UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __)
Filed by the Registrant [ ] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [X]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
First Financial Fund, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Lola Brown Trust No. 1B
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
__________________
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
___________________
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
_____________________________
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
__________________
(5) Total fee paid: ________________________
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: ____________________
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ___________________
(3) Filing Party: ________________________
(4) Date Filed: ______________________
STEWART R. HOREJSI
200 SOUTH SANTA FE
SALINA, KANSAS 67401
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Ernest Horejsi Trust No. 1B and
other trusts affiliated with the Horejsi family (collectively, the "Horejsi
Trusts"). The Horejsi Trusts include the five largest shareholders of First
Financial Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") and collectively own more than 39% of the
Fund's stock.
The Fund has called its annual meeting of shareholders for the purpose of
electing four (4) directors and approval of a shareholder proposal to amend one
of the Fund's bylaws. The meeting is scheduled to be held on August 19, 2003 at
4:30 p.m., at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey
07102-4077. The reasons for the meeting are set forth in the Fund's notice of
meeting and information statement which you should have received along with this
proxy statement.
The Horejsi Trusts are seeking your support with respect to the following:
1. Electing four (4) directors to the Fund nominated by the Horejsi
Trusts: Dr. Dean Jacobson, Joel W. Looney, Susan L. Ciciora and
Stephen C. Miller; and
2. To vote on a proposal to amend Article III, Section 3 of the
Fund's bylaws to change the voting standard for electing
directors from a "majority of outstanding shares" to a "plurality
of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present" (the
"Bylaw Amendment");
ONLY THE HOREJSI TRUSTS ARE SOLICITING PROXIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS AND THE BYLAW AMENDMENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND, AS A RESULT, IN
ORDER TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING SHAREHOLDERS MUST RETURN A PROXY CARD (BY
MAIL, TELEPHONE, FAX OR VIA THE INTERNET) OR ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. A
POSTAGE PAID RETURN ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
Shareholders of record may also vote their shares by telephone, by faxing a
completed and signed proxy card (both front and back sides) to the Fund's proxy
solicitor (1-212-440-9009) or via the Internet. Specific instructions for
shareholders of record who wish to use telephone, fax or Internet voting
procedures are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. The telephone and Internet
voting procedures are designed to authenticate your vote and to confirm that
your voting instructions are followed.
Please vote "FOR" the proposals to elect our nominees as directors of the
Fund and "FOR" the Bylaw Amendment and return your proxy card now by mail, by
telephone, by fax or via the Internet. If you have any questions or need
assistance in voting your shares, please contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc., who
is assisting us in the solicitation, toll-free at (800) 322-2885.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Stewart R. Horejsi
Stewart R. Horejsi
PROXY STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
FIRST FINANCIAL FUND, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on August 19, 2003
To Our Fellow Shareholders:
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being furnished by the
Lola Brown Trust No. 1B (the "Brown Trust"), the Ernest Horejsi Trust No. 1B
(the "Ernest Trust") and other trusts affiliated with the Horejsi family
(collectively the "Horejsi Trusts" and more particularly described below under
"Information Concerning the Horejsi Trusts") to holders of record on June 11,
2003 (the "Record Date") of shares of common stock of First Financial Fund,
Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by the Horejsi Trusts for use at the annual meeting of shareholders
of the Fund scheduled to be held on August 19, 2003 at 4:30 p.m., local time,
and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Meeting"). The
Meeting will be held at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New
Jersey 07102-4077. We estimate that this proxy statement and the accompanying
proxy card will first be sent to the Fund's shareholders on or about June 24,
2003.
The following matters are scheduled to be voted on at the annual meeting
(collectively, the "Proposals"):
1. The election of two (2) Class I directors and two (2) Class II
directors of the Fund's Board of Directors. The Horejsi Trusts
are soliciting your proxy in support of the election of Susan L.
Ciciora and Stephen C. Miller as Class I directors (terms
expiring in 2005) and Dr. Dean Jacobson and Joel W. Looney as
Class II directors (terms expiring in 2006) ("Proposal No. 1");
and
2. Approval or disapproval of a proposal to amend Article III,
Section 3 of the Fund's bylaws to change the voting standard for
electing directors from a "majority of outstanding shares" to a
"plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum
is present" (referred to herein as "Proposal No. 2" or the "Bylaw
Amendment").
The Horejsi Trusts are soliciting your proxy in support of the each of the
above proposals. As indicated in the Fund's information statement, the Fund's
Board of Directors (the "Board") is not nominating directors or soliciting
proxies in connection with the election of directors or the Bylaw Amendment.
Each of the above proposals are scheduled to be voted upon at the Meeting
and are included in the enclosed Horejsi Trusts' proxy card. Because only the
Horejsi Trusts are soliciting proxies in connection with the election of
directors and the Bylaw Amendment at the Meeting, shareholders must return the
enclosed proxy card (by mail, telephone, fax or via the Internet) or attend the
Meeting in person in order to be represented at the Meeting. The individuals
named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card will vote in accordance with a
shareholder's directions as indicated thereon if such shareholder's proxy card
is returned properly executed. If a properly executed proxy card is returned
without a vote indicated thereon, the shares represented thereby will be voted
FOR the election of the Horejsi Trusts' nominees (i.e., Proposal No. 1) and the
Bylaw Amendment (i.e., Proposal No. 2).
Discretionary authority is provided in the proxy sought hereby as to other
business as may properly come before the Meeting of which the Horejsi Trusts are
not aware as of the date of this proxy statement and matters incident to the
conduct of the Meeting, which discretionary authority will be exercised in
accordance with Rule 14a-4 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Your vote at the Meeting is especially important, no matter how many or how
few shares you own. Please sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it
in the enclosed postage-paid envelope promptly. Alternatively, shareholders of
record may vote by telephone, by fax or via the Internet by following the
instructions on the enclosed proxy card.
REASONS FOR SOLICITATION. The Horejsi Trusts have undertaken this proxy
solicitation because they believe in and advocate corporate democracy. The Bylaw
Amendment will amend one of the Fund's current bylaws which the Horejsi Trusts
believe is contrary to corporate democracy in that it imposes a de facto
super-majority requirement on director elections and thus makes any challenge to
incumbent board members extremely difficult.
With regard to its nominees, the Horejsi Trusts believe that they will
provide an important and necessary voice for Fund shareholders. The Fund's
largest shareholder, the Brown Trust, has owned the Fund's common stock since
August 1999 and has invested more than $22 million in 2,568,200 (or
approximately 10.9%) of the Fund's shares. In addition to the Brown Trust's
holdings, the other Horejsi Trusts (described more particularly below) hold a
total of approximately 6,775,000 shares, or about 28.7% of the Fund's shares.
Thus, in the aggregate, the Horejsi Trusts include the five largest shareholders
of the Fund, holding approximately 39.6% of the Fund's shares. Because of their
substantial investment in the Fund, the Horejsi Trusts have considerable
economic motivation to ensure that the Fund's performance is and remains strong.
The Horejsi Trusts believe the Fund's adviser and portfolio manager
(Wellington Management Group and Nick Adams respectively) should be retained. In
light of the Fund's recent performance vis-a-vis the broad markets, the Horejsi
Trusts are keenly motivated to make sure that Wellington and Nick Adams remain
on board. Nonetheless, the Horejsi Trusts believe that their nominees will
provide the requisite "voice" for shareholders and will make sure that Fund
performance remains strong for the long term.
With regard to the Bylaw Amendment, the Fund's bylaws currently require
that "Directors shall be elected by vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereupon". This is a de
facto super-majority provision that greatly increases the likelihood that
incumbents will remain seated and in control in any contested election. The
outcome of last year's Annual Meeting is a perfect example of how this provision
runs contrary to corporate democracy. In last year's election, the Horejsi
Trusts' nominees received 59% of the votes cast at the meeting but still lost
because they did not receive a majority of outstanding shares. Thus, under the
Fund's current bylaws, if a majority of the shares (i.e., a quorum) are present
at the meeting, and 49.9% of the shares were voted in favor of non-incumbent
challengers, the incumbents would remain in their seats and in control of the
Fund even if they failed to receive a single vote. The Bylaw Amendment would
eliminate this possibility and result in an outcome that is consistent with the
will of the shareholders who actually vote.
VOTING PROCEDURES. If you wish to vote for the Horejsi Trusts' nominees
(Proposal No. 1) and the Bylaw Amendment (Proposal No. 2), you may do so by
completing and returning the enclosed proxy card. A proxy card that is returned
to the Horejsi Trusts or its agent will be voted as the shareholder indicates
thereon. If a proxy card is returned without a vote indicated thereon, the
shares represented thereby will be voted FOR the election of the Horejsi Trusts'
nominees and FOR the Bylaw Amendment (Proposal No. 2).
The Fund currently has a total of five directors, divided into three
classes. There are two Class I directors, whose terms expired in 2002 but who
continue to serve, two Class II directors, whose terms expire in 2003 (i.e., at
the upcoming Meeting), and one Class III director, whose term expires in 2004.
At the Meeting, the Ernest Trust will propose and vote FOR Dr. Dean Jacobson and
Joel W. Looney as the Class II directors (terms expiring in 2006) and Susan L.
Ciciora and Stephen C. Miller as Class I directors (terms expiring in 2005) to
be elected at the Meeting. Further, the Ernest Trust will propose and vote FOR
the Bylaw Amendment (Proposal No. 2). Proxy cards that are properly signed,
dated and returned with no vote indicated will be voted in a manner consistent
with these proposals.
VOTING. Only shareholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled to
vote at the Meeting. According to information contained in the Fund's 2003
information statement, there were 23,576,182 shares of the Fund's common stock
issued and outstanding as of the Record Date. Holders of record on the Record
Date will be entitled to cast one vote on each matter for each share of the
Fund's common stock held by them. Shares of the Fund's common stock do not have
cumulative voting rights. Directors of the Fund are elected by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting shares, although if the Bylaw Amendment is
approved, directors of the Fund will be elected by a vote of a plurality of the
votes cast, provided that a quorum is present. Proposal 2, the Bylaw Amendment,
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting,
provided that a quorum is present. The Horejsi Trusts recommend that
shareholders vote FOR the election of their nominees, Dr. Jacobson, Mr. Looney,
Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Miller, and FOR the Bylaw Amendment (Proposal No. 2).
QUORUM. A quorum for the transaction of business is constituted by the
presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Fund entitled to vote at the Meeting. If a quorum is not present at the Meeting,
the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of such
Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies with respect to the Proposals.
Any such adjournments will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those
shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, whether or not a quorum
is present. In such case, the persons named as proxies will vote those proxies
which they are entitled to vote for the proposal in favor of such an
adjournment.
Broker non-votes are shares held in street name for which the broker
indicates that instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or
other persons entitled to vote and with respect to which the broker does not
have discretionary voting authority. Broker non-votes will be counted as shares
present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, as will shares
in which the shareholder elects to withhold authority to vote for all nominees.
If the Bylaw Amendment is not adopted, broker non-votes and withheld shares will
effectively be a vote against any nominees, because the required vote is a
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares. If the Bylaw Amendment is adopted,
broker non-votes and withheld shares will not affect the election of any
nominees, because the required vote will be a plurality of the votes cast.
Broker non-votes and any abstentions will also not affect the vote on the Bylaw
Amendment, because the required vote is a majority of the votes cast.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the
voting of your proxy at the Meeting by giving written notice to the Fund, by
executing and delivering a later dated proxy, or by re-voting through the
Internet or by telephone, or by voting in person at the Meeting. Attendance at
the Meeting will not in and of itself revoke a proxy. There is no limit on the
number of times that you may revoke your proxy prior to the Meeting. Only the
latest dated, properly signed proxy will be counted.
IF YOU WISH TO VOTE FOR THE HOREJSI TRUSTS' NOMINEES AND THE BYLAW
AMENDMENT, YOU MAY DO SO BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. A
PROXY CARD THAT IS RETURNED TO THE HOREJSI TRUSTS OR THEIR AGENT WILL BE VOTED
AS THE SHAREHOLDER INDICATES THEREON. IF A PROXY CARD IS RETURNED WITHOUT A VOTE
INDICATED THEREON, IT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE HOREJSI TRUSTS' NOMINEES AND
FOR THE BYLAW AMENDMENT.
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK.
The following tables set forth certain information as of May 30, 2003
regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of the Fund's common stock by (i)
each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund's
common stock (based on information contained in filings with the Commission),
(ii) The Horejsi Trusts' nominees for director, (iii) the current executive
officers and directors of the Fund (based on information filed with the
Commission), and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial Owners of More than 5% of the Fund's Common Stock
Common Stock
Name and Address Position with the Fund Beneficially Owned Percent
---------------- ---------------------- ------------------ -------
The Lola Brown Trust No. 1B+ --- 2,568,200 shares 10.9%
The Ernest Horejsi Trust No. 1B+ --- 1,795,100 shares 7.6%
The Mildred B. Horejsi Trust+ --- 1,922,400 shares 8.1%
The Stewart Horejsi Trust No. 2+ --- 1,697,900 shares++ 7.2%
The Susan L. Ciciora Trust+ --- 1,359,800 shares 5.8%
The John S. Horejsi Trust+ --- 100 shares Less than 1%
Badlands Trust Company+ --- 1,359,900 shares++ 5.8%
T. Rowe Price* 555,400* 5.5%*
Ownership by Nominees, Current Directors and Officers
Number and Dollar Range of
Fund Shares as of
Name and Address Position with the Fund June 11, 2003
---------------- ---------------------- -------------
Dr. Dean Jacobson 613 shares
4747 S. Lakeshore Drive, Suite 203 Nominee
Tempe, Arizona 85282 $1 to $10,000
Joel W. Looney 1,000 shares
506 S. Cherry St.
Lindsborg, Kansas 67456 Nominee $10,001 to $50,000
Susan L. Ciciora
c/o SD Family Offices
1680 38th Street, Suite 800
Boulder, Colorado 80301 Nominee 0 Shares
Stephen C. Miller
1680 38th Street, Suite 800
Boulder, Colorado 80301 Nominee 0 Shares
Richard I. Barr 100 shares
6831 East Solano Drive Director
Phoenix, Arizona 85061 $1 to $10,000
Eugene C. Dorsey 633 shares++
2010 Harbourside Drive, #2003 Director
Longboat Key, Florida 34228 $1 to $10,000
Robert E. La Blanc 2,000 shares++
323 Highland Avenue
Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 Director $10,001 to $50,000
Thomas T. Mooney 3,000 shares++
930 East Avenue President and Director
Rochester, New York 14607 $10,001 to $50,000
Clay T. Whitehead 2,000 shares++
P.O. Box 8090 Director
McLean, Virginia 22106 $10,001 to $50,000
Arthur J. Brown 2,281 Shares+
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Secretary
Washington, D.C. 20036 $10,001 to $50,000
R. Charles Miller
1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Assistant Secretary 0 Shares++
Washington, D.C. 20036
Grace Torres
Gateway Center 3
100 Mulberry Street
Newark, NJ 07102 Treasurer 0 Shares++
Directors and Officers as a group --- 11,627 shares
-------------------
+ The address for each of these entities is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801,
Yankton, South Dakota 57078. Additional information regarding trustees of
these trusts and the executive officers and directors of Badlands Trust
Company is contained in the section entitled "Information Concerning the
Horejsi Trusts" below.
++ Shares beneficially owned by Badlands Trust Company include 1,359,800
shares directly owned by the Susan L. Ciciora Trust and 100 shares directly
owned by the John S. Horejsi Trust. By virtue of the relationships
described below in the section entitled "Information Concerning the Horejsi
Trusts," the Stewart Horejsi Trust No. 2 may also be deemed to indirectly
own such shares, in addition to the 1,697,900 shares directly owned by the
Stewart Horejsi Trust No. 2.
* Based solely on an initial Schedule 13G filed on January 30, 2003,
reflecting holdings as of December 31, 2002, by T. Rowe Price Associates,
Inc., which is located at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
++ Based solely on information provided by the Fund.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE HOREJSI TRUSTS
The Horejsi Trusts are comprised of 6 irrevocable grantor trusts that were
formed for the benefit of members of the Horejsi family. In June 2002 the
Horejsi Trusts formed First Financial Shareholders for Tomorrow for the purpose
of soliciting proxies for the Fund's annual meeting in 2002. Dr. Jacobson, Mr.
Looney and Mr. Miller are not members or beneficiaries of the Horejsi Trusts,
although Mr. Miller is general counsel to the Horejsi Trusts and an officer of
Badlands Trust Company, the private trust company that administers the various
Horejsi Trusts. Ms. Ciciora is trustee, grantor and beneficiary under various
Horejsi Trusts. Following is a description of each of the Horejsi Trusts and
their administrative trustee, Badlands Trust Company:
The Brown Trust is a trust organized by Lola Brown for the benefit of her
issue. The business address of the Brown Trust is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801,
Yankton, South Dakota 57078. As of the Record Date, the Trust owned 2,568,200
shares of the Fund's common stock, representing approximately 10.9% of the
issued and outstanding shares of the Fund's common stock. During the last two
years, the Brown Trust has not made any purchases of shares of the Fund's common
stock or sold any shares of the Fund's common stock. The trustees of the Brown
Trust, Badlands Trust Company ("Badlands"), Susan Ciciora and Larry Dunlap, may
be deemed to control the Brown Trust and may be deemed to possess indirect
beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Trust. However, none of the
trustees, acting alone, can vote or exercise dispositive authority over shares
held by the Brown Trust. Accordingly, Badlands, Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Dunlap
disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of the Fund's common stock
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Brown Trust.
The Ernest Trust is a trust organized by Ernest Horejsi for the benefit of
his issue. The business address of the Ernest Trust is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box
801, Yankton, South Dakota 57078. As of the Record Date, the Ernest Trust owned
1,795,100 shares of the Fund's common stock, representing approximately 7.6% of
the issued and outstanding shares of the Fund's common stock. During the last
two years, the Ernest Trust has not made any purchases of shares of the Fund's
common stock and has not sold any shares of the Fund's common stock. The
trustees of the Ernest Trust, Badlands, Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Dunlap, may be
deemed to control the Ernest Trust and may be deemed to possess indirect
beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Ernest Trust. However, none of
the trustees, acting alone, can vote or exercise dispositive authority over the
shares held by the Ernest Trust. Accordingly, Badlands, Ms. Ciciora and Mr.
Dunlap disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of the Fund's common stock
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Ernest Trust. The Ernest
Trust successfully took control of another closed-end fund, USLIFE Income Fund
(now Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.) in 2002 (the "BIF Fund").
The Mildred B. Horejsi Trust (the "Mildred Trust") is a trust organized by
Mildred Horejsi for the benefit of her issue. The business address of the
Mildred Trust is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801, Yankton, South Dakota 57078. As of
the Record Date, the Mildred Trust owned 1,922,400 shares of the Fund's common
stock, representing approximately 8.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of
the Fund's common stock. During the last two years, the Mildred Trust has not
made any purchases of shares of the Fund's common stock and has not sold any
shares of the Fund's common stock. The trustees of the Mildred Trust, Badlands,
Ms. Ciciora and Brian Sippy, may be deemed to control the Mildred Trust and may
be deemed to possess indirect beneficial ownership of the shares held by the
Mildred Trust. However, none of the trustees, acting alone, can vote or exercise
dispositive authority over the shares held by the Mildred Trust. Accordingly,
Badlands, Ms. Ciciora and Dr. Sippy disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares
of the Fund's common stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Mildred Trust.
The Stewart R. Horejsi Trust No. 2 (the "SRH Trust") is a trust organized
by Stewart R. Horejsi for the benefit of his issue. The business address of the
SRH Trust is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801, Yankton, South Dakota 57078. As of the
Record Date, the SRH Trust owned 1,697,900 shares of the Fund's common stock,
representing approximately 7.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Fund's common stock. During the last two years, the SRH Trust has not made any
purchases of shares of the Fund's common stock and has not sold any shares of
the Fund's common stock. The trustees of the SRH Trust, Badlands, Brian Sippy
and Robert Ciciora, may be deemed to control the SRH Trust and may be deemed to
possess indirect beneficial ownership of the shares held by the SRH Trust.
However, none of the trustees, acting alone, can vote or exercise dispositive
authority over the shares held by the SRH Trust. Accordingly, Badlands, Dr.
Sippy and Mr. Ciciora disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of the Fund's
common stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the SRH Trust.
The Susan L. Ciciora Trust (the "Susan Trust") is a trust organized by
Susan L. Ciciora for the benefit of her issue. The business address of the Susan
Trust is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801, Yankton, South Dakota 57078. As of the
Record Date, the Susan Trust owned 1,359,800 shares of the Fund's common stock,
representing approximately 5.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Fund's common stock. During the last two years, the Susan Trust has not made any
purchases of shares of the Fund's common stock and has not sold any shares of
the Fund's common stock. Badlands, as the sole trustee of the Susan Trust, may
be deemed to control the Susan Trust and may be deemed to possess indirect
beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Susan Trust. In addition, the SRH
Trust, as the sole shareholder of Badlands, may also be deemed to control the
Susan Trust and may be deemed to possess indirect beneficial ownership of the
shares held by the Susan Trust.
The John S. Horejsi Trust (the "John Trust") is a trust organized by John
S. Horejsi for the benefit of his issue. The business address of the John Trust
is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801, Yankton, South Dakota 57078. As of the Record
Date, the John Trust owned 100 shares of the Fund's common stock, representing
less than 1% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Fund's common stock.
During the last two years, the John Trust has not made any purchases of shares
of the Fund's common stock and has not sold any shares of the Fund's common
stock. Badlands, the sole trustee of the John Trust, may be deemed to control
the John Trust and may be deemed to possess indirect beneficial ownership of the
shares held by the John Trust. In addition, the SRH Trust, as the sole
shareholder of Badlands, may also be deemed to control the John Trust and may be
deemed to possess indirect beneficial ownership of the shares held by the John
Trust.
Badlands is a South Dakota corporation organized and chartered to act as a
private trust company to administer the Horejsi Trusts. The directors of
Badlands are Mr. Dunlap, Mr. Miller, Robert Ciciora, who is the brother-in-law
of Ms. Ciciora, Gail G. Gubbels and Marty Jans. The executive officers of
Badlands are Mr. Gubbels, President, Mr. Jans, Secretary, and Mr. Miller, Vice
President and Assistant Secretary. Badlands is wholly owned by the SRH Trust.
The business address of Badlands is 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801, Yankton, South
Dakota 57078. By virtue of the relationships described above, Messrs. Dunlap,
Miller, Jans, Ciciora and Gubbels may be deemed to share the indirect power to
vote and direct the disposition of the shares deemed to be indirectly held by
Badlands, but such persons disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares. The
business address of Mr. Miller is 1680 38th Street, Suite 800, Boulder, Colorado
80301, of Mr. Dunlap, 223 N. Santa Fe, P.O. Box 121, Salina, Kansas 67401, of
Messrs. Jans and Gubbels, 614 Broadway, P.O. Box 801, Yankton, South Dakota
57078, and of Mr. Ciciora, 1105 Woodcrest Drive, Downers Grove, IL 60516.
BACKGROUND
The Bylaw Amendment is being proposed in response to the outcome of
litigation initiated by the Horejsi Trusts against the Fund which initially
challenged the validity of Article III, Section 3 of the Fund's bylaws (the
"Super-Majority Bylaw"). Following the Fund's 2002 election, the Fund took the
position that, because the Horejsi Trusts' nominees did not receive the support
of a "majority of outstanding shares" as required under the Super-Majority
Bylaw, the incumbent directors should continue to serve. The Horejsi Trusts then
initiated a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Super-Majority Bylaw. In September
2002, the Federal District Court for the District of Maryland (the "District
Court") agreed with the Horejsi Trusts and issued a permanent injunction
preventing the Fund from seating its candidates. However, the Fund appealed the
District Court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals of the 4th Circuit and,
in January 2003, the Court of Appeals reversed the District Court's decision and
determined that the Super-Majority Bylaw was valid under Maryland law. In 2003,
the Horejsi Trusts initiated another lawsuit in the District Court seeking to
invalidate the Fund's bylaw which purported to require an 80% majority of
outstanding shares to amend certain provisions of the bylaws (the "80% Bylaw").
If upheld, the 80% Bylaw would have required the affirmative vote of at least
80% of outstanding shares to amend or repeal the Super-Majority Bylaw. In April
2003, the Fund determined not to oppose the lawsuit and the District Court
entered a consent order declaring the 80% Bylaw invalid under Maryland law. As a
result of the District Court's decision, the Bylaw Amendment (Proposal No. 2),
which, if approved by shareholders, will replace the Super-Majority Bylaw, can
now be passed with a "majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is
present".
There is no current litigation between the Horejsi Trusts and the Fund and
none is anticipated. The Horejsi Trusts and their affiliates have executed a
mutual release of claims with each of the Fund's incumbent directors. The mutual
release is contingent upon election of all of the Horejsi Trusts' nominees to
the Board.
Among other investments, the Horejsi Trusts have substantial investments in
two other closed-end mutual funds, the Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc. and
Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (collectively, the "Boulder Funds"). Mr.
Looney, Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Miller (three of the Horejsi Trusts' nominees for
election to the Fund's Board of Directors) are directors of the Boulder Funds
and Richard Barr, a current director of the Fund, is also a director of the
Boulder Funds. Stewart Horejsi is the portfolio manager of each of the two
investment advisors that provide investment advisory services to the Boulder
Funds.
If Dr. Jacobson, Mr. Looney, Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Miller are elected as
directors of the Fund, together with Mr. Barr they would constitute a majority
of the Board. At both of the Boulder Funds, after shareholders elected nominees
of the Horejsi Trusts as a majority of those funds' boards, the board of each of
those funds elected to retain new investment advisors. The Horejsi Trusts,
however, have no current plans to request that the Board replace the Fund's
existing investment advisor.
PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Fund currently has a total of five directors, divided into three
classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year, the term of one
class will expire. There are two Class I directors, whose terms expired in 2002,
two Class II directors, whose terms expire in 2003 (i.e., at the upcoming
Meeting), and one Class III director, whose term expires in 2004. At the annual
meeting held in August 2002, shareholders failed to elect the two Class I
directors, resulting in the incumbent directors holding-over pending a
subsequent election. Accordingly, at the Meeting, in addition to an election to
fill the two Class II directorships whose terms expire at the Meeting in 2003,
there will be an election to fill the two Class I directorships whose elections
failed in 2002.
THE NOMINEES. Proxy cards which are signed, dated and returned to the
Horejsi Trusts or its agent, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., will be voted in favor of
the election of Dr. Jacobson, Mr. Looney, Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Miller
(collectively, the "Horejsi Trusts' Nominees") AND in favor of the Bylaw
Amendment (Proposal No. 2). The Horejsi Trusts' Nominees have furnished the
Horejsi Trusts with the following information concerning their employment
history and certain other matters:
Disinterested Director Nominees
Name Address and Age Principal occupations during last 5 years; other directorships Expiration
held by Nominee of Term if
Elected as
Director
Dr. Dean Jacobson Founder and President of Forensic Engineering, Inc. (expert 2005
Age: 64 witness for litigation) since 1977; since 1997 Professor
Emeritus at Arizona State University; prior to 1997 Professor
of Engineering at Arizona State University.
Joel W. Looney Director of the each of the Boulder Funds. Partner, Financial 2005
Age: 41 Management Group, LLC since July 1999; CFO, Bethany College
from 1995 -1999; Director, Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.,
since January 2001; Director, Boulder Growth & Income Fund,
Inc., since January 2002.
Nominees Who May Be Deemed "Interested Directors". Each of Mr. Miller and Ms.
Ciciora may be deemed to be an "interested director" within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by virtue of their relationships
with the Horejsi Trusts, which hold more than 5% of the Fund's shares, as
discussed above under "Information Concerning the Trust."
Name Address and Age Principal occupations during last 5 years; other directorships Expiration
held by Nominee of Term if
Elected as
Director
Susan L. Ciciora Director of each of the Boulder Funds. Owner, Superior 2006
Age: 39 Interiors (interior design for custom homes) since 1995;
Corporate Secretary, Ciciora Custom Builders, LLC since 1995;
Trustee of the Brown Trust and the Ernest Trust. Director,
Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc., since November, 2001;
Director, Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc., since January,
2002.
Stephen C. Miller Director and Chairman of the Board of each of the Boulder 2006
Age: 50 Funds. President of each of the Boulder Funds. President of
and General Counsel for Boulder Investment Advisers,
LLC ("BIA"); Manager, Fund Administrative Services, LLC
("FAS"); Vice President of Stewart Investment Advisers
("SIA"); Director, Chairman of the Board and President
of Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc., since 1999;
Director, Chairman of the Board and President of
Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc., since 2002;
President and General Counsel, Horejsi, Inc.
(liquidated in 1999); General Counsel, Brown Welding
Supply, LLC (sold in 1999); officer of various other
Horejsi Affiliates; Of Counsel, Krassa & Miller, LLC
since 1991.
Each of the Horejsi Trusts' Nominees is a United States citizen. The
Horejsi Trusts' Nominees have consented to being named in this proxy statement
and have agreed to serve as directors of the Fund if elected. They have no
family relationship with each other, although Susan Ciciora is the daughter of
Stewart Horejsi and a beneficiary under a number of the Horejsi Trusts. Neither
Dr. Jacobson nor Mr. Looney is an "interested person" of the Fund within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Ms. Ciciora
and Mr. Miller may be deemed "interested persons" because of their affiliation
with the Horejsi Trusts. None of the Horejsi Trusts' Nominees have ever been an
officer, employee, director, general partner or shareholder of Wellington
Management Company, LLP, the Fund's current investment advisor, or any affiliate
thereof, nor do any of them have any other material direct or indirect interest
in such investment advisor or any of its affiliates or the Fund's administrator,
Prudential Investments LLC. If elected, the Horejsi Trusts' Nominees would
oversee the Fund, but not any other portfolio in the "fund complex" of which the
Fund is a part.
The aggregate value of the shares of the Fund owned by each of Mr. Looney,
Dr. Jacobson and Mr. Miller is less than $10,000. Ms. Ciciora's ownership
information is discussed above under "Ownership of Common Stock". Information
regarding purchases of shares of the Fund's common stock by the Horejsi Trusts'
Nominees during the last two years is set forth on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.
During such period, none of the Horejsi Trusts' Nominees have sold any shares of
the Fund. None of the Horejsi Trusts' Nominees have any arrangement or
understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by the Fund
or its affiliates. The Horejsi Trusts have agreed to indemnify the Horejsi
Trusts' Nominees for any liabilities they may incur in connection with this
proxy solicitation.
According to the Fund's 2003 information statement, each director of the
Fund receives an annual fee of $5,000 and all directors are reimbursed for
travel and out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending board meetings.
According to the Fund's 2003 information statement, directors of the Fund do not
receive pension or retirement benefits from the Fund. In addition, according to
the Fund's 2003 information statement, all current directors of the Fund other
than Mr. Barr also serve as directors of, and are similarly compensated by, the
five other funds in the same "fund complex."
THE HOREJSI TRUSTS WILL VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL NO. 1 AND RECOMMEND THAT
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF MS. CICIORA, MR. MILLER, DR. JACOBSON
AND MR. LOONEY.
PROPOSAL NO. 2 -- APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF BYLAW AMENDMENT
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL. The Horejsi Trusts recommend that
shareholders approve an amendment to the Fund's bylaws which would provide that
directors will be elected by a plurality of votes cast (defined above as the
"Bylaw Amendment"). Presently, the Fund's bylaws require that directors are
elected by a "majority of outstanding shares". The Horejsi Trusts believe that
the existing bylaw is unfair in that it imposes a de facto super-majority voting
requirement on challengers to Board seats and thus serves only to entrench
incumbent Board members. This was evidenced in the Fund's 2002 election in which
80.40% of shareholders voted, 59% of which voted in favor of the Horejsi Trusts'
nominees and 41% of which voted in favor of the incumbent directors. Despite the
Horejsi Trusts' nominees receiving a substantial majority of votes cast at that
meeting, since the nominees did not receive a "majority of outstanding shares",
they were not seated and there was a failed election. The Bylaw Amendment would
avoid the possibility of a failed election in the future.
Currently, Article III, Section 3 of the Fund's bylaws provides as follows:
Section 3. Election. Directors shall be elected by vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to
vote thereupon.
Proposal No. 2 would delete and replace the above provision and would be
effective with respect to any election of directors at the Meeting and
thereafter. Accordingly, if approved by shareholders, the Bylaw Amendment would
be applicable to the election of directors under Proposal No. 1 above, thus
providing that the directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the
Meeting. As proposed, Article III, Section 3 of the Fund's bylaws would be
deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:
Section 3. Election. Directors shall be elected by vote of a plurality
of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present. This
Section 3 of Article III shall be amended only by a vote of the
Corporation's stockholders.
VOTING REQUIREMENT. Approval of this Proposal No. 2 will require the vote
of a majority of the votes of common stock cast at the Meeting in person or by
proxy.
THE HOREJSI TRUSTS WILL VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL NO. 2 AND RECOMMEND THAT
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL NO. 2.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
According to the Fund's information statement, the Fund's bylaws require
shareholders wishing to nominate directors or make proposals to be voted on at
the Fund's annual meeting to provide notice to the Secretary of the Fund at
least 90 days in advance of the anniversary of the date that the Fund's proxy
statement for its previous year's annual meeting was first released to
shareholders (or, in 2003 only, the date of release of the Fund's information
statement). Accordingly, if a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the
Fund's annual meeting of shareholders in 2004 and desires to have the proposal
included in the Fund's proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting, the
shareholder must deliver the proposal to the offices of the Fund at Gateway
Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4077 by March 26,
2004. The notice must contain information sufficient to identify the nominee(s)
or proposal and to establish that the shareholder beneficially owns shares that
would be entitled to vote on the nomination or proposal. Shareholder nominations
and proposals that are submitted in a timely manner will not necessarily be
included in the Fund's proxy materials. Inclusion of such nomination or proposal
is subject to limitation under the federal securities laws. Shareholder
nominations or proposals not received by March 26, 2004 will not be considered
"timely" within the meaning of Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act.
THE SOLICITATION. Proxies will be solicited by mail and possibly by
telephone, personal interview or by other means. In addition, the Horejsi Trusts
have retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist and to provide advisory
services in connection with this proxy solicitation for which it will be paid a
fee of $25,000 and will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The
Horejsi Trusts will indemnify MacKenzie Partners against certain liabilities and
expenses in connection with this proxy solicitation, including liabilities under
the federal securities laws. MacKenzie Partners has advised the Horejsi Trusts
that approximately 25 of MacKenzie Partners' employees will provide assistance
in connection with the proxy solicitation. No trustees or beneficiaries of the
Horejsi Trusts will solicit proxies, although certain officers, directors or
employees of Badlands, the trustee of certain Horejsi Trusts, may solicit
proxies.
Banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominee and fiduciaries will
be requested to forward this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card to
the beneficial owner of shares of common stock for whom they hold of record and
the Horejsi Trusts will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
The expenses related to this proxy solicitation will be borne by the
Horejsi Trusts. The Horejsi Trusts estimate that the total amount of expenses to
be incurred by them in this proxy solicitation will be approximately $35,000.
Expenses to date have been approximately $0. The Horejsi Trusts will not seek
reimbursement from the Fund for these expenses.
If you have any questions concerning this proxy statement or need help
voting your shares, please call:
[MacKenzie Partners Logo]
105 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Call Collect: (212) 929-5500
or Toll Free: (800) 322-2885
Dated: June 24, 2003
Exhibit 1
ALL SECURITIES OF THE FUND PURCHASED OR SOLD
WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS BY THE HOREJSI TRUSTS AND THE NOMINEES
Dean Jacobson - Purchases During the Last Two Years
Date Shares
6/6/02 500
Joel W. Looney - Purchases During the Last Two Years
Date Shares
6/28/02 100
8/26/02 200
12/10/02 112.3
2/10/03 200
3/10/03 188
If you have questions concerning this proxy statement
or need help voting your shares, please call:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
105 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Call Collect: (212) 929-5500
or Toll Free: (800) 322-2885
PROXY
APPENDIX 1
PROXY CARD
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY
THE HOREJSI TRUSTS
Proxy for the August 19, 2003 annual meeting of shareholders of
First Financial Fund, Inc.
The undersigned holder of shares of common stock of First Financial Fund, Inc.,
a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), hereby appoints Stewart R. Horejsi, Stephen
C. Miller and Nicole L. Murphey, and each of them, as attorneys and proxies for
the undersigned, with full powers of substitution and revocation, to represent
the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of common
stock of the Fund that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting
of shareholders of the Fund to be held at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry
Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4077 on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 4:30 p.m.,
local time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The undersigned
hereby acknowledges receipt of the proxy statement of the Horejsi Trusts and
hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated
hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the annual meeting. A majority of the
proxies present and acting at the annual meeting in person or by substitute (or,
if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all
of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby
revokes any proxy previously given.
THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE.
Please Sign and Date Your Proxy Card on the Reverse and Return Today.
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PROXY
Important: Please indicate your vote by an "X" in the appropriate box below.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the
undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted "For"
the Proposals below.
Proposal No. 1: Election of Susan L. Ciciora and Stephen C. Miller as Class I
Directors and Dr. Dean Jacobson and Joel W. Looney as Class II Directors.
[ ] FOR [ ] WITHHOLD
You may withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee or nominees by
marking the FOR box and striking out the name of any such nominee.
The Horejsi Trusts recommend that shareholders vote FOR Proposal No. 1.
Proposal No. 2: Adoption of an amendment to Article III, Section 3 of the Fund's
bylaws to change the voting standard for electing directors from a "majority of
outstanding shares" to a "plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which
a quorum is present".
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST
The Horejsi Trusts recommend that shareholders vote FOR Proposal No. 2
Signature(s) _______________________________
____________________________________________
Date ___________
Title (if applicable) __________________________
Important: Please sign exactly as appears hereon or
on the proxy card previously sent to you. Where
shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
When signing as an attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such. If a corporation, please sign
in full corporate name by the President or other
duly authorized officer. If a partnership, please
sign in full partnership name by authorized person.
Please Sign, Date and Return this Proxy Card Promptly.
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