☒ | | | 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: | |
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| | 2) | | | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
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| | 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): | |
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| | 4) | | | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
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| | 5) | | | Total fee paid: | |
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☐ | | | 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: | |
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| | 2) | | | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
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| | 3) | | | Filing Party: | |
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| | 4) | | | Date Filed: | |
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1. | To elect three (3) Trustees of the Fund to be elected by the holders of the Fund’s common shares and holders of its 5.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”), voting together as a single class; and |
2. | To consider and vote upon such other matters, including adjournments, as may properly come before said Meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
| | By Order of the Board of Trustees, | |
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| | PETER GOLDSTEIN | |
| | Secretary |
1. | Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card. |
2. | Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration. |
3. | All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individuals signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example: |
Registration | | | Valid Signature | |||
Corporate Accounts | | | ||||
(1) | | | ABC Corp. | | | ABC Corp., John Doe, Treasurer |
(2) | | | ABC Corp. | | | John Doe, Treasurer |
(3) | | | ABC Corp. | | | |
| | c/o John Doe, Treasurer | | | John Doe | |
(4) | | | ABC Corp., Profit Sharing Plan | | | John Doe, Trustee |
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Trust Accounts | | | ||||
(1) | | | ABC Trust | | | Jane B. Doe, Trustee |
(2) | | | Jane B. Doe, Trustee | | | |
| | u/t/d 12/28/78 | | | Jane B. Doe | |
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Custodian or Estate Accounts | | | ||||
(1) | | | John B. Smith, Cust. | | | |
| | f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA | | | John B. Smith | |
(2) | | | John B. Smith, Executor | | | |
| | Estate of Jane Smith | | | John B. Smith, Executor |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | | | Title of Class | | | Amount of Shares and Nature of Ownership | | | Percent of Class |
Americo Financial Life & Annuity P.O. Box 410288 Kansas City, MO 64141 | | | Preferred | | | 479,000 | | | 13.84% |
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Louisiana Workers Compensation 2237 S Acadian Thruway Baton Rouge, LA 70808 | | | Preferred | | | 302,507 | | | 8.74% |
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Financial & Investment Management Group 111 Cass Street Traverse City, MI 49684 | | | Preferred | | | 182,284 | | | 5.27% |
Proposal | | | Common Shareholders | | | Preferred Shareholders |
Election of Trustees | | | Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, vote to elect three Trustees: | | | Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class, vote to elect three Trustees: |
| | Calgary Avansino, Vincent D. Enright, and Michael J. Melarkey | | | Calgary Avansino, Vincent D. Enright, and Michael J. Melarkey | |
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Other Business | | | Common and Preferred Shareholders, voting together as a single class |
Name, Position(s), Address(1) and Age | | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served(2) | | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | | | Other Directorships Held by Trustee | | | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex(3) Overseen by Trustee |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE(4): | | |||||||||||
Agnes Mullady Trustee Age: 63 | | | Since 2021** | | | Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (2008 - 2019); Executive Vice President of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (November 2016 - 2019); President and Chief Operating Officer of the Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC (2010 - 2019); Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC (2006 - 2019); Chief Executive Officer of G.distributors, LLC (2011 - 2019); and an officer of all of the Gabelli/GAMCO/ Teton Funds (2006 - 2019) | | | — | | | 12 |
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES(5): | | | ||||||||||
Calgary Avansino(6) Trustee Age: 46 | | | Since 2021* | | | Chief Executive Officer, Glamcam (2018-2020) | | | Trustee, Cate School; Trustee, the E.L. Wiegand Foundation; Member, the Common Sense Media Advisory Council | | | 5 |
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Elizabeth C. Bogan Trustee Age: 78 | | | Since 2021*** | | | Senior Lecturer in Economics at Princeton University | | | — | | | 12 |
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Anthony S. Colavita(6)(7) Trustee Age: 60 | | | Since 2018*** | | | Attorney, Anthony S. Colavita, P.C.; Supervisor, Town of Eastchester, NY | | | — | | | 21 |
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James P. Conn(7) Trustee Age: 84 | | | Since 2005** | | | Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings, Ltd. (1992-1998) | | | — | | | 23 |
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Vincent D. Enright Trustee Age: 78 | | | Since 2005* | | | Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KeySpan Corp. (public utility) (1994-1998) | | | Director of Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (therapeutics and diagnostics) (2008-2014); Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (2011-2014) | | | 17 |
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Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.(6) Trustee Age: 82 | | | Since 2005*** | | | Co-Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates; Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (1995-2013); Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1983-1989) | | | Director of First Republic Bank (banking); Director of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (casino entertainment company) | | | 11 |
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Name, Position(s), Address(1) and Age | | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served(2) | | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | | | Other Directorships Held by Trustee | | | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex(3) Overseen by Trustee |
Michael J. Melarkey Trustee Age: 72 | | | Since 2005* | | | Of Counsel in the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson LLP; Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie (1980-2015) | | | Chairman of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility) | | | 22 |
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Salvatore M. Salibello Trustee Age: 76 | | | Since 2005** | | | Senior Partner of Bright Side Consulting (consulting); Certified Public Accountant and Managing Partner of the certified public accounting firm of Salibello & Broder LLP (1978-2012); Partner of BDO Seidman, LLP (2012-2013) | | | Director of Nine West, Inc. (consumer products) (2002-2014); Director of LICT Corp. (Telecommunications) | | | 6 |
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Anthonie C. van Ekris(6) Trustee Age: 87 | | | Since 2005** | | | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/export company) | | | — | | | 23 |
Salvatore J. Zizza(6)(8) Trustee Age: 76 | | | Since 2005*** | | | President, Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate) | | | Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manfacturing) | | | 33 |
Name, Position(s), Address(1) and Age | | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served(9) | | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
Bruce N. Alpert President Age: 70 | | | Since 2005 | | | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President - Mutual Funds, G.research, LLC |
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John C. Ball Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Age: 46 | | | Since 2017 | | | Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014- 2017; Chief Executive Officer, G. Distributors, LLC since December 2020 |
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Peter Goldstein Secretary and Vice President Age: 68 | | | Since 2020 | | | General Counsel, GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Legal Officer, Associated Capital Group, Inc. since 2021; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020) |
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Richard J. Walz Chief Compliance Officer Age: 62 | | | Since 2013 | | | Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2013 |
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Carter W. Austin Vice President Age: 55 | | | Since 2005 | | | Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2015) and Vice President (1996-2015) of Gabelli Funds, LLC |
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Molly A.F. Marion Vice President and Ombudsman Age: 68 | | | Since 2005 | | | Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2012 |
| | | |
Name, Position(s), Address(1) and Age | | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served(9) | | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
Laurissa M. Martire Vice President and Ombudsman Age: 45 | | | Since 2010 | | | Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2019) and other positions (2003-2019) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. |
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Daniel Plourde Vice President Age: 41 | | | Since 2021 | | | Vice President of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2021; Assistant Treasurer of the North American SPDR ETFs and State Street Global Advisors Mutual Funds (2017-2021); Fund Administration at State Street Bank (2009-2017) |
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David I. Schachter Vice President Age: 68 | | | Since 2012 | | | Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2015) and Vice President (1999-2015) of G.research, LLC |
(1) | Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422. |
(2) | The Fund’s Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for a three year term. |
(3) | The “Fund Complex” or the “Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex” includes all the U.S. registered investment companies that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment advisers. |
(4) | “Interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Ms. Mullady is considered to be an "interested person" of the Fund because of her direct or indirect beneficial interest in the Fund's Adviser and due to a previous business or professional relationship with the Fund and the Adviser. |
(5) | Trustees who are not considered to be “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act are considered to be “Independent” Trustees. None of the Independent Trustees (with the possible exceptions as described in this proxy statement) nor their family members had any interest in the Adviser or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser as of December 31, 2021. |
(6) | Mr. Colavita’s father, Anthony J. Colavita, and Mr. Fahrenkopf’s daughter, Leslie F. Foley, serve as directors of other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Ms. Avansino is the daughter of Raymond C. Avansino, Jr., who is a Director of GAMCO Investors, Inc., the parent company of the Fund’s Adviser. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master, Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, and Mr. Zizza is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., all of which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and in that event would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Adviser. |
(7) | Trustee elected solely by holders of the Fund’s Preferred Shares. |
(8) | On September 9, 2015, Mr. Zizza entered into a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to resolve an inquiry relating to an alleged violation regarding the making of false statements or omissions to the accountants of a company concerning a related party transaction. The company in question is not an affiliate of, nor has any connection to, the Funds. Under the terms of the settlement, Mr. Zizza, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings and allegation, paid $150,000 and agreed to cease and desist committing or causing any future violations of Rule 13b2-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). The Board has discussed this matter and has determined that it does not disqualify Mr. Zizza from serving as an Independent Trustee. |
(9) | Includes time served in prior officer positions with the Fund. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualifies. |
* | Nominee to serve, if elected, until the Fund’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. |
** | Term continues until the Fund’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. |
*** | Term continues until the Fund’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. |
Name of Trustee/Nominee | | | Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Fund*(1) | | | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Family of Investment Companies*(1)(2) |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE: | ||||||
Agnes Mullady | | | A | | | D |
| | | | |||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES: | ||||||
Calgary Avansino | | | A | | | A |
Elizabeth C. Bogan | | | A | | | E |
Anthony S. Colavita | | | A | | | A |
James P. Conn | | | B | | | E |
Vincent D. Enright | | | A | | | E |
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. | | | A | | | D |
Michael J. Melarkey | | | C | | | E |
Salvatore M. Salibello | | | A | | | E |
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | B | | | E |
Salvatore J. Zizza | | | A | | | E |
* | Key to Dollar Ranges |
A. | None |
B. | $1 – $10,000 |
C. | $10,001 – $50,000 |
D. | $50,001 – $100,000 |
E. | Over $100,000 |
(1) | This information has been furnished by each Trustee and nominee for election as Trustee as of December 31, 2021. “Beneficial Ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) of the 1934 Act. |
(2) | The term “Family of Investment Companies” includes two or more registered funds that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. Currently, the registered funds that comprise the “Fund Complex” are identical to those that comprise the “Family of Investment Companies.” |
Name of Trustee/Nominee/Officer | | | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) | | | Percent of Shares Outstanding(2) |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE: | ||||||
Agnes Mullady | | | 0 | | | * |
| | | | |||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES: | ||||||
Calgary Avansino | | | 0 | | | * |
Elizabeth C. Bogan | | | 0 | | | * |
Anthony S. Colavita | | | 0 | | | * |
James P. Conn | | | 1,000 | | | * |
Vincent D. Enright | | | 0 | | | * |
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. | | | 0 | | | * |
Michael J. Melarkey | | | 3,953 | | | * |
Salvatore M. Salibello | | | 0 | | | * |
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | 2,300 | | | * |
Salvatore J. Zizza | | | 0 | | | * |
| | | | |||
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: | ||||||
Bruce N. Alpert | | | 8,416 Series B Preferred(3) | | | * |
John C. Ball | | | 0 | | | * |
Name of Trustee/Nominee/Officer | | | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) | | | Percent of Shares Outstanding(2) |
Peter Goldstein | | | 0 | | | * |
Richard J. Walz | | | 0 | | | * |
(1) | This information has been furnished by each Trustee, including each nominee for election as Trustee, and executive officer as of December 31, 2021. “Beneficial Ownership” is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act. Reflects ownership of Common Shares unless otherwise noted. |
(2) | An asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less than 1% of the total shares outstanding. The ownership of the Trustees, including nominees for election as Trustee, and executive officers as a group constitutes less than 1% of the total Common Shares and less than 1% of the total Preferred Shares outstanding. |
(3) | Includes 4,000 Series B Preferred Shares owned by Mr. Alpert’s spouse for which he disclaims beneficial ownership. |
Name of Independent Trustee/Nominee | | | Name of Owner and Relationships to Trustee/Nominee | | | Company | | | Title of Class | | | Value of Interests(1) | | | Percent of Class(2) |
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. | | | Same | | | Gabelli Associates Limited II E | | | Membership Interests | | | $1,224,642 | | | * |
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | Same | | | LICT Corp. | | | Common Stock | | | $619,224 | | | * |
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | Same | | | The LGL Group, Inc. | | | Common Stock | | | $24,552 | | | * |
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | Same | | | CIBL | | | Common Stock | | | $43,200 | | | * |
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | Same | | | The LGL Group, Inc. | | | Warrants | | | $1,645 | | | * |
Salvatore J. Zizza | | | Same | | | Gabelli Associates Fund | | | Membership Interests | | | $2,933,681 | | | * |
Salvatore J. Zizza | | | Same | | | Gabelli Performance Partnership L.P. | | | Limited Partnership Interests | | | $360,853 | | | * |
(1) | This information has been furnished as of December 31, 2021. |
(2) | An asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less than 1% of the total interests outstanding. |
Name of Person and Position | | | Aggregate Compensation from the Fund | | | Aggregate Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees(1) |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE: | ||||||
Agnes Mullady | | | $17,500 | | | $99,167 (11) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
| | | | |||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES/NOMINEES: | ||||||
Calgary Avansino | | | $17,500 | | | $46,600 (6) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Elizabeth C. Bogan | | | $17,500 | | | $132,900 (12) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Anthony S. Colavita | | | $26,583 | | | $165,150 (20) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
James P. Conn | | | $25,045 | | | $281,500 (23) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Vincent D. Enright | | | $28,083 | | | $210,500 (16) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. | | | $24,056 | | | $163,500 (12) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Michael J. Melarkey | | | $23,555 | | | $200,445 (22) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Salvatore M. Salibello | | | $23,166 | | | $93,500 (6) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Anthonie C. van Ekris | | | $23,083 | | | $213,500 (23) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
Salvatore J. Zizza | | | $26,545 | | | $332,750 (32) |
Trustee | | | | | ||
| | | | |||
OFFICERS: | | | | | ||
Molly A.F. Marion | | | $82,327 | | | |
Vice President and Ombudsman | | | | |
(1) | Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, by investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios from which such person receives compensation that are part of the Fund Complex. The number in parentheses represents the number of such investment companies and portfolios. |
Fiscal Year Ended December 31 | | | Audit Fees | | | Audit Related Fees | | | Tax Fees* | | | All Other Fees |
2020 | | | $ 61,004 | | | — | | | $ 5,680 | | | $ 7,500 |
2021 | | | $ 61,004 | | | — | | | $ 5,680 | | | $ 7,500 |
* | “Tax Fees” are those fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in connection with tax compliance services, including primarily the review of the Fund’s income tax returns. |