pre14a
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 þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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:
SEC 1913 (04-04) |
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Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 7, 2006
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting (the Meeting) of the stockholders of MVC
Capital, Inc. (the Fund) will be held at the offices of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third
Avenue, New York, NY 10022, on September 7, 2006, 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time) for the following
purposes:
1. to elect five nominees to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Fund
(Proposal 1);
2. to approve an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement between the Fund and The Tokarz
Group Advisers LLC (Proposal 2 and, collectively with Proposal 1, the Proposals); and
3. to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
The Proposals are discussed in greater detail in the Proxy Statement attached to this Notice.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on July 17, 2006 are entitled to receive notice of
and to vote at the Meeting. Each stockholder is invited to attend the Meeting in person. If you
cannot be present at the Meeting, we urge you to mark, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed
Proxy Card so that the Meeting can be held and a maximum number of shares may be voted. If you
received more than one Proxy Card, please be sure to mark, sign, date and return each one.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXY CARDS BE RETURNED PROMPTLY.
If you do not expect to attend the Meeting, you are urged to mark, sign, date and return
without delay the enclosed Proxy Card(s) in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if
mailed in the United States, so that your shares may be represented at the Meeting. Instructions
for the proper execution of the Proxy Card(s) are set forth at the end of the attached Proxy
Statement. Instructions for telephone and Internet voting (which may be available to you) are set
forth on the enclosed Proxy Card.
A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by the subsequent execution and
submission of a revised proxy, by giving written notice of revocation to the Fund at any time
before the proxy is exercised or by voting in person at the Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Michael Tokarz |
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Chairman |
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________, 2006 |
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287 Bowman Avenue |
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2nd Floor |
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Purchase, NY 10577 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Questions and Answers
At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held on September 7, 2006, you will
have the opportunity to vote on proposals relating to the Fund. We recommend that you carefully
read the attached Proxy Statement, which describes the proposals in detail. The following
Questions and Answers are provided for your convenience.
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What issues am I being asked to vote on at the upcoming meeting on September 7, 2006? |
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You are being asked to vote on the following two proposals: |
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To elect five nominees to serve as members of the Board; and |
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To approve an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement between the Fund and
The Tokarz Group Advisers LLC (TTG Advisers) (the Advisory Agreement). |
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Why am I being asked to vote on the Advisory Agreement? |
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Over the past several months, the Fund has been presented with a number of opportunities to
manage and invest in various private investment funds and offshore enterprises. However,
under its current internal management structure, due to the regulatory and tax constraints on
the Funds activities (because of its status as a business development company and a
regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), the Fund
is restricted in its ability to participate in many of these opportunities. |
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Accordingly, the Board, in conjunction with management, has been working to develop a
structure that would allow the Fund and stockholders to benefit from a broader range of
investment and management opportunities. After weighing the options available to the Fund
and giving careful consideration to the unique nature of the Fund, including its investment
objective and strategy, its status as a business development company and the associated
regulatory and tax constraints, management proposed that the Board consider externalizing
the Funds management. The Board considered, among other things, the Funds current
internal structure and the complex web of statutory and regulatory restrictions that limit
the Funds ability to participate in various opportunities. The Board concluded that an
externalized structure could better position the Fund to capture additional opportunities
for stockholders. |
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As a result, at an in-person meeting held on May 30, 2006, the Board, including all of the
independent directors (Mr. Tokarz recused himself from the determination), unanimously
approved the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and TTG Advisers which provides for an
external management structure for the Fund. |
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The Board, including all of the independent directors, recommends that you vote
"FOR the approval of the Advisory Agreement. The 1940 Act prohibits
implementation of the externalization unless stockholders approve the Advisory Agreement. |
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What are the benefits of retaining TTG Advisers as the Funds investment adviser? |
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The Board believes that the externalization of the Funds management and the retention of TTG
Advisers as the Funds investment adviser offers a number of potential benefits for the Fund
and stockholders, including, for example: |
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Increased Opportunities The potential for increased access to investment
opportunities as a result of the increased activities, visibility and resources of
the Funds management team; |
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The Retention and Attraction of Quality Talent A greater ability for the
Funds management team to attract and retain the high caliber of talent from which
the Fund has been accustomed to receive services during the past two fiscal years; |
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Mr. Tokarzs Continued Service to the Fund The Advisory Agreement provides
for Mr. Tokarzs continued management of the Funds portfolio for at least another
two years. The Fund has enjoyed significant growth and strong performance during
Mr. Tokarzs service to the Fund. Although past performance is no guarantee of
future results, the Board believes that Mr. Tokarz and his team have demonstrated
a strong commitment to pursuing the Funds |
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investment objective and it would thus
be beneficial for the Fund to retain TTG Advisers (which is controlled exclusively
by Mr. Tokarz) as the Funds investment adviser; |
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Continuity of Management It is currently expected that all of the current
employees of the Fund (including the Funds investment professionals) will join
TTG Advisers and will continue to provide services to the Fund upon implementation
of the Advisory Agreement. Thus, implementation of the Advisory Agreement should
not disrupt the current management of the Fund; and |
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The Spin-Off The Advisory Agreement provides for the pursuit of a spin-off
of a subsidiary of the Fund to all of our stockholders (on a pro-rata basis) (the
Spin-Off). It is contemplated that this subsidiary would, together with TTG
Advisers, own the manager and/or general partner (or managing member) of private
investment funds and other vehicles. As a result, our stockholders, as
stockholders of the spun-off subsidiary, would have the opportunity to participate
in a portion of the revenues generated by these vehicles. |
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In short, the Board believes that the proposed externalized structure positions the Fund for continued growth and benefits
stockholders. |
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Is there additional information available describing the contemplated Spin-Off? |
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Yes, to some extent. The attached Proxy Statement, under the section entitled Terms of the Advisory Agreement The
Spin-Off of a Subsidiary and Opportunities to Manage Other Entities contains some further information regarding the
Spin-Off, including an illustration depicting the contemplated structure following the Spin-Off. It is important to bear
in mind that details regarding the Spin-Off are still being worked on and, as a result, the Board has not yet considered or
approved the specific terms of the Spin-Off. If approved, it is expected that the material terms of the Spin-Off will be
disclosed in a registration statement filed with the SEC. It is possible that the Board may determine not to proceed with
the Spin-Off. In this event, the Advisory Agreement would nevertheless be implemented (assuming stockholders approve it)
and the Fund and the stockholders may not have an opportunity to participate in the revenues generated by private
investment funds managed by TTG Advisers. |
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What are the fees proposed to be paid to TTG Advisers under the Advisory Agreement? |
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Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund would pay TTG Advisers a fee for investment advisory and management services
consisting of two componentsa base management fee (generally, 2% of total assets less cash and investments not made in
portfolio companies) and an incentive fee. The incentive fee will consist of two parts: (i) one part will be based on our
pre-incentive fee net investment income; and (ii) the other part will be based on the capital gains received on our
portfolio of securities acquired after November 1, 2003. These compensation components are described, in detail, in the
attached Proxy Statement under Terms of the Advisory Agreement. |
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What impact would the implementation of the Advisory Agreement have on proposed expenses? |
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Uncertain. Had the Advisory Agreement been in effect during the most recent completed fiscal
year (2005), the Funds expense ratio (at October 31, 2005, the last completed fiscal year)
would have been 3.35%1 instead of 3.75% under the current internal management
structure. Whether expenses increase in future periods depends on a number of factors that
are difficult to predict including, for example: (i) the amount of total assets of the Fund;
(ii) the amount of assets that would be held in cash and portfolio company investments; (iii)
the amount of assets that will be invested pursuant to the Funds investment strategy; and
(iv) the amount of operating expenses (excluding advisory fees) that are incurred by the Fund. |
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In an effort to achieve some certainty with regard to the Funds expenses, for each of the
next two full fiscal years (i.e., fiscal 2007 and 2008), TTG Advisers has agreed to absorb
or reimburse operating expenses of the Fund (promptly following the completion of such
year), to the extent necessary to limit the Funds Expense Ratio
(as defined on page 19 of
the attached Proxy Statement) for any such year to 3.25% (the Expense Cap); provided,
however, if, on October 31, 2007, the Funds net assets have not increased by at least 5%
from October 31, 2006, the dollar value of the Expense Cap shall increase by |
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Assuming a base management fee of 2% and including expenses accrued under the incentive fee. |
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5% for fiscal
2008. The Expense Cap is described, in detail, in the attached Proxy Statement under Terms
of the Advisory Agreement Payment of our expenses. |
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How will the appointment of TTG Advisers as the Funds investment adviser affect management
of the Fund? |
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Although the externalization involves a restructuring of the Fund, if implemented, the
Advisory Agreement should not disrupt the continued management of the Fund by Mr. Tokarz and
his team. It is expected that the present investment selection process would continue and
that TTG Advisers would seek to provide the Fund with at least the same level, quality and
nature of services currently being provided by Mr. Tokarz and his team. In fact, it is
currently expected that all of the current employees of the Fund (including the Funds
investment professionals) will join TTG Advisers and will continue to provide services to the
Fund upon implementation of the Advisory Agreement. |
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Will Mr. Tokarz continue to be the Funds Portfolio Manager? |
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Mr. Tokarz has agreed to serve as the Funds Portfolio Manager for the twenty four full
calendar months following the effective date of the Advisory Agreement, subject to certain
agreed upon conditions. |
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When would the Advisory Agreement take effect if approved by stockholders? |
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If stockholders approve the Advisory Agreement at the Meeting (or an adjournment thereof),
the agreement would take effect on the later of: (i) November 1, 2006; or (ii) the effective
date of the registration of TTG Advisers as an investment adviser with the SEC. At that time,
the internal management of the Funds portfolio will automatically cease. |
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What happens if stockholders do not approve the Advisory Agreement? |
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If stockholders do not approve the Advisory Agreement at the Meeting (or an adjournment
thereof), the Board and Mr. Tokarz would consider alternative courses of action. In this
event, the Board will also consider ceasing pursuit of the Spin-Off. |
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What happens to the Funds current agreement with Mr. Tokarz if the Advisory Agreement is
implemented? |
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Immediately upon the effective date of the Advisory Agreement, Mr. Tokarzs employment
agreement with the Fund, dated November 1, 2003, as extended on October 31, 2005, will be
terminated. The obligations of the Fund under the employment agreement would be superseded by
those under the Advisory Agreement. |
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How can I vote my shares? |
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Whether or not you attend the Meeting, you may vote by using one of the following options: |
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By mail: Mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return in the
enclosed envelope; |
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By fax: Mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and fax both sides of the
card to ___. Do not mail the paper proxy card; |
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By phone: Call ___to vote by phone. Have your control number (located
on the signature side of the enclosed proxy card) available for reference. The
automatic system will prompt you on how to vote. Do not mail the paper proxy
card; or |
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By internet: Log on to ___. Have your control number (located on the
signature side of the enclosed proxy card) available for reference. The system
will prompt you on how to vote. Do not mail the paper proxy card. |
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If you attend the Meeting, you may vote in person. |
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Whom should I call for additional information? |
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Please call the Funds investor relations department at (914) 510-9400. |
3
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2006
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, New York 10577
(914) 510-9400
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors (the Board) of MVC Capital, Inc. (the Fund) for use at the annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Fund (the Meeting), to be held at the offices of Schulte Roth & Zabel
LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, on September 7, 2006, 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time), and at
any adjournment thereof. This Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, and the enclosed Proxy Card(s) are expected to be mailed on or about July 24, 2006.
A Proxy Card that is properly executed and returned to the Fund prior to the Meeting will be
voted as provided therein at the Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. A proxy may be revoked at
any time before it is exercised by the subsequent execution and submission of a revised proxy, by
giving written notice of revocation to the Fund at any time before the proxy is exercised or by
voting in person at the Meeting. Signing and mailing a Proxy Card will not affect your right to
give a later proxy or to attend the Meeting and vote your shares in person.
The Board intends to bring before the Meeting the two proposals that are set forth in the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and that is described in this Proxy Statement. The
persons named as proxies on the enclosed Proxy Card will vote all shares represented by proxies in
accordance with the instructions of stockholders as specified on the Proxy Card. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy card with respect to shares of
common stock held in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in street name),
but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received voting instructions
from the beneficial owner nor does it have discretionary power to vote on a particular matter.
Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares held in street name,
brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters.
For example, the election of directors is a routine matter while the proposal to approve the
Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with The Tokarz Group Advisers LLC (TTG Advisers) is
a non-routine matter.
With respect to the election of each nominee to serve as a member of the Board (Proposal No.
1), abstentions and broker non-votes will not have any effect on the outcome of Proposal No. 1.
With respect to the proposal to approve the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement with TTG
Advisers (Proposal No. 2), abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a negative
vote on the outcome of Proposal No. 2.
In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, officers or employees of the Fund may solicit
proxies by telephone, telegraph or in person, without special compensation. The Fund may retain a
proxy solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies, for which the Fund would pay usual and
customary fees.
Most beneficial owners whose shares are held in street name will receive voting instruction
forms from their banks, brokers or other agents, rather than the Funds Proxy Card. A number of
banks and brokerage firms are participating in a program that offers a means to grant proxies to
vote shares via the Internet or by telephone. If your shares are held in an account with a bank or
broker participating in this program, you may grant a proxy to vote those shares via the Internet
or telephonically by using the website or telephone number shown on the instruction form provided
to you by your broker or bank.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 17, 2006 (the Record Date) are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On the Record Date, ___shares of the
Fund were outstanding.
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Each stockholder of record on the Record Date is entitled to one vote for each share held.
In the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof, or in
the event that a quorum is present at the Meeting but sufficient votes to approve a proposal are
not received, one or more adjournments of the Meeting may be proposed to permit further
solicitation of proxies. A stockholder vote may be taken with respect to the Fund on some or all
matters before any such adjournment if a quorum is present and sufficient votes have been received
for approval. Any adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy.
The Funds Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 has
previously been furnished to the stockholders of the Fund. The report is not to be regarded as
proxy-soliciting material. A copy of the Funds Annual Report is available on the Funds website
at www.mvccapital.com and may be obtained without charge, by writing to the Fund at 287 Bowman
Avenue, 2nd Floor, Purchase, New York 10577, or by calling the Fund at (914) 510-9400.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, stockholders will vote on a proposal to elect five nominees to serve as
directors of the Fund (Directors). The nominees include Emilio Dominianni, Gerald Hellerman,
Robert Knapp, William Taylor and Michael Tokarz. Each nominee currently is a member of the Board.
The persons named as proxies on the enclosed Proxy Card intend, in the absence of contrary
instructions, to vote all proxies they are entitled to vote in favor of the election of the five
nominees named above to serve as the Directors. Each of the nominees has consented to stand for
election and to serve if elected. If elected, a nominee will serve for a term of one year until
the next annual meeting of stockholders after his election. If any nominee should be unable to
serve, an event that is not now anticipated, the persons named as proxies will vote for such
replacement nominee as may be recommended by the presently serving Directors.
Information regarding the nominees and the officers of the Fund, including brief biographical
information, is set forth below.
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(5) |
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Number |
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of Portfolios |
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(3) |
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in Fund |
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(6) |
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Term |
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Complex |
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Other |
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(2) |
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of Office/ |
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Overseen by |
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Directorships |
(1) |
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Positions(s) |
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Length of |
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(4) |
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Director or |
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Held by Director |
Name, Address |
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Held with |
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Time |
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Principal Occupation(s) |
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Nominee for |
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or Nominee for |
and Age |
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the Fund |
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Served |
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During Past 5 Years |
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Director |
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Director |
Nominees for Independent Directors |
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Emilio Dominianni
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 74
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Director
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1 year/3 years, 3
months
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Mr. Dominianni is a
retired Partner of,
and was Special
Counsel to Coudert
Brothers LLP, a law
firm. He is currently
a Director of Stamm
International
Corporation, Powrmatic
Inc., and Powrmatic of
Canada Ltd.,
manufacturers and
distributors of
heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning
equipment. He was a
Director of American
Air Liquide Inc., Air
Liquide International
Corporation, and a
Consultant to Air
Liquide America Corp.,
all manufacturers and
distributors of
industrial gases, and
Mouli Manufacturing
Corp., a distributor
of kitchen and
household products.
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None(1)
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See column 4 |
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Gerald Hellerman
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
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Director
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1 year/3 years, 3
months
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Mr. Hellerman has been
the Principal of
Hellerman Associates,
a financial and
corporate
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None(1)
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See column 4 |
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(5) |
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Number |
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of Portfolios |
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(3) |
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in Fund |
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(6) |
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Term |
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Complex |
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Other |
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(2) |
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of Office/ |
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Overseen by |
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Directorships |
(1) |
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Positions(s) |
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Length of |
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(4) |
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Director or |
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Held by Director |
Name, Address |
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Held with |
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Time |
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Principal Occupation(s) |
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Nominee for |
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or Nominee for |
and Age |
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the Fund |
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Served |
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During Past 5 Years |
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Director |
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Director |
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 68
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consulting
firm, since the firms
inception in 1993. He
is currently a
Director of The Mexico
Equity and Income
Fund, Inc., a Director
and President of
Innovative Clinical
Solutions, Ltd., a
company formerly
engaged in clinical
trials and physician
network management
which is currently in
liquidation, a
Director of FNC Realty
Corporation which is
developing and
operating owned
properties and a
Director of AirNet
Systems Inc. Mr.
Hellerman is presently
serving as
Manager-Investment
Advisor for a U.S.
Department of Justice
Settlement Trust. Mr.
Hellerman has served
as a Trustee or
Director of Third
Avenue Value Trust, a
Trustee of Third
Avenue Variable Series
Trust, a Director of
Clemente Global Growth
Fund, Inc. and a
Director of Brantley
Capital Corporation. |
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Robert
Knapp
Millenco, L.P.
666 Fifth Avenue,
8th Floor
New York, NY 10103
Age: 39
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Director
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1 year/3 years, 3
months
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Mr. Knapp is a
Managing Director of
Millennium Partners
where he specializes
in mis-priced assets,
turnaround situations,
and closed end fund
arbitrage. He also is
a Director of the
Vietnam Opportunity
Fund, a Cayman Islands
private equity fund
listed on the London
Stock Exchange, for
which Millennium acted
as seed investor.
Formerly he served as
a director for the
First Hungary Fund, a
Channel Islands
private equity fund,
and as a Director of
the Vietnam Frontier
Fund, a Cayman Islands
investment company.
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None(1)
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See column 4 |
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William Taylor
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 63
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Director
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3 months
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Mr. Taylor is a
Certified Public
Accountant and is
currently a Director
of Northern Illinois
University Foundation
and a Trustee of
Writers Theatre. From
1976 through May,
2005, Mr. Taylor was a
Partner at Deloitte &
Touche. From 1997 to
2001 Mr. Taylor was a
Director of Deloitte &
Touche USA and from
1999 to 2003 Mr.
Taylor was a Director
of Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu.
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None(1)
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See column 4 |
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Officer and Nominee
for Interested
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Tokarz(2)
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
|
|
Director,
Chairman, and
|
|
1 year/2 years
and 7 months |
|
Mr. Tokarz currently
serves as Chairman and
Portfolio Manager of
the Fund. Mr. Tokarz
also is
|
|
None(1)
|
|
See column 4 |
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Portfolios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
in Fund |
|
(6) |
|
|
|
|
Term |
|
|
|
Complex |
|
Other |
|
|
(2) |
|
of Office/ |
|
|
|
Overseen by |
|
Directorships |
(1) |
|
Positions(s) |
|
Length of |
|
(4) |
|
Director or |
|
Held by Director |
Name, Address |
|
Held with |
|
Time |
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
|
Nominee for |
|
or Nominee for |
and Age |
|
the Fund |
|
Served |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Director |
|
Director |
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 56
|
|
Portfolio
Manager
|
|
|
|
Chairman of
The Tokarz Group, a
private merchant bank,
since 2002. Prior to
this, Mr. Tokarz was a
senior General Partner
and Administrative
Partner at Kohlberg
Kravis Roberts & Co.,
a private equity firm
specializing in
management buyouts. He
also currently serves
on the corporate
boards of Conseco,
Inc., is Chairman
elect of Walter
Industries, Inc., IDEX
Corporation,
Stonewater Control
Systems, Lomonosov,
Athleta, Inc. and
Apertio Ltd. Mr.
Tokarz is an active
member of the
endowment committee
and Board of Trustees
of YMCA in Westchester
County. He is also a
member of the Board of
the Warwick Business
School in England. He
is Chairman elect and
is a member of the
Board of the
University of Illinois
Foundation, and serves
on its executive
committee, investment
policy committee and
is Chairman of the
budget and finance
committee; he is also
a member of the
Venture Capital
Subcommittee and
serves as a member of
the Board of Managers
for Illinois Ventures,
LLC. Mr. Tokarz also
serves as the Chairman
of the Illinois
Emerging Technology
Fund LLC. Mr. Tokarz
serves as a director
for the following
portfolio companies of
the Fund: Baltic
Motors Corporation,
Dakota Growers Pasta
Company, Ohio Medical Corporation,
Timberland Machines &
Irrigation, Inc.,
Harmony Pharmacy &
Health Centers, Inc.,
and previously served
on the Board of Vestal
Manufacturing, Inc.
from April 2004 until
July 2005. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce Shewmaker (3)
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 60
|
|
Managing
Director
|
|
Indefinite
term/2 years
and 7 months
|
|
Until June 2003, Mr.
Shewmaker served as
Managing Director of
Crossbow Ventures
Inc., and as a Vice
President of Crossbow
Venture Partners
Corp., the general
partner of Crossbow
Venture Partners LP, a
licensed small
business investment
company. Mr. Shewmaker
also is a co-founder
and Director of
Infrared Imaging
Systems, Inc., a
medical devices
company. From 1999 to
2001, he was a
Managing Director of
E*OFFERING Corp., an
investment banking
firm which
|
|
None
|
|
None |
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Portfolios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
in Fund |
|
(6) |
|
|
|
|
Term |
|
|
|
Complex |
|
Other |
|
|
(2) |
|
of Office/ |
|
|
|
Overseen by |
|
Directorships |
(1) |
|
Positions(s) |
|
Length of |
|
(4) |
|
Director or |
|
Held by Director |
Name, Address |
|
Held with |
|
Time |
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
|
Nominee for |
|
or Nominee for |
and Age |
|
the Fund |
|
Served |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Director |
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
merged into
Wit SoundView Group in
2000. Mr. Shewmaker
served as a director
for the following
portfolio companies of
the Fund: Baltic
Motors Corporation and
Vestal Manufacturing,
Inc. from April 2004
until July 2005 and
currently serves on
the Boards of Foliofn,
Inc., ProcessClaims,
Inc. and Vendio
Services, Inc. Mr.
Shewmaker also serves
on the Board of VIANY. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Seidenberg
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 37
|
|
Chief
Financial
Officer
|
|
Indefinite
term/ 8 months
|
|
Mr. Seidenberg joined
the Fund in April 2005
after having
previously served as a
Principal of Nebraska
Heavy Industries,
where he worked on
engagements including
serving as the Chief
Financial Officer of
Commerce One, Inc.
Prior to that, Mr.
Seidenberg served as
the Director of
Finance and Business
Development and as
Corporate Controller
for Plumtree Software,
Inc. Mr. Seidenberg
has also worked at
AlliedSignal and
several small
manufacturing
companies, where he
held roles in finance
and operations. Mr.
Seidenberg on behalf
of the Fund sits on
the board of Ohio
Medical Corp.
|
|
None
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Schuenke
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 26
|
|
Chief
Compliance
Officer
|
|
Indefinite
term/ 1 year and 8
months
|
|
Mr. Schuenke served as
a Compliance Officer
with U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC, from
2002 until he joined
MVC Capital, Inc. in
2004. Mr. Schuenke
also served as the
Secretary of The
Mexico Equity & Income
Fund, Inc. and
Assistant Secretary of
Tortoise Energy
Infrastructure
Corporation during his
tenure at U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services, LLC.
Mr. Schuenke is a
Certified Public
Accountant.
|
|
None
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jaclyn
Shapiro-Rothchild
287 Bowman Avenue
2nd Floor
Purchase, NY 10577
Age: 27
|
|
Vice
President/
Secretary
|
|
Indefinite
term/1 year and 7
months
Indefinite
term/2 years
and 5 months
|
|
Ms. Shapiro has worked
directly for the Fund
since June 2002. Prior
to that, she was an
Associate and Business
Manager with Draper
Fisher Jurvetson meVC
Management Co. LLC,
the former investment
sub-adviser to the
Fund, and an Associate
at The Bank Companies
(acquired by Newmark &
Co. Real Estate), a
commercial real estate
company.
|
|
None
|
|
None |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Other than the Fund. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Tokarz is an interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act), of the Fund (an Interested Director) because he serves as an
officer of the Fund. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Shewmaker served as Director of the Fund from March 2003 to March 2004. |
8
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board has adopted a charter for each of its Audit, Nominating/Corporate
Governance/Strategy and Compensation Committees, as well as a Corporate Governance Policy. The
Audit Committees charter is annexed hereto as Exhibit B. The Board has also adopted a Code of
Ethics that applies to all of the Funds employees, officers and directors, as well as a Code of
Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Executives that applies to and has been signed
by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Fund. These materials can be
found on the Funds website at www.mvccapital.com, and may be obtained by written request to MVC
Capital, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 287 Bowman Avenue, 2nd Floor, Purchase, New York
10577. Waivers, if any, of the Funds Code of Ethics or Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and
Senior Financial Executives would be promptly disclosed on the Funds website.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Board held eight (8) meetings. During the
last fiscal year, each of the nominees (except for Mr. Taylor who was appointed to the Board on
February 23, 2006) attended 100% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and any committee
of the Board on which such nominee served. Currently, 80% of the Directors are Independent
Directors. Mr. Knapp has been appointed by the Independent Directors of the Board to serve as the
Presiding Director over executive sessions of non-management directors.
Interested parties should communicate with the Presiding Director or with the non-management
directors as a group according to the following procedures established by the Fund for
stockholders communication with the Board: any communications intended for the Board should be
sent to the Fund at the Funds address and any such communication will be forwarded to the Board
(or applicable Board member) or disclosed to the Board (or applicable Board member) at its next
regular meeting.
The Audit Committees primary purposes are:
|
|
|
oversight responsibility with respect to: (i) the adequacy of the Funds accounting
and financial reporting processes, policies and practices; (ii) the integrity of the
Funds financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) the adequacy of the
Funds overall system of internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of
certain service providers; (iv) the Funds compliance with certain legal and regulatory
requirements; (v) determining the qualification and independence of the Funds independent
auditors; and (vi) the Funds internal audit function, if any; and |
|
|
|
|
oversight of the preparation of any report required to be prepared by the Committee
pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for inclusion in
the Funds annual proxy statement with respect to the election of directors. |
The most recent fiscal year of the Fund ended on October 31, 2005. During that fiscal year,
the Audit Committee held five (5) meetings. In connection with the Funds audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Audit Committee has: (i) reviewed and
discussed with management the Funds audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2005; (ii) discussed with Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y), the independent auditors of the Fund, the
matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 61 (Codification of
Statements on Auditing Standards, AU § 380); (iii) received the written disclosures and a letter
from E&Y regarding, and discussed with E&Y, its independence; and (iv) recommended to the Board
that the audited financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, be
included in the Funds Annual Report to Stockholders for filing with the SEC.
The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Dominianni, Hellerman and Taylor, each
of whom is considered independent under the rules promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange and is
not an interested person, as defined by the 1940 Act, of the Fund (the Independent Directors).
Each member of the Audit Committee meets the current independence and experience requirements of
Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and the Board has
determined that Mr. Hellerman is an audit committee financial expert as defined under Item 401 of
Regulation S-K of the 1934 Act. Mr. Hellerman is the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
The Valuation Committee, the principal purpose of which is to determine the fair values of
securities in the Funds portfolio for which market quotations are not readily available, is
currently comprised of Messrs. Dominianni, Hellerman and Knapp. Mr. Knapp is the Chairman of the
Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee held six (6) meetings during the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2005.
9
The Nominating/Corporate Governance/Strategy Committee (the Nominating Committee), the
principal purposes of which are to consider and nominate persons to serve as Independent Directors
and oversee the composition and governance of the Board and its committees and to provide strategic
direction with respect to the Fund and its subsidiaries, is currently comprised of Messrs.
Dominianni, Hellerman, Knapp, and Taylor, each of whom is an Independent Director. Mr. Dominianni
is the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee was established in January
2004.
The Nominating Committee considers director candidates nominated by stockholders in accordance
with procedures set forth in the Funds By-Laws. The Funds By-Laws provide that nominations may
be made by any stockholder of record of the Fund entitled to vote for the election of directors at
a meeting, provided that such nominations are made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
Secretary. The Nominating Committee then determines the eligibility of any nominated candidate
based on criteria described below. To be timely, a stockholders notice must be received at the
principal executive offices of the Fund not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the
scheduled date of a meeting. A stockholders notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (a) as to
each stockholder-proposed nominee, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the
nominee, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (iii) the class, series and
number of shares of capital stock of the Fund that are owned beneficially by the nominee, (iv) a
statement as to the nominees citizenship, and (v) any other information relating to the person
that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to
Section 14 of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the
stockholder giving the notice, (i) the name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the
class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation that are owned beneficially
by the stockholder. The Fund or the Nominating Committee may require a stockholder who proposes a
nominee to furnish any such other information as may reasonably be required by the Fund to
determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as director of the Fund. The Nominating
Committee held one (1) meeting during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005.
In addition, the Nominating Committee considers potential director candidates with input from
various sources, which can include: current Directors, members of the management team, or an
outside search firm. The Nominating Committee seeks to identify candidates that possess, in its
view, strong character, judgment, business experience and acumen. As a minimum requirement, any
eligible candidate who is not proposed to serve as an Interested Director (i.e., a candidate who is
not employed or proposed to be employed by the Fund) must not be an interested person, as defined
by the 1940 Act, of the Fund. The Nominating Committee also considers, among other factors,
certain other relationships (beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act) that might impair the
independence of a proposed Director.
The Compensation Committee, the principal purpose of which is to oversee the compensation of
the Independent Directors, is currently comprised of Messrs. Hellerman and Knapp. The Compensation
Committee was established in March 2003. The Compensation Committee held one (1) meeting during
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005.
The Board has adopted a policy that encourages all Directors, to the extent reasonable and
practicable, to attend the Funds annual stockholders meetings in person. All of the Directors
attended the last annual meeting.
Director and Executive Officer Compensation.
The following table sets forth compensation paid by us in all capacities during the fiscal
year ended October 31, 2005 to all of our Directors and our three highest paid executive officers.
Our Directors have been divided into two groups Interested Directors and Independent Directors.
The Interested Director is an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act. (The Fund is not
part of any Fund Complex.)
10
Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
(4) |
|
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension or |
|
Estimated |
|
Total |
|
|
(2) |
|
Retirement |
|
Annual |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Benefits Accrued |
|
Benefits |
|
from Fund and |
(1) |
|
Compensation |
|
as Part of Fund |
|
Upon |
|
Fund Complex |
Name of Person, Position |
|
from Fund(5) |
|
Expenses(1) |
|
Retirement |
|
Paid to Directors |
Interested Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Tokarz, Chairman
and Portfolio Manager |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emilio Dominianni, Director |
|
$ |
28,500 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
28,500 |
|
Robert Everett, Director(2) |
|
$ |
32,250 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
32,250 |
|
Gerald Hellerman, Director |
|
$ |
41,875 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
41,875 |
|
Robert Knapp, Director |
|
$ |
32,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
32,000 |
|
Executive Officers (who
are not directors) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce Shewmaker, Managing
Director(3) |
|
$ |
262,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Frances Spark, Former
Chief Financial Officer(4) |
|
$ |
220,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Jaclyn Shapiro, Vice
President and Secretary |
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Fund. |
|
(2) |
|
On February 20, 2006, Mr. Everett resigned from the Board. On February 23, 2006, Mr. Taylor
was appointed to the Board. |
|
(3) |
|
As of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on March 29, 2004, Mr. Shewmaker
was no longer a member of the Board. |
|
(4) |
|
On October 3, 2005, Ms. Spark resigned from the position of Chief Financial Officer of the
Fund and Peter Seidenberg was appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer of the Fund. |
|
(5) |
|
The following table provides detail as to aggregate compensation paid during fiscal 2005 to
our three highest paid executive officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus and Awards |
Ms. Spark |
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
Mr. Shewmaker |
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
112,000 |
|
Ms. Shapiro |
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
During the last fiscal year, each Independent Director was paid an annual retainer of $15,000
($20,000 for the Chairman of each of the Audit Committee and Valuation Committee) and per-meeting
(including Audit Committee and Valuation Committee meetings) fees of $1,250 (subject to a maximum
fee of $2,000 per day) or $750 in the case of telephonic meetings (subject to a maximum fee of
$2,000 per day) and Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee per-meeting fees of $750. Each
Independent Director is also reimbursed by the Fund for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The
Directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Fund.
At a meeting of the Board held on January 31, 2006, the Board along with the Compensation
Committee changed the fees payable to Independent Directors and the fees payable to the Chairman of
the Audit Committee, Valuation Committee, and Nominating Committee as follows. Each Independent
Director is now paid: an annual retainer of $50,000 ($60,000 for the Chairman of the Audit
Committee and $55,000 for the Chairman of each of the Valuation Committee and Nominating Committee)
for up to five in-person Board meetings and committee meetings per year. In the event that more
than five in-person Board meetings and committee meetings occur, each Independent Director will be
paid an additional $1,000 for each in-person meeting. Each Independent Director is also reimbursed
by the Fund for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Directors do not receive any pension or
retirement benefits from the Fund.
Mr. Tokarz, Chairman and Portfolio Manager of the Fund, received no compensation from the Fund
during the last fiscal year. Mr. Tokarz has entered into a compensation arrangement with the Fund
under which he, as Portfolio Manager, will be compensated by the Fund based upon his positive
performance and will be paid the
11
lesser of: (i) 20% of the net income of the Fund for the fiscal year; or (ii) the sum of (a)
20% of the net capital gains realized by the Fund in respect of investments made during his tenure
as Portfolio Manager and (b) the amount, if any, by which the Funds total expenses for a fiscal
year were less than two percent of the Funds net assets (determined as of the last day of the
period). Any payments to be made shall be calculated based upon the audited financial statements
for the Fund for the applicable fiscal year and shall be paid as soon as practicable following the
completion of such audit. Mr. Tokarz has determined to allocate a portion of the incentive
compensation to certain employees of the Fund.
On February 16, 2005, the Fund entered into a sublease for a larger space in the building in
which the Funds current executive offices are located. The sublease is scheduled to expire on
February 28, 2007. Future payments under the sublease total approximately $223,000 in fiscal year
2006 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2007. The Funds previous lease was terminated effective March 1,
2005, without penalty. The building in which the Funds executive offices are located, 287 Bowman
Avenue, is owned by Phoenix Capital Partners, LLC, an entity which is 97% owned by Mr. Tokarz.
Director Equity Ownership
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, with respect to each Director and
nominee, certain information regarding the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned in
the Fund. The Fund does not belong to a family of investment companies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
(3) |
|
|
Dollar Range |
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity |
|
|
of Equity |
|
Securities of All Funds Overseen or to |
(1) |
|
Securities in |
|
be Overseen by Director or Nominee |
Name of Director or Nominee |
|
the Fund |
|
in Family of Investment Companies |
Emilio Dominianni |
|
Over |
|
Over |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
Gerald Hellerman |
|
Over |
|
Over |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
Robert Knapp |
|
Over |
|
Over |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
100,000 |
(1) |
William Taylor |
|
None |
|
None |
Michael Tokarz(2) |
|
Over |
|
Over |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These shares are owned by Mr. Knapp directly. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Tokarz is an Interested Director of the Fund because he serves as an officer of the Fund. |
VOTE REQUIRED
The election of the nominees requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present
or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of the nominees.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of all of the nominees.
12
PROPOSAL 2
CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL OF
THE NEW INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE FUND AND THE TOKARZ GROUP ADVISERS LLC
Background
Over the past several months, the Fund has been presented with a number of opportunities to
manage and invest in various private investment funds and offshore enterprises. However, due to
the regulatory and tax constraints on the Funds activities (both as a business development company
and a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code)), the Fund is restricted in its ability to participate in many of these opportunities.
Accordingly, the Board, in conjunction with management, has been working to develop a structure
that would allow the Fund and stockholders to benefit from a broader range of investment and
management opportunities. After weighing the options available to the Fund and giving careful
consideration to the unique nature of the Fund, including its investment objective and strategy,
its status as a business development company and the associated regulatory and tax constraints,
management proposed that the Board consider externalizing the Funds management. The Board
concluded that an externalized structure could better position the Fund to capture a number of the
described benefits and opportunities for stockholders. In addition, as part of the effort to
capture these benefits and opportunities, and in connection with the externalization, the Board
authorized the establishment and pursuit of the spin-off of the Subsidiary (as described below
under Terms of the Advisory Agreement The Spin-Off of a Subsidiary and Opportunities to Manage
Other Entities) that would allow stockholders an opportunity to participate in a portion of the
revenues generated from the management of private investment funds and other vehicles by The Tokarz
Group Advisers LLC (TTG Advisers). As a result, at an in-person meeting held on May 30, 2006,
the Independent Directors unanimously approved a new investment advisory and management agreement
(the Advisory Agreement) between the Fund and TTG Advisers which provides for an external
management structure for the Fund. (Mr. Tokarz recused himself from making a determination on this
matter.)
The 1940 Act requires that stockholders approve the Advisory Agreement in order to implement
the externalized structure. Therefore, the Board has determined to submit this Proposal for the
stockholders consideration at this Meeting and recommends that you vote for its approval.
If stockholders approve the Advisory Agreement at this Meeting (or an adjournment thereof),
TTG Advisers will commence its performance of the investment advisory and management services with
respect to the Funds portfolio and management of the Fund effective on the later of: (i) November
1, 2006; or (ii) the effective date of the registration of TTG Advisers as an investment adviser
with the SEC (the Effective Date). As of the Effective Date, the internal management of the
Funds portfolio will automatically cease. If stockholders do not approve the Advisory Agreement
at this Meeting (or an adjournment thereof), the Board and Mr. Tokarz would consider alternative
courses of action. A form of the proposed Advisory Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
Proposed Externalization
The proposed Advisory Agreement provides that TTG Advisers will act as investment adviser to
the Fund, with authority to invest and reinvest the Funds property in accordance with the
investment objective, policies and limitations set forth in the Funds most recent prospectus and
such other limitations as are imposed by law or as may be imposed by the Directors from time to
time and oversee the administration, record keeping and compliance functions of the Fund and/or
third parties performing such functions for the Fund. Under this arrangement, it is expected that
the present investment selection process would continue. In fact, it is expected that Mr. Tokarz
would continue to serve as the primary investment professional responsible for the Funds
investment decisions and that all the Funds current investment professionals would join TTG
Advisers and would continue to provide services to the Fund. The plan of externalization will not
affect the control which the Directors have, to date, exercised over the affairs of the Fund. For
example, the Directors would continue to hold formal quarterly meetings to review the Funds
affairs, and would receive, at least quarterly, statements
from TTG Advisers detailing changes in the Funds portfolio. (A description of the Funds
current internal structure is set forth below under Present Management.)
13
It is the Directors belief that an external structure would allow the management team the
flexibility necessary to develop and manage various other investment products and thus grow assets
under management. As more fully discussed below under Board Consideration of the Approval of the
Advisory Agreement, the Board believes that growth in the teams assets under management can
provide a number of potential benefits for the Fund and stockholders, including, in particular:
(i) the potential for increased access to investment opportunities as a result of the teams
increased activities, visibility and resources; and (ii) a greater ability for the team to attract
and retain the high caliber of talent from which the Fund has been accustomed to receive services
during the past two fiscal years. Further, as a result of the Spin-Off (which is defined and
explained below), the Board recognizes that stockholders could have an opportunity to increase
their returns by benefiting directly from a portion of the income generated from certain of the
investment products that would be managed by TTG Advisers. In short, the Board believes that the
externalized structure positions the Fund for continued growth and benefits our stockholders.
About TTG Advisers
TTG Advisers, which has its principal office at 287 Bowman Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577,
was organized to provide investment advisory and management services to the Fund and other
investment vehicles. Newly organized as an investment adviser, TTG Advisers is in the process of
registering with the SEC. It has no previous operating history. Implementation of the Advisory
Agreement is conditioned upon the effective registration of TTG Advisers assuming the Funds
stockholders approve the Advisory Agreement. Mr. Tokarz would continue to serve as the Funds
Portfolio Manager assuming stockholders approve the Advisory Agreement. However, instead of
performing this function solely in his capacity as an officer of the Fund, he would do so as the
sole current member of TTG Advisers, the Funds investment adviser. Furthermore, it is currently expected
that all of the Funds current employees (including the Funds investment professionals) will join
TTG Advisers and will continue to provide services to the Fund.
Terms of the Advisory Agreement
The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of proposed
Advisory Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, TTG
Advisers will determine the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to
our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes, identify, evaluate and negotiate the
structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective
portfolio companies), close and monitor the investments we make, determine the securities and other
assets that we purchase, retain or sell and oversee the administration, record keeping and
compliance functions of the Fund and/or third parties performing such functions for the Fund. TTG
Advisers services under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it may furnish similar
services to other entities.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund would pay TTG Advisers a fee for investment
advisory and management services consisting of two componentsa base management fee and an
incentive fee.
The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2% of our total assets
(excluding cash and the value of any investment by the Fund not made in a portfolio company
(Non-Eligible Assets), but including assets purchased with borrowed funds that are not
Non-Eligible Assets) (the Base Management Fee). The Base Management Fee will be payable
quarterly in arrears. The Base Management Fee will be calculated based on the value of our total
assets (excluding Non-Eligible Assets, but including assets purchased with borrowed funds that are
not Non-Eligible Assets) at the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Base Management
Fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro rated.
The incentive fee will be comprised of the following two parts:
One part will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our pre-incentive fee
net investment income. Pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend
income and any other income (including any other fees to the Fund and MVCFS, such as directors,
commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive
from portfolio companies) accrued during the fiscal quarter, minus the Funds and MVCFS operating
expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee and any interest expense and dividends
paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee (whether paid or
accrued)). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of
investments with a deferred interest feature (such as market discount, debt instruments with
payment-in-kind interest, preferred stock with payment-in-kind dividends and zero coupon
securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. TTG Advisers will not be under
any obligation to reimburse us for any part of
14
the incentive fee it received that was based on
accrued income that we never receive as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that
resulted in the accrual of such income.
Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized
capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the
incentive fee, it is possible that we may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where we incur a loss.
For example, if we receive pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate
(explained below) for a quarter, we will pay the applicable incentive fee even if we have incurred
a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses.
Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net
assets at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, will be compared to a fixed hurdle
rate of 1.75% per fiscal quarter. If market interest rates rise, we may be able to invest our
funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase our pre-incentive
fee net investment income and make it easier for TTG Advisers to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and
receive an incentive fee based on such net investment income. Our pre-incentive fee net investment
income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of our total
assets (excluding Non-Eligible Assets, but including assets purchased with borrowed funds that are
not Non-Eligible Assets) used to calculate the 2% Base Management Fee.
Under the Advisory Agreement, it is proposed we pay TTG Advisers an incentive fee with respect
to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each fiscal quarter as follows:
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no incentive fee in any fiscal quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment
income does not exceed the hurdle rate; |
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|
100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of
such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is
less than 2.1875% in any fiscal quarter. We refer to this portion of our pre-incentive
fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.1875%) as the
catch-up. The catch-up is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20% of our
pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply if this net
investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any fiscal quarter; and |
|
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20% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that
exceeds 2.1875% in any fiscal quarter. |
These calculations are appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and
adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter.
The second part of the incentive fee (the Capital Gains Fee) is determined and payable in
arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the Advisory Agreement, as of the
termination date) and will equal 20% of our net realized capital gains, during such fiscal year, on
our portfolio of securities acquired after November 1, 2003 (the Funds New Portfolio) (exclusive
of any realized gains subject to an SPV Incentive Allocation, as defined below), minus the
cumulative aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on the Funds New Portfolio calculated from
the Effective Date.
In addition, the Fund proposes to authorize TTG Advisers to create or arrange for the creation
of one or more special purpose vehicles for which it may serve as the general partner or managing
member for purposes of making investments on behalf of the Fund (each, an SPV). It is proposed
that TTG Advisers, in its role as the general partner or managing member of an SPV, receive an
incentive allocation equal to 20% of the net profits of the SPV (the SPV Incentive Allocation).
In no event would any SPV Incentive Allocation received by TTG Advisers cause the total
compensation received by TTG Advisers under the Advisory Agreement to exceed the limits imposed by
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Capital Gains Fee and the SPV Incentive
Allocation for any fiscal year exceed 20% of: (a) the Funds net realized capital gains, during
such fiscal year, on the Funds portfolio securities (the Funds Total Portfolio) and any
realized gains subject to an SPV Incentive Allocation minus (b) the Funds cumulative aggregate
unrealized capital depreciation of the Funds Total Portfolio, calculated from the Effective Date
(the Cap). Furthermore, in the event that the Capital Gains Fee for any fiscal year exceeds the
Cap (Uncollected Capital Gains Fees), all or a portion of such amount shall be accrued and
payable to TTG Advisers following any subsequent fiscal year in which the Advisory Agreement is
in effect, but only to the extent the Capital Gains Fee, plus the amount of Uncollected
Capital Gains Fees, each calculated as of the end of such subsequent fiscal year, do not exceed the
Cap. Any remaining Uncollected
15
Capital Gains Fees shall be paid following subsequent fiscal years
in accordance with the same process, provided the Advisory Agreement is in effect during such
fiscal year.
Examples of Incentive Fee Calculations
Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee(1):
Assumptions
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Hurdle rate(2) = 1.75% |
|
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|
Management fee(3) = 2.00% |
|
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|
Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)(4) = maximum value of 3.25% of the Funds average net asset value including management fee |
Alternative 1
Additional Assumptions
|
|
|
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 4.00% |
|
|
|
|
Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income (management fee + other expenses)) = .075% |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no
incentive fee.
Alternative 2
Additional Assumptions
|
|
|
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 5.25% |
|
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|
Pre-incentive fee net investment income (investment income (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.00% |
Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an incentive fee.
Incentive Fee
|
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|
= 100% × Catch-Up + the greater of 0% AND (20% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income 2.1875%) |
|
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|
= (100% × (2.00%- 1.75%)) + 0% |
|
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= 0.25% |
Alternative 3
Additional Assumptions
|
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|
Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 6.00% |
|
|
|
|
Pre-incentive fee net investment income
(investment income (management fee + other expenses)) = 2.75% |
16
Pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds hurdle rate, therefore there is an incentive fee.
Incentive Fee
|
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|
= 100% × Catch-Up + the greater of
0% AND (20% × (pre-incentive fee net investment income
2.1875%) |
|
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|
= (100% × (2.1875% 1.75%)) + (20% ×
(2.75% - 2.1875%)) |
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= 0.4375% + (20% × 0.5625%) |
|
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= 0.4375%+ 0.1125% |
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|
= 0.55% |
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(1) |
|
The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a
percentage of total net assets. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents 1.75% annualized hurdle rate. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents 2.00% annualized management fee. |
|
(4) |
|
Excludes offering expenses. |
17
Example 2: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee
Assumptions
Year 1 of the Advisory Agreement:
$20 million investment made in Company A (Investment A), and $30 million investment made in
Company B (Investment B)
Legacy Investment I (Legacy I) is assumed from prior management and has a cost basis of $5
million and fair market value at the Effective Date (FMV) of $0
Legacy Investment II (Legacy II) is assumed from prior management and has a cost basis of $3
million and FMV of $2 million
Year 2 of the Advisory Agreement:
Investment A is sold for $50 million, FMV of Investment B is $32 million, Legacy I is written off
and a $5 million loss is realized and FMV of Legacy II is $2 million
Year 3 of the Advisory Agreement: FMV of Investment B is $32 million and FMV Legacy II is $2
million
Year 4 of the Advisory Agreement: Investment B is sold for $32 million and Legacy II is sold for
$1 million
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|
Compensation Calculation
(20% of: net realized
capital gains, during
the fiscal year, on the
Funds New Portfolio
minus the aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds New Portfolio
calculated from the
Effective Date)
|
|
Cap Calculation
(20% of: net
realized capital
gains, during the
fiscal year, on the
Funds Total
Portfolio minus the
aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds Total
Portfolio
calculated from the
Effective Date)
|
|
Actual Payout (the
Compensation
Calculation plus
any uncollected
fees to the extent
they do not exceed
the Cap
Calculation) |
|
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|
|
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|
Year 1
|
|
20% of: ($0 realized
capital gains on the
Funds New Portfolio
minus $0 realized
losses on the Funds
New Portfolio) minus
($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds New Portfolio) =
$0
|
|
20% of: ($0
realized capital
gains on the Funds
Total Portfolio
minus $0 realized
losses on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) minus
($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) = $0
|
|
$0 |
|
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|
Year 2
|
|
20% of: ($30 million
realized capital gains
on the Funds New
Portfolio minus $0
realized losses on the
Funds New Portfolio)
minus ($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds New Portfolio) =
$6 million
|
|
20% of: ($30
million realized
capital gains on
the Funds Total
Portfolio minus $5
million realized
losses on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) minus
($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) = $5
million
|
|
$5 million ($1
million (i.e., the
Compensation
Calculation minus
the Cap
Calculation) is
uncollected) |
|
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|
Year 3
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|
20% of: ($0 realized
capital gains on the
Funds New Portfolio
minus $0 realized
losses on the Funds
New Portfolio) minus
($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds New Portfolio) =
$0
|
|
20% of: ($0
realized capital
gains on the Funds
Total Portfolio
minus $0 realized
losses on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) minus
($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) = $0
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|
$0 ($1 million
remains
uncollected) |
|
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|
|
|
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|
Year 4
|
|
20% of: ($2 million
realized capital gains
on the Funds New
Portfolio minus $0
realized losses on the
Funds New Portfolio)
minus ($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds New Portfolio) =
$400,000
|
|
20% of: ($2 million
realized capital
gains on the Funds
Total Portfolio
minus $2 million
realized losses on
the Funds Total
Portfolio) minus
($0 aggregate
unrealized capital
depreciation on the
Funds Total
Portfolio) = $0
|
|
$0 ($1.4 million
(i.e., the $1
million from Year 2
plus $400,000
(i.e., the
Compensation
Calculation minus
the Cap
Calculation)) is
uncollected) |
Had the Advisory Agreement been in effect during the last fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the
Fund would have incurred approximately $2.1 million in Base Management Fees and accrued
approximately $1.1 in incentive fees or approximately 6% less than the approximate $3.5 million
that the Fund accrued last year with respect to salaries, bonuses and benefits for employees and
the provisional expense relating to Mr. Tokarzs present agreement with the Fund.
18
Payment of our expenses
All investment professionals of TTG Advisers and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in
providing services required to be provided by TTG Advisers under the Advisory Agreement, and the
compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be
provided and paid for by TTG Advisers and not by the Fund, except that costs or expenses relating
specifically to items identified in the next sentence shall be borne by the Fund. The Fund will
bear all costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, without limitation,
those relating to: (i) the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm; (ii) expenses
incurred by TTG Advisers payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors,
in monitoring financial and legal affairs for the Fund and in monitoring the Funds investments and
performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies, provided, however, the retention
by TTG Advisers of any third party to perform such services shall require the advance approval of
the Board (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) if the fees for such services are
expected to exceed $30,000; once the third party is approved any expenditure to such third party
will not require additional approval from the Board; (iii) interest payable on debt, if any,
incurred to finance the Funds investments or to maintain its tax status; (iv) offerings of the
Funds common stock and other securities; (v) investment advisory and management fees; (vi) fees
and payments due under any administration agreement between the Fund and its administrator; (vii)
transfer agent and custodial fees; (viii) federal and state registration fees; (ix) all costs of
registration and listing the Funds shares on any securities exchange; (x) federal, state and local
taxes; (xi) independent directors fees and expenses; (xii) costs of preparing and filing reports
or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC); (xiii) costs of any
reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing and mailing costs;
(xiv) the cost of the Funds fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability
insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (xv) direct costs and expenses of administration,
including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, independent auditors and outside
legal costs; (xvi) the costs and expenses associated with the establishment of an SPV; (xvii) the
allocable portion of the cost (excluding office space) of the Funds Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Compliance Officer and Secretary in an amount not to exceed $100,000, per year, in the aggregate;
and (xviii) all other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with administering the Funds
business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, absent the consent of the Board, any fees or income
earned, on the Funds behalf, by any officer, director, employee or agent of TTG Advisers in
connection with the monitoring or closing of an investment or disposition by the Fund or for
providing managerial assistance to a portfolio company (e.g., serving on the board of directors of
a portfolio company), shall inure to the Fund.
In addition, for each of the next two full fiscal years (i.e., fiscal 2007 and 2008), TTG
Advisers has agreed to absorb or reimburse operating expenses of the Fund (promptly following the
completion of such year), to the extent necessary to limit the Funds Expense Ratio for any such
year to 3.25% (the Expense Cap); provided however, if, on October 31, 2007, the Funds net assets
have not increased by at least 5% from October 31, 2006, the dollar value of the Expense Cap shall
increase by 5% for fiscal 2008. For purposes of this paragraph, the Funds Expense Ratio shall
be calculated as of October 31 of any such year and mean: (i) the consolidated expenses of the Fund
(which expenses shall include any amounts payable to TTG Advisers under the Base Management Fee,
but shall exclude the amount of any interest, taxes, incentive compensation, and extraordinary
expenses (including, but not limited to, any legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and
any indemnification related thereto, and the costs of any spin-off or
other similar type transaction
contemplated by the Advisory Agreement)), as a percentage of (ii) the average net assets of the
Fund (i.e., average consolidated assets less average consolidated liabilities) during such fiscal
year as set forth in the Funds financial statements contained in the Funds annual report on Form
10-K.
19
Below is a table depicting: (i) the Funds actual expense ratio for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2005 and the period November 1, 2005 to April 30, 2006; and (ii) restated, pro forma,
expense ratios for those periods that assume implementation of the Advisory Agreement at the
beginning of the fiscal year (November 1, 2004).
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November 1, 2005 through |
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2005 |
|
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April 30, 2006 |
|
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Historical |
|
|
Pro Forma |
|
|
Historical |
|
|
Pro Forma |
|
Net Assets as of the End
of Period |
|
|
198,739,000 |
|
|
|
198,739,000 |
|
|
|
217,621,516 |
|
|
|
217,621,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee Salaries, Bonuses
and Benefits |
|
|
2,336,242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,397,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
Base Management Fee at 2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,134,773 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,713,448 |
|
Accrued Incentive Fees |
|
|
1,117,328 |
|
|
|
1,117,328 |
|
|
|
3,556,186 |
|
|
|
3,556,186 |
|
Other Expenses |
|
|
3,051,379 |
|
|
|
2,566,959 |
|
|
|
1,776,099 |
|
|
|
1,443,285 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Operating Expenses |
|
|
6,504,949 |
|
|
|
5,819,060 |
|
|
|
6,729,675 |
|
|
|
6,712,919 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Total Operating
Expenses* to Average Net
Assets |
|
|
3.75 |
% |
|
|
3.35 |
% |
|
|
6.58 |
% |
|
|
6.57 |
% |
Ratio of Total Operating
Expenses* to Average Net
Assets (excluding accrued
Incentive Fees) |
|
|
3.10 |
% |
|
|
2.70 |
% |
|
|
3.10 |
% |
|
|
3.09 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Period data is annualized |
There is no assurance that the comparative results shown above would remain the same in the
future. In fact, the Advisory Agreement could result in comparatively higher expenses. Whether
expenses increase in future periods depends on a number of factors that are difficult to predict
including, for example: (i) the amount of total assets of the Fund; (ii) the amount of assets held
in cash and portfolio company investments; (iii) the amount of assets that will be invested
pursuant to the Funds investment strategy; and (iv) the amount of operating expenses (excluding
advisory fees) that are incurred by the Fund. This is particularly true, as the Fund converts cash
to portfolio investments in future quarters because, under the Advisory Agreement, management fees
are paid based on assets invested (excluding cash). Thus, these fees would increase.
Indemnification
The Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties
and obligations, TTG Advisers, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners,
agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it
(collectively, the Indemnified Parties) are entitled to indemnification from the Fund for any
damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and amounts
reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of TTG Advisers services under the
Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund. In addition, TTG Advisers
has agreed to indemnify the Fund for losses or damages arising out of the willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence in the performance of an Indemnified Partys duties or by reason of the
reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
The Spin-Off of a Subsidiary and Opportunities to Manage Other Entities
As consideration for the Fund entering into the Advisory Agreement, TTG Advisers has
acknowledged the parties objective of having the Funds stockholders participate in a portion of
the revenues generated by private investment funds managed by TTG Advisers. The Advisory Agreement
provides for the pursuit of a spin-off of a subsidiary of the Fund (a Subsidiary) to all of our
stockholders (on a pro-rata basis) (the Spin-Off). It is contemplated that this Subsidiary
would, together with TTG Advisers, own (directly or indirectly) the manager and/or general partner
(or managing member) of private investment funds and other vehicles (a Private Fund General
Partner). As a result, our stockholders, as stockholders of the spun-off Subsidiary, may have the
20
opportunity to participate in a portion of the management fees and incentive compensation generated
by these vehicles. Further, the Advisory Agreement provides that a Private Fund General Partner would
be a general partner (or managing member) of any private investment fund or other pooled investment
vehicle formed by TTG Advisers that has an investment objective of investing in Targeted
Investments (as defined below). The illustrations below depict the proposed structure of the Fund
before and after the Spin-Off.
Before Spin-Off
21
After Spin-Off
Under this structure, Private Fund General Partners would be entitled to the entire
portion of incentive allocations made by the investment funds they serve (provided that, a portion
of the allocation may be allocated to third parties not affiliated with, and independent of, TTG
Advisers). It has not yet been determined the extent to which the Subsidiary would share the
revenues generated from any Private Fund General Partner and this percentage may vary depending on
the nature and size of the vehicles to be managed, among other factors. Furthermore, the Board
recognizes that following the Spin-Off, the Subsidiary may offer its shares to investors other than
the Funds stockholders which could potentially have the effect of diluting our stockholders
participation in the revenue generated by Private Fund General Partners.
Following the Spin-Off, the Subsidiary would be expected to operate as a public company
subject to the oversight and control of a board of directors, a majority of whose members would be
independent of TTG Advisers. Details regarding the Spin-Off are in the process of being considered
and its specific terms will be subject to the due diligence of, and the consideration and approval
by, the Board. It is expected that the material terms will be disclosed in a registration
statement on Form 10. However, there can be no assurance that the Board will approve the specific
terms of the Spin-Off. As a result, it is possible that the Board may determine not to proceed
with the Spin-Off. In this event, the Advisory Agreement will be implemented (assuming
stockholders approve it) and the Fund and the shareholders may not have an opportunity to
participate in revenue generated by private investment funds managed by TTG Advisers.
Additionally, in the event the Funds stockholders do not approve the Advisory Agreement, it is
unlikely that the Board would approve the Spin-Off as described.
Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement (and as contemplated by the Spin-Off), TTG Advisers
will not be prohibited from managing other funds. Nevertheless, TTG Advisers has agreed not to
undertake any conflicting duties of loyalty which would affect its prior fiduciary duty to the
Fund. Further, for a period of five years from the Effective Date (unless the Advisory Agreement
ceases to be in effect), TTG Advisers has agreed to give the Fund 30 days advance notice in
writing of any proposed undertaking by it of material significance (including the taking on of any
new clients) and to provide the Fund and the Independent Directors with all information relevant to
a determination of the effect of such undertaking on TTG Advisers ability to carry out
22
its obligations to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. Additionally, during this period, TTG
Advisers has agreed that, absent the consent of the Board, it will not manage another business development
company, a private equity fund or other similar vehicle with the investment objective of: (i)
investing in mezzanine and debt securities; or (ii) making equity or other non-debt investments
that are (a) at the time of the formation of the vehicle, expected to be equal to or less than the
lesser of 10% of the Funds net assets or $25 million; and (b) issued by U.S. companies with less
than $150 million in revenues (Targeted Investments). Furthermore, the Fund and TTG Advisers
have agreed that, so long as the Advisory Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment remains
in effect, TTG Advisers will be the only investment adviser for the Fund, subject to TTG Advisers
right to enter into sub-advisory agreements (in accordance with the requirements under the 1940
Act). TTG Advisers assumes no responsibility under the Advisory Agreement other than to render the
services called for by the Advisory Agreement.
Principal Executive Officers
The following individuals are the principal executive officers of TTG Advisers. The principal
business address of each such person is 287 Bowman Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577.
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Name |
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Position |
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Principal occupation |
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Michael Tokarz
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[To Come]
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Duration and Termination of Agreement
This Advisory Agreement shall remain in effect for two years after the Effective Date, and
thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (i) the vote of the Board, or by the
vote of stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; and (ii)
the vote of a majority of the Funds directors who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or
interested persons (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of either the
Fund or TTG Advisers, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Advisory Agreement
may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days written notice,
by: (i) TTG Advisers in the event (a) a majority of the current Independent Directors cease to
serve as Directors of the Fund or (b) the Fund undergoes a change in control (as such term is
defined by Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act) not caused by TTG Advisers; or (ii) TTG Advisers
following the initial two year term of the Advisory Agreement; or (iii) by the vote of the
stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as such term is
defined by Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act); or (iv) by the action of the Funds Directors.
Furthermore, the Advisory Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment
(as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the 1940 Act).
Mr. Tokarzs Commitment to the Fund
TTG Advisers has represented that it has entered into an agreement with Mr. Tokarz pursuant to
which Mr. Tokarz has agreed to serve as the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio for the full twenty-four calendar months following
the Effective Date, subject to certain agreed upon conditions. In addition, the Fund and TTG
Advisers have acknowledged that Mr. Tokarz is the current Portfolio Manager of the Fund and TTG
Advisers has covenanted that throughout the term of the Advisory Agreement it will not undertake
any action that would cause Mr. Tokarz to cease to serve as the Funds primary Portfolio Manager,
including, without limitation, transferring any controlling interest in TTG Advisers to another
entity or person. In addition, the Fund and TTG Advisers have acknowledged that Mr. Tokarz has
entered into an agreement with the Fund pursuant to which Mr. Tokarz and the Fund have agreed that,
upon the Effective Date, Mr. Tokarzs employment agreement with the Fund, dated November 1, 2003,
as extended on October 31, 2005, shall immediately be terminated and any outstanding obligation
under that agreement shall be superseded by those under the Advisory
Agreement.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities
It is expected that the Fund will adopt an allocation policy that requires, absent the consent
of the Board, TTG Advisers to allocate investment opportunities sourced by it or a person or entity
affiliated with it, to the Fund consistent with the Funds stated investment objective (as may be
amended from time to time consistent with applicable law). Specifically, under this policy, absent
the consent of the Board, TTG Advisers would allocate to the Fund all investment opportunities in
Targeted Investments. It is expected that the policy would permit: (i) any private investment fund
that is managed or co-managed by TTG Advisers and a person or entity not affiliated with TTG
Advisers or the Subsidiary to make an investment, without regard to the Fund, if such
23
investment is
sourced by a person or entity not affiliated with TTG Advisers and the Subsidiary; and (ii) TTG
Advisers shall not have an obligation to seek the consent of the Board nor be required to allocate
Control Investments to the Fund, provided such investment is allocated, in its entirety, to a
Subsidiary. For these purposes, a Control Investment shall mean any equity investment where the
investor holds a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined by the 1940 Act) of
the relevant company.
The Boards Considerations
At an in-person meeting held on May 30, 2006, all of the Independent Directors (Mr. Tokarz
recused himself from making a determination on this matter), voted to approve the Advisory
Agreement, including the externalization plan and recommended that stockholders approve such
agreement. The Independent Directors had the opportunity to consult
in an executive session with
counsel to the Independent Directors regarding the approval of the Advisory Agreement. In reaching
a decision to approve the Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors reviewed a significant
amount of information and considered, among other things:
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(i) |
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the nature, extent and quality of the advisory and other services proposed to
be provided to the Fund by TTG Advisers; |
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(ii) |
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the investment performance of the Fund and Mr. Tokarz and his team; |
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(iii) |
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the potential for additional benefits to be derived by TTG Advisers and its
affiliates as a result of our relationship with TTG Advisers; |
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(iv) |
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other matters; |
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(v) |
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TTG Advisers estimated pro forma profitability with respect to managing the
Fund; |
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(vi) |
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the costs of the services to be provided by TTG Advisers (including
management fees, incentive fees and expense ratios) and estimated profits expected to
be realized by TTG Advisers; and |
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(vii) |
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the potential for economies of scale. |
In particular, all of the Independent Directors, considered the following:
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Independent Directors considered TTG Advisers
representation that the nature, quality and level of services to be provided by TTG Advisers under
the Advisory Agreement would be at least the same as those being provided currently to the Fund by
Mr. Tokarz and the internal management team. The Independent Directors considered that all of the
Funds current investment professionals would be joining TTG Advisers and would continue to provide
services to the Fund. The Independent Directors considered representations that Mr. Tokarz would
continue to serve as the primary portfolio manager responsible for the Funds investment decisions.
The Independent Directors examined the proposed organizational structure of TTG Advisers and its
proposed financial resources. The Independent Directors considered the experience of the proposed
members of TTG Advisers management team, noting that each has been involved with the management of
the Fund and its portfolio companies and has prior experience in connection with the types of
investments proposed to be made by us, including such personnels network of relationships with
intermediaries focused on small and middle-market companies. The Independent Directors accorded
weight to the fact that, although externalization involves a restructuring of the Fund, if
implemented, the Advisory Agreement should not disrupt the continued management of the Fund. In
addition, the Independent Directors considered the other terms and conditions of the Advisory
Agreement, including TTG Advisers representation that it has entered into an agreement with Mr.
Tokarz pursuant to which Mr. Tokarz has agreed to serve as the portfolio manager primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio for the full twenty-four calendar
months following the Effective Date, subject to certain agreed upon conditions. In this regard,
the Independent Directors took into account that the Advisory Agreement provides that TTG Advisers
may only terminate the agreement, at any time: (i) under circumstances where (a) a majority of the
current Independent Directors cease to serve as Directors of the Fund; or (b) the Fund undergoes a
change in control (as such term is defined by Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act) not caused by TTG
Advisers; or (ii) following the initial two year term of the Advisory Agreement. The Independent
Directors concluded that the substantive terms of the Advisory Agreement, including the services to
be provided, are generally similar to
24
those of comparable business development companies described
in the market data then available and that it would be difficult to obtain similar services from
other third party services providers.
Investment Performance. Because TTG Advisers is newly formed, the Directors did not consider
the investment performance of TTG Advisers. The Directors, however, accorded significant weight to
the performance of the Fund since Mr. Tokarz and his team assumed their responsibilities in
November 2003 and to the representation that all of the Funds current employees (including the
Funds investment professionals) are expected to join TTG Advisers and continue their service to
the Fund upon the implementation of the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, the Independent
Directors compared the investment performance of the Fund, since November 2003, to the investment
performance of the S&P 500 Index as well as other business development companies.
Additional Benefits Derived by TTG Advisers. The Independent Directors also took into account
the benefits of externalization to TTG Advisers, particularly that it would allow TTG Advisers
greater flexibility to manage other funds and thus grow the assets under the teams management. In
this regard, the Independent Directors accorded weight to the benefits that could potentially flow
to the Fund and the Funds stockholders from increased assets under management including, in
particular, those described above under Proposed Externalization. The Independent Directors also
considered that Mr. Tokarzs current arrangement with the Fund does not prohibit him nor members of
his team from managing other funds. In this regard, the Independent Directors accorded weight to
TTG Advisers representation that it would seek to provide the Fund with at least the same level,
quality and nature of services currently being provided. The Independent Directors also considered
that for a period of five years from the Effective Date, TTG Advisers must provide 30 days advance
written notice to the Independent Directors before taking on any assignment of material
significance (including the taking on of any new clients). The Independent Directors also
considered TTG Advisers representation that it would not manage a business development company, a
private equity fund or other similar vehicle with the investment objective of investing in Targeted
Investments, without the consent of the Independent Directors.
Other Matters Considered. The Independent Directors considered the degree to which the above
described goals sought to be achieved by the externalization may be accomplished internally (i.e.,
without a need for the externalization). The Independent Directors concluded that the complex web
of statutory and regulatory restrictions (including those relating to the Funds Subchapter M
status) materially limit the Funds ability to grow assets under internal management (particularly,
if the Fund would seek to do this without significantly diluting the equity of the Funds current
stockholders). In addition, the Independent Directors considered that TTG Advisers is likely to
have greater success than the Fund in its present form in attracting and retaining talented
personnel through its ability to offer compensation incentives, including equity participation, in
an independent entity. Furthermore, the Independent Directors accorded significant weight to the
fact that, absent certain particular circumstances, the Advisory Agreement may not be terminated by
TTG Advisers during its initial two-year term, subject to certain agreed upon conditions, and it
reflects a representation that Mr. Tokarz has agreed to serve as the Funds Portfolio Manager for
the full twenty-four calendar months following the Effective Date, subject to certain agreed upon
conditions. By contrast, under his current agreement with the Fund, Mr. Tokarz may terminate his
arrangement with the Fund at any time (on 30 days notice) for any reason.
Profitability of TTG Advisers. The Independent Directors considered that TTG Advisers is
newly formed and its expected profitability is difficult to ascertain and is dependent on its
ability to secure other mandates to manage investment funds. Nevertheless, the Independent
Directors considered a pro-forma rough estimate of profitability provided to it by representatives
of management and the Independent Directors observed that the estimated profitability level seemed
reasonable.
Costs of the Services Provided to the Fund and the Profits Realized by TTG Advisers. The
Independent Directors considered comparative data with respect to services rendered and the
advisory fees (including the management fees and incentive fees) of other business development
companies with similar investment strategies, as well as the Funds projected operating expenses
and expense ratio compared to other business development companies with similar investment
strategies. The Independent Directors also considered the comparative expense ratio data cited
above under Terms of the Advisory Agreement - Payment of our expenses, which demonstrated that
had the Advisory Agreement been in effect during the Funds last fiscal year, the Funds total
expense ratio for that year would have been lower than the Funds actual expense ratio for that
year. In addition, the Independent Directors accorded particular weight to the Expense Cap agreed
to by TTG Advisers. Furthermore, the Independent Directors took into account that an asset-based
fee offers a higher degree of certainty as to the Funds expense ratio than the current internal
arrangement. Based upon its review,
25
the Independent Directors concluded that the fees to be paid
under the Advisory Agreement are fair and generally comparable to those payable under agreements of
comparable business development companies described in the market data then available.
Economies of Scale. The Independent Directors concluded that that there is limited potential
for economies of scale that would inure to the benefit of our stockholders given the nature of the
Fund.
Conclusions. Prior to reaching its conclusions at the May 30 in-person meeting, the
Independent Directors evaluated the proposed arrangements and the concept of externalization, in
general, at multiple telephonic and in-person meetings. In view of the wide variety of factors
that the Independent Directors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Advisory
Agreement, it is not practical to quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the
specific factors it considered in reaching its decision. Rather, the Independent Directors based
its approval on the totality of information presented to, and the investigation conducted by, it.
In considering the factors discussed above, individual directors may have given different weights
to different factors. Based on its review of the abovementioned factors and discussion of the
Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors determined that the fees to be paid under the
Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable in light of the services proposed to be provided. The
Independent Directors then approved the Advisory Agreement and directed that the Advisory Agreement
be submitted to stockholders for approval with the Independent Directors unanimous recommendation
that stockholders of the Fund vote to approve the Advisory Agreement.
If the Funds stockholders approve Proposal 2, the Advisory Agreement will remain in full
force and effect for two years from the date of its implementation, and will automatically renew
for successive annual periods thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by both (i) the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting
securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and (ii) the vote of a majority of those
directors of the Fund who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any
such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Present Management
The Fund is internally managed under the oversight of five Directors. On November 6, 2003,
Mr. Tokarz assumed his position as Chairman and Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Mr. Tokarz is
responsible for making the day-to-day decisions concerning the composition of our portfolio, the
nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes,
identifying, evaluating and negotiating the structure of the investments we make (including
performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies), and determining the securities
and other assets that we purchase, retain or sell.
Led by Mr. Tokarz, the Fund is currently served by a team of nine full-time and one part-time
investment professionals. Often the Fund uses the services of other investment professionals, with
whom it has developed long-term relationships, on an as-needed basis. We have benefited from the
combined resources and investment experience of all of the members of our team. In addition, the
Fund employs four other professionals who manage the operations of the Fund and provide investment
support functions both directly and indirectly to our portfolio companies.
Generally, prior to approving any new investment, we follow the process outlined below.
The key steps in our investment approval process are:
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Initial investment screening by deal person or investment team; |
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Investment professionals present an investment proposal containing key terms and
understandings (verbal and written) to the entire investment team; |
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Our Chief Compliance Officer reviews the proposed investment for compliance with the
1940 Act, the Code, and all other relevant rules and regulations; |
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Investment professionals are provided with authorization to commence due diligence; |
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Any investment professional can call a meeting, as deemed necessary, to: (i) review
the due diligence reports; (ii) review the investment structure and terms; (iii) or to
obtain any other information deemed relevant; |
26
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Once all due diligence is completed, the proposed investment is rated using a rating
system which tests several factors including, but not limited to, cash flow, EBITDA
growth, management and business stability. We use this rating system as the base line for
tracking the investment in the future; |
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Our Chief Compliance Officer confirms that the proposed investment will not cause us
to violate the 1940 Act, the Code or any other applicable rule or regulation; |
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Mr. Tokarz approves the transaction; and |
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The investment is funded. |
The Directors hold formal quarterly meetings at which a report of actions taken since the most
recent meeting is presented to the Directors. Additionally, the Directors receive and review, at
least quarterly, statements detailing changes in the Funds portfolio of investments.
The current internally-managed operations of the Fund also include: supervision of relations
with the Funds custodian, administrator, attorneys, independent registered public accounting firm
and others furnishing services to the Fund; preparing stockholder communications and conducting
stockholder relations; maintaining Fund records; and insuring compliance with applicable laws,
including state and federal securities laws.
Current Compensation Under Internal Management Structure
Under the terms of his present agreement with the Fund, the Fund is obligated to pay Mr.
Tokarz an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) 20% of the net income of the Fund for the fiscal
year; and (ii) the sum of (a) 20% of the net capital gains realized by the Fund in respect of
investments made during his tenure as Portfolio Manager; or (b) the amount, if any, by which the
Funds total expenses for a fiscal year were less than two percent of the Funds net assets
(determined as of the last day of the period). Any payments made are calculated based upon the
audited financials of the Fund for the applicable fiscal year and would be paid as soon as
practicable following the completion of such audit. Mr. Tokarz has determined to allocate a
portion of the incentive compensation to certain employees of the Fund. Either the Fund or Mr.
Tokarz may terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice. For the year ended October 31,
2005, Mr. Tokarz received no cash or other compensation from the Fund pursuant to his contract.
The other employees and officers of the Fund receive salaries, bonuses and benefits. The
compensation of the three highest paid executive officers of the Fund is set forth under Director
and Executive Officer Compensation in Proposal 1. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the
Fund accrued a total of approximately $2.3 million in salaries, bonuses and benefits to its
employees and accrued approximately $1.1 million in incentive compensation as a provisional expense
relating to Mr. Tokarzs present agreement with the Fund. As discussed earlier, if the Advisory
Agreement is implemented, the Funds present agreement with Mr. Tokarz shall be terminated and any
obligation of the Fund under the present agreement would be superseded by those under the Advisory
Agreement.
VOTE REQUIRED
The Advisory Agreement cannot become effective unless approved at the Meeting, or any
adjournment thereof, by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in
the 1940 Act). Such a majority (Majority Vote) means the affirmative vote of the holders of (a)
67% or more of the shares of the Fund present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, whichever is less.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the Advisory Agreement.
VOTING INFORMATION
A quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at the Meeting. For purposes of determining
the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes
will be treated as shares that are present at the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
have no effect on the outcome of voting on the proposal.
In the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting, or in the event that a quorum is
present at the Meeting but sufficient votes to approve any proposal are not received, the persons
named as proxies, or their substitutes, may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to
permit the further solicitation of proxies.
27
Any adjourned session or sessions may be held after
the date set for the Meeting without notice, except announcement at the Meeting (or any adjournment
thereof); provided, that if the Meeting is adjourned to a date that is more than 30 days after the
date for which the Meeting was originally called, written notice will be provided to stockholders.
Any adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the
Meeting in person or by proxy. In the event an adjournment is proposed because a quorum is not
present, the persons named as proxies will vote those proxies they are entitled to vote FOR all of
the nominees in favor of such adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to WITHHOLD on any
nominee, against any such adjournment. In the event a quorum is present but sufficient votes to
approve Proposal 2 are not received, the persons named as proxies will vote those proxies they are entitled to vote
FOR Proposal 2 in favor of such adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to be voted
AGAINST Proposal 2, against any such adjournment.
Most beneficial owners whose shares are held in street name will receive voting instruction
forms from their banks, brokers or other agents, rather than the Funds Proxy Card. A number of
banks and brokerage firms are participating in a program that offers a means to grant proxies to
vote shares via the Internet or by telephone. If your shares are held in an account with a bank or
broker participating in this program, you may grant a proxy to vote those shares via the Internet
or telephonically by using the website or telephone number shown on the instruction form received
from your broker or bank.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this Proxy Statement, the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and the enclosed Proxy Card, as well as the costs associated with the proxy
solicitation, will be borne by the Fund. Mr. Tokarz has agreed to bear all expenses related to the
organization of TTG Advisers as well as his legal expenses in connection with the Advisory
Agreement.
OTHER MATTERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Other Business at the Meeting.
The Board does not intend to bring any matters before the Meeting other than as stated in this
Proxy Statement, and is not aware that any other matters will be presented for action at the
Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons
named as proxies to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment, unless specific
instructions have been given.
Future Stockholder Proposals.
If a stockholder intends to present a proposal at the annual meeting of stockholders of the
Fund to be held in 2007 (the 2007 Annual Meeting) and desires to have the proposal included in
the Funds proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting, the stockholder must deliver the
proposal to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Fund, 287 Bowman Avenue, 2nd
Floor, Purchase, New York 10577, and such proposal must be received by the Secretary no later than
May 10, 2007. The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the proxy statement
and is subject to limitations under the 1934 Act.
Stockholders wishing to present proposals at the 2007 Annual Meeting must send written notice
of such proposals to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Fund, 287 Bowman
Avenue, 2nd Floor, Purchase, New York 10577, and such proposals must be received by the Secretary
no sooner than, June 9, 2007 and no later than July 9, 2007, in the form prescribed in the Funds
By-Laws.
Results of Voting.
Stockholders will be informed of the voting results of the Meeting in the Funds annual report
for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2006 on Form 10-K which will be filed with the SEC on or
before January 14, 2007.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
Brokerage.
During the 2005 fiscal year, the Fund paid no brokerage commissions to any broker: (i) that
is an affiliated person of the Fund; (ii) that is an affiliated person of such person; or (iii) an
affiliated person of which is an affiliated person of the Fund, or any principal underwriter or
administrator for the Fund.
28
Administrator.
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202,
serves as the administrator, custodian and accounting agent of the Fund.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act, and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act, taken together, require that
the Directors, officers of the Fund and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the equity securities
of the Fund (collectively, Reporting Persons) file with the SEC reports of their beneficial
ownership and changes in their beneficial
ownership of the Funds securities. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports,
the Fund believes that each of the Reporting Persons who was a Reporting Person during the fiscal
year ended October 31, 2005, has complied with applicable filing requirements.
Exhibit A attached hereto identifies holders of more than 5% of the shares of the Funds
common stock as of the Record Date.
Independent Public Accountants.
The Board, upon approval and recommendation of the Audit Committee, at a meeting held on
December 12, 2005, selected E&Y to serve as the independent accountants for the Fund for the fiscal
year ending October 31, 2006. E&Y was approved by the Audit Committee and the Board to serve as
the independent accountants for the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, and has served
in such capacity since October 27, 2003. A representative of E&Y will attend the Meeting to
respond to appropriate questions and make a statement, if he/she so desires.
Audit Fees:
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by E&Y for the audit of the
Funds annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005 were $275,000.
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by E&Y for the audit of the
Funds annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004 were $135,000.
Audit-Related Fees:
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for assurance and
related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our
financial statements were $0.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for assurance and
related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our
financial statements were $0.
Tax Fees:
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for services
rendered with respect to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $15,650.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for services
rendered with respect to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $38,500.
All Other Fees:
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for any other
products or services were $102,000.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, the aggregate fees billed by E&Y for any other
products or services were $21,500.
The Audit Committee has considered whether E&Y has maintained its independence during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2005.
29
The Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit and
non-audit services to be provided to the Fund by the independent accountants; provided, however,
that the Audit Committee may specifically authorize its Chairman to pre-approve the provision of
any non-audit service to the Fund. Further, the foregoing pre-approval policy may be waived, with
respect to the provision of any non-audit services, consistent with the exceptions provided for in
the federal securities laws. All of the audit and tax services provided by E&Y for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 2005 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. For the fiscal year ended October
31, 2005, the Funds Audit Committee did not waive the pre-approval requirement with respect to any
non-audit services provided to the Fund by E&Y.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Michael Tokarz
Chairman
, 2006
Stockholders who do not expect to be present at the Meeting and who wish to have their shares voted
are requested to mark, sign and date the enclosed Proxy Card and return it in the enclosed
envelope. No postage is required if mailed in the United States. Alternatively, you may have the
ability to vote your shares by the Internet or by telephone.
30
EXHIBIT A
The following table sets forth, as of June 9, 2006, each stockholder who owned more than 5% of
the Funds outstanding shares of common stock, each current director, each nominee for director,
the Funds executive officers, and the directors and executive officers as a group. Unless
otherwise indicated, the Fund believes that each beneficial owner set forth in the table has sole
voting and investment power.
|
|
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|
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|
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Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Owned |
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially |
|
|
Fund Held |
|
The Anegada Master Fund Ltd. |
|
|
2,601,800 |
(1) |
|
|
13.63 |
% |
The Cuttyhunk Fund Limited
Tonga Partners, L.P.
TE Cannell Portfolio, Ltd.
c/o Cannell Capital LLC
150 California Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QVT Financial LP |
|
|
2,039,600 |
(2) |
|
|
10.68 |
% |
527 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Western Investment Hedged Partners LP |
|
|
1,372,400 |
(3) |
|
|
7.88 |
% |
Western Investment Institutional Partners LLC
Western Investment Activism Partners LLC
Western Investment Total Return Master Fund Ltd. and
Arthur D. Lipson
c/o Western Investment LLC
2855 East Cottonwood Parkway
Suite 110
Salt Lake City, UT 84121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Bank AG |
|
|
1,336,366 |
(4) |
|
|
6.99 |
% |
Taunusanlage 12
D-60325 Frankfurt am Main
Federal Republic of Germany
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Millenco, L.P. |
|
|
1,369,770 |
(5) |
|
|
7.17 |
% |
Millennium Global Estate, L.P.
Millennium USA, L.P.
Millennium Partners, L.P. and
Millennium International, Ltd.
c/o Millennium Management, LLC
666 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P. |
|
|
1,189,600 |
(6) |
|
|
6.23 |
% |
Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P. I
Wynnefield Small Cap Value Offshore Fund,
Ltd. Channel Partnership II, L.P.
Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC
Wynnefield Capital, Inc.
Nelson Obus
c/o Wynnefield Capital Management LLC
450 Seventh Avenue
Suite 509
New York, NY 10123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MFP Investors, LLC |
|
|
999,700 |
(7) |
|
|
5.23 |
% |
51 John F. Kennedy Parkway, 2nd Floor
Short Hills, NJ 07078 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Tokarz |
|
|
357,773.14 |
|
|
|
1.82 |
% |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emilio Dominianni |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gerald Hellerman |
|
|
21,528.55 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert Knapp(8) |
|
|
1,492,470 |
|
|
|
7.82 |
% |
William Taylor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
A-1
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Owned |
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially |
|
|
Fund Held |
|
Bruce Shewmaker |
|
|
2,601.34 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Peter Seidenberg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Schuenke |
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jaclyn Shapiro-Rothchild |
|
|
650 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 in total) |
|
|
1,993,077 |
|
|
|
10.44 |
% |
A-2
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
Based upon information contained in Form 4 filed with the SEC on May 19, 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Based upon information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on December 8, 2005.
This amount includes 1,336.366 shares where Deutsche Bank AG is the beneficial owner of the
shares. |
|
(3) |
|
Based upon information contained in Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2006. |
|
(4) |
|
Based upon information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 31, 2006. See
footnote (2). |
|
(5) |
|
Based upon information contained in Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on December 1, 2005. |
|
(6) |
|
Based upon information contained in Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2006. |
|
(7) |
|
Based upon information contained in Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 20, 2005 |
|
(8) |
|
1,369,770 shares are owned by Millennium Partners, L.P. and/or its affiliates (Millennium).
Mr. Knapp is an officer of Millennium. Mr. Knapp has disclaimed all beneficial ownership in these
shares to the extent permitted under applicable law. |
A-3
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS
The following general rules for signing Proxy Cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the
time and expense involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your Proxy Card properly.
1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the
Proxy Card.
2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should
conform exactly to the name shown in the registration on the Proxy Card.
3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the Proxy Card should be
indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:
|
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Registration |
|
Valid Signatures |
CORPORATE ACCOUNTS |
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(1) ABC Corp.
|
|
ABC Corp. |
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(2) ABC Corp.
|
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John Doe, Treasurer |
|
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(3) ABC Corp. c/o John Doe, Treasurer
|
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John Doe |
|
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(4) ABC Profit Sharing Plan
|
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John Doe, Treasurer |
|
|
|
TRUST ACCOUNTS |
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|
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(1) ABC Trust
|
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Jane B. Doe, Trustee |
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(2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee u/t/d 12/28/78
|
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Jane B. Doe |
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CUSTODIAL OR ESTATE ACCOUNTS |
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(1) John B. Smith, Cust. f/b/o John B. Smith Jr. UGMA
|
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John B. Smith |
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(2) John B. Smith
|
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John B. Smith, Jr., Executor |
Exhibit B
AMENDED AND RESTATED AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
January 31, 2006
This charter sets forth the purpose, authority and responsibilities of the Audit Committee of
the Board of Directors (the Board) of MVC Capital, Inc. (the Fund), a Delaware corporation.
Purposes
The Audit Committee of the Board (the Committee) has, as its primary purposes:
(i) oversight responsibility with respect to: (a) the adequacy of the Funds accounting and
financial reporting processes, policies and practices; (b) the integrity of the Funds financial
statements and the independent audit thereof; (c) the adequacy of the Funds overall system of
internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; (d) the
Funds compliance with certain legal and regulatory requirements; (e) determining the qualification
and independence of the Funds independent auditors; and (f) the Funds internal audit function, if
any; and
(ii) oversight of the preparation of any report required to be prepared by the Committee
pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for inclusion in the Funds
annual proxy statement with respect to the election of directors.
Authority
The Committee has been duly established by the Board and shall have the resources and
authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to retain counsel
and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Fund. The Committee has the authority and
responsibility to retain and terminate the Funds independent auditors. In connection therewith,
the Committee must evaluate the independence of the Funds independent auditors and receive the
auditors specific representations as to their independence.
Composition and Term of Committee Members
The Committee shall be comprised of a minimum of three Directors of the Board. To be eligible
to serve as a member of the Committee, a Director must be an Independent Director, which term
shall mean a Director who is not an interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, of the Fund. The members of the Committee shall designate one member to serve
as Chairman of the Committee.
Each member of the Committee shall serve until a successor is appointed.
The Board must determine whether: (i) the Committee has at least one member who is an audit
committee financial expert, (ACFE) as such term is defined in the rules adopted under Section
407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; (ii) the Committee has at least one member who possesses
accounting and financial management expertise (as such term is described under the New York Stock
Exchange Listing Requirements) which may be based on past employment expertise, professional
certification in accounting or other comparable experience or background that indicates an
individuals financial sophistication; and (iii) each member of the Committee possesses sufficient
financial literacy, as required under the New York Stock Exchange Listing Requirements. The
designation of a person as an ACFE is not intended to impose any greater responsibility or
liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such person as a member
of the Committee, nor does it decrease the duties and obligations of other Committee members or the
Board.
Meetings
The Committee shall meet on a regular basis and no less frequently than quarterly. The
Committee shall meet, at a minimum, within 90 days prior to the filing of each annual and quarterly
report of the Fund on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, respectively. Periodically, the Committee shall meet to
discuss with management the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements,
including the Funds disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and
B-1
Results of Operations. Periodically, the Committee should meet separately with each of
management, any personnel responsible for the internal audit function and, if deemed necessary, the
Funds administrator and independent auditors to discuss any matters that the Committee or any of
these persons or firms believe should be discussed privately. The Committee may request any
officer or employee of the Fund, or the Funds legal counsel (or counsel to the Independent
Directors of the Board) or the Funds independent auditors to attend a meeting of the Committee or
to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
Minutes of each meeting will be taken and circulated to all members of the Committee in a
timely manner.
Any action of the Committee requires the vote of a majority of the Committee members present,
whether in person or otherwise, at the meeting at which such action is considered. At any meeting
of the Committee, one member of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of taking
any action.
Duties and Powers and of the Committee
The duties and powers of the Committee include, but are not limited to, the following:
|
|
bears direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the
Funds independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor
regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other
audit, review or attest services for the Fund, and the independent auditors must report directly to the
Committee; |
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set the compensation for the independent auditors, such amount to be paid by the Fund; |
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|
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evaluate the independence of the Funds independent auditors and receive the auditors specific
representations as to their independence; |
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to the extent required by applicable law, pre-approve: (i) all audit and non-audit services that the
Funds independent auditors provide to the Fund and (ii) all non-audit services that the Funds independent
auditors provide to the Funds investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under
common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund, if the engagement
relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the
Fund. (To the extent specifically
authorized by the Audit Committee, the Chairman of the Audit Committee may pre-approve the provision of any
non-audit services to the Fund.); |
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|
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meet with the Funds independent auditors, including private meetings, as necessary to (i) review the
arrangements for and scope of the annual audit and any special audits; (ii) discuss any matters of concern
relating to the Funds financial statements, including any adjustments to such statements recommended by
the auditors, or other results of the audit; (iii) review any audit problems or difficulties with
managements response; (iv) consider the auditors comments with respect to the Funds financial policies,
procedures and internal accounting controls and managements responses thereto; and (v) review the form of
opinion the auditors propose to render to the Directors and the shareholders of the Fund; |
|
|
|
review reports prepared by the Funds independent auditors detailing the fees paid to the Funds
independent auditors for: (i) audit services (includes all services necessary to perform an audit,
services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements and other services
generally provided by independent auditors, such as comfort letters, statutory audits, attest services,
consents and assistance with, and review of, documents filed with the SEC); (ii) audit-related services
(covers assurance and due diligence services, including, employee benefit plan audits, due diligence
related to mergers and acquisitions, consultations and audits in connection with acquisitions, internal
control reviews and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards); (iii) tax
services (services performed by a professional staff in the accounting firms tax division, except those
services related to the audit, including tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice); and (iv) other
services (includes financial information systems implementation and design); |
|
|
|
ensure that the Funds independent auditors prepare and deliver annually to the Committee a written
statement (the Auditors Statement) describing: (i) the auditors internal quality control procedures;
(ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review or peer review of the
auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the
preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps
taken to deal with any such issues; and (iii) all relationships between the
|
B-2
independent auditors and the Fund, including each non-audit service provided to the Fund and the matters set forth in Independence Standards Board No. 1;
|
|
prior to filing an annual report with the SEC, receive and review a written report, as of a date 90 days or less prior to
the filing, to the Committee from the Funds independent auditors regarding any: (i) critical accounting policies to be
used; (ii) alternative accounting treatments that have been discussed with the Funds management along with a description
of the ramifications of the use of such alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors; and
(iii) material written communications between the auditor and management of the Fund; |
|
|
|
oversee the Funds internal controls and annual and quarterly financial reporting process, including results of the annual
audit. Oversee internal accounting controls relating to the activities of the Funds custodian, investment adviser and
administrator through the periodic review of reports, discussions with appropriate officers and consideration of reviews
provided by internal audit staff; |
|
|
|
establish procedures for: (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Fund from any source
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission
from employees of the Fund and its service providers of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; |
|
|
|
review of any issues brought to the Committees attention by independent public accountants or the Funds management,
including those relating to any deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect
the Funds ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data, any material weaknesses in internal controls
and any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
Funds internal controls; |
|
|
|
review and evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the lead partner of the Funds independent auditors; |
|
|
|
require the Funds independent auditors to report any instance of an audit partner of those auditors earning or receiving
compensation based on that partner procuring engagements with the Fund to provide any services other than audit, review or
attest services; |
|
|
|
resolve any disagreements between the Funds management and independent auditors concerning the Funds financial reporting; |
|
|
|
to the extent there are Directors who are not members of the Committee, report its activities to the Board on a regular
basis and to make such recommendations with respect to the above and other matters as the Committee may deem necessary or
appropriate; |
|
|
|
discuss any Fund press releases relating to its financial statements (to the extent such releases are not discussed by the
Valuation Committee or the Board); |
|
|
|
discuss any policies with respect to risk management; |
|
|
|
set clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors; |
|
|
|
conduct an annual performance evaluation of the Committee; |
|
|
|
review the Committees charter at least annually and recommend any material changes to the Board; and |
|
|
|
review such other matters as may be appropriately delegated to the Committee by the Board. |
B-3
Exhibit C
FORM OF
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
AND
THE TOKARZ GROUP ADVISERS LLC
Agreement made this ___day of ___2006, by and between MVC Capital, Inc., a Delaware Fund
(the Fund), and The Tokarz Group Advisers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
Adviser).
Whereas, the Fund is a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be
regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
Investment Company Act); and
Whereas, the Board of Directors of the Fund (the Board) has determined to externalize the
Funds management and retain the Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Fund on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Adviser wishes to be retained to provide such
services.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable
consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Duties of the Adviser.
(a) The Fund hereby employs the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Fund and to
manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Directors of the Fund (the Board), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth:
(i) in accordance with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions that are determined by
the Board from time to time and disclosed to the Adviser, which objectives, policies and
restrictions shall initially be those set forth in the Funds Registration Statement on Form N-2,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC) on February 21, 2006 (the Registration Statement); (ii) in accordance with the
Investment Company Act; and (iii) during the term of this Agreement in accordance with all other
applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the Funds charter and by-laws.
References in this Agreement to the Fund shall also include any wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Fund, where appropriate and as applicable.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and
subject to the provisions of this Agreement: (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the
Fund, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes;
(ii) identify, evaluate and negotiate the structure of the investments made by the Fund; (iii)
close and monitor the Funds investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the
Fund will purchase, retain, or sell; (v) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;
(vi) provide the Fund with such other investment advisory, research and related services as the
Fund may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of their funds; (vii) oversee
the performance of the Funds outside service providers, including the Funds administrator,
transfer agent and custodian; (viii) oversee compliance by the Fund with U.S. federal, state and
other applicable laws and regulations; (ix) provide the Fund with office space; and (x) pay the
salaries, fees and expenses of such of the Funds directors, officers or employees who are
directors, officers, principals or employees of the Adviser or any of its affiliates, except that
the Fund will reimburse the Adviser for (a) its allocable portion of the compensation payable to
its chief financial officer (CFO), chief compliance officer (CCO) and secretary in an amount
not to exceed $100,000 per year, in the aggregate, and (b) travel expenses, or an appropriate
portion of such expenses (in the event such expenses are not otherwise reimbursed by a portfolio
company or third party), that relate to attendance at meetings of the Board or any committees
thereof and the Funds portfolio companies. The Adviser may delegate any of the foregoing duties
to a third party with the consent of the Board. The Adviser shall have the power and authority on
behalf of the Fund to effectuate its investment decisions for the Fund, including the execution and
delivery of all documents relating to the Funds investments and the placing of orders for other
purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Fund. In the event that the Fund, in consultation
with the Adviser, determines to incur debt financing, the Adviser will arrange for such financing
on the Funds behalf, subject to the approval of the Board. Furthermore, the Fund shall consult
with the Adviser prior to issuing any preferred stock. The Adviser will offer, and provide where
requested, on the Funds behalf and/or on behalf of a subsidiary of the Fund, significant
managerial assistance to the issuers of securities in which the Fund is invested. The Adviser
shall make available to the Fund individuals to serve as directors and/or officers of the Fund, as
deemed necessary by the Board.
(b) The Adviser shall manage the Funds day-to-day operations and oversee the administration,
record keeping and compliance functions of the Fund and/or third parties performing such functions
for the Fund. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser specifically shall be
responsible for overseeing: (i) the preparation of periodic financial statements; (ii)
C-1
the preparation of financial and accounting reports for presentation to the Funds Board and
for stockholders and governmental agencies; (iii) the preparation and filing of the Funds tax
returns (and those of any wholly-owned subsidiary involved with the Funds operations); (iv) the
preparation and providing of such reports and analyses to the Funds Board and stockholders as may
from time to time be considered necessary or appropriate by the Funds Board; (v) the arrangement
of the payment of the Funds expenses and the performance of administrative and professional
services rendered to the Fund by others; (vi) the preparation of any proxy statements and arranging
and conducting meetings of stockholders of the Fund; (vii) the procurement of insurance for the
Fund, its subsidiaries and/or its officers and directors, as directed by the Board; and (viii) such
other operational, administrative and regulatory compliance duties as shall from time to time arise
as a result of the Funds operations and investing activities.
(c) The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the
services described herein for the compensation provided herein.
(d) Subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Adviser is hereby
authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with other investment advisers (each,
a Sub-Adviser) pursuant to which the Adviser may obtain the services of the Sub-Adviser(s) to
assist the Adviser in providing the investment advisory services (i.e., the making of investment
recommendations or decisions for the Fund) required to be provided by the Adviser under Section
1(a) of this Agreement. Specifically, the Adviser may retain a Sub-Adviser to recommend specific
securities or other investments based upon the Funds investment objectives and policies. The
Adviser, and not the Fund, shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any Sub-Adviser.
Any sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Adviser shall be in accordance with the requirements
of the Investment Company Act and other applicable federal and state law. Nothing in this
subsection (d) will obligate the Adviser to pay any expenses that are the expenses of the Fund
under Section 2.
(e) The Adviser, and any Sub-Adviser, shall for all purposes herein provided each be deemed to
be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no
authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.
(f) The Adviser shall keep and preserve for the period required by the Investment Company Act
any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Fund and
shall specifically maintain all books and records with respect to the Funds portfolio transactions
and shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably
request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of
the Fund and will surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Funds request, provided
that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records. Upon termination of this Agreement, the
Adviser shall have no further obligations under this Section 1(f).
(g) Prior to the Effective Date (as defined in Section 10 below), the Adviser shall adopt and
implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent its violation of the
Federal Securities laws. Also prior to the Effective Date, the Adviser shall have provided to the
Fund, and shall provide the Fund at such times in the future as the Fund shall reasonably request,
a copy of such policies and procedures (and any amendments thereto) and a report of such policies
and procedures. Such report shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may
reasonably be required to comply with Rule 38a1 under the Investment Company Act (Rule 38a-1)
and to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such
examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the report shall so state.
2. Funds Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Fund.
All investment professionals of the Adviser and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in
providing services required to be provided by the Adviser under Section 1(a) and (b), and the
compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be
provided and paid for by the Adviser and not by the Fund, except that costs or expenses relating
specifically to items identified in the next sentence shall be borne by the Fund, as appropriate.
The Fund will bear all costs and expenses of its operations and transactions, including, without
limitation, those relating to: (i) the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm; (ii)
expenses incurred by the Adviser payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other
advisors, in monitoring financial and legal affairs for the Fund and in monitoring the Funds
investments and performing due diligence on its prospective portfolio companies, provided, however,
the retention by the Adviser of any third party to perform such services shall require the advance
approval of the Board (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) if the fees for such
services are expected to exceed $30,000; once the third party is approved any expenditure to such
third party will not require additional approval from the Board; (iii) interest payable on debt, if
any, incurred to finance the Funds investments or to maintain its tax status; (iv) offerings of
the Funds common stock and other securities; (v) investment advisory and management fees; (vi)
fees and payments due under any administration agreement between the Fund and its administrator;
(vii) transfer agent and custodial fees; (viii) federal and state registration fees; (ix) all costs
of registration and listing the Funds shares on any securities exchange; (x) federal, state and
local taxes; (xi) independent directors fees and expenses; (xii) costs of preparing and filing
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reports or other documents required by governmental bodies (including the SEC); (xiii) costs
of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing and mailing
costs; (xiv) the cost of the Funds fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions
liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; (xv) direct costs and expenses of
administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone, copying, independent auditors
and outside legal costs; (xvi) the costs and expenses associated with the establishment of an SPV
(as defined in Section 3(c) below); (xvii) the allocable portion of the cost (excluding office
space) of the Funds CFO, CCO and secretary (subject to the limit set forth in Section 1(a)); and
(xviii) all other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with administering the Funds
business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, absent the consent of the Board, any fees or income
earned, on the Funds behalf, by any officer, director, employee or agent of the Adviser in
connection with the monitoring or closing of an investment or disposition by the Fund or for
providing managerial assistance to a portfolio company (e.g., serving on the board of directors of
a portfolio company), shall inure to the Fund.
3. Compensation of the Adviser.
The Fund agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the services
provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (Base Management Fee) and an incentive
fee (Incentive Fee) as hereinafter set forth. The Fund shall make any payments due hereunder to
the Adviser or to the Advisers designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, the Adviser may elect, or the Fund may adopt a deferred compensation
plan pursuant to which the Adviser may elect, to defer all or a portion of its fees hereunder for a
specified period of time.
(a) The Base Management Fee shall be 2.00% per annum of the Funds total assets (excluding
cash and the value of any investment by the Fund not made in a portfolio company (Non-Eligible
Assets), but including assets purchased with borrowed funds that are not Non-Eligible Assets).
The Base Management Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. The Base Management Fee will be
calculated based on the value of the Funds total assets (excluding Non-Eligible Assets, but
including assets purchased with borrowed funds that are not Non-Eligible Assets) at the end of the
most recently completed fiscal quarter. Base Management Fees for any partial fiscal quarter will
be appropriately pro rated.
(b) The Incentive Fee shall consist of two parts, as follows:
(i) One part will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Pre-Incentive
Fee net investment income for the fiscal quarter (the Income Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive
Fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income
(including any other fees to the Fund such as directors, commitment, origination, structuring,
diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Fund receives from portfolio companies)
accrued by the Fund during the fiscal quarter, minus the Funds operating expenses for the
fiscal quarter (including the Base Management Fee and any interest expense and dividends paid on
any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee (whether paid or
accrued)).
Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred
interest feature (such as market discount, debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest,
preferred stock with payment-in-kind dividends and zero coupon securities), accrued income that has
not yet been received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any
realized capital gains, realized and unrealized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation
or depreciation.
Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the
Funds net assets (defined as total assets less liabilities) at the end of the immediately
preceding fiscal quarter, will be compared to a hurdle rate of 1.75% per fiscal quarter. The
Fund will pay the Adviser the Income Incentive Fee with respect to the Funds pre-Incentive Fee net
investment income in each fiscal quarter as follows:
(A) no Income Incentive Fee in any fiscal quarter in which the Funds pre-Incentive
Fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate;
(B) 100% of the Funds pre-Incentive Fee net investment income with respect to that
portion of such pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle
rate but is less than 2.1875% in any fiscal quarter; and
(C) 20% of the amount of the Funds pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any,
that exceeds 2.1875% in any fiscal quarter.
These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months
and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current fiscal quarter.
C-3
(ii) The second part of the Incentive Fee (the Capital Gains Fee) will: (a) be determined
and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of this Agreement
as set forth below), commencing with the fiscal year ending on October 31, 2007; (b) be
calculated at the end of each applicable fiscal year; and (c) be calculated as follows: 20% of
(1) the Funds net realized capital gains, during such fiscal year, on the Funds portfolio
securities acquired after November 1, 2003 (the Funds New Portfolio) (exclusive of any
realized gains subject to an SPV Incentive Allocation, as defined below), minus (2) the Funds
cumulative aggregate unrealized capital depreciation of the Funds New Portfolio calculated from
the Effective Date (as defined in Section 10). If the Capital Gains Fee is negative, then there
will be no Capital Gains Fee payable for such year. If this Agreement shall terminate as of a
date that is not a fiscal year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a
fiscal year end for purposes of calculating and paying a Capital Gains Fee. Furthermore, upon
the tender of a notice of termination of this Agreement, all unrealized capital gains on the
Funds New Portfolio shall be deemed realized at their net asset value last determined by the
Valuation Committee of the Board and the Capital Gains Fee shall be determined and deemed
payable as of the date of a tender of a notice of termination of this Agreement. Any Capital
Gains Fee due upon the tender of a notice of termination of this Agreement shall be paid as soon
as practicable after the Capital Gains Fee is permitted to be paid under applicable law. Any
Capital Gains Fee to be made under this Section 3 shall be paid as soon as practicable following
the completion of the audit of the financial statements of the Fund for the applicable fiscal
year performed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Capital Gains Fee and the SPV
Incentive Allocation (as defined below) for any fiscal year exceed 20% of: (a) the Funds net
realized capital gains, during such fiscal year, on the Funds portfolio securities (the Funds
Total Portfolio) and any realized gains subject to an SPV Incentive Allocation (as defined
below) minus (b) the Funds cumulative aggregate unrealized capital depreciation of the Funds
Total Portfolio, calculated from the Effective Date (as defined in Section 10) (the Cap).
Furthermore, in the event that the Capital Gains Fee for any fiscal year exceeds the Cap
(Uncollected Capital Gains Fees), all or a portion of such amount shall be accrued and payable
to the Adviser following any subsequent fiscal year in which the Agreement is in effect, but
only to the extent the Capital Gains Fee, plus the amount of Uncollected Capital Gains Fees,
each calculated as of the end of such subsequent fiscal year, do not exceed the Cap. Any
remaining Uncollected Capital Gains Fees shall be paid following subsequent fiscal years in
accordance with the same process, provided the Agreement is in effect during such fiscal year.
For purposes of this Section 3(b)(ii):
Realized capital gains means the amount by which the net amount realized from the sale or
other disposition of an investment exceeds the cost as adjusted of such investment as determined
by the Fund in accordance with GAAP and the Investment Company Act.
Realized capital losses means the amount by which the net amount received from the sale
or other disposition of an investment is less than the cost as adjusted of such investment as
determined by the Fund in accordance with GAAP and the Investment Company Act.
Net realized capital gains means realized capital gains minus realized capital losses.
Unrealized capital depreciation means the sum of the differences, if negative, between
(a) the valuation of each investment in the Funds New Portfolio or Funds Total Portfolio, as
applicable, as of the applicable Capital Gains Fee calculation date and (b) the accreted or
amortized cost basis of such investment.
(c) The Fund hereby authorizes the Adviser to create or arrange for the creation of one or
more special purpose vehicles for which it may serve as the general partner or managing member, as
applicable, for purposes of making investments on behalf of the Fund (each, an SPV).
Furthermore, the Fund authorizes the Adviser, in its role as the general partner or managing
member, as applicable, of an SPV, to receive an incentive allocation equal to 20% of the net
profits of the SPV (the SPV Incentive Allocation). The Adviser acknowledges and agrees that: (i)
prior to the SPV conducting any investment activities, the Board must approve the SPVs
organizational documents; and (ii) subject to the approval of the Board, the Adviser will establish
procedures for every SPV to ensure that any SPV Incentive Allocation received by the Adviser will
not cause the total compensation received by the Adviser under this Agreement to exceed the limits
imposed by Section 205(b)(3) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
In addition, for each of the next two full fiscal years (i.e., fiscal 2007 and 2008), the
Adviser hereby agrees to absorb or reimburse operating expenses of the Fund (promptly following the
completion of such year), to the extent necessary to limit the Funds Expense Ratio for any such
year to 3.25% (the Expense Cap); provided, however, if, on October 31, 2007, the Funds net
assets have not increased by at least 5% from October 31, 2006, the dollar value of the Expense Cap
shall increase by 5% for fiscal
C-4
2008. For purposes of this paragraph, the Funds Expense Ratio shall be calculated as of
October 31 of any such year and mean: (i) the consolidated expenses of the Fund (which expenses
shall include any amounts payable to the Adviser under the Base Management Fee, but shall exclude
the amount of any interest, taxes, incentive compensation, and extraordinary expenses (including,
but not limited to, any legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification
related thereto, and the costs of any spin-off or other similar type transaction
contemplated by this Agreement)), as a percentage of (ii) the average net assets of the Fund (i.e.,
average consolidated assets less average consolidated liabilities) during such fiscal year as set
forth in the Funds financial statements contained in the Funds annual report on Form 10-K.
4. The Advisers Management of Private Equity Funds. As consideration for the Fund entering into
this Agreement, the Adviser acknowledges the parties objective of having the Funds stockholders
participate in a portion of the revenues generated by private investment funds managed by the
Adviser. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser agrees that, absent the consent of the
Board, the Adviser shall not establish a private investment fund managed by the personnel of the
Adviser with the investment objective of: (a) investing in mezzanine and debt securities; or (b)
making equity or other non-debt investments that are: (i) at the time of the formation of the
private fund, expected to be equal to or less than the lesser of 10% of the Funds net assets or
$25 million; and (ii) issued by U.S. companies with less than $150 million in revenues (Targeted
Investments). If the Board approves the formation of a new private investment fund for investment
in Targeted Investments, this private investment fund shall have a general partner or managing
member (a Private Fund General Partner) that is owned (directly or indirectly) by the Adviser and
a Subsidiary (as defined below). Private Fund General Partners shall be entitled to the entire
portion of incentive allocations paid by the private investment funds managed by the Adviser,
unless a portion thereof is allocated to a third party that is not affiliated with, and independent
of, the Adviser. The Fund represents that the independent directors, constituting a majority of
the Board (the Independent Board), have resolved to: (i) establish a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Fund (a Subsidiary) that would, among other things, have the authority to invest (directly or
indirectly) in Private Fund General Partners; and (ii) authorize the Fund to pursue a spin-off of
the Subsidiary to all stockholders, on a pro-rata basis, the specific terms of which would be
subject to the due diligence of, and the consideration and approval by, the Independent Board. In
addition, the Adviser will use its reasonable efforts to include the Subsidiary in opportunities to
participate in the revenues of other new private investment funds formed to pursue investments
other than Targeted Investments.
5. Registration of the Adviser. The Adviser covenants that immediately upon the approval of this
Agreement by the Board, it will undertake the process of registering as an investment adviser with
the SEC. Upon the Effective Date (as defined in Section 10), the Adviser agrees that its
activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal
and state laws governing its operations and investments.
6. Brokerage Commissions. The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter
permitted by law, to cause the Fund to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or
dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of
commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that
transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account such factors as price
(including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of
execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firms risk and skill in positioning
blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of
either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Funds
portfolio, and constitutes the best net results for the Fund.
7. Limitations on the Business of the Adviser. The services of the Adviser to the Fund are not
exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services
to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other
investment based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment
objectives similar to those of the Fund, and subject to compliance with applicable law and
adherence to Section 4. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any member,
manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote
his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar
nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Adviser will not undertake any conflicting duties of loyalty which would affect its
prior fiduciary duty to the Fund. In furtherance of this requirement, for a period of five years
from the Effective Date (as defined in Section 10) (unless this Agreement ceases to be in effect),
the Adviser shall give the Fund 30 days advance notice in writing of any proposed undertaking by
it of material significance (including the taking on of any new clients) and will provide the Fund
and the Funds independent directors with all information relevant to a determination of the effect
of such undertaking on the Advisers ability to carry out its obligations to the Fund under this
Agreement. Furthermore, during the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall not manage another
business development company, a private equity fund or other similar vehicle with the investment
objective of investing in Targeted Investments, without the consent of the Board. So long as this
Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment remains in effect, the Adviser shall be the only
investment adviser for the Fund, subject to the Advisers right to enter into sub-advisory
agreements (in accordance with the requirements under the Investment Company Act). The Adviser
assumes no responsibility
C-5
under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder. It is understood that
directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Fund are or may become interested in the
Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members,
managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners,
stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly
interested in the Fund as stockholders or otherwise.
8. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees. If any person who is a manager,
partner, officer, principal or employee of the Adviser is or becomes a director, officer and/or
employee of the Fund and acts as such in any business of the Fund, then, when acting on behalf of
the Fund, such manager, partner, officer and/or employee of the Adviser shall be deemed to be
acting in such capacity solely for the Fund, and not as a manager, partner, officer or employee of
the Adviser or under the control or direction of the Adviser of the Administrator, even if paid by
the Adviser.
9. Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser, its members and their
respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any
other person affiliated with any of them (collectively, the Indemnified Parties), shall not be
liable to the Fund for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with
the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an
investment adviser of the Fund, except: (a) to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the
Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is
finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services; or (b) with respect to any loss by the Fund caused by the willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence in the performance of any Indemnified Partys duties under this Agreement, or
the reckless disregard of the Advisers duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same
shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or
guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder). The Fund shall indemnify, defend and protect the
Indemnified Parties (each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) and hold them
harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in
or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other
proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Fund or its security holders)
arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Advisers duties or
obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9 to the contrary, nothing contained
herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be
deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the
Fund or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of any Indemnified Partys
duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Advisers duties and obligations under this
Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any
interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder). Furthermore, the Adviser shall
indemnify, defend and protect the Fund and hold it harmless in connection with losses or damages
arising out of conduct identified in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 9.
10. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective
upon the later of: (i) November 1, 2006; or (ii) the effective date of the registration of the
Adviser as an investment adviser with the SEC (the Effective Date). This Agreement shall remain
in effect for two years after such date, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive
annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a)
the vote of the Board, or by the vote of stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund and; (b) the vote of a majority of the Funds directors who are not parties
to this Agreement or interested persons (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the
Investment Company Act) of any party to this Agreement, in accordance with the requirements of the
Investment Company Act. This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty, upon 60 days written notice, by: (a) the Adviser, at any time, in the event (i) a
majority of the current members of the Independent Board ceases to serve as directors of the Fund;
or (ii) the Fund undergoes a change in control (as such term is defined by Section 2(a)(9) of the
Investment Company Act) not caused by the Adviser; or (b) the Adviser, at any time, following the
initial two year term of this Agreement; or (c) by the vote of the stockholders holding a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as such term is defined by Section 2(a)(42) of
the Investment Company Act); or (d) by the action of the Funds directors.
This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as such term is
defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act). Under no circumstances
shall this agreement be assigned or transferred without the consent of the Funds Board. Following
the termination of this Agreement, the Fund shall not have any obligation or liability to the
Adviser or to the principals, officers and/or employees of the Adviser other than the obligation to
pay the Adviser any outstanding amounts owed under Section 3 calculated until and through the date
of termination of the Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the provisions of
Section 10 (Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification) shall continue in full force
and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.
C-6
11. The Funds Portfolio Manager. The Adviser represents that it has entered into an agreement
with Mr. Tokarz pursuant to which Mr. Tokarz has agreed to serve as the portfolio manager primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio for the full twenty-four calendar
months following the Effective Date (subject to the termination of the Agreement in accordance with
the provisions of Section 10). In addition, the parties hereby acknowledge that Mr. Tokarz is the
current Portfolio Manager of the Fund and the Adviser covenants that throughout the term of this
Agreement it will not undertake any action that would cause Mr. Tokarz to cease to serve as the
Funds primary Portfolio Manager, including, without limitation, transferring any controlling
interest in the Adviser to another entity or person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is
understood by the Fund that Mr. Tokarz is not required to devote his full business time and
attention to his duties as the Funds Portfolio Manager or to the Adviser. In addition, the Fund
and the Adviser hereby acknowledge that Mr. Tokarz has entered into an employment agreement with
the Fund dated November 1, 2003, as extended on October 31, 2005 (the Original Agreement). Mr.
Tokarz and the Fund have agreed that, upon the Effective Date, the Original Agreement shall
immediately terminate and any outstanding obligations under that agreement shall be superseded by those under this Agreement.
12. Use of the Funds Name. The Adviser acknowledges that the name of the Fund is the Funds
property and, as such, the Adviser shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, use,
or cause to be used, the Funds name or any derivative thereof, including, but not limited to, the
term MVC.
13. Amendments of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an
instrument in writing signed by all parties hereto, but the consent of the Fund must be obtained in
conformity with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of New York, including without limitation Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York
General Obligations Law and New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules 327(b), and the applicable
provisions of the Investment Company Act, if any. To the extent that the applicable laws of the
State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the
Investment Company Act, if any, the latter shall control. The parties unconditionally and
irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the State of New York
and waive any objection with respect thereto, for the purpose of any action, suit or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
15. No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of
or any rights deriving from this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions
or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be
binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.
16. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or
incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse
to any party.
17. Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be deemed to be an original instrument and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
19. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon
receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by
facsimile, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the
respective parties at their respective principal executive office addresses.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings (including the
Original Agreement), both written and oral, between the parties with respect to such subject
matter.
21. Certain Matters of Construction.
(a) The words hereof, herein, hereunder and words of similar import shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or provision of this Agreement, and
reference to a particular Section of this Agreement shall include all subsections thereof.
(b) Definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined, and references to the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include each other
gender.
C-7
(c) The word including shall mean including without limitation.
In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the
date above written.
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MVC Capital, Inc. |
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The Tokarz Group Advisers LLC |
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By: |
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Name: |
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C-8
DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 7, 2006
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of MVC Capital, Inc. (the Fund) for
use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time), on September 7,
2006, at the offices of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (the
Meeting), and relates to the proposal with respect to the Fund set forth in the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders dated _______, 2006.
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael Tokarz and Bruce Shewmaker and each of them proxies for the
undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation, to represent the undersigned and to
vote, as designated, on behalf of the undersigned at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof, all
shares of the Fund which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment
thereof.
Your vote is important. If this proxy is properly executed and received by the Fund prior to the
Meeting, shares represented by this proxy will be voted as instructed. Unless indicated to the
contrary, this proxy will be voted FOR the proposal and to grant discretionary authority to vote
upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The
undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
Please mark, sign, date and return promptly in the enclosed envelope if you are not voting by
telephone or the Internet.
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SEE REVERSE SIDE
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CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
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SEE REVERSE SIDE |
MVC CAPITAL, INC.
C/O COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
P.O. BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ 08818-8694
Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.
Vote-by-Internet
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Log on to the Internet and go to
http://www.eproxyvote.com/mvc
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OR
Vote-by-Telephone
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Call toll-free
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683)
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If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail your card.
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DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL |
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ZMVC71 |
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x
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Please mark
votes as in
this example.
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3453 |
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The Board of Directors of MVC Capital, Inc. (the Fund) recommends that you vote FOR the proposal[s] set forth below.
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1.
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To elect five nominees to serve as
members of the Board of Directors of the
Fund:
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3. |
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In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournment thereof. |
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(01) Emilio
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(04)William Taylor |
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Dominianni |
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(02) Gerald
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(05)Michael Tokarz |
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Hellerman |
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(03) Robert Knapp
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FOR
ALL
NOMINEES
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o
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o
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WITHHELD
FROM ALL
NOMINEES |
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o
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For all nominees except as noted above |
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2.
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To approve an
Investment Advisory
and Management
Agreement between
the Fund and TTG
Advisers as
described in the
proxy statement.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT
LEFT
o |
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Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon.
If shares are held in the name of joint owners,
each should sign. |
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Attorneys-in-fact, executors, administrators,
trustees, guardians, etc. should so indicate. If
stockholder is a corporation or partnership,
please sign in full corporate or partnership name
by authorized person. |
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The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of
the notice of annual meeting of stockholders and
the proxy statement, dated , 2006. |
Signature:
Date:
Signature:
Date: