ownership of the Company’s equity. Pursuant to the Equity Plan, we may award restricted stock or deferred stock units.
On October 1, 2018, the Company granted awards of approximately 3,000 restricted Class A Shares to each of the independent members of the board of directors (approximately 9,000 restricted shares in aggregate) under the Equity Plan, which fully vest on October 1, 2019 based on one year of continuous service, representing 25% of each independent director’s annual aggregate board compensation for the twelve month period beginning October 2018 (the “October 2018 Restricted Stock Awards”). The October 2018 Restricted Stock Awards vest on the one-year anniversary of the award date.
The term of the Equity Plan is ten years. The board of directors may amend or terminate the Equity Plan at any time prior to its ten year term, provided that the Equity Plan will remain in effect until all awards made pursuant to the Equity Plan have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the Equity Plan. Upon a change of control, including the dissolution, liquidation, reorganization, merger or consolidation with one or more entities as a result of which we are not the surviving corporation, or upon a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the board of directors or a committee thereof may make provisions for any awards not assumed or substituted pursuant to the agreement effectuating the change of control, including (1) accelerating the vesting period of unvested awards, or (2) canceling any non-vested award or other awards in which the fair market value of the shares subject to the award is zero, in each case in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement and the Equity Plan.
In the event that our valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee determines that any distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reorganization, merger, liquidation, dissolution or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Equity Plan or with respect to an award, then the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and kind of shares or the exercise price with respect to any award.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The board of directors of the Company established the valuation committee as the valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee in August 2018, which consists only of all of our independent directors. In addition, we do not separately compensate our executive officers. Therefore, none of our executive officers participated in any deliberations regarding executive compensation.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, both of our executive officers served as executive officers (and, in the case of Mr. Ressler, as a director) of other externally managed companies sponsored by our sponsor. In addition, Mr. Shemesh serves as an executive officer and director of other externally managed companies sponsored by our sponsor. Like us, such companies have a valuation, compensation and affiliate transactions committee consisting only of all of their independent directors, and they do not separately compensate their executive officers. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, one of our directors, Mr. Rufrano, served as the chief executive officer and a director of VEREIT, Inc. (“VEREIT”), which was the indirect parent of our sponsor during January of 2018; however he did not serve on that company’s compensation committee.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires each director, officer and individual beneficially owning more than 10% of a registered security of the Company to file with the SEC, within specified time frames, initial statements of beneficial ownership (Form 3) and statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) of common stock of the Company. Directors, officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all such forms they file. As of December 31, 2018, none of our securities were registered under the Exchange Act and, therefore, none of our officers or directors were subject to these filing requirements for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Executive Officers
In addition to Richard S. Ressler, the following individual currently serves as an executive officer of the Company:
Nathan D. DeBacker, age 39, has served as our chief financial officer and treasurer since August 2016, and as vice president of CCI III Management since February 2018. In addition, Mr. DeBacker serves in the following positions for CCO Group and certain other programs sponsored by CCO Group:
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Entity | | Position(s) | | Dates |
CCPT IV; CCIT II; CCPT V; and CIM Income NAV | | Chief financial officer and treasurer | | August 2016 – Present |
CCPT V Management; CCI II Management; CCPT IV Management; CIM Income NAV Management; CCO Group, LLC; and CREI Advisors | | Vice president | | February 2018 – Present |
CCO Capital, LLC | | Vice president Chief financial officer | | December 2018 – Present February 2018 – December 2018
March 2019 – Present |
In addition, Mr. DeBacker has served as chief financial officer of CMCT since March 2019. From August 2016 to February 2018, Mr. DeBacker served as senior vice president and chief financial officer, Cole REITs, of VEREIT. Mr. DeBacker was the principal at CFO Financial Services, LLC, a certified public accounting firm that provided accounting, payroll, tax, forecasting and planning, business valuation and investment advisory services to business organizations, from May 2014 until August 2016 and sold his ownership interest in the assets of CFO Financial Services, LLC in March 2017. He did not manage or otherwise provide any services with respect to any client accounts for CFO Financial Services, LLC from the time that he joined VEREIT in August 2016 until the sale of his ownership interest in the assets of CFO Financial Services, LLC was finalized. Mr. DeBacker was also registered as an investment adviser representative with Archer Investment Corporation, an investment advisory firm that partners with accountants and CPAs to provide investment management solutions for their clients, from November 2015 until August 2016. From December 2005 until May 2014, Mr. DeBacker worked at Cole Capital, the predecessor to CCO Group, and, following the merger with VEREIT, most recently served as vice president of real estate planning and analysis. From 2002 until 2005, Mr. DeBacker worked as an auditor for the independent public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. DeBacker earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Arizona and is a Certified Public Accountant in Arizona.
Each of our executive officers has stated that there is no arrangement or understanding of any kind between him and any other person relating to his appointment as an executive officer of our Company.
Compensation of Executive Officers
We have no employees. Our executive officers, including our principal financial officer, do not receive compensation directly from us for services rendered to us, and we do not intend to pay any compensation directly to our executive officers. As a result, we do not have, and our board of directors has not considered, a compensation policy or program for our executive officers. Accordingly, we have not included a Compensation Committee Report or a Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement.
Certain of our executive officers are also officers of CCI III Management, our advisor, and/or its affiliates, and are compensated by these entities, in part, for their services to us. We pay fees to such entities under our advisory agreement and dealer manager agreement. We also reimburse CCI III Management for its provision of administrative services, including related personnel costs, subject to certain limitations. A description of the fees that we pay to our advisor and dealer manager or any affiliate thereof is found in the “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons” section below.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information as of April 5, 2019 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each person known by us to own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock, each of our directors and each named executive officer, and our directors and executive officers as a group. The percentage of beneficial ownership is calculated based on 2,471,739 shares of Class A common stock and 758,793 shares of Class T common stock outstanding as of April 5, 2019. None of the shares in the following table has been pledged as security.
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Name of Beneficial Owner | | Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) | | Number of Shares of Class T Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) | | Percentage |
Pershing LLC FBO Gene M. Snow | | 360,641 |
| | — |
| | 11.2 | % |
VEREIT, Inc. (2) | | 274,725 |
| | — |
| | 8.5 | % |
Yu Yan | | 180,808 |
| | — |
| | 5.6 | % |
Richard S. Ressler (3) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
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Stephen O. Evans (3)(4) | | 3,550 |
| | — |
| | * |
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W. Brian Kretzmer (3)(5) | | 2,982 |
| | — |
| | * |
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Avraham Shemesh | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
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Howard A. Silver (3)(6) | | 2,840 |
| | — |
| | * |
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Nathan D. DeBacker (3) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
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All executive officers and directors as a group (6 persons) | | 9,372 |
| | — |
| | * |
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(1) | Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities and shares issuable pursuant to options, warrants and similar rights held by the respective person or group which may be exercised within 60 days following April 5, 2019. |
(2) | Shares held by VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P., a wholly-owned subsidiary of VEREIT. VEREIT is a widely held public company in the United States with no controlling beneficial owners. The address of VEREIT is 2325 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016. |
(3) | The address of the beneficial owner listed is c/o Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc., 2398 East Camelback Road, 4th Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. |
(4) | Includes 3,434.07 restricted shares of Class A common stock issued under the Equity Plan in connection with Mr. Evans’s service as a member of the board of directors. |
(5) | Includes 2,884.62 restricted shares of Class A common stock issued under the Equity Plan in connection with Mr. Kretzmer’s service as a member of the board of directors. |
(6) | Includes 2,747.25 restricted shares of Class A common stock issued under the Equity Plan in connection with Mr. Silver’s service as a member of the board of directors. |
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Independent Auditors
The audit committee has engaged Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2019. Deloitte has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since our formation in May 2014. Stockholder ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required by the Company’s bylaws or otherwise. However, the board of directors is submitting the appointment of Deloitte to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the audit committee may reconsider whether or not to retain Deloitte in the future. Even if the appointment is ratified, the audit committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the audit committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company.
Fees
During the year ended December 31, 2018, Deloitte served as our independent registered public accounting firm and provided certain tax and other services. The audit committee reviewed the audit and non-audit services performed by Deloitte, as well as the fees charged by Deloitte for such services. In its review of the non-audit services and fees, the audit committee considered whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of Deloitte. The aggregate fees billed to us for professional accounting services, including the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements by Deloitte for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, are set forth in the table below.
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Type of Service | | 2018 | | 2017 |
Audit fees (1) | | $ | 204,800 |
| | $ | 385,100 |
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Audit-related fees | | — |
| | — |
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Tax fees (2) | | 25,740 |
| | 5,850 |
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All other fees | | — |
| | — |
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Total | | $ | 230,540 |
| | $ | 390,950 |
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(1) | Represents fees for professional services performed for the audit of our annual financial statements and the required review of quarterly financial statements and other procedures performed by Deloitte in order for them to be able to form an opinion on our consolidated financial statements. These fees also cover services that are normally provided by independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements and other services that generally only the independent auditor reasonably can provide, such as services associated with filing registration statements, periodic reports and other filings with the SEC, audits of acquired properties or businesses, property audits required by loan agreements, and statutory audits for our subsidiaries or affiliates. |
(2) | Represents fees for all professional services performed by professional staff in our independent auditor’s tax division, except those services related to the audit of our financial statements. These include fees for tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, including federal, state and local issues. Services may also include assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state and local agencies, as well as federal, state, and local tax issues related to due diligence. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The audit committee charter imposes a duty on the audit committee to pre-approve all auditing services performed for us by our independent auditors, as well as all permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) in order to ensure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditors’ independence. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditors has received “general” pre-approval, it will require “specific” pre-approval by the audit committee.
All requests for services to be provided by the independent auditor that do not require specific pre-approval by the audit committee will be submitted to management and must include a detailed description of the services to be
rendered. Management will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the audit committee. The audit committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the independent auditors.
Requests to provide services that require specific pre-approval by the audit committee will be submitted to the audit committee by both the independent auditors and the principal financial officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The chairman of the audit committee has been delegated the authority to specifically pre-approve de minimis amounts for services not covered by the general pre-approval guidelines. All amounts, other than such de minimis amounts, require specific pre-approval by the audit committee prior to engagement of the independent auditors. All amounts, other than de minimis amounts not subject to pre-approval, specifically pre-approved by the chairman of the audit committee in accordance with this policy, are to be disclosed to the full audit committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
All services rendered by Deloitte for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were pre-approved in accordance with the policies and procedures described above.
A representative of Deloitte is expected to attend the annual meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to ratify the appointment of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Our management has the primary responsibility for the Company’s accounting and financial reporting process, including the system of internal control over financial reporting, and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. Deloitte, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and for expressing an opinion as to whether the Company’s consolidated financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In this context, the responsibility of the audit committee is to oversee the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In the performance of its oversight function, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte the Company’s 2018 audited financial statements, and management and Deloitte represented to the audit committee that such audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The audit committee also reviewed and discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the PCAOB. In addition, the audit committee received from Deloitte the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Deloitte’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and discussed with Deloitte its independence.
The audit committee discussed with Deloitte the overall scope and plans for the audit. The audit committee meets periodically with Deloitte, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of internal controls and the overall quality of the financial reporting of the Company.
Based on these reviews and discussions, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the 2018 audited financial statements of the Company be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for filing with the SEC.
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| | | | The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:
Howard A. Silver (Chairman) Stephen O. Evans W. Brian Kretzmer |
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS, PROMOTERS AND CERTAIN CONTROL PERSONS
Our independent directors have reviewed the material transactions between our affiliates and us during the year ended December 31, 2018. Set forth below is a description of the transactions with affiliates. We believe that we have executed all of the transactions set forth below on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Company and on terms no less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
Advisory Agreement
We are party to an Advisory Agreement with CCI III Management whereby CCI III Management manages our day-to-day operations and identifies and makes investments on our behalf. In return, we pay to CCI III Management a monthly advisory fee based upon our monthly average asset value, which is based on the estimated market value of our investments that were acquired prior to the “as of” date of our most recent estimated per share NAV, and is based on the purchase price of the investments acquired subsequent to the “as of” date of the most recent estimated per share NAV. This monthly advisory fee is based upon the following amounts: (i) an annualized rate of 0.75% paid on our average asset value that is between $0 to $2.0 billion; (ii) an annualized rate of 0.70% paid on our average asset value that is between $2.0 billion and $4.0 billion; and (iii) an annualized rate of 0.65% paid on our average asset value that is over $4.0 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2018, no such fees were paid. We also reimburse CCI III Management for expenses incurred in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, subject to certain limitations. During the year ended December 31, 2018, no such reimbursements were paid to CCI III Management. CCI III Management waived its right to receive a monthly advisory fee during the year ended December 31, 2019.
We also pay to CCI III Management or its affiliates acquisition fees of up to 2.0% of (i) the contract purchase price of each property or asset that we acquire, (ii) the amount paid in respect of the development, construction or improvement of each asset we acquire, (iii) the purchase price of any loan we acquire, and (iv) the principal amount of any loan we originate. During the year ended December 31, 2018, no such payments were made. In addition, we reimburse CCI III Management or its affiliates for acquisition expenses incurred in the process of acquiring each property or asset or in the origination or acquisition of a loan, so long as the total acquisition fees and expenses relating to the transaction do not exceed 6.0% of the contract purchase price, unless otherwise approved by a majority of our board of directors, including a majority of our independent directors, as commercially competitive, fair and reasonable to the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no such expense reimbursements paid. Furthermore, we reimburse the expenses paid or incurred by CCI III Management or its affiliates in connection with the provision of advisory and administrative services, including related personnel costs and payments to third-party service providers, subject to the limitation that we will not reimburse CCI III Management for any amount by which the operating expenses (including the advisory fee) at the end of the four preceding fiscal quarters exceed the greater of (i) 2.0% of average invested assets, or (ii) 25.0% of net income other than any additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debt or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of assets for that period. We also will not reimburse CCI III Management or its affiliates for compensation paid to our executive officers or employees of CCI III Management in connection with the services for which CCI III Management or its affiliates receive an acquisition fee, financing coordination fee or disposition fee. During the year ended December 31, 2018, no such operating expense reimbursements were paid. Additionally, for substantial assistance in connection with the sale of one or more properties (or our entire portfolio), we pay CCI III Management or its affiliates a disposition fee in an amount equal to up to one-half of the real estate or brokerage commission paid by us to third parties on the sale of such properties, not to exceed 1.0% of the contract price of each property sold; provided, however, in no event may the total disposition fees paid to our advisor, its affiliates and unaffiliated third parties exceed the lesser of the customary competitive real estate commission or an amount equal to 6.0% of the contract sales price. In addition, if CCI III Management or its affiliates provides a substantial amount of services (as determined by a majority of our independent directors) in connection with the sale of assets other than properties, we may separately compensate CCI III Management or its affiliates at such rates and in such amounts as our board of directors, including a majority of our independent directors, and CCI III Management agree upon, not to exceed 1.0% of the contract price of the assets sold. No such payments were made during the year ended December 31, 2018. If CCI III Management provides services in connection with the origination, assumption or refinancing of any debt to acquire properties or to make other permitted investments, we pay CCI III Management a financing coordination fee equal to 1.0% of the amount available and/or outstanding under such financing. However, CCI III Management will not be entitled to a financing coordination fee on any debt where a fee was previously received unless (i) the maturity date of the refinanced debt was scheduled to occur less than one year after the date of the refinancing and the new loan has a term of at least five years or (ii) the new loan is approved by a majority of our independent directors; and provided, further, that no financing coordination fee will be paid in connection with loans advanced by an affiliate of CCI III Management. During the year ended December 31, 2018, no such financing coordination fees were paid.
Additionally, we are required to pay to CCI III Management performance fees based on a percentage of proceeds or stock value upon our sale of assets or the listing of our common stock on a national securities exchange, but only if, in the case of our sale of assets, our investors have received a return of their net capital invested and a 6.0% annual cumulative, non-compounded return or, in the case of the listing of our common stock, the market value of our common stock plus the distributions paid to our investors exceeds the sum of the total amount of capital raised from investors plus the amount of distributions necessary to generate a 6.0% annual cumulative, non-compounded return to investors. In the event of a sale of our assets, after investors have received a return of their net capital invested and a 6.0% annual cumulative, non-compounded return, then we will pay to CCI III Management a fee equal to 15.0% of remaining net sale proceeds. Upon listing our common stock on a national securities exchange, we will pay to CCI III Management a fee equal to 15.0% of the amount, if any, by which (1) the market value of our outstanding stock plus distributions paid by us prior to listing, exceeds (2) the sum of the total amount of capital raised from investors and the amount of distributions necessary to generate a 6.0% annual cumulative, non-compounded return to investors. No performance fees were incurred related to any such events during the year ended December 31, 2018.
CCI III Management incurs expenses in connection with our organization and our public offering of our common stock. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, we reimburse CCI III Management up to 1.0% of our gross offering proceeds with respect to those expenses (excluding selling commissions, the dealer manager fee and distribution and stockholder servicing fees). During the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid to CCI III Management a total of $109,000 to reimburse these expenses.
Our Advisory Agreement has a term expiring November 30, 2019, subject to an unlimited number of successive one-year renewals upon mutual consent of the parties. Our independent directors are required to determine, at least annually, that the compensation to CCI III Management is reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services performed and the investment performance of the Company and that such compensation is within the limits set forth in our charter. Upon termination of the Advisory Agreement, we may be required to pay to CCI III Management a performance fee similar to the performance fee described above if CCI III Management would have been entitled to a subordinated performance fee had the portfolio been liquidated (based on an independent appraised value of the portfolio) on the date of termination.
Richard S. Ressler, our chief executive officer and president and one of our directors, is a vice president of CCI III Management. Additionally, Mr. Shemesh, a director, and Mr. DeBacker, our chief financial officer and treasurer, are officers of CCI III Management.
Dealer Manager Agreement
We are party to a Dealer Manager Agreement with CCO Capital, the dealer manager in our initial public offering. Effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2018, we terminated the primary portion of our initial public offering. We intend to continue to sell shares of our common stock pursuant to the distribution reinvestment plan portion of our public offering.
Pursuant to the Dealer Manager Agreement, we pay CCO Capital a distribution and stockholder servicing fee for Class T shares that is calculated on a daily basis in the amount of 1/365th of 1.0% of the amount of our estimated per share NAV of Class T shares sold in our primary offering and is paid monthly in arrears. CCO Capital may, in its discretion, reallow to participating broker-dealers all or a portion of the distribution and stockholder servicing fee. We will cease paying the distribution and stockholder servicing fee with respect to Class T shares at the earliest of (i) the end of the month in which the transfer agent, on our behalf, determines that total distribution and stockholder servicing fees paid by a stockholder within his or her individual account would be equal to 4.0% of the stockholder’s total gross investment amount at the time of the purchase of the primary Class T shares held in such account, or a lower limit agreed upon between CCO Capital and the participating broker-dealer at the time such Class T shares were sold; (ii) the date on which the aggregate underwriting compensation from all sources equals 10.0% of the gross proceeds from the aggregate sale of Class A shares and Class T shares in our primary offering (i.e., excluding proceeds from sales pursuant to our distribution reinvestment plan); (iii) the fourth anniversary of the last day of the month in which our public offering (excluding the distribution reinvestment plan offering) terminates; (iv) the date such Class T share is no longer outstanding; and (v) the date we effect a liquidity event (such as the sale of our company, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, a merger or similar transaction, the listing of our shares of common stock for trading on a national securities exchange or an alternative strategy that would result in a significant increase in the opportunities for stockholders to dispose of their shares). At the time we cease paying the distribution and stockholder servicing fee with respect to an outstanding Class T share pursuant to the provisions above, such Class T share will convert into a number of Class A shares (including any fractional shares) with an equivalent net asset value as such Class T share. We cannot predict when this will occur.
We do not pay selling commissions, dealer manager fees or distribution and stockholder servicing fees on shares purchased through our distribution reinvestment plan. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid to CCO Capital selling commissions, dealer manager fees and distribution and stockholder servicing fees totaling $813,000.
Richard S. Ressler, our chief executive officer and president and one of our directors, also is vice president of CCO Capital’s manager, CCO Capital Manager, LLC, and its sole member, CCO Group, LLC. Additionally, Mr. Shemesh, a director, and Mr. DeBacker, our chief financial officer and treasurer, are officers of CCO Capital Manager and CCO Group, LLC.
Subordinate Promissory Note
On September 23, 2016, we, through our operating partnership, entered into a $30.0 million subordinate, unsecured, revolving line of credit with VEREIT OP, then an affiliate of our advisor. The Subordinate Promissory Note bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (a) one-month London Interbank Offered Rate, (b) the Credit Facility Margin (as defined in the Subordinate Promissory Note) and (c) 1.75%, with accrued interest payable monthly in arrears and principal due upon maturity. No amounts were outstanding under the Subordinate Promissory Note during 2018, which matured and expired on September 30, 2018. The Subordinate Promissory Note was approved by a majority of the Company’s directors (including a majority of the independent directors) not otherwise interested in the transaction as fair, competitive and commercially reasonable and no less favorable to the Company than a comparable loan between unaffiliated parties under the same circumstances.
Certain Conflict Resolution Procedures
In order to reduce or eliminate certain potential conflicts of interest, our charter contains, or we have adopted policies containing, a number of restrictions relating to (1) transactions we may enter into with our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors or any of their respective affiliates, (2) certain future offerings and (3) the allocation of investment opportunities among other real estate programs sponsored by CCO Group. Conflict resolution provisions that are in our charter or in policies adopted by our board of directors include, among others, the following:
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| • | | We will not purchase or lease properties from our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors or any of their respective affiliates, unless a majority of the directors, including a majority of the independent directors, who are not otherwise interested in such transaction determines that such transaction is fair and reasonable to us and at a price to us no greater than the cost of the property to the seller or lessor, unless there is substantial justification for any amount that exceeds such cost and such excess amount is determined to be reasonable. In no event will we acquire any such property at an amount in excess of its current appraised value as determined by an independent appraiser. Although we have not established a policy that specifically addresses how we will determine the sale or lease price of a property that we sell or lease to an affiliated entity, we have a policy that governs all transactions with our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors or any of their affiliates (as described below), pursuant to which we will not sell or lease a property to an affiliated entity unless a majority of the directors, including a majority of the independent directors, not otherwise interested in the sale or lease transaction determines that such sale or lease transaction is fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions not less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties. |
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| • | | We will not make any loans to our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors or any of their respective affiliates, except that we may make loans to wholly-owned subsidiaries and we may make or invest in mortgage loans involving our sponsor, our advisor, our directors or their respective affiliates, provided, among other things, that an appraisal of the underlying property is obtained from an independent appraiser and the transaction is approved by a majority of our directors, including a majority of our independent directors, who are not otherwise interested in the transaction as fair and reasonable to us and on terms no less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties. In addition, our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors and any of their respective affiliates will not make loans to us or to joint ventures in which we are a joint venture partner unless approved by a majority of our directors, including a majority of the independent directors, who are not otherwise interested in the transaction, as fair, competitive and commercially reasonable, and no less favorable to us than comparable loans between unaffiliated parties. |
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| • | | Our advisor and its affiliates will be entitled to reimbursement, at cost, for actual expenses incurred by them on behalf of us or joint ventures in which we are a joint venture partner; provided, however, our advisor must reimburse us for the amount, if any, by which our total operating expenses, including the advisory fee, paid during the immediately prior four consecutive fiscal quarters exceeded the greater of: (i) 2% of our average invested assets for such period, or (ii) 25% of our net income, before any additions to reserves for depreciation, bad debts or other similar non-cash reserves and excluding any gain from the sale of our assets, for such period. Our independent directors will have the responsibility of limiting our total operating expenses to amounts that do not exceed the limitations described above unless they find that there are unusual and non-recurring factors sufficient to justify a higher level of expenses. Any such finding and the reasons in support thereof will be reflected in the minutes of the meetings of our board of directors. If our independent directors make such a finding, we will send a written disclosure of that fact, together with an explanation of the factors our independent directors considered in determining that such higher level of expenses was justified, within 60 days after the end of that fiscal quarter. |
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| • | | Our property acquisitions and other investments are allocated among us and the programs sponsored by CCO Group pursuant to an asset allocation policy. Pursuant to the policy, in the event that an investment opportunity becomes available that may be suitable for both us or one or more of the other programs sponsored by CCO Group, and for which more than one of such entities has sufficient uninvested funds, an allocation committee, which is comprised entirely of employees of CIM, CCO Group or their respective affiliates (the “Allocation Committee”), will examine the following factors, among others, in determining the entity for which the investment opportunity is most appropriate: |
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| • | | the investment objective of each entity; |
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| • | | the anticipated operating cash flows of each entity and the cash requirements of each entity; |
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| • | | the effect of the acquisition on diversification of each entity’s investments by type of property, geographic area and tenant concentration; |
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| • | | whether any of the entities already owns an associated land parcel or building; |
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| • | | the amount of funds available to each program and the length of time such funds have been available for investment; |
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| • | | the ability of each entity to finance the property, if necessary; |
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| • | | the policy of each entity relating to leverage of properties; |
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| • | | the income tax effects of the purchase to each entity; and |
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| • | | the size of the investment. |
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| | | If, in the judgment of the Allocation Committee, the investment opportunity may be equally appropriate for more than one program, then the entity that has had the longest period of time elapse since it was allocated an investment opportunity of a similar size and type (e.g., office, industrial or retail properties or anchored shopping centers) will be allocated such investment opportunity.
If a subsequent development, such as a delay in the closing of the acquisition or a delay in the construction of a property, causes any such investment, in the opinion of the Allocation Committee, to be more appropriate for an entity other than the entity that committed to make the investment, the Allocation Committee may determine that another program sponsored by CCO Group will make the investment. Our board of directors has a duty to ensure that the method used for the allocation of the acquisition of properties by other programs sponsored by CCO Group seeking to acquire similar types of properties is applied fairly to us. |
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| • | | We will not enter into any other transaction with our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors or any of their affiliates, including the acceptance of goods or services from our sponsor, our advisor, any of our directors or any of their affiliates, unless a majority of our directors, including a majority of the independent directors, who are not otherwise interested in the transaction approve such transaction as fair and reasonable to us and on terms and conditions not less favorable to us than those available from unaffiliated third parties. |
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposals by stockholders for inclusion in proxy solicitation material for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including any proposals for nominees for election as director at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, must be received by our secretary, Michael J. Komenda, at our offices no later than December 17, 2019, and must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, whether or not the proposal is intended to be included in the 2020 proxy materials, our bylaws currently require that the stockholder give advance written notice to our secretary, Michael J. Komenda, at our offices no earlier than November 17, 2019 and no later than December 17, 2019. Stockholders are advised to review the Company’s bylaws, which contain other requirements with respect to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no business that will be presented for consideration at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders other than the matters referred to above. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting for action by stockholders, proxies in the enclosed form returned to us will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders.
A copy of the Company’s 2018 annual report to stockholders, filed with the SEC, is enclosed herewith. You may also obtain our other SEC filings and certain other information concerning the Company through the Internet at www.sec.gov and www.cimgroup.com/strategies/individual/managed-reit-corporate-governance. Information contained in any website referenced in this proxy statement is not incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
Michael J. Komenda
Secretary
PLEASE VOTE — YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT