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 [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement.
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials.
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, INC.
TORTOISE MIDSTREAM ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FUND, INC.
ECOFIN SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIAL IMPACT TERM FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount
on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date
of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:

TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, INC.
TORTOISE MIDSTREAM ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FUND, INC.
ECOFIN SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIAL IMPACT TERM FUND
6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
June 24, 2022
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the combined annual meeting of
stockholders of each of Tortoise Energy Infrastructure
Corporation (“TYG”), Tortoise Power and Energy
Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (“TPZ”), Tortoise Midstream Energy
Fund, Inc. (“NTG”), Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund,
Inc. (“TTP”), Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc.
(“NDP”) and Ecofin Sustainable and Social Impact Term Fund
(“TEAF”)(each a “Company” and collectively, the “Companies”) on
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., Central Time at 6363
College Boulevard, Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211.
At the meeting, you will be asked to (i) elect two directors of the
Company, (ii) ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the
independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for
its fiscal year ending November 30, 2022, and (iii) consider and
take action upon such other business as may properly come before
the meeting, including the adjournment or postponement thereof. In
addition, TPZ shareholders only are being asked to consider and
vote upon a non-binding shareholder proposal for TPZ described more
fully in the Proxy Statement.
Enclosed with this letter are answers to questions you may have
about the proposals, the formal notice of the meeting, the
Companies’ combined proxy statement, which gives detailed
information about the proposals and why each Company’s Board of
Directors recommends that you vote to approve each of the Company’s
proposals and for TPZ shareholders to vote against the shareholder
proposal, and the actual proxy for you to sign and return. If you
have any questions about the enclosed proxy or need any assistance
in voting your shares, please call 1-866-362-9331.
Your vote is important. Please vote your shares via the internet or
by telephone, or complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card
(your ballot) and mail it in the postage-paid envelope included in
this package.
Although the Companies intend to hold the annual meeting in person,
we are actively monitoring developments surrounding the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. We are sensitive to the public health and
travel concerns our stockholders may have and the recommendations
and protocols that federal, state and local governments may impose.
In the event the Companies determine, in their sole discretion,
that it is not possible or advisable to hold the annual meeting in
person, we will announce alternative meeting arrangements, which
may include holding the meeting by means of remote communication
(i.e., virtual meeting), or holding a “hybrid” meeting, meaning
that the meeting would be held in person with concurrent
participation by remote means for stockholders who are not
physically present. We will announce any such change via press
release and posting on the closed-end fund section of the website
of the Companies’ investment adviser at
www.tortoiseecofin.com, as well as the filing of additional
proxy materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”), as promptly as practicable. If we conduct the annual
meeting as a virtual or hybrid meeting, you will need the control
number included on your proxy card in order to access and
participate in the meeting. In addition, in the event it is not
possible or advisable to hold the annual meeting in person on
August 9, 2022, the annual meeting may be adjourned by the
chairperson of the annual meeting to a date not more than 120 after
the record date without notice other than announcement at the
annual meeting. If you are planning to attend the annual meeting,
please check the website prior to the meeting date for updated
information.
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Sincerely,
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|

|
|
P. Bradley Adams
Chief Executive Officer of TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF
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TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, INC.
TORTOISE MIDSTREAM ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FUND, INC.
ECOFIN SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIAL IMPACT TERM FUND
ANSWERS TO SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Q.
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WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE “FOR” ON THIS PROXY?
|
A.
|
This proxy contains three proposals for each Company to: (i) elect
two directors to serve until the 2024 Annual Stockholder Meeting;
(ii) ratify Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm; and (iii) consider and take
action upon such other business as may properly come before the
meeting, including the adjournment or postponement thereof. This
proxy also contains one non-binding shareholder proposal for TPZ
only relating to a self-tender offer for all outstanding common
shares of TPZ described more fully in the Proxy Statement (the
“Shareholder Proposal”).
|
Q.
|
HOW DOES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUGGEST THAT I VOTE?
|
A.
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The Board of Directors of each of TYG, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF
unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” all proposals on the
enclosed proxy card. The Board of Directors of TPZ unanimously
recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to elect two directors
and the proposal to ratify the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm and “AGAINST” the Shareholder Proposal.
|
A.
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Voting is quick and easy. You may vote your shares via the
internet, by telephone (for internet and telephone voting, please
follow the instructions on the proxy ballot), or by simply
completing and signing the enclosed proxy ballot, and mailing it in
the postage-paid envelope included in this package. You may also
vote by attending and voting at the meeting. However, even if you
plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to cast your vote early.
That will ensure your vote is counted should your plans change.
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This information summarizes information that is included in
more
detail in the Proxy Statement. We urge you to
read the entire Proxy Statement carefully.
If you have questions, call 1-866-362-9331.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders of:
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Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation
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Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
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Tortoise Midstream Energy Fund, Inc.
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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc.
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Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc.
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Ecofin Sustainable and Social Impact Term Fund:
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the combined Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation,
Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc., Tortoise
Midstream Energy Fund, Inc., Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund,
Inc. and Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc., each a Maryland
corporation, and Ecofin Sustainable and Social Impact Term Fund, a
Maryland statutory trust (each a “Company” and, collectively, the
“Companies”), will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at
10:00 a.m. Central Time at 6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A,
Overland Park, Kansas 66211 for the following purposes:
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1.
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For all Companies: To elect two directors of the Company, to
hold office for a term of three years and until his/her successor
is duly elected and qualified;
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2.
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For all Companies: To ratify the selection of Ernst &
Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of
the Company for its fiscal year ending November 30, 2021;
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3.
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For TPZ only: To consider and vote on the non-binding
Shareholder Proposal relating to a self-tender offer for all
outstanding common shares of TPZ; and
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3.
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For all Companies: To consider and take action upon such
other business as may properly come before the meeting, including
the adjournment or postponement thereof.
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The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the
Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
Stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 8, 2022
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting (or any
adjournment or postponement of the meeting).
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By Order of the Board of Directors of each Company,
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Diane M. Bono
Secretary
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June 24, 2022
Leawood, Kansas
ii
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in
person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please
vote your shares via the internet, by telephone or by completing,
dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy as promptly as
possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. If
you choose to vote using the enclosed proxy, a return envelope
(which postage is prepaid if mailed in the United States) is
enclosed for that purpose. Even if you have given your proxy, you
may still vote by attending and voting at the meeting. Please note,
however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank
or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must
obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name.
iii
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, INC.
TORTOISE MIDTREAM ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.
TORTOISE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FUND, INC.
ECOFIN SUSTAINABLE AND SOCIAL IMPACT TERM FUND
6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
1-866-362-9331
COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
August 9, 2022
This combined proxy statement is being sent to you by the Boards of
Directors of each of Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation
(“TYG”), Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
(“TPZ”), Tortoise Midstream Energy Fund, Inc. (“NTG”),
Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. (“TTP”),
Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc. (“NDP”) and
Ecofin Sustainable and Social Impact Term Fund (“TEAF”)
(each a “Company” and collectively, the “Companies”). The Board of
Directors of each Company is asking you to complete and return the
enclosed proxy, permitting your shares of the Company to be voted
at the annual meeting of stockholders called to be held on August
9, 2022. The Board of Directors of each Company has fixed the close
of business on June 8, 2022 as the record date (the “record date”)
for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the meeting and at any adjournment thereof as set forth in
this combined proxy statement. This combined proxy statement and
the enclosed proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or
about June 24, 2022.
Although the Companies intend to hold the annual meeting in person,
we are actively monitoring developments surrounding the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. We are sensitive to the public health and
travel concerns our stockholders may have and the recommendations
and protocols that federal, state and local governments may impose.
In the event the Companies determine, in their sole discretion,
that it is not possible or advisable to hold the annual meeting in
person, we will announce alternative meeting arrangements, which
may include holding the meeting by means of remote communication
(i.e., virtual meeting), or holding a “hybrid” meeting, meaning
that the meeting would be held in person with concurrent
participation by remote means for stockholders who are not
physically present. We will announce any such change via press
release and posting on the closed-end fund section of the website
of the Companies’ investment adviser at
www.tortoiseecofin.com, as well as the filing of additional
proxy materials with the SEC, as promptly as practicable. If we
conduct the annual meeting as a virtual or hybrid meeting, you will
need the control number included
1
on your proxy card in order to access and participate in the
meeting. In addition, in the event it is not possible or advisable
to hold the annual meeting in person on August 9, 2022, the annual
meeting may be adjourned by the chairperson of the annual meeting
to a date not more than 120 after the record date without notice
other than announcement at the annual meeting. If you are planning
to attend the annual meeting, please check the website prior to the
meeting date for updated information.
Each Company’s annual report can be accessed through its link on
the closed-end fund section of its investment adviser’s website
(www.tortoiseecofin.com) or on the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s (“SEC”) website (www.sec.gov).
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on August 9,
2022: This combined proxy statement is available on the
internet at
https://cef.tortoiseecofin.com/annual-proxy-information/. On
this site, you will be able to access the proxy statement for the
annual meeting and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing
material required to be furnished to stockholders.
2
This combined proxy statement sets forth the information that each
Company’s stockholders should know in order to evaluate each of the
following proposals. The following table presents a summary of the
proposals for each Company and the class of stockholders of the
Company being solicited with respect to each proposal.
Proposals
|
Class of Stockholders of Each
Company Entitled to Vote
|
For Each Company
|
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1. To elect the following individuals as directors for a term of
three years:
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H. Kevin Birzer
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For each of TYG, NTG and TTP – Preferred Stockholders, voting as a
class
For each of TPZ, NDP and TEAF – Common Stockholders voting as a
class
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Alexandra A. Herger
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For each of TYG, NTG and TTP – Common Stockholders and Preferred
Stockholders, voting as a single class
For each of TPZ, NDP and TEAF – Common Stockholders voting as a
class
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For Each Company
|
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2. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the
independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for
the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022.
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For each of TYG, NTG and TTP – Common Stockholders and Preferred
Stockholders, voting as a single class
For each of TPZ, NDP and TEAF – Common Stockholders voting as a
class
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For TPZ Only
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3. To consider and vote on the Shareholder Proposal relating to a
self-tender offer for all outstanding common shares of TPZ
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TPZ Common Stockholders voting as a class
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For Each Company
|
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4. To consider and take action upon such other business as may
properly come before the meeting, including the adjournment or
postponement thereof.
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For each of TYG, NTG and TTP – Common Stockholders and Preferred
Stockholders, voting as a single class
For each of TPZ, NDP and TEAF– Common Stockholders voting as a
class
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3
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF TWO DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of each Company unanimously nominated H.
Kevin Birzer and Alexandra A. Herger following a recommendation by
the Nominating and Governance Committee of each of TYG, TPZ, NTG,
TTP, NDP and TEAF for election as directors at the combined annual
meeting of stockholders of the Companies. Mr. Birzer and Ms. Herger
are currently directors of each Company. Each of Mr. Birzer and Ms.
Herger has consented to be named in this proxy statement and has
agreed to serve if elected. The Companies have no reason to believe
that either Mr. Birzer or Ms. Herger will be unavailable to
serve.
The persons named on the accompanying proxy card intend to vote at
the meeting (unless otherwise directed) “FOR” the election of Mr.
Birzer and Ms. Herger as directors of each Company. Currently, each
Company has five directors. In accordance with each Company’s
Articles of Incorporation (or in the case of TEAF, its Declaration
of Trust), its Board of Directors is divided into three classes of
approximately equal size. The terms of the directors of the
different classes are staggered. The term of Conrad S. Ciccotello
expires on the date of the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders of
each Company and the term of each of Rand Berney and Jennifer
Paquette expires on the date of the 2024 annual meeting of
stockholders of each Company. Pursuant to the terms of each of
TYG’s, NTG’s and TTP’s preferred shares, the preferred stockholders
of each of those Companies have the exclusive right to elect two
directors to their Company’s Board. The Board of each of TYG, NTG
and TTP has designated Mr. Birzer and Ms. Paquette as the directors
the preferred stockholders of that Company shall have the right to
elect.
Holders of preferred shares of each of TYG, NTG and TTP will vote
as a class on the election of Mr. Birzer as a director of each
Company, and holders of common shares and preferred shares of each
of TYG, NTG and TTP will vote as a single class on the election of
Ms. Herger as a director of each Company. Holders of common shares
of each of TPZ, NDP and TEAF will vote as a class on the election
of Mr. Birzer and Ms. Herger as directors of each Company.
Stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights.
With respect to each Company, if elected, Mr. Birzer and Ms. Herger
will hold office until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of
each Company and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. If either Mr. Birzer or Ms. Herger is unable to serve
because of an event not now anticipated, the persons named as
proxies may vote for another person designated by the Company’s
Board of Directors.
The following table sets forth each Board member’s name, age and
address; position(s) with the Companies and length of time served;
principal occupation during the past five years; the number of
companies in the Fund Complex that each Board member oversees and
other public company directorships held by
4
each Board member. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each
director is 6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A, Overland Park,
Kansas 66211. The 1940 Act requires the term “Fund Complex” to be
defined to include registered investment companies advised by the
Company’s investment adviser, Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
(the “Adviser”). As of May 31, 2022, for each Director, the Fund
Complex included TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP, TEAF and for Mr.
Ciccotello, the Fund Complex also includes Ecofin Tax-Advantaged
Social Impact Fund, Inc. (“TSIFX”) whose investment adviser is the
Adviser and on whose board Mr. Ciccotello serves. The Adviser also
serves as the investment adviser to five open end mutual funds.
Nominee For Director Who Is Independent:
|
Name and
Age
|
Positions(s)
Held
With The
Company
and
Length of
Time Served
|
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
|
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
|
Other Public
Company
Directorships
Held by
Director
|
Alexandra A. Herger (Born 1957)
|
Director of TYG, NTG, TTP, NDP and TPZ since January 1, 2015;
Director of TEAF since inception.
|
Retired in 2014; Previously interim vice president of exploration
for Marathon Oil in 2014 prior to her retirement; Director of
international exploration and new ventures for Marathon Oil from
2008 to 2014; Held various positions with Shell Exploration and
Production Co. between 2002 and 2008; Member of the Society of
Exploration Geophysicists, the American Association of Petroleum
Geologists, the Houston Geological Society and the Southeast Asia
Petroleum Exploration Society; Member of the 2010 Leadership
Texas/Foundation for Women’s Resources since 2010; Director of
Panoro Energy ASA, an international independent oil and gas company
listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange; Director of Tethys Oil
(Stockholm) and member of PGS (Oslo) nomination committee.
|
Six
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None
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5
Nominee for Director Who Is An Interested Person:
|
Name and
Age
|
Positions(s)
Held
With The
Company
and
Length of
Time Served
|
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
|
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
|
Other Public
Company
Directorships
Held by
Director
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H. Kevin Birzer*
(Born 1959)
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Director and Chairman of the Board of each Company since its
inception.
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Chief Executive Officer of TortoiseEcofin Investments, LLC; Member
of the Board of Directors of the Adviser; Managing Director of the
Adviser and member of the Investment Committee of the Adviser since
2002; Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) charterholder.
|
Six
|
None
|
Remaining Directors Who Are Independent:
|
Name and
Age
|
Positions(s)
Held
With The
Company
and
Length of
Time Served
|
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
|
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
|
Other Public
Company
Directorships
Held by
Director
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
(Born 1960)
|
Director of each Company since its inception.
|
Professor and the Director, Reiman School of Finance, University of
Denver (faculty member since 2017); Senior Consultant to the
finance practice of Charles River Associates, which provides
economic, financial, and management consulting services (since May
2020); Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Risk
Management and Insurance, Director of the Asset and Wealth
Management Program, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State
University (faculty member from 1999 to 2017); Investment
Consultant to the University System of Georgia for its defined
contribution retirement plan (2008-2017); Formerly Faculty Member,
Pennsylvania State University (1997-1999); Published a number of
academic and professional journal articles on investment company
performance and structure, with a focus on MLPs.
|
Seven
|
CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc.; Peachtree Alternative
Strategies Fund
|
6
Remaining Directors Who Are Independent:
|
Name and
Age
|
Positions(s)
Held
With The
Company
and
Length of
Time Served
|
Principal Occupation
During Past Five Years
|
Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
|
Other Public
Company
Directorships
Held by
Director
|
Rand C. Berney
(Born 1955)
|
Director of TYG, NTG, TTP, NDP and TPZ since January 1, 2014;
Director of TEAF since inception.
|
Executive-in-Residence, College of Business Administration, Kansas
State University since 2012; Formerly Senior Vice President of
Corporate Shared Services of ConocoPhillips from April 2009 to
2012, Vice President and Controller of ConocoPhillips from 2002 to
April 2009, and Vice President and Controller of Phillips Petroleum
Company from 1997 to 2002; Member of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs,
the Financial Executive Institute, American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors and the
Institute of Management Accountants.
|
Six
|
None
|
Jennifer Paquette
(Born 1962)
|
Director of TYG, NTG, TTP, NDP and TPZ since May 18, 2018; Director
of TEAF since inception.
|
Retired in 2017; Previously Chief Investment Officer of the Public
Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado (“Colorado PERA”)
from 2003 to 2017; Held various positions within Colorado PERA from
1999 to 2003 and 1995 to 1996; Formerly Vice-President
Institutional Account Executive at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
& Smith from 1991 to 1994; Vice-President, Portfolio Manager
and Analyst at Alliance Capital Management from 1987 to 1991;
Portfolio Assistant and Assistant at Mitchell Hutchins Asset
Management from 1985 to 1987. CFA charterholder.
|
Six
|
None
|
*
|
Mr. Birzer, as a principal of the Adviser, is an “interested
person” of the Company, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19)
of the 1940 Act.
|
In addition to the experience provided in the table above, each
director possesses the following qualifications, attributes and
skills, each of which factored into the conclusion to invite them
to join the Company’s Board of Directors: Mr. Ciccotello,
experience as a college professor, a Ph.D. in finance and expertise
in energy infrastructure MLPs; Mr. Berney, experience as a college
professor,
7
executive leadership and business experience; Ms. Herger, executive
leadership and business experience; Ms. Paquette, investment
management experience as a chief investment officer of a state
public employees’ retirement association; and Mr. Birzer,
investment management experience as an executive, portfolio manager
and leadership roles with the Adviser.
Other attributes and qualifications considered for each director in
connection with their selection to join the Board of Directors of
each Company were their character and integrity and their
willingness and ability to serve and commit the time necessary to
perform the duties of a director for all of the Companies. In
addition, as to each director other than Mr. Birzer, his or her
status as an Independent Director; and, as to Mr. Birzer, his roles
with the Adviser were an important factor in his selection as a
director. No experience, qualification, attribute or skill was by
itself controlling.
Mr. Birzer serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of each
Company. Mr. Birzer is an “interested person” of the Companies
within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The appointment of Mr. Birzer
as Chairman reflects each Board of Directors’ belief that his
experience, familiarity with each Company’s day-to-day operations
and access to individuals with responsibility for each Company’s
management and operations provides the Board of Directors with
insight into each Company’s business and activities and, with his
access to appropriate administrative support, facilitates the
efficient development of meeting agendas that address each
Company’s business, legal and other needs and the orderly conduct
of meetings of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ciccotello serves as
Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director will,
among other things, chair executive sessions of the four directors
who are Independent Directors, serve as a spokesperson for the
Independent Directors and serve as a liaison between the
Independent Directors and each Company’s management. The
Independent Directors will regularly meet outside the presence of
management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board
of Directors also has determined that its leadership structure, as
described above, is appropriate in light of each Company’s size and
complexity, the number of Independent Directors and the Board of
Directors’ general oversight responsibility. The Board of Directors
also believes that its leadership structure not only facilitates
the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent
Directors from management, but also enhances the independent and
orderly exercise of its responsibilities.
Information About Executive Officers
Mr. Birzer is the Chairman of the Board of each Company. The
preceding tables give more information about Mr. Birzer. The
following table sets forth each other executive officer’s name, age
and address; position(s) held with the Company and length of time
served; principal occupation during the past five years; the number
of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each officer and
other public company directorships held by each officer. Unless
otherwise
8
indicated, the address of each officer is 6363 College Boulevard,
Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211. Each officer serves until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his resignation or
removal. As employees of the Adviser, each of the following
officers are “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is
defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
Name and Age
|
Position(s) Held With The Company and Length of Time
Served
|
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by
Officer(1)
|
Other Public Company Directorships Held by Officer
|
P. Bradley Adams
(Born 1960)
|
Chief Executive Officer of TYG, NTG, TPZ, TTP and NDP since June
30, 2015; Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of each of TYG,
NTG, TPZ, TTP and NDP from May 18, 2017 to July 14, 2021; Chief
Financial Officer of NTG from 2010 to June 30, 2015, of each of TYG
and TPZ from 2011 to June 30, 2015 and of each of TTP and NDP from
its inception to June 30, 2015; Chief Executive Officer of TEAF
since November 5, 2018, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
of TEAF from November 5, 2018 to July 14, 2021.
|
Managing Director of the Adviser since January 2013; Chief
Executive Officer TSIFX since its inception in March 2018;
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of TSIFX from its
inception to May 2021.
|
Seven
|
None
|
9
Name and Age
|
Position(s) Held With The Company and Length of Time
Served
|
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by
Officer(1)
|
Other Public Company Directorships Held by Officer
|
Matthew G.P. Sallee (Born 1978)
|
President of TYG and NTG since June 30, 2015.
|
Managing Director of the Adviser since January 2014 and a member of
the Investment Committee of the Adviser since June 30, 2015; Senior
Portfolio Manager of the Adviser since February 2019; Portfolio
Manager of the Adviser from July 2013 to January 2019; CFA
designation since 2009.
|
Two
|
None
|
Brian A. Kessens
(Born 1975)
|
President of TTP and TPZ since June 30, 2015.
|
Managing Director of the Adviser since January 2015 and a member of
the Investment Committee of the Adviser since June 30, 2015; Senior
Portfolio Manager of the Adviser since February 2019; Portfolio
Manager of the Adviser from July 2013 to January 2019; CFA
designation since 2006.
|
Two
|
None
|
Robert J. Thummel, Jr.
(Born 1972)
|
President of NDP since June 30, 2015.
|
Managing Director of the Adviser since January 2014 and a member of
the Investment Committee of the Adviser since June 30, 2015; Senior
Portfolio Manager of the Adviser since February 2019; Portfolio
Manager of the Adviser from July 2013 to January 2019.
|
One
|
None
|
10
Name and Age
|
Position(s) Held With The Company and Length of Time
Served
|
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by
Officer(1)
|
Other Public Company Directorships Held by Officer
|
Nicholas S. Holmes
(Born 1985)
|
Vice President of TYG and NTG since June 30, 2015; President of
TEAF since May 20, 2019.
|
Managing Director of the Adviser since January 2020; Portfolio
Manager of the Adviser since January 2019; Director of the Adviser
from January 2018 to January 2020; Investment Analyst of the
Adviser from January 2015 to January 2019; CFA designation since
2013.
|
Three
|
None
|
Shobana Gopal
(Born 1962)
|
Vice President of TYG, NTG, TPZ, TTP and NDP since June 30, 2015,
and of TEAF since November 5, 2018.
|
Managing Director – Tax of the Adviser since July 2021; Director,
Tax of the Adviser from January 2013 to July 2021; Tax Analyst of
the Adviser from September 2006 through December 2012; Vice
President of TSIFX since February 2018.
|
Seven
|
None
|
Courtney Gengler
(Born 1986)
|
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of each of TYG, NTG, TPZ,
TTP, NDP and TEAF since July 14, 2021; Vice President of each of
TYG, NTG, TPZ, TTP, NDP and TEAF from June 16, 2020 to July 14,
2021; Assistant Treasurer of each of TYG, NTG, TPZ, TTP and NDP
since May 18, 2017 and of TEAF since its inception.
|
Managing Director – Financial Operations of the Adviser since July
2021; Director – Financial Operations of the Adviser from January
2020 to July 2021; Vice President – Accounting and Financial
Reporting from 2017 to 2020; Principal Financial Officer and
Treasurer of TSIFX since May 2021; previously served in various
roles at Adknowledge from May 2015 to March 2017 including most
recently as Manager of Accounting and Financial Reporting.
|
Seven
|
None
|
11
Name and Age
|
Position(s) Held With The Company and Length of Time
Served
|
Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by
Officer(1)
|
Other Public Company Directorships Held by Officer
|
Sean Wickliffe
(Born 1989)
|
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of each of TYG, NTG, TPZ,
TTP, NDP and TEAF since July 14, 2021;
|
Vice President – Financial Operations of the Adviser since January
2021; Senior Financial Operations Analyst of the Adviser from
January 2020 to January 2021; Financial Operations Analyst of the
Adviser from December 2016 to January 2020; Junior Financial
Operations Analyst of the Adviser from November 2015 to December
2016.
|
Six
|
None
|
Diane Bono
(Born 1958)
|
Chief Compliance Officer of TYG since 2006 and of each of NTG, TPZ,
TTP and NDP and TEAF since its inception; Secretary of TYG, NTG,
TPZ, TTP and NDP since May 2013 and of TEAF since November 5,
2018.
|
Managing Director of the Adviser since January 2018; Chief
Compliance Officer of the Adviser since June 2006; Chief Compliance
Officer and Secretary of TSIFX since February 2018.
|
Seven
|
None
|
(1)
|
As of May 31, 2022, for each executive officer, the Fund Complex
included TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF and for Mr. Adams and
Mses. Bono, Gengler and Gopal, the Fund Complex also includes
TSIFX, for which they serve as officers.
|
Committees of the Board of Directors of each Company
Each Company’s Board of Directors currently has four standing
committees: (i) the Executive Committee; (ii) the Audit and
Valuation Committee; (iii) the Nominating and Governance Committee;
and (iv) the Compliance Committee. Currently, all of the
non-interested directors, Messrs. Ciccotello and Berney and Mses.
Herger and Paquette, are the only members of each of these
committees, except for the Executive Committee, for each Company.
Each Company’s Executive Committee currently consists of Mr. Birzer
and Mr. Ciccotello.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of each Company
has authority to exercise the powers of the Board (i) to address
emergency matters where assembling the full Board in a timely
manner is impracticable, or (ii) to address matters of an
administrative or ministerial nature. Mr. Birzer is an
12
“interested person” of each Company as defined by Section 2(a)(19)
of the 1940 Act. In the absence of either member of the Executive
Committee, the remaining member is authorized to act alone.
|
●
|
Audit and Valuation Committee. The Audit and Valuation
Committee of each of TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF was
established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
and operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the
Board, a current copy of which is available at the Company’s link
on the Adviser’s website (www.tortoiseecofin.com) and in print to
any stockholder who requests it from the Secretary of the Company
at 6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211.
The Committee: (i) approves and recommends to the Board the
selection, retention or termination of the independent registered
public accounting firm (“auditors”); (ii) approves services to be
rendered by the auditors and monitors the auditors’ performance;
(iii) reviews the results of each Company’s audit; (iv) determines
whether to recommend to the Board that the Company’s audited
financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report;
and (v) responds to other matters as outlined in the Committee
Charter. Each Committee member is “independent” as defined under
the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards, and none
are “interested persons” of the Company as defined in the 1940 Act.
The Board of Directors of each company has determined that Conrad
S. Ciccotello and Rand C. Berney are each an “audit committee
financial expert.” In addition to his experience overseeing or
assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with
respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial
statements, Mr. Ciccotello has a Ph.D. in Finance.
|
|
●
|
Nominating and Governance Committee. Each Nominating and
Governance Committee member is “independent” as defined under the
New York Stock Exchange listing standards, and none are “interested
persons” of TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP or TEAF as defined in the 1940
Act. The Nominating and Governance Committee of each Company
operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board,
a current copy of which is available at the Company’s link on the
Adviser’s website (www.tortoiseecofin.com). The Committee: (i)
identifies individuals qualified to become Board members and
recommends to the Board the director nominees for the next annual
meeting of stockholders and to fill any vacancies; (ii) monitors
the structure and membership of Board committees and recommends to
the Board director nominees for each committee; (iii) reviews
issues and developments related to corporate governance issues and
develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance
guidelines and procedures, to the extent necessary or desirable;
(iv) has the sole authority to retain and
|
13
terminate any search firm used to identify director candidates and
to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms, though
it has yet to exercise such authority; and (v) may not delegate its
authority. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider
stockholder recommendations for nominees for membership to the
Board so long as such recommendations are made in accordance with
the Company’s Bylaws. Nominees recommended by stockholders in
compliance with the Bylaws of the Company will be evaluated on the
same basis as other nominees considered by the Committee.
Stockholders should see “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for
the 2023 Annual Meeting” below for information relating to the
submission by stockholders of nominees and matters for
consideration at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders. The
Bylaws of each Company (not including TEAF) require all nominees
for directors, at the time of nomination, (1) to be at least 21 and
less than 75 years of age and have substantial expertise,
experience or relationships relevant to the business of the
Company, or (2) to be a current director of the Company that has
not reached 75 years of age. The Committee has the sole discretion
to determine if an individual satisfies the foregoing
qualifications. The Committee also considers the broad background
of each individual nominee for director, including how such
individual would impact the diversity of the Board, but does not
have a formal policy regarding consideration of diversity in
identifying nominees for director.
|
●
|
Compliance Committee. Each Compliance Committee member is
“independent” as defined under the New York Stock Exchange listing
standards, and none are “interested persons” of the Company as
defined in the 1940 Act. Each Company’s Compliance Committee
operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board.
The committee reviews and assesses management’s compliance with
applicable securities laws, rules and regulations; monitors
compliance with the Company’s Code of Ethics; and handles other
matters as the Board or committee chair deems appropriate.
|
The Board of Directors’ role in the Company’s risk oversight
reflects its responsibility under applicable state law to oversee
generally, rather than to manage, the Company’s operations. In line
with this oversight responsibility, the Board of Directors will
receive reports and make inquiry at its regular meetings and as
needed regarding the nature and extent of significant risks
(including investment, compliance and valuation risks) that
potentially could have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s
business operations, investment performance or reputation, but
relies upon the Company’s management to assist it in identifying
and understanding the nature and extent of such risks and
determining whether, and to what extent, such risks may be
eliminated or mitigated. In addition to reports and other
information received from the
14
Company’s management regarding its investment program and
activities, the Board of Directors as part of its risk oversight
efforts will meet at its regular meetings and as needed with the
Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss, among other things,
risk issues and issues regarding the Company’s policies, procedures
and controls. The Board of Directors may be assisted in performing
aspects of its role in risk oversight by the Audit and Valuation
Committee and such other standing or special committees as may be
established from time to time. For example, the Audit and Valuation
Committee will regularly meet with the Company’s independent public
accounting firm to review, among other things, reports on internal
controls for financial reporting.
The Board of Directors believes that not all risks that may affect
the Company can be identified, that it may not be practical or
cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may
be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related
risks) to achieve the Company’s goals and objectives, and that the
processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain
risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports
received by the directors as to risk management matters are
typically summaries of relevant information and may be inaccurate
or incomplete. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the
risk management oversight of the Board of Directors is subject to
substantial limitations.
None of the Companies currently has a standing compensation
committee. None of the Companies has any employees and the New York
Stock Exchange does not require boards of directors of registered
closed-end funds to have a standing compensation committee.
The following table shows the number of Board and committee
meetings held during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021 for
each of the Companies:
|
TYG
|
TPZ
|
NTG
|
TTP
|
NDP
|
TEAF
|
Board of Directors
|
8
|
7
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
8
|
Executive Committee
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Audit and Valuation Committee
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
Nominating and Governance Committee
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
Compliance Committee
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
During the 2021 fiscal year, for each of the Companies, all
directors who were directors during the 2021 fiscal year attended
at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings
of the Board and (2) the total number of meetings held by all
committees of the Board on which they served. None of the Companies
has a policy with respect to Board member attendance at annual
meetings. All of the directors of each of TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP
and TEAF attended the Company’s 2021 annual meeting virtually.
15
Director and Officer Compensation
None of the Companies compensates any of its directors who are
interested persons nor any of its officers. The following table
sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation
paid by each Company and the Fund Complex for fiscal 2021 to each
of the current independent directors for their services as a
director. None of the Companies has any retirement or pension
plans.
Name of
Person,
Position
|
Aggregate Compensation from Company(1)
|
Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued
as Part of
Company
Expenses
|
Estimated
Annual
Benefits
Upon
Retirement
|
Total
Compensation
from
Company
and Fund
Complex* Paid
to Director
|
|
TYG
|
TPZ
|
NTG
|
TTP
|
NDP
|
TEAF
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
$20,600
|
$20,400
|
$20,600
|
$20,000
|
$20,000
|
$20,600
|
$—
|
$—
|
$152,200
|
Rand C. Berney
|
$20,600
|
$20,400
|
$20,600
|
$20,000
|
$20,000
|
$20,600
|
$—
|
$—
|
$122,200
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
$19,600
|
$19,400
|
$19,600
|
$19,000
|
$19,000
|
$19,600
|
$—
|
$—
|
$116,200
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
$19,600
|
$19,400
|
$19,600
|
$19,000
|
$19,000
|
$19,600
|
$—
|
$—
|
$116,200
|
*
|
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, for each Director, the
Fund Complex included TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP, and TEAF, and for
Mr. Ciccotello, the Fund Complex also includes TSIFX, on whose
Board he serves.
|
(1)
|
No amounts have been deferred for any of the persons listed in the
table.
|
16
For the 2022 fiscal year, each independent director receives an
annual retainer from each Company as set forth below. Additionally,
each independent director receives a fee of $200 for each
telephonic meeting of the Board of Directors and each committee
meeting he or she attends. The independent directors waived the
meeting fees for each of TTP and NDP for 2022. The Lead Independent
Director and the Chairman of the Audit and Valuation Committee each
receives an additional annual retainer as set forth below. Each
other committee chairman receives an additional annual retainer as
set forth below. The independent directors are reimbursed for
expenses incurred as a result of attendance at meetings of the
Board of Directors and Board committees.
|
TYG
|
TPZ
|
NTG
|
TTP
|
NDP
|
TEAF
|
Annual Board Retainer
|
$15,000
|
$15,000
|
$15,000
|
$15,000
|
$15,000
|
$15,000
|
Lead Independent Director Retainer
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
Audit and Valuation Committee Chairman Retainer
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
Other Committee Chairman Retainer
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
Required Vote. With respect to each of TYG, NTG and TTP, Ms.
Herger will be elected by the vote of a plurality of all shares of
common stock and preferred stock of the Company present at the
meeting, in person or by proxy, and Mr. Birzer will be elected by
the vote of a plurality of all shares of preferred stock of the
Company present at the meeting, in person or by proxy. With respect
to TPZ, NDP and TEAF, Mr. Birzer and Ms. Herger will be elected by
the vote of a plurality of all shares of common stock of the
Company present at the meeting, in person or by proxy. A vote by
plurality means the nominee with the highest number of affirmative
votes, regardless of any votes withheld, will be elected.
Therefore, with respect to each Company, abstentions and broker
non-votes (which occur when a broker has not received directions
from customers and does not have discretionary authority to vote
the customers’ shares), if any, will not be counted towards a
nominee’s achievement of a plurality. With respect to TYG, NTG and
TTP, each common share and each preferred share is entitled to one
vote in the election of Ms. Herger. With respect to TYG, NTG and
TTP, each preferred share is entitled to one vote in the election
of Mr. Birzer. With respect to TPZ, NDP and TEAF, each common share
is entitled to one vote in the election of Mr. Birzer and one vote
in the election of Ms. Herger.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board of Directors of each of TYG, NTG and TTP unanimously
recommends that the common and preferred stockholders of each
Company vote “for” Ms. Herger as a director. The Board of Directors
of
17
each of TYG, NTG and TTP unanimously recommends that the
preferred stockholders vote “for” Mr. Birzer as a director. The
Board of Directors of each of TPZ, NDP and TEAF unanimously
recommends that the common stockholders of each Company vote “for”
Mr. Birzer as a director and “for” Ms. Herger as a
director.
PROPOSAL TWO
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors of each Company recommends that the
stockholders of the Company ratify the selection of Ernst &
Young LLP (“EY”) as the independent registered public accounting
firm (“independent auditors”), to audit the accounts of the Company
for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2022. EY’s selection was
approved by each Company’s Audit and Valuation Committee. Their
selection also was ratified and approved by the Board of Directors
of each Company, including a majority of the directors who are not
“interested persons” of the Company within the meaning of the 1940
Act, and who are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock
Exchange listing standards.
EY has audited the financial statements of each Company since prior
to each Company’s commencement of business (TYG in February 2004,
TPZ in July 2009, NTG in July 2010, TTP in October 2011, NDP in
July 2012 and TEAF in March 2019) and does not have any direct
financial interest or any material indirect financial interest in
any of the Companies. A representative of EY is expected to be
available at the meeting and to have the opportunity to make a
statement and respond to appropriate questions from the
stockholders. Each Company’s Audit and Valuation Committee meets
twice each year with representatives of EY to discuss the scope of
their engagement, review the financial statements of the Company
and the results of their examination.
Required Vote
EY will be ratified as a Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
voted, in person or by proxy, at the meeting by the holders of
common stock and the holders of preferred stock (if any), voting
together as a single class. With respect to each of TYG, NTG and
TTP, each common share and each preferred share is entitled to one
vote on this proposal. With respect to TPZ, NDP and TEAF, each
common share is entitled to one vote on this proposal. For the
purposes of the vote on this proposal for each Company, abstentions
and broker non-votes (which occur when a broker has not received
directions from customers and does not have discretionary authority
to vote the customers’ shares), will not be counted as shares voted
and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
18
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board of Directors of each Company unanimously recommends
that stockholders of each Company vote “for” the ratification of
Ernst & Young LLP as their Company’s Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.
PROPOSAL 3 FOR TPZ ONLY: A SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
A shareholder (referred to in this proposal as the “Shareholder
Proponent”) has informed TPZ (or the “Fund” for purposes of this
Shareholder Proposal) that it intends to submit the Shareholder
Proposal at the Meeting and has requested that TPZ include the
Shareholder Proposal in TPZ’s proxy materials. The non-binding
Shareholder Proposal, exactly as received by TPZ, is set forth
below, followed by the Board’s explanation of its reasons for
opposing the Shareholder Proposal, which in turn is followed by the
Shareholder Proponent’s supporting statement for the Shareholder
Proposal (the “Supporting Statement”), exactly as received by TPZ.
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote AGAINST the
non-binding Shareholder Proposal.
Proposal:
RESOLVED: The shareholders of Tortoise Power and Energy
Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the Fund) request that the Board of
Directors authorize a self-tender offer for all outstanding common
shares of the Fund at or close to net asset value (NAV). If more
than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding common shares are submitted for
tender, the Board is requested to cancel the tender offer and take
those steps that the Board is required to take to cause the Fund to
be liquidated or converted to (or merged with) an exchange traded
fund (ETF) or an open-end mutual fund.
OPPOSITION STATEMENT OF TPZ
TPZ’s Board of Directors has weighed the advantages and
disadvantages of the Shareholder Proposal based on what it believes
is in the best interests of TPZ’s shareholders. The Board opposes
the Shareholder Proposal because it would deny shareholders the
ability to own shares in a successful investment vehicle with
long-term investment objectives, waste Fund resources, and
potentially result in TPZ’s termination. Instead, the Board
believes that TPZ should retain its current structure as a
closed-end fund, which provides significant benefits to long-term
shareholders:
|
●
|
TPZ maintains a managed distribution policy currently targeted at
an annual distribution rate of 7 to 10% of NAV, which provides
shareholders with a sizeable distribution every month.
|
|
●
|
TPZ’s improved discount of market price to NAV of 9.6% as of May
11, 2022.
|
|
●
|
The completion of a $5 million share repurchase program starting in
October 2020.
|
19
In addition to these benefits, in January 2022, the Board announced
a conditional tender offer for up to 5% of TPZ’s outstanding shares
for each of the calendar years 2022 and 2023. TPZ would conduct a
tender for 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock at a
price equal to 98% of NAV if its shares trade at an average
discount to NAV of more than 10% during either of the designated
measurement periods. The first measurement period commenced on
February 1, 2022 and will end July 31, 2022 for 2022, and the
second measurement period will commence on August 1, 2022 and end
July 31, 2023, for 2023. These tenders would potentially allow TPZ
shareholders with an opportunity for liquidity at an above-market
price while still nonetheless maintaining a fund of sufficient size
to achieve its investment objectives and take advantage of
leverage.
FOR THE REASONS DISCUSSED MORE FULLY BELOW,
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE AGAINST THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL.
Discount to NAV. The Shareholder Proposal criticizes the
discount between TPZ’s market share price and its NAV per share.
Closed-end funds typically trade at a discount to net asset value.
However, the Board has already taken meaningful and effective
action to reduce TPZ’s discount, including: (1) adopting a managed
distribution policy to make regular distributions to TPZ
shareholders; (2) adopting a share repurchase program in 2020; and
(3) early in 2022, enhancing TPZ’s managed distribution policy to
make monthly distributions currently targeted at an annual rate of
7 to 10% of NAV. As a result of this most recent Board action, Fund
shareholders are receiving significant distributions from TPZ every
month. The distribution as of January 18, 2022 was $0.105 per share
per month ($0.315 per quarter) an increase of 75% from the monthly
distribution for the prior quarter. Further, the discount to NAV
has dropped 18.7% as of May 2021 to 9.6% at May 11, 2022.
On January 18, 2022, the Board announced a conditional limited
tender offer for up to 5% of TPZ’s outstanding shares at 98% of NAV
per share. The Board believes this more limited tender offer,
assuming the average discount to NAV exceeds 10% for the requisite
measurement period, reasonably balances the interests of
shareholders seeking an opportunity for liquidity in their fund
shares at an above-market price with the interests of shareholders
who desire to remain invested in a fund that has delivered
meaningful returns over the past decade, and continues to
distribute a high monthly distribution to shareholders.
Given TPZ’s improved discount and increased distribution rate, the
Board believes that it would be unwise to recommend the drastic
step of the Shareholder Proposal’s unlimited tender offer, possibly
followed by open-ending or liquidating TPZ, any of which would
seriously impair or eliminate TPZ as a viable investment option for
the many shareholders that have purposefully chosen to invest in
this closed-end fund.
20
Significant Costs of the Shareholder Proposal. As part of
its evaluation, the Board also considered the significant costs TPZ
would bear if the Shareholder Proposal were implemented. The
Shareholder Proposal requests that the Board take two distinct
actions: first, commence an unlimited tender offer for all of TPZ’s
shares at (or near) NAV per share; and second, if at the conclusion
of the Shareholder Proposal’s unlimited tender offer, more than
half of TPZ’s shares have been tendered, cancel the just-completed
tender offer (after the transaction expenses of the tender have
been incurred), and either liquidate TPZ or convert it to an
open-end (mutual) fund, and incur the costs of open-ending or
liquidating. These actions would waste fund assets and
significantly diminish TPZ’s ability to operate efficiently,
potentially even resulting in TPZ’s termination, without providing
any meaningful benefits to TPZ’s long-term shareholders. The
Board’s more limited tender offer, by contrast, provides
shareholders with an opportunity for liquidity at an above-market
price while nonetheless maintaining a Fund of sufficient size to
achieve its investment objectives and take advantage of
leverage.
An unlimited tender offer would be costly to shareholders and could
adversely affect Fund performance. If the Shareholder Proposal’s
unlimited tender offer were completed, TPZ would need to liquidate
a material amount of portfolio securities to accumulate sufficient
cash to pay for the tendered shares. Liquidating these securities
would likely force TPZ to sell its portfolio securities at an
inopportune time, would increase portfolio transaction costs, would
generate adverse capital gains tax consequences for shareholders,
would cause TPZ to bear additional expenses in rebalancing its
portfolio following such sales, and in general would significantly
diminish TPZ’s ability to operate efficiently. Remaining Fund
shareholders would likely suffer from a substantially reduced asset
base, a higher expense ratio, lower dividends, and the costs of the
Shareholder Proposal’s unlimited tender offer. The Board and Fund
management believe that it would be much more difficult for TPZ to
meet its investment objectives and maintain its current
distribution rate after being so severely diminished in size.
Open-ending TPZ would require holding an additional shareholder
meeting to obtain approval, which would take additional time and
expense without any guarantee that shareholder approval would be
obtained. TPZ would also incur potentially significant
administrative, trading, and legal costs in transitioning to an
open-end fund. As an open-end fund, TPZ could not use leverage to
the same degree as a closed-end fund with the likely result a
decrease in TPZ’s distributable cash flow, and redemptions could
result in a significant decrease in assets and increased
volatility. Liquidating TPZ would completely eliminate TPZ as a
long-term investment option.
TPZ’s proposed more limited tender offer, by contrast,
significantly reduces or avoids the problems that would arise under
the Shareholder Proposal. The Board’s tender offer balances a
reasonable liquidity opportunity for shareholders at an
above-market price with preserving TPZ as an investment choice for
longer-term
21
and income-oriented investors that purposefully chose to invest in
this closed-end fund. Purchasing shares at 98% of NAV per share
will enable remaining shareholders to defray the costs of the
tender offer, including the trading costs associated with raising
cash to repurchase tendered shares. Moreover, a more limited tender
offer will likely be more tax efficient because TPZ’s portfolio
managers will be better able to selectively dispose of portfolio
securities, resulting in lower capital gains to TPZ’s remaining
shareholders than would be the case under the Shareholder Proposal.
The Board’s approach will leave sufficient assets for TPZ to
continue to pursue its investment objectives, to continue to use
leverage, and will allow TPZ to maintain its regular and
significant distributions.
The Board therefore believes that the significant and effective
measures it has already taken are a much more responsible approach
to addressing TPZ’s discount than the Shareholder Proposal.
Conclusion. The Board unanimously opposes the Shareholder
Proposal because it invites TPZ’s termination as a closed-end fund.
TPZ continues to maintain adequate trading volume, an improved
discount, and viable size. The Board, through its managed
distribution policy, has already provided a much more effective
means of addressing the discount, one which will not end up
dismantling TPZ. Similarly, the Board’s more limited tender offer
in the event that TPZ’s discount exceeds 10% during an annual
measurement period will provide shareholders with an opportunity
for liquidity at an above-market price while nonetheless
maintaining a Fund of sufficient size to achieve its investment
objectives and take advantage of leverage. The Board therefore
believes that the significant measures it has already taken
together with the limited tender offer justify retaining TPZ’s
closed-end structure for the benefit of all shareholders. By
contrast, the Board believes that the Shareholder Proposal’s
unlimited tender offer, possibly followed by open-ending or
liquidating TPZ, would deprive TPZ’s long-term shareholders of the
characteristics they were seeking when they originally chose to
invest in this closed-end fund.
The Board believes it has taken thoughtful and measured actions to
achieve an appropriate balance between satisfying shareholders’
interests in liquidity with their interests in current income and
capital appreciation.
FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE AGAINST
THE NON-BINDING SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSAL.
22
SUPPORTING STATEMENT OF THE SHAREHOLDER PROPONENT
The Shareholder Proponent’s Supporting Statement is as follows:
Since its IPO on July 28, 2009 through November 30, 2021, the Fund
returned 4.88% per year based upon NAV but only 3.94% per year
based upon market price. Thus, the discount has cost shareholders
almost 1% per year over that time span. Over the past three years,
the discount has averaged about 15%. In August 2021, the Board made
a modest attempt to narrow the discount by adopting a managed
distribution policy but shareholders seeking to sell shares still
can only do so at a hefty discount from NAV.
In addition, the Board of Directors has adopted certain arguably
illegal anti-takeover measures to insulate itself from shareholders
that are unhappy about the Fund’s persistently wide discount.
Consequently, we think it is appropriate for the Board to authorize
a self-tender offer for the Fund’s shares at or close to NAV to
afford shareholders an opportunity to sell their shares at a price
that is greater than the market price. If a majority of the Fund’s
outstanding common shares are tendered, that would demonstrate that
there is insufficient shareholder support for continuing the Fund
in its closed-end format. In that case, we think the tender offer
should be cancelled and the Fund should be liquidated or converted
into (or merged with) an ETF or an open-end mutual fund.
If you agree that it is time to implement more effective measures
to address the Fund’s persistent discount, please vote for this
(non-binding) proposal.
The Shareholder Proponent is Special Opportunities Fund, Inc., 615
East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Neither TPZ, its Board
nor management is responsible for the contents of the Shareholder
Proposal or the Supporting Statement of the Shareholder
Proponent.
Required Vote
To be approved, the Shareholder Proposal must be approved by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding TPZ common shares
cast at the Meeting, which means a vote of the lesser of (1) a
majority of the outstanding shares of TPZ, or (2) 67% or more of
the shares of TPZ represented at the Meeting if more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of TPZ are present or represented by proxy.
Each TPZ common share is entitled to one vote on this proposal. For
purposes of the vote on this proposal, abstentions and broker
non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as votes against the
proposal, since approval is based on the affirmative vote of all
votes entitled to be cast.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board of Directors of TPZ unanimously recommends that
shareholders vote “against” the Shareholder Proposal.
23
AUDIT AND VALUATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit and Valuation Committee of each of TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP,
NDP and TEAF, reviews the Company’s annual financial statements
with both management and the independent auditors.
The Audit and Valuation Committee of each Company, in discharging
its duties, has met with and has held discussions with management
and the Company’s independent auditors. Each Company’s Audit and
Valuation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30,
2021 with management. Management of each Company has represented to
the independent auditors that the Company’s financial statements
were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
The Audit and Valuation Committee of each Company has also
discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be
discussed by Auditing Standard 1301, Communications with Audit
Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board. The independent auditors provided to each
Company’s Audit and Valuation Committee the written disclosures and
the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent
auditors’ communications with the Audit and Valuation Committee
concerning independence, and each Company’s Audit and Valuation
Committee discussed with representatives of the independent
auditors their firm’s independence with respect to that
Company.
With respect to each Company, based on the Audit and Valuation
Committee’s review and discussions with management and the
independent auditors, the representations of management and the
reports of the independent auditors to the committee, the Audit and
Valuation Committee recommended that the Board include the audited
financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report for filing with
the SEC.
The Audit and Valuation Committee of each of
|
TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF
|
|
Rand C. Berney (Chairman)
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Each Company’s Audit and Valuation Committee selected EY as the
independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books
and records of the Company for its fiscal year ending November 30,
2021. EY is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board.
24
FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the approximate amounts of the
aggregate fees billed to each Company for the fiscal years ended
November 30, 2021 and 2020 by EY, respectively:
|
TYG
|
TPZ
|
NTG
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
2021
|
2020
|
2021
|
2020
|
Audit Fees(1)
|
$148,200
|
$171,000
|
$83,700
|
$104,000
|
$87,400
|
$109,000
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
$90,255
|
$74,788
|
$10,625
|
$18,056
|
$49,925
|
$54,507
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees
|
$90,255
|
$74,788
|
$10,625
|
$18,056
|
$49,925
|
$54,507
|
|
TTP
|
NDP
|
TEAF
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
2021
|
2020
|
2021
|
2020
|
Audit Fees(1)
|
$72,500
|
$90,000
|
$66,800
|
$83,000
|
$86,000
|
$105,000
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees(3)
|
$21,243
|
$18,056
|
$21,243
|
$18,056
|
$13,508
|
$20,111
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees
|
$21,243
|
$18,056
|
$21,243
|
$18,056
|
$13,508
|
$20,111
|
(1)
|
For professional services rendered with respect to the audit of
each Company’s financial statements and the review of each
Company’s statutory and regulatory filings with the SEC.
|
(2)
|
For professional services rendered with respect to assurance
related services in connection with each Company’s compliance with
its rating agency guidelines.
|
(3)
|
For professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning.
|
The Audit and Valuation Committee of each Company has adopted
pre-approval policies and procedures. Under these policies and
procedures, the Audit and Valuation Committee of each Company
pre-approves (i) the selection of the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm, (ii) the engagement of the
independent registered public accounting firm to provide any
non-audit services to the Company, (iii) the engagement of the
independent registered public accounting firm to provide any
non-audit services to the Adviser or any entity controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that
provides ongoing services to the Company, if the engagement relates
directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Company,
and (iv) the fees and other compensation to be paid to the
independent registered public accounting firm. With respect to each
Company, the Chairman of the Audit and Valuation Committee of the
Company may grant the pre-approval of any engagement of the
independent registered public accounting firm for non-audit
services of less than $10,000, and such delegated pre-approvals
will be presented to the
25
full Audit and Valuation Committee at its next meeting for
ratification. Under certain limited circumstances, pre-approvals
are not required under securities law regulations for certain
non-audit services below certain de minimus thresholds.
Since each Company’s respective adoption of these policies and
procedures, the Audit and Valuation Committee of the Company has
pre-approved all audit and non-audit services provided to the
Company by EY. None of these services provided by EY were approved
by the Audit and Valuation Committee pursuant to the de
minimus exception under Rule 2.01(c)(7)(i)(C) or Rule
2.01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X. All of EY’s hours spent on
auditing each Company’s financial statements were attributed to
work performed by full-time permanent employees of EY.
The Adviser paid to EY $39,750 in 2020 and $31,400 in 2021 for tax
and other non-audit services provided to the Adviser. These
non-audit services were not required to be preapproved by each
Company’s Audit and Valuation Committee. No entity controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that
provides ongoing services to any of the Companies, has paid to, or
been billed for fees by, EY for non-audit services rendered to the
Adviser or such entity during the Companies’ last two fiscal
years.
The Audit and Valuation Committee of each Company has considered
whether EY’s provision of services (other than audit services) to
the Company, the Adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by,
or under common control with the Adviser that provides services to
the Company is compatible with maintaining EY’s independence in
performing audit services.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of each Company knows of no other matters
that are intended to be brought before the meeting. If other
matters are presented for action, the proxies named in the enclosed
form of proxy will vote on those matters in their sole
discretion.
26
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
At May 31, 2022, each director and director nominee beneficially
owned (as determined pursuant to Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the
Exchange Act) shares of each Company overseen by such director in
the Fund Complex having values within the indicated dollar ranges.
Other than the Fund Complex, with respect to each Company, none of
the Company’s directors and director nominees who are not
interested persons of the Company, nor any of their immediate
family members, has ever been a director, officer or employee of
the Adviser or its affiliates.
Director
|
Dollar Range of Holdings in the Company
(1)
|
Interested Persons
|
TYG
|
TPZ
|
NTG
|
H. Kevin Birzer
|
Over $100,000
|
$50,001-$100,000
|
$50,001-$100,000
|
Independent Persons
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
Over $100,000
|
$50,001-$100,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Rand C. Berney
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
$1-$10,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
$1-$10,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
Director
|
Dollar Range of Holdings in the Company
(1)
|
Interested Persons
|
TTP
|
NDP
|
TEAF
|
H. Kevin Birzer
|
$50,001-$100,000
|
$50,001-$100,000
|
Over $100,000
|
Independent Persons
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Rand C. Berney
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
$1-$10,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
$1-$10,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
$1-$10,000
|
Director
|
Aggregate Dollar Range
of Holdings in Companies
Overseen by Director in Family
of Investment Companies(2)
|
Interested Persons
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer
|
Over $100,000
|
Independent Persons
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
|
Over $100,000
|
Rand C. Berney
|
Over $100,000
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
(1)
|
Based on the closing price of each Company’s common shares on the
New York Stock Exchange on May 31, 2022.
|
27
(2)
|
Includes TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF. Amounts based on the
closing price of each of TYG’s, TPZ’s, NTG’s, TTP’s, NDP’s and
TEAF’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on May 31,
2022. For Mr. Ciccotello, also includes TSIFX, of which he held no
shares at May 31, 2022.
|
At May 31, 2022, each director, each officer and the directors and
officers as a group, beneficially owned (as determined pursuant to
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) the following number of shares
of common and preferred stock of each Company (or percentage of
outstanding shares). Unless otherwise indicated each individual has
sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares
listed.
|
TYG
Common
Shares
|
TPZ
Common
Shares
|
NTG
Common
Shares
|
TTP
Common
Shares
|
NDP
Common
Shares
|
TEAF
Common
Shares
|
Independent Directors
|
Conrad Ciccotello
|
4,815.05(1)
|
3,893.00(2)
|
1,255.00
|
1,527.77
|
1,080.19
|
812.25
|
Rand C. Berney
|
1,196.00(3)
|
2,092.00(3)
|
735.00(3)
|
958.00(3)
|
1,292.00
|
1,111.00
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
125.00
|
250.00
|
150.00
|
150.00
|
125.00
|
150.00
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
282.00
|
725.32
|
226.00
|
222.00
|
154.00
|
255.00
|
Interested Directors and Officers
|
H. Kevin Birzer
|
18,319.16(4)
|
4,150.00
|
2,260.00
|
2,875.00
|
1,793.00
|
7,403.00
|
P. Bradley Adams
|
3,563.34
|
2,653.38
|
698.68
|
261.11
|
318.53
|
3,389.43
|
Matthew G.P. Sallee
|
1,875.00
|
400.00
|
1,112.00
|
100.00
|
162.00
|
1,250.00
|
Brian A. Kessens
|
500.00(5)
|
2,100.00(5)
|
648.00(6)
|
850.00(5)
|
475.00(5)
|
1,000.00(5)
|
Robert J. Thummel, Jr.
|
341.00
|
0
|
166.00
|
62.00
|
375.00
|
2,550.00
|
Nicholas S. Holmes
|
0
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Shobana Gopal
|
876.28(7)
|
0
|
143.38(8)
|
220.11
|
125.56
|
300.00(8)
|
Courtney Gengler
|
23.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
100.00
|
Sean Wickliffe
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Diane Bono
|
446.59(9)
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
250.00(10)
|
Directors and Officers as a Group (11)
|
31,521.42
|
15,863.70
|
6,580.06
|
7,063.99
|
5,263.28
|
13,770.68
|
None of the independent directors and none of the interested
directors and officers hold any TYG preferred shares, NTG preferred
shares or TTP preferred shares.
28
|
% of Outstanding Shares (12)
|
|
TYG
Common
Shares
|
TPZ
Common
Shares
|
NTG
Common
Shares
|
TTP
Common
Shares
|
NDP
Common
Shares
|
TEAF
Common
Shares
|
Independent Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad Ciccotello
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Rand C. Berney
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Alexandra A. Herger
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Jennifer Paquette
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Directors and Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
P. Bradley Adams
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Matthew G.P. Sallee
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Brian A. Kessens
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Robert J. Thummel, Jr.
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Nicholas S. Holmes
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Stephen Pang
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Shobana Gopal
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Diane Bono
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Directors and Officers as a Group
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*Indicates less
than 1%.
(1)
|
Mr. Ciccotello holds 155 of these shares jointly with his wife.
|
(2)
|
Mr. Ciccotello holds these shares jointly with his wife.
|
(3)
|
Mr. Berney holds these shares jointly with his wife.
|
(4)
|
Includes 1.28 shares held jointly with his wife.
|
(6)
|
Includes 600 shares held with his wife.
|
(7)
|
Includes 95.59 shares held jointly with her husband.
|
(8)
|
Held jointly with her husband.
|
(9)
|
Includes 110.30 shares held jointly with her husband.
|
(10)
|
Held jointly with her husband.
|
29
(11)
|
For each of TYG and NTG, total excludes shares held by Messrs.
Kessens and Thummel, who are not officers of TYG or NTG. For TPZ,
total excludes shares held by Messrs. Holmes, Sallee and Thummel,
who are not officers of TPZ. For TTP, total excludes shares held by
Messrs. Holmes, Sallee and Thummel, who are not officers of TTP.
For NDP, total excludes shares held by Messrs. Holmes, Kessens and
Sallee, who are not officers of NDP. For TEAF, total excludes
shares held by Messrs. Kessens, Sallee and Thummel who are not
officers of TEAF.
|
(12)
|
Based on the following shares outstanding as of May 31, 2022:
11,927,903 shares of TYG common stock, 6,526,499 shares of TPZ
common stock, 5,642,991 shares of NTG common stock, 2,227,773
shares of TTP common stock, 1,845,997 shares of NDP common stock,
and 13,491,127 shares of TEAF common stock.
|
The table below indicates the persons known to NTG to own 5% or
more of its common stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
TPZ Common
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
Saba Capital Management, L.P. (*)
Boaz R. Weinstein
Saba Capital Management GP, LLC
405 Lexington Avenue, 58th Floor
New York, New York 10174
|
445,889
|
7.9%
|
(*)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2022
reporting shared voting and dispositive power over the shares
listed in the table above.
|
The table below indicates the persons known to TPZ to own 5% or
more of its common stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
TPZ Common
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
Relative Value Partners Group, LLC (*)
1033 Skokie Blvd., Suite 470
Northbrook, IL 60062
|
1,029,177
|
15.76%
|
Phillip Goldstein(**)
Andrew Dakos
Bulldog Investors, LLP
|
328,998
|
5.04%
|
(*)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 11, 2022
reporting sole dispositive power and sole voting power over the
shares listed in the table above.
|
(**)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13D/A filed on April 14, 2022
reporting aggregate ownership by Messrs. Goldstein and Dakos of
328,998 shares, with sole voting and dispositive power over 5,000
shares and shared voting and dispositive power over 323,998 shares,
and aggregate ownership by Bulldog Investors, LLP of 169,644 shares
(2.6% of outstanding TPZ shares), with sole voting and dispositive
power over 5,000 shares and shared voting and dispositive power
over 164,644. The Schedule 13D/A reports that such shares
beneficially owned by Bulldog Investors, LLP are also beneficially
owned by clients of Bulldog Investors, LLP who are not members of
any group. Messrs. Goldstein and Dakos are partners of Bulldog
Investors, LLP. Clients of Bulldog Investors, LLP and a
|
30
closed-end investment fund for which Messrs. Goldstein and Dakos
have investment and voting authority are entitled to receive any
dividends or sales proceeds from these shares. The reporting
persons disclaim beneficial ownership except to the extent of any
pecuniary interest therein.
The table below indicates the persons known to TTP to own 5% or
more of its common stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
TTP Common
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (*)
325 N. LaSalle Street, Ste. 645
Chicago, IL 60654
|
259,395
|
11.4%
|
Bard Associates, Inc.(**)
135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
Chicago, IL 60603
|
184,180
|
7.4%
|
Saba Capital Management, L.P. (***)
Boaz R. Weinstein (***)
Saba Capital Management GP, LLC (***)
405 Lexington Avenue, 58th Floor
New York, New York 10174
|
131,632
|
5.9%
|
(*)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 2, 2022
reporting sole dispositive power and sole voting power over the
shares listed in the table above.
|
(**)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2022
reporting sole dispositive power but no voting power over the
shares listed in the table above.
|
(***)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G reporting ownership as of June
1, 2022. The Schedule 13G reports shared voting and dispositive
power by each reporting person over the shares listed in the table
above, and that the funds and accounts advised by Saba Capital
Management, L.P. have the right to receive the dividends from and
proceeds of sales from the TTP common shares.
|
The table below indicates the persons known to NDP to own 5% or
more of its common stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
NDP Common
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
Aristides Capital LLC (*)
Christopher M. Brown (*)
Aristides Fund LP (*)
Aristides Fund QP, LP (*)
25 S. Huron St., Suite 2A
Toledo, Ohio 43604
|
93,219
|
5.05%
|
31
Name and Address
|
Number of
NDP Common
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
Saba Capital Management, L.P. (**)
Boaz R. Weinstein (**)
Saba Capital Management GP, LLC (**)
405 Lexington Avenue, 58th Floor
New York, New York 10174
|
152,584
|
8.27%
|
(*)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G amendment filed jointly by
Aristides Capital LLC, Christopher M. Brown, Aristides Fund LP and
Aristides Fund QP, LP on March 9, 2022. The Schedule 13G amendment
reports that as of December 31, 2021, the Aristides Fund LP and
Aristides Fund QP, LP are private investment vehicles (the “funds”)
that directly beneficially own the common shares reported in the
table above. Aristides Fund LP owns 54,820 shares (2.97% of
outstanding NDP shares) and Aristides Fund QP, LP owns 38,399
shares (2.08% of outstanding NDP shares). Aristides Capital LLC is
the general partner of the funds and Mr. Brown is the managing
member of the general partner. Mr. Brown and the general partner
may be deemed to beneficially own the common shares owned directly
by the funds. In the Schedule 13G amendment, each reporting person
disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to any shares other
than the shares owned directly by such reporting person.
|
(**)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13D/A filed jointly by Saba Capital
Management, L.P., Boaz R. Weinstein and Saba Capital Management GP,
LLC on February 14, 2022 which amended a Schedule 13D filed on
January 10, 2022. Saba Capital Management, L.P. serves as
investment manager to private and public investment funds and/or
accounts; Saba Capital Management GP, LLC is the general partner of
Saba Capital Management, L.P. and other affiliated entities; and
Mr. Weinstein is managing member of Saba Capital Management GP,
LLC. The Schedule 13D reports that the funds and accounts advised
by Saba Capital Management, L.P. have the right to receive the
dividends from and proceeds of sales from the NDP common
shares.
|
As of May 31, 2022, to the knowledge of TYG, no person held (sole
or shared) power to vote or dispose of more than 5% of the
outstanding common shares of TYG.
As of May 31, 2022, to the knowledge of TEAF, no person held (sole
or shared) power to vote or dispose of more than 5% of the
outstanding common shares of TEAF
The table below indicates the persons known to TYG to own 5% or
more of its shares of preferred stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
TYG Preferred
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
The Prudential Insurance Company of America (*)
2200 Ross Ave.
Suite 4300W
Dallas, TX 75201
|
2,000,000
|
56.1%
|
32
Name and Address
|
Number of TYG Preferred Shares
|
Percent of Class
|
Barings LLC (formerly Babson Capital Management LLC) (**)
300 South Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (**)
1295 State Street
Springfield, MA 01111
|
411,091
|
11.5%
|
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (***)
7 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10004
|
352,364
|
9.9%
|
Knights of Columbus (****)
One Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
|
254,485
|
7.1%
|
Athene Asset Management, L.P. (*****)
Athene Annuity and Life Company (*****)
Voya Insurance and Annuity Company (*****)
Royal Neighbors of America (*****)
7700 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
|
211,418
|
5.9%
|
Voya Financial, Inc. (******)
230 Park Ave.
14th Floor
New York, NY 10169
|
180,097
|
5.1%
|
(*)
|
Information based on a Securities Purchase Agreement dated December
17, 2021.
|
(**)
|
Information based on Schedule 13G amendment filed on January 7,
2015. The number of shares noted above also reflects a partial
redemption that occurred in April 2020. Barings LLC (formerly
Babson Capital Management LLC) reported that, in its capacity
as investment adviser, it has sole voting and dispositive power
with respect to the 4,600,000 shares (411,091 shares after taking
into account the partial redemption) of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred Stock held in certain advisory accounts owned (directly
or indirectly) by affiliated entities and therefore may be deemed
to beneficially own such shares. Barings LLC is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
(“MassMutual”), the direct beneficial owner of 4,415,000 shares
(359,215 shares after taking into account the partial redemption
and beneficiary re-registration of 34,258 shares to Great-West Life
& Annuity Insurance Company during the period) of Mandatory
Redeemable Preferred Stock. In addition, C.M. Life Insurance
Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual, owns 185,000
shares (17,618 shares after taking into account the partial
redemption) of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, which
therefore may be deemed to be indirectly owned by MassMutual.
|
(***)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G amendment filed on February 15,
2022 and fund records. The Guardian Life Insurance Company of
America reports that it has sole voting and dispositive power over
the shares listed in the table above.
|
33
(****)
|
Information based on a Securities Purchase Agreement dated October
9, 2014 and also reflects a partial redemption that occurred in
April 2020.
|
(*****)
|
Information based on a Securities Purchase Agreement dated October
9, 2014 through which Athene Asset Management, L.P. obtained
beneficial ownership of shares on behalf of Athene Asset and Life
Company, Voya Insurance and Annuity Company, and Royal Neighbors of
America in its capacity as investment adviser. The number of shares
noted above also reflects a partial redemption that occurred in
April 2020.
|
(******)
|
Information based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2015. The
number of shares noted above also reflects a partial redemption
that occurred in April 2020. The Schedule 13G was filed by Voya
Financial, Inc. as the ultimate parent corporation of the following
entities, each of which is a direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Voya Financial, Inc.: Voya Retirement Insurance and
Annuity Company, Voya Insurance and Annuity Company, ReliaStar Life
Insurance Company, ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York and
Voya Investment Management, LLC (as investment adviser to the
foregoing subsidiaries). Voya Financial, Inc. reports that it has
sole voting and dispositive power over the shares listed in the
table above.
|
The table below indicates the persons known to NTG to own 5% or
more of its shares of preferred stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
NTG Preferred
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
Prudential Financial, Inc.(*)
751 Broad Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102-3777
|
634,818
|
80.5%
|
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company(**)
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
|
58,497
|
7.4%
|
(*)
|
Information based on a Securities Purchase Agreement dated December
17, 2021 and based on a Schedule 13G amendment filed on February 6,
2019 by Prudential Financial Inc. The number of shares noted above
also reflects a partial redemption that occurred in April 2020.
|
(**)
|
Information based on a Securities Purchase Agreement dated December
13, 2017. The number of shares noted above also reflects a partial
redemption that occurred in April 2020.
|
34
The table below indicates the persons known to TTP to own 5% or
more of its shares of preferred stock as of May 31, 2022.
Name and Address
|
Number of
TTP Preferred
Shares
|
Percent
of Class
|
Prudential Financial, Inc.(*)
751 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102-377
|
244,000
|
100%
|
(*)
|
Information is based on a Schedule 13G filed January 7, 2019
reporting sole voting and dispositive power as a parent holding
company of PGIM, Inc. which beneficially owns the shares and The
Prudential Insurance Company of America which has the right to
receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or
the proceeds from the sale of, the identified shares. The number of
shares noted above also reflects a partial redemption that occurred
in April 2020.
|
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. is each Company’s investment
adviser. The Adviser’s address is 6363 College Boulevard, Suite
100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211. As of May 31, 2022, the Adviser
had approximately $8.2 billion of client assets under management.
Ecofin Advisors Limited (“Ecofin UK”), an affiliate of the Adviser,
is an investment sub-adviser to TEAF. Ecofin UK’s address is 15
Buckingham Street, London, WC2N 6DU. As of May 31, 2022, Ecofin
UK’s had approximately $1.3 billion of client assets under
management. The assets under management numbers for the Adviser and
Ecofin UK include $0.5 billion of assets for which the Adviser acts
as investment adviser and Ecofin UK acts as sub-adviser.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING
Stockholders. At the record date, each Company had the
following number of shares issued and outstanding:
|
Common Shares
|
Preferred Shares
|
TYG
|
11,927,903
|
3,566,061
|
TPZ
|
6,526,499
|
N/A
|
NTG
|
5,642,991
|
788,757
|
TTP
|
2,227,773
|
244,000
|
NDP
|
1,845,997
|
N/A
|
TEAF
|
13,491,127
|
N/A
|
How Proxies Will Be Voted. All proxies solicited by the
Board of Directors of each Company that are properly executed and
received prior to the meeting, and that are not revoked, will be
voted at the meeting. Shares represented by those proxies will be
voted in accordance with the instructions marked on the proxy.
If
35
no instructions are specified, shares will be counted as a vote FOR
the proposals described in this proxy statement, except the TPZ
Shareholder Proposal for which shares will be counted as a vote
AGAINST.
How To Vote. You may vote your shares by simply completing
and signing the enclosed proxy card (your ballot), and mailing it
in the postage-paid envelope included in this package. You may also
vote in person if you are able to attend the meeting.
Expenses and Solicitation of Proxies. The expenses of
preparing, printing and mailing the enclosed proxy card, the
accompanying notice and this proxy statement and all other costs,
in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the
Companies on a pro rata basis. Each Company may also reimburse
banks, brokers and others for their reasonable expenses in
forwarding proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of
shares of the Company. In order to obtain the necessary quorum for
a Company at the meeting, additional solicitation may be made by
mail, telephone, telegraph, facsimile or personal interview by
representatives of the Company, the Adviser, the Company’s transfer
agent, or by brokers or their representatives or by a solicitation
firm that may be engaged by the Company to assist in proxy
solicitations. If a proxy solicitor is retained by any Company, the
costs associated with all proxy solicitation are not anticipated to
exceed $15,000. None of the Companies will pay any representatives
of the Company or the Adviser any additional compensation for their
efforts to supplement proxy solicitation.
Revoking a Proxy. With respect to each Company, at any time
before it has been voted, you may revoke your proxy by: (1) sending
a letter stating that you are revoking your proxy to the Secretary
of the Company at the Company’s offices located at 6363 College
Boulevard, Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211; (2) properly
executing and sending a later-dated proxy; or (3) attending the
meeting, requesting return of any previously delivered proxy, and
voting in person.
Quorum. With respect to each Company, the presence, in
person or by proxy, of holders of shares entitled to cast a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class)
constitutes a quorum. For purposes of determining the presence or
absence of a quorum, shares present at the annual meeting that are
not voted, or abstentions, and broker non-votes (which occur when a
broker has not received directions from customers and does not have
discretionary authority to vote the customers’ shares) will be
treated as shares that are present at the meeting but have not been
voted.
With respect to each Company, if a quorum is not present in person
or by proxy at the meeting, the chairman of the meeting or the
stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, present in person or
by proxy, have the power to adjourn the meeting to a date not more
than 120 days after the original record date without notice other
than announcement at the meeting.
36
Availability of Annual Report of TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and
TEAF. Each Company will furnish without charge upon
written request a copy of its most recent annual report. Each such
request must include a good faith representation that, as of the
record date, the person making such request was a beneficial owner
of the Company’s common shares entitled to vote at the annual
meeting of stockholders. Such written request should be directed to
the Company’s Secretary at 6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A,
Overland Park, Kansas 66211, (866) 362-9331.
ADMINISTRATOR
TYG, TPZ, NTG, TTP, NDP and TEAF have each entered into
administration agreements with US Bancorp Fund Services, LLC whose
principal business address is 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202.
STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
Stockholders are able to send communications to the Board of
Directors of each Company. Communications should be addressed to
the Secretary of the applicable Company at its principal offices at
6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211.
The Secretary will forward any communications received directly to
the Board of Directors or particular director, as applicable.
CODE OF ETHICS
Each of the Companies has adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule
17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes personal trading
procedures for employees designated as access persons and which is
available through the Company’s link on its investment adviser’s
website (www.tortoiseecofin.com).
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL
MEETING
Method for Including Proposals in a Company’s Proxy
Statement. Under the rules of the SEC, if you want to have a
proposal included in a Company’s proxy statement for its next
annual meeting of stockholders, that proposal must be received by
the Secretary of the Company at 6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A,
Overland Park, Kansas 66211, not later than 5:00 p.m., Central Time
on February 24, 2023. Such proposal must comply with all applicable
requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. Timely submission
of a proposal does not mean the proposal will be included in the
proxy material sent to stockholders.
Other Proposals and Nominations. If you want to nominate a
director or have other business considered at a Company’s next
annual meeting of stockholders but do not want those items included
in our proxy statement, you must comply with the advance notice
provision of the Company’s Bylaws. Under each Company’s Bylaws,
nominations for director or other business proposals to be
addressed at the Company’s next annual meeting may be made by a
stockholder who has delivered
37
a notice to the Secretary of the Company at 6363 College Boulevard,
Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211, no earlier than January
25, 2023, nor later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 24,
2023. The stockholder must satisfy certain requirements set forth
in the Company’s Bylaws and the notice must contain specific
information required by the Company’s Bylaws. With respect to
nominees for director, the notice must include, among other things,
the name, age, business address and residence address of any
nominee for director, certain information regarding such person’s
ownership of Company shares, and all other information relating to
the nominee as is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies in an election contest or as otherwise required by
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. With respect to other
business to be brought before the meeting, a notice must include,
among other things, a description of the business and any material
interest in such business by the stockholder and certain associated
persons proposing the business. Any stockholder wishing to make a
proposal should carefully read and review the applicable Company’s
Bylaws. A copy of each Company’s Bylaws may be obtained by
contacting the Secretary of the Company at 1-866-362-9331 or by
writing the Secretary of the Company at 6363 College Boulevard,
Suite 100A, Overland Park, Kansas 66211. Timely submission of a
proposal does not mean the proposal will be allowed to be brought
before the meeting.
These advance notice provisions are in addition to, and separate
from, the requirements that a stockholder must meet in order to
have a proposal included in any Company’s proxy statement under the
rules of the SEC.
A proxy granted by a stockholder will give discretionary authority
to the proxies to vote on any matters introduced pursuant to the
above advance notice Bylaw provisions, subject to applicable rules
of the SEC.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
|
|

|
|
Diane M. Bono
Secretary
|
June 24, 2022
38
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