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CHERYL M. FOLEY, THOMAS and JANE WILNER, Charles and Mary Jackson and Kevin B. ALLEN, Individually and as Representatives of a Certified Class of Members, to Appoint a chapter 11 Trustee. The Debtor filed its voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. SSSS 101, et seq. (the "Bankruptcy
CHERYL M. FOLEY, THOMAS and JANE WILNER, Charles and Mary Jackson and Kevin B. ALLEN, Individually and as Representatives of a Certified Class of Members, to Appoint a chapter 11 Trustee. The Debtor filed its voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. SSSS 101, et seq. (the "Bankruptcy
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CHERYL M. FOLEY, THOMAS and JANE WILNER, Charles and Mary Jackson and Kevin B. ALLEN, Individually and as Representatives of a Certified Class of Members, to Appoint a chapter 11 Trustee. The Debtor filed its voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. SSSS 101, et seq. (the "Bankruptcy
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JOINDER OF THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORS TO MOTION OF CHERYL M. FOLEY, THOMAS WILNER, JANE WILNER, CHARLES JACKSON, MARY JACKSON AND KEVIN B. ALLEN, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS REPRESENTATIVES OF A CERTIFIED CLASS OF MEMBERS, TO APPOINT CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE
The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the "Committee") duly appointed in the above-captioned chapter 11 bankruptcy case (the "Bankruptcy Case") of Cordillera Golf Club, LLC (the "Debtor") hereby files its Joinder (this "Joinder") to the Motion Cheryl M. Foley, Thomas and Jane Wilner, Charles and Mary Jackson and Kevin B. Allen, Individually and As Representatives of a Certified Class of Members (collectively, the "Class Representatives"), to Appoint a Chapter 11 Trustee [Docket No. 235] (the "Motion"), and in support hereof would respectfully show the Court as follows: I. BACKGROUND 1. On June 26, 2012 ("Petition Date"), the Debtor filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware its voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. 101, et seq. (the Bankruptcy Code), thereby initiating its bankruptcy case (assigned Case No. 12-11893), with the Delaware Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page1 of 17 -2- Bankruptcy Court (the Bankruptcy Case). The Debtor remains in control of its business and affairs as a debtor-in-possession pursuant to sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code. 2. The Debtor is the owner and operator of "The Club at Cordillera" (the "Club"), located in Edwards, Colorado in Eagle County. 1 The Club is located within the Cordillera residential community in Edwards County and derives revenues through fees and dues related to Club memberships marketed to community residents and others. Fitchett Declaration, 5, 6, 8-12. 3. The sole, ultimate equity interest holder in the Club, Mr. David Wilhelm, is also alleged to be a secured creditor of the Debtor pursuant to a loan transaction dated as of June 23, 2010 ("Wilhelm Loan"). The Debtor disclosed that, as of the Petition Date, Wilhelm is purportedly owed approximately $7.5 million from the Debtor, and allegedly holds security interests and liens in and to the Debtors real and personal property to secure the repayment of those obligations. 2
4. In connection with the Wilhelm Loan, Mr. Wilhelm allegedly borrowed approximately $3.75 million from Dr. Jeffrey Rush, which obligations were guaranteed by the Debtor (the "Rush/Wilhelm Loan"). See Declaration of Christopher Celentino in Support of Application of the Debtor and Debtor in Possession for an Order Authorizing the Retention and
1 The Club includes three 18-hole golf courses, a short course, three tennis centers, fitness facilities, five indoor and outdoor pools, a summer camp with clubhouse for children, and riding, hiking and cross-country ski trails. See Declaration of Daniel L. Fitchett, Jr. in Support of Chapter 11 Petitions and First Day Relief [Docket No. 4] (Fitchett Declaration), 7. 2 See Emergency Motion of the Debtor for Entry of Interim and Final Orders Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 105, 361, 362, 363(c), 364(c), 364(d), and 364(e) and Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2002, 4001 and 9014 (i) Authorizing Debtor to Obtain Post-Petition Secured Financing, (ii) Granting Security Interest and Superpriority Administrative Expense Claims, (iii) Granting Adequate Protection to Pre-Petition Secured Parties, (iv) Authorizing the Use of Cash Collateral as Provided Herein, and (v) Scheduling a Final Hearing [Docket No. 59] ("DIP Financing Motion"), at 8-9. Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page2 of 17 -3- Employment of Foley & Lardner LLP as General Bankruptcy Counsel to the Debtor, Nunc Pro Tunc to the Petition Date [Docket No. 115] ("Celentino Declaration"), at 15. 5. As this Court is now aware, over the past several years, the Debtors relationship with its members, comprising its largest creditor constituency, has become significantly strained, resulting in ongoing litigation in Colorado State Courts. See Debtors Status Report as Requested by the Court [Docket No. 193] ("Status Report"), at p. 2; Motion filed by Class Representatives of a Certified Class of Members ("Member Class"), to Transfer Venue [Docket No. 69], at p. 2. 6. On July 16, 2012, following motions and supporting joinders filed by the Class Representatives, CPOA, Cordillera Metropolitan District, the Committee, and Alpine Bank, seeking to transfer venue of this case to this Court, the Delaware Bankruptcy Court entered its Order granting said relief. See also Docket Nos. 95, 116. 7. In transferring the Bankruptcy Case to this Court, Judge Sontchi found that, although the Debtor had properly chosen a valid forum, the facts applicable to the case demonstrated that the central focus of the Debtors case must be finding a resolution of the disputes with the members of the Club: The key issue in this case, the key problem in this caseis where do you find members.Well, this is where the litigation sort of touches on itI think its inexorably linked to the membership problem.you have the issue that theres obviously dissatisfaction and acrimony between members and management, whether thats a minority or majority. And the reality is.Where is the debtor going to get members? Well, its either going to members by reconciling with the dissenting members or going out and opening up the business and getting members from other locations in the vicinity. And thats a changeBut of course, theres ongoing litigation.
Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page3 of 17 -4- Transcript of Hearing Held July 16, 2012, Case No. 12-11893 (D. Del.), at pp. 205 [line 7] 206 [line 19]. As recognized by Judge Sontchi, the Debtors disputes with its membership are central to the Debtors financial difficulties, and any prospect that the Debtor may have to rehabilitate must repair or otherwise address the Debtors relationships with its members. 8. On July 24, 2012, the Class Representatives filed their Motion, asserting, inter alia, that cause exists in this case to immediately appoint a trustee on the alleged bases that: (i) Wilhelm intentionally defrauded the members of the Club by soliciting the payment of dues and premium membership fees with the promise of certain Club facilities and amenities, and which promises Wilhelm recanted after obtaining approximately $8 million in payments; (ii) Wilhelm has destroyed member confidence by causing the Debtor to sue several community organizations, including the CPOA, for over $92 million as part of a litigation tactic to force the members of Cordillera to buy out Mr. Wilhelm's interests in the Debtor; (iii) Wilhelm, his family members and related parties have diverted and/or misappropriated substantial sums from the Debtor for their personal benefit, including in violation of court orders, thereby demonstrating fraud and malfeasance; and (iv) the interests of the parties favor the appointment of a trustee in light of the "enormous acrimony that has arisen between Wilhelm and the entire Cordillera community," which animosity prevents any meaningful progress towards reorganization. See Motion, at 13-23, 26, 27, 41-43. II. JOINDER A. The Existing Animosity Between Management of the Debtor and the Debtors Creditor Groups Supports the Immediate Appointment of a Trustee 9. The Committee joins in the relief requested in the Motion filed by the Class Representatives. In so doing, the Committee stresses that, irrespective of the allegations of Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page4 of 17 -5- improper conduct by Wilhelm in the management of the Debtor, the obvious rancor and animosity existing among the Debtors members and Mr. Wilhelm constitutes an independent and fundamentally material cause to appoint a trustee on the basis that such appointment is in the best interests of the estate. 10. The Committee agrees with the Motion that the acrimony existing between Debtors management and the estates major or critical creditor constituents, constitutes independent cause for the appointment of a Trustee, irrespective of any allegations of improper conduct by Debtors management. As explained by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in In re Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc., 140 F.3d 463 (3d. Cir. 1998), animosity and acrimony among a Debtors management and its material creditor groups constitutes an independent basis to find cause for the mandatory appointment of a Trustee pursuant to section 1104 of the Bankruptcy Code, where these conflicts exceed the normal conflicts inherent in the debtor creditor relationship. Id., at 472-73. There, the Court of Appeals dealt with a very similar situation as here, where material groups of estate creditors had "deep-seeded" animosity towards the controlling equity interest holder of the debtor, as is the case here. Id., at 473. 11. While recognizing that matters arising under section 1104 are fact specific inquiries, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals held that such circumstances constitute cause under section 1104 where the Debtors controlling equity interest holder would be required to cause the debtor to evaluate its owner's interests and claims as part of a plan of rehabilitation an "awkward" dynamic resulting in creditors' lack of confidence that these controlling parties could act as estate fiduciaries. Id. (further explaining that cause exists to appoint a trustee where conflicts between creditors and management render management unable to resolve Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page5 of 17 -6- same). See also In re Cajun Elec. Power Coop., Inc., 74 F.3d 599, 600 (5th Cir. 1996) (adopting on rehearing the opinion of dissent in 69 F.3d at 751), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 808, 117 S.Ct. 51, 136 L.Ed.2d 15 (1996); In re Colorado-Ute Electric Ass'n, Inc., 120 B.R. 164, 176 (D. Colo. 1990) (conflict between cooperatives customers/members and board, combined with lack of creditor confidence were grounds for the appointment of a trustee). 3
12. Applying the foregoing authorities to the instant case reveals an archetypal case for the appointment of a trustee based on the acrimonious relationship between existing management ultimately controlled by Mr. Wilhelm and major estate creditors. As detailed hereinabove, there is no reasonable dispute that the Debtors relationship with its member "customers" is absolutely fundamental to the Debtors prospects for rehabilitation. It is no exaggeration to state that if the Debtor is to survive, this relationship must be repaired. 13. Yet, it is simultaneously clear that, irrespective of the allegations of improper conduct made by the Debtors' members, homeowners' association, and Class Representative creditors, there is simply no level of trust existing between the Debtors management and the vast majority of the Debtors members. 14. Even the Debtor has conceded that it is in need of an independent voice and spokesperson to correspond and interact with creditor members, and to essentially serve as a buffer between these creditors and management. See Supplement to Debtors Motion for an
3 The authorities supporting this proposition are legion. See In re United States Mineral Products Co., 105 F. App'x 428, 430 (3d. Cir. 2004) (bankruptcy court properly appointed trustee sua sponte based on contentiousness and acrimonious nature of the relationship among the parties, the lack of trust, [and] the lack of progress....); In re Celeritas Technologies, LLC, 446 B.R. 514, 519 (Bankr. D. Kan. 2011) ("Acrimony between debtor and creditor which impedes the reorganization effort is cause to appoint a Chapter 11 trustee."); In re Taub, 427 B.R. 208, 227- 28 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2010) (creditor acrimony with management, or lack of confidence in management's ability to appropriately progress restructuring, are each cause for trustee appointment); In re Eurospark Industries, Inc., 424 Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page6 of 17 -7- Order, Pursuant to Sections 105 and 363 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 6003, Authorizing and Approving (i) the Debtors Designation of Alfred H. Siegel as Chief Restructuring Officer, and (ii) Retention and Employment of Crowe Horwath, LLC, Nunc Pro Tunc to the Petition Date, filed on July 24, 2012 [Docket No. 230], at 13. 15. Furthermore, shortly before the Debtors Petition Date, Mr. Wilhelm also expressly conceded the proposition that the Debtors prospects for rehabilitation would be best served by new management in light of his acrimonious relationship with the Debtors members. In a letter to the Club's members dated February 21, 2012 ("Wilhelm Letter"), Mr. Wilhelm stated: I assume that you have received the letter from Jeff Rush, who will be the new Managing Partner of the Club at Cordillera.
I am writing for two reasons. First, to commend Jeff Rush for his efforts and commitments to contributing to the recapitalization of the Club, to assuming a controlling financial interest in the business, and to becoming the new Managing Member of the Club at Cordillera. Second, I want to affirm to you that as part of this recapitalization and restructuring, I (WFP) will become a limited partner and will have no authority, control, or involvement in the Clubs business.
It is my expectation that this change in ownership control, new business structure, and new leadership will help put the Club and the greater Cordillera community back on a positive track.
(emphasis supplied) 16. The correspondence from Mr. Rush that the Wilhelm Letter approvingly refers to, also dated February 21, 2012 ("Rush Letter"), specifically states that: After lengthy discussions and a great deal of soul searching, David Wilhelm has concluded (and I agree), that it is in the best interests of Cordillera,
B.R. 621, 632-33 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2010) (discussing management deadlock as independent, "no fault" basis for appointment of trustee); In re New Towne Development, LLC, 404 B.R. 140, 149 (Bankr. M.D. La. 2009) (same). Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page7 of 17 -8- David, and all involved if he steps down as the Managing Member of Cordillera Golf Club and pursues other interests. While this may seem like a difficult decision for David, in reality it is not. In the end, David is passionate about Cordillera and simply wants what is best for him and the Club. Given the current situation at Cordillera, there is more than enough blame to go around and arm chair quarterbacking and finger pointing at this point is unproductive. Similar to politics, sometimes a change in leadership is necessary.
As a result, David has agreed to resign as the Managing Member of Cordillera Golf ClubDavid will not have any ownership interest, voting interest or decision making authority in the management company. 4
(emphasis supplied)
17. True and correct copies of the Wilhelm and Rush Letters are attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. These letters reveal acknowledgements by Mr. Wilhelm and the Debtor that cause exists to install an experienced, independent fiduciary to manage the Debtors affairs, that can potentially harmonize the disparate views and acrimonious relationships between the Debtor and its member creditors. 18. Absent this relief, the Debtor, its members, the Committee and other parties in interest will be very hard pressed to obtain any significant progress in this Bankruptcy Case. As Mr. Rush added, speaking for the Debtor: with the desire, help, and support of the membership and the Community we can get the Club back on trackFour building blocks must all come together.
1) Establishing financial stability. 2) Seating and empowering a new management team. 3) Ending the legal and emotional turmoil. 4) Getting members back.
4 Obviously, Mr. Wilhelm subsequently changed his mind in relinquishing decision making authority over the Debtors affairs. Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page8 of 17 -9- B. The Debtors Continuing Financial Deterioration Supports the Immediate Appointment of a Trustee 19. The Debtors own financial projections previously submitted in this case for the one year (52-week) period following the Petition Date clearly demonstrate that the Debtors prospect for any reorganization is bleak. See Supplement Regarding Budget to Emergency Motion for Entry of Interim and Final Orders (I) Authorizing the Debtor to Obtain Post-Petition Secured Financing, (II) Granting Security Interests and Superpriority Administrative Expense Claims, (III) Granting Adequate Protection to Pre-Petition Secured Parties, (IV) Authorizing the Use of Cash Collateral as Provided Herein, and (V) Scheduling a Final Hearing [Docket No. 96], at Exh. A (the "DIP Budget"). A true and correct copy of the DIP Budget previously submitted in connection with the Debtors original proposed DIP financing is attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein by reference. 20. Under the previous DIP Budget, the Debtor projected initial cash of approximately $234,683.00. After drawing on the full proceeds of the $4.7 million financing the Debtor proposed, it projected that at the end of the 52-week period it would have approximately $215,055.00 in cash. However, there were no provisions for the repayment of this post-petition financing during the budget term, nor were there any provisions or funds set aside to pay down any principal or other secured debt obligations, to provide any form of adequate protection, or to provide for exit financing during the budget period. The DIP Budget further revealed that the Debtor would have virtually no funds available to make such payments or to fund and pursue other prospects for its reorganization once the budget period concluded. Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page9 of 17 -10- In other words, the Debtor projected that, ignoring the financing that the Debtor was proposing at the time, the Debtor expected to operate at a loss of $4,602,297.00 over the next year. 5
21. Furthermore, the Debtor inflated its projections in a number of respects. The Debtor included an unexplained $1.8 million "Capital Event" in the last week of the DIP Budget.
In addition, although the DIP Budget reflected the need to pay property taxes assessed for 2011 (in the amount of $431,890.00), it did not reflect any accrual or provision for the payment of 2012 property taxes that are currently accruing and will come due in 2013, or the provision for such property taxes that will continue to accrue during the budget period in 2013. 6
22. These continuing operational losses will simply result in a diminution of the value of the assets of this estate. The Debtors proposed Hail Mary solution of finding a capital source to either infuse new equity or recapitalize the Debtor reflects a complete lack of understanding or recognition that no capital source will invest in this Debtor in view of the Debtors continuing deteriorating financial condition and the rancor between the Debtor and its members. This gross mismanagement of the Debtor and the continuing losses constitutes an independent basis to appoint a Trustee in this case. C. Conclusion 23. This Debtors relationships with its members must be repaired. Regardless of whether the Debtor proposes a sale, refinancing, recapitalization or other restructuring
5 This $4,602,297.00 loss assumed that the Debtor will receive an unexplained $1.8 million capital event during the term of the DIP Budget. Without this so-called capital event, the loss balloons to in excess of $6.4 million. 6 A review of the Debtors more recent, limited post-petition budget applicable to the interim financing provided by Alpine Bank and approved by order of this Court on July 27, 2012 [Docket No. 270] ("Alpine Budget"), confirms these continuing concerns. Under the 35-day Alpine Budget, the Debtor projects initial cash of approximately $234,683.00. After drawing on the projected interim financing in the amount of $225,000.00, at the end of the 35- day period, the Debtor projects that it will have approximately $36,727.00 in cash. The Alpine Budget reflects the same concerns as the original DIP Budget. Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page10 of 17 -11- approach, any reorganization will fail absent member support. For this case to succeed, the members must return. However, the major creditor constituents of this case have clearly signaled that they want nothing to do with the Debtor so long as Mr. Wilhelm is perceived as being at the helm. This acrimony is impairing the Debtors ability to promote its restructuring and constitutes cause for the immediate appointment of a trustee. Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page11 of 17 -12- Dated August 7, 2012. HOLLAND & HART LLP Respectfully submitted,
s/Risa Lynn Wolf-Smith Risa Lynn Wolf-Smith, #15835 Clarissa M. Raney, #40374 HOLLAND & HART LLP 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3200 Denver, Colorado 80202 Telephone: 303-295-8000 Facsimile: 303-295-8261 rwolf@hollandhart.com cmraney@hollandhart.com
-and-
MUNSCH HARDT KOPF & HARR, P.C. Russell L. Munsch (admitted PHV) Texas Bar No. 14671500 Joseph J. Wielebinski (admitted PHV) Texas Bar No. 21432400 Jay H. Ong (admitted PHV) Texas Bar No. 24028756 Zachery Z. Annable (admitted PHV) Texas Bar No. 24053075 3800 Lincoln Plaza 500 N. Akard Street Dallas, Texas 75201-6659 Telephone (214) 855-7500 Facsimile (214) 978-4335
ATTORNEYS FOR THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORS
Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page12 of 17 -13- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned hereby certifies that, on August 7, 2012, in addition to service via the Court's CM/ECF system, she personally caused to be served a true and correct copy of this filed document, to be served, via First Class U.S. Mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed, on the parties shown on the attached service list.
Arthur J. Abramowitz, Esq. Cozen O'Connor, PC LibertyView, Suite 300 457 Haddonfield Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 Zachery Z. Annable, Esq. Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. 3800 Lincoln Plaza 500 N. Akard Street Dallas, Texas 75201-6659 Garry R. Appel, Esq. Appel & Lucas, P.C. 1660 17th Street, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80202 Joseph M. Barry, Esq. Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP Rodney Square 1000 North King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 William P. Bowden, Esq. Ashby & Geddes, P .A. 500 Delaware avenue, 8th Floor P.O. Box 1150 Wilmington, DE 19899 Donald J. Bowman, Esq. Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP Rodney Square 1000 North King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 Brad W. Breslau, Esq. Cozen O'Connor, PC 707 17th Street, Suite 3100 Denver, CO 80202 Mikel Bistrow, Esq. Foley Lardner LLP 402 W. Broadway, Suite 2100 San Diego, CA 92101 Travis G. Buchanan, Esq. Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP 1000 N. King St. Wilmington, DE 19801 Peter A. Cal, Esq. Sherman & Howard L.L.C. 633 17th Street, Suite 3000 Denver, CO 80202 Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page13 of 17 -14- Kathryn M.S. Catherwood, Esq. Foley & Lardner LLP 402 W. Broadway, Ste. 2100 San Diego, CA 92101-3542 Christopher Celentino, Esq. Foley Lardner LLP 402 W. Broadway, Suite 2100 San Diego, CA 92101 Service Via e-mail and ECF Shaun A. Christensen, Esq. Appel & Lucas, P.C. 1660 17th Street, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80202 Tobey M. Daluz, Esq. Ballard Spahr LLP 919 N. Market Street, 11th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 Carl A. Eklund, Esq. Ballard Spahr, LLP 1225 17th Street, Suite 2300 Denver, CO 80202 Mark L. Fulford, Esq. Sherman & Howard L.L.C. 633 17th Street, Suite 3000 Denver, CO 80202 James J. Holman, Esq. Duane Morris LLP 30 South 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 Ericka F. Johnson, Esq. Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP 222 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1501 Wilmington, DE 19801 Kristi A. Katsma, Esq. Dickinson Wright PLLC 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000 Detroit, MI 48226 Benjamin W. Keenan, Esq. Ashby & Geddes, P.A. 500 Delaware Avenue P.O. Box 1150 Wilmington DE 19899 Michael S. Kogan, Esq. Kogan Law Firm, APC 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1050 Los Angeles, CA 90067 David L. Lenyo, Esq. Garfield & Hecht, P.C. 601 E. Hyman Ave. Aspen, CO 81611 Vincent J. Marriott, III, Esq. Ballard Spahr, LLP 1735 Market Street, 51st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Melissa Maxman, Esq. Cozen O'Connor, PC 1627 I Street, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page14 of 17 -15- Dawn Messick, Esq. Foley & Lardner LLP 402 W. Broadway, Suite 2100 San Diego, CA 92101 Mark Minuti, Esq. Saul Ewing LLP 222 Delaware Ave., Ste. 1200 Wilmington, DE 19899 Erika L. Morabito, Esq. Foley Lardner LLP 3000 K Street, N.W., Suite 600 Washington, DC 20007 Paul Moss, Esq. Office of U.S. Trustee 999-18th Street, Ste. 1551 Denver, CO 80202 Russell L. Munsch, Esq. Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. 3800 Lincoln Plaza 500 N. Akard Street Dallas, Texas 75201-6659 Brittany J. Nelson, Esq. Foley Lardner LLP 3000 K Street, N.W., Suite 600 Washington, DC 20007 Jay H. Ong, Esq. Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. Frost Bank Tower 401 Congress Avenue, Suite 3050 Austin, Texas 78701-4071 Ricardo Palacio, Esq. Ashby & Geddes, P .A. 500 Delaware Avenue, 8th Floor P.O. Box 1150 Wilmington, DE 19899 Jon T. Pearson, Esq. Ballard Spahr 100 North City Parkway, Suite 1750 Las Vegas, NV 89106-4617 Richard W. Riley, Esq. Duane Morris LLP 222 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1600 Wilmington, DE 19801-1659 Matthew J. Riopelle Foley & Lardner LLP 402 W. Broadway, Ste. 2100 San Diego, CA 92101-3542 Harlan W. Robins, Esq. Dickinson Wright PLLC 15 N. 4th Street Columbus, OH 43215 Sara Schindler-Williams, Esq. Ballard Spahr, LLP 1735 Market Street, 51st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 Harvey Sender, Esq. Sender & Wasserman, P.C. 1660 Lincoln St., Ste. 2200 Denver, CO 80264 Service Via e-mail and ECF Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page15 of 17 -16- Zachary I. Shapiro, Esq. Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. One Rodney Square 920 N. King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 Darnien Tancredi, Esq. Cozen O'Connor, PC 1201 N. Market Street, Suite 1400 Wilmington, DE 19801 Ann Marie Uetz, Esq. Foley & Lardner LLP One Detroit Center 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 2700 Detroit, Michigan 48226-3489 David V. Wadsworth, Esq. Sender & Wasserman, P.C. 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 2200 Denver, CO 80264 Matthew P. Ward, Esq. Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP 222 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1501 Wilmington, DE 19801 Gregory W. Werkheiser, Esq. Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP 1201 N. Market St., 18th Floor P.O. Box 1347 Wilmington, DE 19899-1347 Ronald Wick, Esq. Cozen O'Connor, PC 1627 I Street, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 Joseph J. Welebinski, Esq. Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. 3800 Lincoln Plaza 500 N. Akard Street Dallas, Texas 75201-6659 Joshua E. Zugerman, Esq. Ballard Spahr LLP 919 N. Market Street, 11th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 Dan White Cordillera Golf Club, LLC 97 Main Street, Suite E202 Edwards, CO 81632 Centralized Insolvency Section 2970 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Colorado Department of Revenue Attn: Bankruptcy Unit 1375 Sherman Street, Room 1375 Denver, CO 80261 Internal Revenue Service Centralized Insolvency Section P.O. Box 7346 Philadelphia, PA 19101-7346 Internal Revenue Service Department of Treasury Ogden, UT 84201-0030 Internal Revenue Service Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page16 of 17 -17- George S. Canellos, Regional Director Securities & Exchange Commission New York Office 3 World Financial Center, Suite 400 New York, NY 10281-1022 Securities & Exchange Commission Central Regional Office Attn: Office of General Counsel (Bankruptcy) 1801 California Street, Suite 1500 Denver, CO 80202 Secretary of State Division of Corporations Franchise Tax John G. Townsend Building 401 Federal Street- Suite 4 P.O. Box 898 Dover, DE 19903 Secretary of Treasury 820 Silver Lake Boulevard, Suite 100 P.O. Box 7040 Dover, DE 19903
August 7, 2012 s/Lela Lopez Velasquez Lela Lopez Velasquez
Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341-1 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page1 of 4 Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341-1 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page2 of 4
February 21 1 2012 Dear Cordillera Club Members and Property Owners} I assume that you have received the letter from Jeff Rush 1 who will be the new Managing Partner of the Club at Cordillera. I am writing for two reasons. First} to commend Jeff Rush for his efforts and commitments to contributing to the recapitalization of the Club} to assuming a controlling financial interest in the business} and to becoming the new Managing Member of the Club at Cordillera. Second} I want to affirm to you that as part of this recapitalization and restructuring} I (WFP) will become a limited partner and will have no authority} control} or involvement in the Club 1 s business. It is my expectation that this change in ownership control} new business structure} and new leadership will help put the Club and the greater Cordillera community back on a positive track. Towards that end} on behalf of myself and WFP 1 I am reiterating and reconfirming my offer to your elected officials to dismiss the lawsuits against the CTC and the CPOA under the general terms and conditions which will be submitted forthwith to the respective governing Boards. I am looking forward to moving on with my life and concentrating on my Wind Rose development enterprises. On my part} I will do everything possible to get this litigation settled satisfactorily so that the Community can become reunited in a positive and forward moving manner. Most respectfully} David Wilhelm PO BOX ')88 0097 \I N I 202 CO 8 1631 t: 970. 569.6480 J : 970. 926 .5934 11': Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341-1 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page3 of 4 February 21, 2012
Dear Cordillera Members and Property Owners, Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Jeffrey L. Rush. I am a retired radiologist based in southern California, with offices in both Los Angeles and San Diego. I am, primarily, a real estate developer, having successfully developed many millions of square feet of commercial medical and office buildings. You will see that I have a long history of both developing, as well as investing in, high profile real estate projects. I am also an avid golfer and spend much of my summer at the Roaring Fork Club and at Mayacama. I have made many visits to the Club at Cordillera and believe it to be one of the most spectacular Club/Community complexes in the country. Regarding Cordillera, it is important to make it clear to everyone up front that David Wilhelm and I have been and remain close friends. I consider David to be one of the most creative individuals in the golf and resort industry and a true visionary. Over the years, through one or more investment vehicles, I have made a number of significant investments in David Wilhelm's properties, including Cordillera. As a result of my investment in Cordillera, I am currently a limited partner in the Club. As such, I have not only an emotional attachment to Cordillera but also a financial stake in its future. David and I have discussed at length the future of Cordillera and what is best for the Club and for David personally. After lengthy discussions and a great deal of soul searching, David Wilhelm has concluded (and I agree), that it is in the best interests of Cordillera, David, and all involved if he steps down as the Managing Member of Cordillera Golf Club and pursues other interests. While this may seem like a difficult decision for David, in reality it is not. In the end, David is passionate about Cordillera and simply wants what is best for him and the Club. Given the current situation at Cordillera, there is more than enough blame to go around and arm chair quarterbacking and finger pointing at this point is unproductive. Similar to politics, sometimes a change in leadership is necessary. As a result, David has agreed to resign as the Managing Member of Cordillera Golf Club. A new management company is being created to assume the role of Managing Member of Cordillera Golf Club. I will control and own this new management company and, in effect, will be the Managing Member of the Club. David will not have any ownership interest, voting interest or decision making authority in the management company. We will also be restructuring David's equity interest in Cordillera. As most of you know, the Wilhelm family has made a substantial investment in Cordillera. It is not appropriate for David to walk away from this investment. Accordingly, as part of this restructure, David's investment in Cordillera Golf Club will be converted to what is effectively a limited partnership, non-voting interest. While David will continue to retain his investment in Cordillera (and therefore will have a keen interest in the future success of Cordillera), David will not have any voting interest or decision making authority in Club operations. Once the full restructure documents have been finalized, then everyone can be advised of the relative rights and obligations of the parties. PO GO X 9 88 oo<r I N r l - l tl l CO 8 1632 r: 970.569.5480 ff 970.926. 5934 "'I Case:12-24882-ABC Doc#:341-1 Filed:08/07/12 Entered:08/07/12 15:52:55 Page4 of 4 Turning to the atmosphere at Cordillera, there is no way to put a positive spin on the situation. It is an absolute mess. I applaud David for keeping the project out of Bankruptcy. Nevertheless, this is a true work out and total restructuring project from every possible angle. However, one thing needs to be made perfectly clear to everyone - I cannot and will not make any promises concerning the future of Cordillera. In fact, if you are a person of integrity, it is impossible to make any such promises. Much damage has been done and there are many problems which have to be solved. Having said that, I am very confident that with the desire, help, and support of the membership and the Community we can get the Club back on track and return it to its former stature as a very special Club/Community. Too much is at stake for everyone if we do not recognize this. But time is absolutely of the essence. Four building blocks must all come together quickly if we are to have a viable Club for the 2012 season which is just several short weeks away: 1. Establishing financial stability. I can announce that we have an agreement in principle with Alpine to restructure and extend the club's debt on terms which are most favorable to the Club. The terms involve a substantial pay down of the principal which I have agreed to make. This will ensure that the Club is on a firm financial foundation and, most important, that it is i n no danger of Bankruptcy or foreclosure. 2. Seating and empowering a new management team. I am in the final process of hiring a very experienced CEO who will direct all operations of the Club. I expect to announce and present him to you as quickly as possible, at which time he wil l meet with members of the Cordillera governing Boards and groups of Club members to review with them our strategic and operational plans. Our overarching strategy wi ll be to run Cordillera as a prudent business enterprise. 3. Ending the legal and emotional turmoil. There will be no Club without peace. Toward that end, on behalf of the Club, I am offering to dismiss all lawsuits against the CTC and the CPOA. I can represent to you that WFP has agreed to do the same. Under separate cover to this letter, I and David Wilhelm will deliver a formal proposal to the CPOA and the CMD to dismiss the litigation. 4. Getting members back. This can happen only in an atmosphere where 1, 2, and 3 above have been resolved. I am hopeful that the steadfast members, who wish to have the Club and their investments survive and prosper, wil l see the wisdom in returning. The building blocks above are sequential. 1 and 2 have been set in place. I am confident that 3 and 4 can come together within the next couple of weeks. For all our sakes, let's hope so. Without all4 there can be no Cordillera. I will keep you apprised as developments occur. Most sincerely, Dr. Jeffery Rush 2
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