-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OqbEeuOu6K0r7u3ZTpJY1tVDz6RjUm4CGL6X39T63aith5dcc5t78+JElPyD/FJK Mt+CEKHegcPySLWfNmsPkA== 0001362310-08-002606.txt : 20080509 0001362310-08-002606.hdr.sgml : 20080509 20080509113049 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001362310-08-002606 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080521 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080509 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080509 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20080509 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: First Trinity Financial CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001395585 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: LIFE INSURANCE [6311] IRS NUMBER: 341991436 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-52613 FILM NUMBER: 08816756 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7633 EAST 63RD PLACE, SUITE 230 CITY: TULSA STATE: OK ZIP: 74133 BUSINESS PHONE: 918-249-2438 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7633 EAST 63RD PLACE, SUITE 230 CITY: TULSA STATE: OK ZIP: 74133 DEF 14A 1 c73311def14a.htm SCHEDULE 14A Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Table of Contents

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
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o   Preliminary Proxy Statement
o   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ   Definitive Proxy Statement
o   Definitive Additional Materials
o   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
 
First Trinity Financial Corporation
 
(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):
þ   No fee required.
o   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:
 
     
     
 
o   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
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.
  (1)   Amount Previously Paid:
 
     
     
 
 
  (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
     
     
 
 
  (3)   Filing Party:
 
     
     
 
 
  (4)   Date Filed:
 
     
     
 


Table of Contents

First Trinity Financial Corporation
7633 E 63rd Place, Suite 230
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 21, 2008
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
First Trinity Financial Corporation
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of First Trinity Financial Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (“First Trinity” or the “Company”), will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Tulsa-Downtown, 616 West Seventh Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127 on Wednesday, May 21 2008, at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, for the following purposes:
(1)  
To elect eleven directors to hold office for a term of one year each or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
(2)  
To amend its Certificate of Incorporation to provide that the Board of Directors shall have the power to alter, amend, repeal or adopt new bylaws of the corporation.
 
(3)  
To ratify the selection of Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP, as First Trinity’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.
 
(4)  
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 31, 2008, as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. The stock transfer books will not be closed.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we hope that you will vote as soon as possible. Please review the instructions concerning each of your voting options described in the Proxy Statement. Your cooperation will assure that your shares are voted and will also greatly assist us in preparing for the Annual Meeting. The proxy is being solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of First Trinity.
Your attention is directed to our 2007 annual report and to the proxy statement, both of which accompany this notice.
         
 
  By Order of the Board of Directors,    
 
       
 
  -s- William S. Lay    
 
  William S. Lay    
 
  Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer    
Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 9, 2008

 

 


 

PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    1  
 
       
    1  
 
       
    1  
 
       
    1  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    4  
 
       
    4  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    6  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    8  
 
       
    8  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    10  
 
       
    10  
 
       
    10  
 
       
    10  
 
       

 

 


Table of Contents

FIRST TRINITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
7633 EAST 63RD PLACE, SUITE 230
TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74133
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 21, 2008
The following information is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of First Trinity Financial Corporation (“First Trinity” or the “Company”) The proxies we receive will be voted at the Annual Meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Company to be held at the Doubletree Hotel Tulsa Downtown, 616 West Seventh Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74127 on Wednesday May 21, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time), and at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy are first being mailed to our shareholders on or about May 9, 2008.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
We have issued one class of capital stock. Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2008 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 5,805,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were issued and outstanding.
Voting and Solicitation
Every stockholder of record on the Record Date is entitled, for each share held, to one vote on each proposal that comes before the Annual Meeting. In the election of directors, each stockholder will be entitled to vote for eleven nominees.
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may vote by completing, signing and mailing the proxy card enclosed therewith in the postage-prepaid envelope provided for that purpose. Voting by written proxy will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, if you do not attend in person. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please review the instructions on the proxy card enclosed with the proxy materials.
The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company may reimburse expenses incurred by brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of First Trinity’s directors, officers and other employees, without additional compensation, personally, by telephone or by email.
Any proxy representing shares of common stock entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting that specifies how it is to be voted will be voted accordingly if properly executed and received by the Company before voting begins at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment(s) thereof. Shares as to which authority to vote has been withheld with respect to the election of any nominee for director will not be counted as a vote for such nominee and neither any abstention or a broker non-vote will be counted as a vote for a proposal. Any properly executed proxy will be voted in accordance with instructions specified but in the absence of any instructions will be voted “FOR” any proposal or nominee at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
Revocability of Proxies
Proxies given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time before they have been used. You may change or revoke your proxy by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of First Trinity or by completing a new proxy card bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy instructions). Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request by notifying the inspector of elections of your intention to revoke your proxy and voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

 


Table of Contents

PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON:
(1)  
To elect eleven directors to hold office for a term of one year each or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
(2)  
To amend its Certificate of Incorporation to provide that the Board of Directors shall have the power to alter, amend, repeal or adopt new bylaws of the corporation.
 
(3)  
To ratify the selection of Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP, as First Trinity’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2008.
 
(4)  
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
The Board of Directors consists of one class, with the term of office expiring each year. The number of directors which constitutes the entire board of directors is eleven.
The Board of Directors determined that seven of the eleven current directors are “independent” as defined by Nasdaq listing standards and rule 10A-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The non-independent directors are Scott J. Engebritson, Gregg E. Zahn, William S. Lay and John R. Perkins.
Vote Required
Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no legal effect under Oklahoma law.
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for First Trinity’s eleven nominees named below, to hold office for a term of one years each or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. If any nominee of First Trinity is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that any nominee will be unable or will decline to serve as a director. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
Nominees for Election at the Annual Meeting
The Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee, consisting of three independent directors as determined under applicable Nasdaq listing standards, recommended the eleven individuals set forth in the table below for nomination by our full Board of Directors. All current directors are standing for re-election. Based on such recommendations, our Board of Directors nominated such directors for election at the Annual Meeting. The following sets forth information concerning the nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting, including information as to each nominee’s age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and business experience. Additional information about a new director, who will be appointed by the Board of Directors if Proposal Two is approved by the shareholders, is disclosed in Proposal Two.

 

2


Table of Contents

                     
                Director  
Name of Nominee   Age     Position/Principal Occupation   Since  
Gregg E. Zahn
    46     Director; President and Chief Executive Officer of First Trinity     2004  
Scott J. Engebritson
    50     Director; Chairman of the Board     2004  
William S.Lay
    68     Director; Chief Financial Officer, Secretary/Treasurer of First Trinity     2007  
H. Bryan Chrisman (2)
    44     Director; Insurance Marketing     2004  
Bill H. Hill (1) (3)
    67     Director; Former President of Eastern Oklahoma State College     2004  
Charles W. Owens (2)
    53     Director; Insurance and Marketing Services     2004  
Loren Everett Owens (1)
    60     Director; Insurance and Martketing Services     2004  
George E. Peintner (2) (3)
    64     Director; Marketing Company     2004  
John R. Perkins
    55     Director; Compliance First Trinity     2004  
G. Wayne Pettigrew
    45     Director; Insurance and Pension Benefits Consulting     2004  
Gary L. Sherrer (1) (3)
    59     Director; Director of Development, Division of Agricultural Sciences     2004  
 
          Sciences and Natural Resources for Oklahoma State University        
 
     
(1)  
Member Audit Committee
 
(2)  
Member Compensation Committee
 
(3)  
Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance committee
The following is a brief description of the previous business background of the executive officers and directors.
Gregg E. Zahn is President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of First Trinity since October 2007. From 2004 until October 2007 he was Director of Training and Recruiting and a member of the Board of Directors. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of TLIC and FTCC and has served in those positions since October 2007. Between 1997 and March 2004 Mr. Zahn served as Marketing Vice President of First Alliance Corporation of Lexington, Kentucky and as Assistant to the President of First Alliance Corporation and Mid American Alliance Corporation. He was President of Alliance Insurance Management from 2001 to 2003.
Scott J. Engebritson has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He was Chief Executive Officer from the inception of First Trinity in 2004 until October 2007. He was President and a Director of Trinity Life Insurance Company (“TLIC”) and Chairman of the Board and Director of First Trinity Financial Corporation (“FTCC”), subsidiaries of First Trinity, from their inception in 2006 until October 2007. He currently serves as Chairman of Board and President of Great Plains Financial Corporation a position he has held since its inception in 2006. Mr. Engebritson served as Chairman of Board for Mid-American Alliance Corporation and its subsidiary Mid-American Century Life Insurance Company from their inception in 1995 until they were merged with Citizens Inc. in 2003. Mr. Engebritson served as Chairman of the Board of Western States Alliance from 2000 to 2006. He served as Co-Chairman of the Board of Arkansas Security Capital from 2001 to 2005. He served as Chairman of the Board of Midwest Holding Inc. from 2004 to 2006.
William S. Lay is Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a Director and has served in those positions since April of 2007. He also serves as a Director of TLIC and FTCC. For the past five years, Mr. Lay has been a financial officer and business consultant, specializing in corporate financial and consulting services for small sized entrepreneurial companies, having spent the last 4 years in providing consulting services to businesses. Prior to that, Mr. Lay was an officer and director of numerous life insurance companies and also has experience in business acquisitions, mergers and reorganizations.
H. Bryan Chrisman CLU, ChFC, has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He is a director of TLIC and FTCC. Mr. Chrisman is a principal with IMA, LLC, an insurance marketing firm that he helped found in 2001.
Bill H. Hill has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2004. He also serves as a Director of TLIC and FTCC. He was President of Eastern Oklahoma State College, in Wilburton, OK from 1986-2000. He retired in 2000 and has been a rancher since that time.

 

3


Table of Contents

Charles Wayne Owens has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He is a Director of TLIC and FTCC. Mr. Owens has served as the President and Owner of Tinker Owens Insurance and Marketing Services since its inception in 1988. Mr. Owens is the brother of Loren Everett Owens.
Loren Everett Owens has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He is a Director of TLIC and FTCC. Mr. Owens is the CEO of Owens, Powell and Associates and Steve Owens and Associates, both of which offer a full range of insurance and service related products. Mr. Owens is the brother of Director Charles Wayne Owens.
George E. Peintner has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He is a Director of TLIC and FTCC. Mr. Peintner is the owner of Peintner Enterprises. Peintner Enterprises is a Marketing Company established in 1980.
John R. Perkins has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He was President from inception in 2004 until October 2007. He also is a Director of TLIC and FTCC He was President of FTCC and Co-Chairman of the Board of TLIC from their inception in 2006 until October 2007. He was President of Mid American Alliance Corporation and Mid American Century Life Company from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. He was on the Board of Directors of Mid-American Alliance and Mid American Century from 1998 to 2003. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Midwest Holding Inc. since its inception in 2004.
G. Wayne Pettigrew has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He is a Director of TLIC and FTCC. Mr. Pettigrew served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1994 until 2004. He owns and operates Group Pension Planners, insurance and pension benefits consulting firm. He also serves on the Alumni Board at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.
Gary L. Sherrer has been a member of the Board of Directors since inception in 2004. He is a Director of TLIC and FTCC. He is the Director of Development at the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for Oklahoma State University Foundation. Mr. Sherrer held the position of Assistant CEO of KAMO Power from 2001-2004. Prior to his position as Assistant CEO, Mr. Sherrer held the position of Chief Administrative Officer for seven years at KAMO Power.
There is a family relationship between two directors of the Company, Loren Everett Owens and Charles Wayne Owens are brothers. There are no other family relationships between directors or officers.
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors of First Trinity held four meetings during 2007. The meetings are held on call and there is an organizational meeting following the annual meeting of shareholders. During 2007, the Board of Directors had a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and a Nomination and Governance committee.
One director, Scott Engebritson, attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors. No Director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of committee meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which they served. The Company encourages, but does not require, its board members to attend the annual shareholder meeting. In 2007, all directors attended the shareholder meeting. First Trinity plans to schedule future annual meetings so that at least a majority of its directors can attend the annual meeting.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The Company has a Code of Conduct and Ethics (“Code”) applicable to all directors and employees, including our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives, to help ensure that our business is conducted in accordance with high standards of ethical behavior. The code is published on our website at www.firsttrinityfinancial.com under “Corporate Governance”.

 

4


Table of Contents

Communication with the Board of Directors
Shareholders and other interested parties can communicate with the Board of Directors, including the non-management directors, either by writing to First Trinity Financial, Board of Directors, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 7633 E 63rd Place, Suite 230, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 or by calling 1-888-883-1499. An independent third-party service answers all calls to this toll-free telephone number, and passes the caller’s information on to our Chairman of the Audit Committee, who in turn transmits the information to the appropriate member of the Board of Directors. Communications may be anonymous or confidential. Complaints relating to the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Other concerns will be referred to the Chairman of the Board. All shareholder-related complaints and concerns will be received, processed and acknowledged by the Company’s Board of Directors. Further information regarding communications with the Board of Directors may be found at the Company’s website, www.firsttrinityfinancial.com, under “Corporate Governance.”
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently composed of three directors: Gary Sherrer (Chairman), Bill Hill and Loren Everett Owens, each of whom is determined to be an independent director as the term is defined by the Nasdaq listing standards. The Board of Directors has also determined that Mr. Sherrer qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
The Audit Committee met three times during the fiscal year. The Audit Committee was established by the Board of directors in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to oversee the Company’s financial reporting process, the system of internal financial controls and audits of its financial statements. The Audit Committee (1) provides oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of the Company’s financial statements, (2) assists the Board of Directors in oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance, and the Company’s internal accounting and financial controls, and (3) provides to the Board of directors such information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board of directors aware of significant financial matters that require the attention of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of directors, which is available in the “Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.firsttrinityfinancial.com.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently consists of directors Bryan Chrisman (Chairman), Charles Owens and George Peintner, each of whom is determined to be an independent director as the term is defined by the Nasdaq listing standards. Mr. Chrisman is chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee met one time during 2007. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits for the Company’s executive officers and performs such other duties as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. The Compensation committee acts pursuant to a written Charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available in the “Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.firsttrinityfinancial.com.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Board of Directors provided for a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at its April 18, 2007 meeting that meets on call and submits recommendations to the Board of Directors for members of the Board to be submitted to the shareholders for election. The Nominating Committee which currently, consists of directors George E. Peintner, Bill H. Hill and Gary Sherrer, each of whom is deemed to be an independent director as the term is defined by the Nasdaq listing standards, did not meet in 2007. The Nominating and Corporate Governance committee acts pursuant to a written Charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available in the “Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.firsttrinityfinancial.com.
Director Compensation
Directors who are not employees of the Company receive a $1,000 annual retainer and $500, plus expenses for each Board of Directors meeting they attend in person and $250 for each meeting held telephonically that they participate in. The Director Compensation Table is set forth below.

 

5


Table of Contents

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
                                                         
                                    Change in              
                                    Pension value              
                                    and              
                                    Nonqualified              
                            Non-Equity     Deferred              
    Fees Earned     Stock     Option     Incentive Plan     Compensation     All Other        
    or Paid in     Awards     Awards     Compensation     Earnings     Compensation     Total  
Name   Cash ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ( $)     ($)  
H. Bryan Chrisman
    2,750                                               2,750  
Bill H. Hill
    2,250                                               2,250  
Charles W. Owens
    2,750                                               2,750  
Loren Everett Owens
    2,750                                               2,750  
George E. Peintner
    2,750                                               2,750  
G. Wayne Pettigrew
    2,750                                               2,750  
Gary L. Sherrer
    2,750                                               2,750  
PROPOSAL TWO:
AMEND THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
At the March 26, 2008 Board of Directors meeting, a resolution was duly adopted setting forth the foregoing proposed amendment(s) to the Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and calling for the amendment to be considered at a meeting of the shareholders of said corporation.
The Company plans to amend its Certificate of Incorporation, subject to the approval of the shareholders, as follows:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors shall have the power to alter, amend, repeal or adopt new bylaws of the corporation.
The bylaws as now written require the approval of the shareholders for an amendment. The amendment will eliminate the need to have a shareholder meeting to make changes to the bylaws of the corporation by authorizing the Board of Directors to make amendments. The effect of this change will be to provide the Board of Directors more flexibility to manage the affairs of the Company. The amendment does not alter the right of shareholders to make amendments to the bylaws.
If the proposal to amend the articles of incorporation is approved by the shareholders, the Board of Directors plans to amend the bylaws to provide that the number of directors shall be no less than seven or more than fifteen, as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The current bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be no less than seven or more than eleven, as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may appoint directors to fill the four new positions who shall serve until the next annual meeting or until his or her successor is elected and qualifies. Mr. Shannon Young has been identified as a candidate to fill one of the new positions. Mr. Young is currently an advisory director and receives the same compensation as a director. No other candidates for the Board of Directors have been identified.
Mr. Young is a principal with IMA, LLC, an insurance marketing firm established in 2001. Mr. Young previously served as Director of Marketing for VHA Oklahoma/Arkansas from 2000-2002. From 1994-2000 Mr. Young served as Regional Marketing Director for Leaders Life Insurance Company in Oklahoma City, OK.

 

6


Table of Contents

PROPOSAL THREE:
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP (“KEB”) as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. Although ratification by shareholders is not required by law, the Board has determined that it is desirable to request ratification of this selection by the shareholders. Notwithstanding its selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of KEB, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection. KEB has audited the Company’s financial statements since the Company’s inception. No representative of KEB is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
Accounting Fees
The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by the Company for the audit and other services provided by KEB.
                 
    Fiscal Years  
    2007     2006  
Audit Fees
  $ 43,233     $ 10,762  
Audit Related Fees
           
Tax Fees
           
All Other fees
           
 
           
Total
  $ 43,233     $ 10,762  
 
           
Audit fees primarily represent amounts paid or expected to be paid for audits of the Company’s financial statements and reviews of SEC Forms 10-QSB and 10-SB.
Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Prior to engaging our independent registered public accounting firm to render an audit or permissible non-audit services, the Audit Committee specifically approves the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to render that service. Accordingly, we do not engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or permissible non-audit services pursuant to pre-approval policies or procedures or otherwise, unless the engagement to provide such services has been approved by the Audit Committee in advance. As such, the engagement of KEB to render 100% of the services described in the categories above was approved by the Audit Committee in advance of the rendering of the services.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 with the Company’s management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Kerber, Eck and Braeckel LLP (“KEB”), First Trinity Financial Corporation’s (“FTFC”) independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, “Communication with Audit Committees,” as amended, other professional standards and regulatory requirements currently in effect. Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 requires an auditor to discuss with the Audit Committee, among other things, the auditor’s judgments about the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles applied in the company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from KEB required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and has discussed with KEB its independence from FTFC.

 

7


Table of Contents

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommends to FTFC’s Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in FTFC’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
         
 
  AUDIT COMMITTEE OF    
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS    
 
       
 
  Gary L. Sherrer    
 
  Bill H. Hill    
 
  Loren Everett Owens    
In accordance with the rules of the Commission, this report is not to be deemed “soliciting material,” or deemed to be “filed” with the Commission or subject to the Commission’s Regulation 14A, other than as provided in Item 407 of Regulation S-B, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically requests that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference in documents otherwise filed.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of the Record Date (i) by all persons known to the Company, based on statements filed by such persons pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the exchange act, to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of FTFC’s common stock, (ii) by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table under “Executive Compensation”, (iii) by each director, and (iv) by all current directors and executive officers as a group.
                 
            Percentage  
    Common Stock     Beneficially  
Name   Beneficially Owned (1)     Owned (1)  
Scott J. Engebritson
    188,500       3.25 %
Gregg E. Zahn
    554,000       9.54 %
William S. Lay
    20,000       *  
John R. Perkins
    50,000       *  
H. Bryan Chrisman
    100,000       1.72 %
Bill H. Hill
    28,000       *  
Charles Wayne Owens (2)
    44,000       *  
Loren Everett Owens
    40,000       *  
George E. Peintner
    40,000       *  
G. Wayne Pettigrew
    40,000       *  
Gary L. Sherrer
    40,000       *  
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)
    1,144,500       19.72 %
 
     
*  
represents less than 1%
 
(1)  
At March 31, 2008, there are 5,805,000 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
 
(2)  
Includes 4,000 shares jointly owned by Mr. Owens and his children.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The compensation committee assists the board of directors in overseeing the management of the Company’s compensation and benefits program, chief executive officer performance and executive development and succession efforts. In addition they will oversee the evaluation of management and compensation of the officers of the Company.
The primary objective of our compensation program is to offer executive officers competitive compensation packages that will permit the Company to attract and retain individuals with superior abilities and to motivate and reward such individuals in an appropriate manner in the long term interest of the Company and its shareholders.

 

8


Table of Contents

Management provides recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding most compensation matters, including executive compensation; however, the Compensation Committee does not delegate any of its functions to others in setting compensation. The Company does not currently engage any consultant related to executive compensation matters.
The Company’s compensation program for executive officers consists of base salary, consideration for annual bonuses, 401(k) plan and health insurance coverage. These elements are intended to provide an overall compensation package that is commensurate with the Company’s financial resources, that is appropriate to assure the retention of experienced management personnel, and that aligns their financial interest with those of our shareholders.
Base Salary: Salary levels recommended by the Compensation Committee are intended to be competitive with salary levels of similarly situated companies, commensurate with the executive officers’ respective duties and responsibilities, and reflect the financial performance of the Company. Annual salary increases are considered based on the same criteria.
Cash Bonuses: Bonus amounts are based on individual performance and are intended to reward superior performance. The Compensation Committee may also take into account additional considerations that it deems appropriate. Bonuses are discretionary and there is no formal bonus plan in place.
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the compensation of the Chief Executive Officers. No other executive officers compensation exceeded $100,000.
Summary Compensation Table
                                         
                            All Other        
            Salary     Bonus     Compensation     Total  
Name and Principal Position   Year     ($)     ($)     ($) (3)     ($)  
Scott J. Engebritson (1)
    2007       40,000                       40,000  
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
    2006       40,000                       40,000  
 
                                       
Gregg E. Zahn (2)
    2007       151,667       80,000       6,000       237,667  
President and Chief Executive Officer
    2006       95,000       100,000               195,000  
     
(1)  
Mr. Engebritson resigned as Chief Executive Officer effective October 4, 2007
 
(2)  
Mr. Zahn was elected President and Chief Executive Officer on October 4, 2007.
 
(3)  
This amount is an auto allowance
Employment agreement
Gregg E. Zahn entered into an employment agreement with the Company, effective, retroactive to May 1, 2007 after it was amended to correct an error. The amended agreement is for a term through April 30, 2010 and is subject to earlier termination based on disability, death, termination by the Company, with or without cause. Mr. Zahn’s current base salary of $180,000 per year does not have a provision for annual review. He also receives a $750 per month auto allowance. He is entitled to participate in the Company’s employment benefit plans available to other executives. He is eligible for a bonus at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and the Board of directors, based on performance. Amounts payable, as of December 31, 2007, in the event of Mr. Zahn’s termination of employment by the company not for cause or for good reason by Mr. Zahn is $420,000.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (“Section 16(a)”) requires the Company’s executive officers and directors, and certain persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities (“10% Stockholders”), to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Forms 4 or 5 with the SEC. Such executive officers, directors and 10% Stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

9


Table of Contents

Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required to be filed during 2007, the Company believes that its executive officers, directors and 10% Stockholders have complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them except that one Form 4 filing covering one transaction (termination of a disclaimer of control and voting authority) by Scott J. Engebritson, H. Bryan Chrisman, Charles Wayne Owens, Loren Everett Owens and G. Wayne Pettigrew was inadvertently omitted from filing when due. The filing was made by each on April 3, 2008.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Company’s Compensation Committee is currently composed of Messrs. Chrisman, Loren Owens and Peintner. No interlocking relationship exists between any member of the Company’s Compensation Committee and any member of the compensation committee of any other company, nor has any such interlocking relationship existed in the past. No member of the Compensation Committee is or was formerly an officer or an employee of the Company.
ANNUAL REPORT
Please refer to the Company’s enclosed 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for financial statements, other financial information and management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any additional matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy card will have discretion to vote shares they represent in accordance with their own judgment on such matters.
OTHER INFORMATION
A shareholder desiring to submit a proposal for inclusion in First Trinity’s Proxy Statement for the year 2009 Annual Meeting must deliver the proposal so that it is receive by First Trinity no later than January 8, 2009. You must submit your proposal in writing to the Secretary of the Company at 7633 East 63rd Place, Suite 230, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133. Only proposals meeting the requirements of applicable Securities and Exchange rules will be considered for inclusion in First Trinity’s Proxy Statement.
         
 
  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS    
 
  FIRST TRINITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION    
 
       
 
  -s- William S. Lay    
 
  William S. Lay    
 
  Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer    
Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 9, 2008

 

10


Table of Contents

PROXY
FIRST TRINITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
7633 EAST 63RD PLACE, SUITE 230, TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74133
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Scott J. Engebritson and Gregg E. Zahn, or either of them, attorneys with full power of substitution to vote as proxies for the undersigned at the annual meeting of shareholders of First Trinity Financial Corporation to be held on May 21, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, or at any adjournment or postponements thereof, and to vote as designated below with all powers the undersigned would possess, if present, upon matters described in the notice of annual meeting and proxy statement dated May 9, 2008 as follows:
                 
(1)
  Election of Directors      
To withhold authority to vote for any individual Nominee(s) mark “For All Except” and write number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
 
             
 
  FOR ALL   WITHHOLD ALL   FOR ALL EXCEPT  
 
               
 
  o   o   o    
 
               
             
(01) Gregg E. Zahn
  (02) Scott J. Engebritson   (03) William S. Lay   (04) H. Bryan Chrisman
(05) Bill H. Hill
  (06) Charles Wayne Owens   (07) Loren Everett Owens   (08) George E. Peintner
(09) John R. Perkins
  (10) G. Wayne Pettigrew   (11) Gary L. Sherrer    
(2)  
To amend the Certificate of Incorporation of First Trinity financial Corporation to provide that the Board of Directors shall have the power to alter, amend, repeal or adopt new bylaws of the corporation.
             
o FOR   o AGAINST   o ABSTAIN    
(3)  
To ratify the appointment of Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP, as First Trinity Financial Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.
             
o FOR   o AGAINST   o ABSTAIN    
(4)  
On any other matter which may come before the meeting in accordance with their best judgment.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
To be counted this proxy must be signed, dated and received by the Corporate Secretary of First Trinity Financial Corporation, 7633 East 63rd Place, Suite 230, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133, on or before May 21, 2008.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in accordance with instructions specified but in the absence of any instructions will be voted “FOR”.
Please sign exactly as name appears on this card. If shares of stock are held jointly, all joint owners should sign. If signing as attorney, administrator, executor, guardian, trustee or corporate officer, please add your title as such.

     
     
Shareholder’s signature
   
 
   
     
Shareholder’s signature
   
Date                                         , 2008
IMPORTANT
Please complete this proxy card and return by
FAX: (918)249-2478
Or By Mail: 7633 East 63
rd Place, Suite 230,
Tulsa, OK 74133


 

GRAPHIC 2 c73311c7331101.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 c73311c7331101.gif M1TE&.#EAZ@`Z`.8``,3$Q-K:VB4E)=+2TM;6UD5%12TM+=C8V.+BXDU-3GCX^/A$1$8J*BHB(B*2DI(2$A,K*RF)B8I*2DGY^?F=G9YJ: MFK"PL%I:6CHZ.HR,C!D9&9R<+"PCP\/&5E94I*2H"` M@')RJJJJE!04**BHE965FUM;6!@8"`@(%A86#0T-%-3 M4U145$A(2&YN;H*"@B,C(UY>7F1D9/[^_OS\_/KZ^OW]_?GY^?O[^_CX^/'Q M\?7U]?3T]/#P\/;V]O?W]^_O[]S7E MY3WNSL[/+R\N'AX>#@X.3DY.CHZ.;FYNGIZ0```/___R'Y!``````` M+`````#J`#H```?_@'^"@X2%AH>(B8J+C(V.CY"176A=D9:7F)F:C6UWFY^@ MH61#?@^AIZBIERXM$:JOL(0$/'XM7K&XN:<7?GX7NL":>U*])L''IW@;9)\# M*2(J8\C3BW`I'SY2!-2'8P16-67% M#@5:O33P!EWQ,P%`*'$!QY6AXT>#"Q\#D)VYH00!(3S$6&SQ$R0A@%X*$HK4 M)*:)GV@"8$RSX:<"(3(%_%#IXL*#F8!A(OB),K+GI1!^"J@QTL+B,30V2!3* MX.'&ES\Q6"0\X>=#G4-]3H0XP0*@3Y]A2(@P4`>'!@`,Q%#SD M039`@!8V@LY`\1&BCZ`+(F[`"Y#"CQ9#&OP(&/P(30P1O?QT(-3E@H?^%'@B#6?G+@^_-E0@K:R,((PMC+^:`O35+04!,)BI\G#4B4 MDM6+1XW?PB_-$)&"_)\I'O`@`R-`BJ`Z2/AA0"5_A%&$'SMP\T(&T`E(B`,6 MB+""/H^L(4`$=7AA@`7V47>#`!0H`(,(%L07R0,^?&#*'[,HAXP;,OT!`#$& MV"$(&E7X,<--TY0!0P<3Y$;!(`#H(,4OD4"0@O\*:?S!@!\Q#!)`#B*`\(<= M4K3`@(F/-)""!WJ18>0!TS`@0A$#!&G`&X*H(584VE'S0`H&5"6""-Z=84`* M9$;2@`="_>%%$"E8*8@Y0_X115.-@+&&`V2DP4$;/A$0I`1/@4&!'T90\Y$/ M.D70YQ#_SPFP/D10AD@G-?%&@P9"DD?+/AAT!]R^).! M(!7XX8-%:E!A0)Q<+F)&D%0,DH85?I1(#1IUTO5,5VB\TT46O2C111BD:&#& M#,&"$4D?.OCQ@R`$"("G(')$Z,8?0AC01(#6AGR!,^3&K M1"E;P,$?>,APAEVT/$%IS'X$8((/5X"6B!<]D.#.'V?H5`2E&TS@00V"?)'R M%6`\8($2=Z<-Q@Y^_7:F#3%9@=T938B@U#1XF"0"!H5\L0`)$%`8S!A!6L"C M"G[PP(L4-B;R1L1S#,)<"P%\(8$/'E`09PPR0P"#`.&D/4@;)DA1@`9G\%'% M_V]!H6V$'TA00T#*/FA`"!H0&$",!VP%`X9)4EC]QQMX,;"%!TA"1!M4%91! MR*`7.-C#$WIALC/(`0Q4H+A!C"$&!BB7:@BQA_G)X0P`2T0H0-P""8$@N2!'.RA`JVQ M0?(*80,#0(`,07JE'E\@KX(-8@^M\0`+0F<(!S"$(!;\PQZ:U8L0+#-S#E!/ M"W+'&P>8B0H1T`!"!.$`'13`!2KX@+RD0*\_C$$!E_E#%PB``17DX`I%T``, MHC"$%"3@"1-Z1!H$8(.D#>(-P!.`&]+P`2F8H0_`T\$"0G$'*X3@`&@<0`V\ MQ@++N6">3HH!!:(`@#'$Q@,F*\0"8+H),"PP5X6@6E6^V(TPZD`Q@C")'VQ@ MB#-$(3Y@4,WS]+$ M/P3`"1IS1!V%#^;Z!PX0T!@O>:H%-O";L1&".7B*[!^V*H(" M>("K(:B#&V*2&VNI2@MN.,,>/PB!Z93!!P+81B/2<#%"A,$?'A!N%P0P@1QT M"XV9*$$+6)#7TY0++QZ@4!MH,00>`:47)"!D&6BK`@YZP;F@A<1M!,13"?2B MLHA8PV]:8-KW]*(`%OU#'"A0KAP$8`"X4:SM4*""WZ!@,<#[X``2(((/Z"`' MK9%)_PUHVRT-)`\"6C`C(1`@&^$R8@Y9'`0:+.`'>CPK-SIXZR?8(#\5%\(- M80S"'ECBL)B(``>"F$.0_.`"3Q@Q!QVCP#PKT"SZ04((3:"J%E[V$JJN21%Y MJ),6+M`'&H3`!RR@F@N^,((>G*``/M#!#2H1!W]<@0(#D9ELP#`&,7QA`R%8 ME!@S``83R$P)56`!"T)PACIDK8VO^PQ1'EY@I:P4T( M"O"$-&&/""6F@`Y(H($4D$`"E18$"#SP@94)H@@?\`"8"&&F=3OB"U9`@AR^ MP!(MU$\,<-!!:E!QA@\(8(Z""`,`<%`GF>C2#CY(P!WV4*X0=,$.`:ACIQ:@ M@!W@Y4[[_L,`0.#J?SRB"\[MA0X)<0:\%$$1"6:DS"@0Q(^@&."%\$(E;8GM M584A3AVG=2+&0$@Q-"NXAA@#=!=1!AY(85,BV)(7-J"`B!4@%<=.`"'$<+Y> M"&!%@^`5%+P0&S_DX00"()\`S!`&$LLF!EE+PAB\\1LIK"$V'V"&(\+X`3D< M`@95@7DA[.R!*^`F!2@(MR``@('_"C!@Z(D`PP'@D`'=(7.2]7O$'CK`65#H M8<>UE1D-J.`!R)P""WZ8`@8PD`6N[N0!/AY$T?VPAC^0500"B%AN4K`"@Q`N M-R*@@!MX3N(G0*(71""J<2_03T2(H0M6$[[V0@%J'S!@#!P80!F2-H<6K"L5 M;(AP;B(``?T9@BH&:$L(6J`"BYPA""HP@0)T)X8;I*P`H>L`;ESR"!30H/7+ M%XX".HIU0IC@"-6U"77P`"#P`,&$>'_@`#S``^?T!X*W"'>@`#@C",5"%KS! M"&,@=_GG$W>0;O17"``0`D8!#ZWC/JC@7$0P`%&A9RR8`"[0`1F@6AOX%5T@ M![4`!9`V_P@54'SC,`;JX7NHH`>797J9EQM%4`,N@'\S^!5N@'%5,((^\8/> M]PEX4`'$4%LC9`,8L`$Y0#ZUQ0,\N(0BH0(?C@``R>`D+0`$M`'O@!8>#,#)[@X>&*(9HP`6]H`)W0`PV M=(B0&(F%``8UT`LKT`4[(#$/*(F<:(@:@!O7QQ)UU8FD:(@<\"72%`!X@1VE MV(H;N$!H(0A`\$&N6(OYAP#%43^`%(NVV(OQX07-TA&0U!I;XXO&^!5K4`OG MQ!)#H(''^(P!`7I'0$8IT$?0>(WP`#5^P`2#$!M,A8W@*">U8&
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----